Saturday, September 21.—­Longish day; called early to see 270 and 269; again in evening to 270; last stage of consumption; won’t last long. (Here go those terrible bearers again!  When, O when, will the Angel of Death sheathe his scythe and depart out of our midst!)

Made church straight for morrow; fine stout “doornhout” (mimosa) pins—­(more bearers, here they go again!)—­and two strong wires fastened to stones buried in ground (anchors).  There are some 24 school forms, and these will seat about 400 people.

Quaky about tomorrow; sermon unprepared; meant to have had afternoon to self, but quite impossible.

Another death, 128; croup; Smit; tent removed on doctor’s orders outside camp while child dying; cruel; entreaties of mother vain; child carried in dying condition; expired little after; when I came, found woman in greatest distress; things bundled outside; indignant; poor defenceless, helpless women.  May God help them!

Visits 386, 424, 432, 489, 519.

Called to Mrs. Steyn, 541 (three children gone already); daughter suddenly sick; looks like fever; found Mr. Becker there; poor little mother!  She is so reconciled and patient in her tribulation.

Called to tent near shop; Mrs. Theron; great pain; three children, sick; no help; dependent on charity of neighbours; no light; God alone knows how many tents there are without lights to-night and with very sick inmates.

Hospital; talk with Mr. V.d.M.; very sick; delirious somewhat; Psalm 27, prayer.

Girlie in ward 1 very sick.

In children’s ward found mother and grandmother sitting by bedside of dying boy five years; mother broken; after my prayer there was a tear glistening in the boy’s left eye; pathetic to see mother wipe it away as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

In the upper ward lies a girl[53] of fourteen, with the softest, sweetest face imaginable; two clear, languid, blue eyes; very dangerously ill; wonder if!

Prayed at bedside; daughter of the mother who asked me to wire to her husband yesterday.  Spoke to Superintendent; quite unsympathetic; fruitless.

May God spare that child’s life!

Mr. Becker funerals; seven or eight, I believe.

Called in by Mr. Kruger; wife died in hospital this morning; son (16 years) buried Monday; another child some days ago; poor fellow; he himself sick; subscribed 5s. to assist him to obtain coffin.

Now for to-morrow’s sermon!

* * * * *

Sunday, September 22.—­Grand day; ideal weather; longish.

Up six o’clock; sermon; sweat; veld; “Om te doen gedenken” (To bring to remembrance).

Inauguration of church; huge crowd; packed; hundreds outside.

Impossible to use even the tiniest bit of notes; “broekscheur.”  Made rather mull of first half; “Ik gedenk heden aan mijne zonden” (I do remember my faults this day).  Introduction and second point more satisfactory; luckily (?) girl fainted; seized opportunity to give out hymn; grasped notes to refresh memory; “Ik gedenk heden aan de weldaden des Heeren—­God’s liefde” (I remember this day the mercies of the Lord—­God’s love).