Immediately after breakfast visited two dying babies, 585, 695.

Great crowd of children assembled in front of church, several hundreds (I hear a weeping and a wailing close by; evidently someone just died); hurried thither; gathered children in circle; Psalm 146; prayer; address (privilege, obedience, faithfulness); also exhorted them to take good care of church and to be careful of lines, ropes, pegs, etc.

Ordered 3,500 bricks at 1s. 1-1/2d. per hundred; saw Superintendent, who promised to provide roofing; hope he won’t disappoint.  Busy whole morning with books.

Called after dinner Mrs. Pelser; ill and concerned about soul; same one I had long talks with before; afraid she is still ignorant of primary step, reconciliation with God; spent long while in making way of salvation clear; Doppers; tent full; “Haar Leuze” (her delight), Psalm 62, verse 1, and when I read it aloud I was on the point of remarking, “Nee, wach, ik het die regte vers ver jou—­Gez 39, vers 3, ’Komt gij allen” ("No, wait, I have the right verse for you—­Hymn 39, verse 3, ’Come ye all, sinners come, what dare hold you back"); saved from this calamity[51] by mere chance (grace); perhaps they are Doppers! and so it was.  Narrow shave; second time!

Had to hurry to funerals; eight; Martie and Annie Erasmus; “Leer ons alzoo onze dagen tellen” (So teach us to number our days).

(Here go the bearers with another corpse.)

Met another brother of Tolllie’s; regular reproduction; brought me to several new sick people; Mrs. Venter very, very ill.  Fear!  Asked if I should pray for her; “Ja, Minheer” ("Yes, sir").  “En wat zal ik bid?” ("And what shall I pray?”) “Ach, Minheer, dat die Heere mij gouw moet kom haal” ("O sir, that the Lord come quick to fetch me").

Poor old dad!  He has lost eight children and grandchildren in camp already, and this is his last daughter.

Neglected hospital again; disgusted; those troublesome books!

Had hurried walk round; Mrs. Kruger dying; prayed, but quite delirious.

Met weeping mother on coming out; “Minheer, zal minheer tog nie ver mij help nie om vir mij man een telegram te stuur, hij is in Doornbult Camp.  Ik is alleen hier en twee van mij kinders is al dood, and nou le die dochtertje ernstig ziek in die hospital?” ("Sir, won’t you be able to help me to send a telegram to my husband, he is in Doornbult Camp.  I am alone here; two of my children are already dead, and now my daughter lies dangerously sick in hospital")[52].  That is the saddest part of all.  Mothers here alone with sick children, and fathers far off—­some in other camps.  And then, when Death comes and takes a child, the loneliness of such mothers is too hard a burden to bear.  Many children here and many who have died, never yet seen by fathers.

Led prayer meeting at young Otto’s tent; six young fellows.

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