One cannot help smiling sometimes in midst of death; the comic element will crop up everywhere and the sublime verges on the ridiculous.  Old Mrs. Griesel, delirious, “Ach, minheer, en moet ik nou sterve en dit zonder eers een glas karren melk to kry?” (O, sir, and must I die now, and that without one glass of buttermilk?); wonder, wonder how many will get well in that fatal ward.  Give Miss Van Tonder up, also Mrs. Steyn and Mrs. Griesel—­but!

Four children struggling with Death just now; among these a tiny little girl three years—­the dearest, sweetest, little cherub imaginable.  It knocks one over completely to see mother kneeling silently by bedside.  There is pathetic element in the utter helplessness of human love.  How hard to witness suffering with a breaking heart and to be—­helpless!

Our new hospital matron arrived; let us hope for better things now.[63]

Found old Englishman (Hockins) in hospital; chat and prayer in English; my first in camp.

Big load of boards arrived this morning; now there will be coffin material again for a short season.[64]

To-morrow afternoon is service, and nothing ready yet.

* * * * *

Thursday, October 10.—­Sad and gloomy day.

Early visit hospital, and on entering fatal ward saw the two empty places—­Mrs. Griesel and Miss Van Tonder.  O, the sorrow, the bitter sorrow, of it!  Went to morgue tents and saw her again in death who had suffered so long and patiently these last few weeks.  Rest after weariness—­sweet rest at last.  But where, O where, are our prayers?  May God save me from sin of unbelief and doubt during these days!

“Nie pijn nie, Minheer L., maar net zoo gedaan” (No, no pain, Mr. L., but only so weary).  Thus, when I asked her on my last visit if she had any pain.

That tent too much for me now, and could not enter there to-day.  God forgive my neglect!

Three others (children) also dead hospital.

Went late last evening to tents in “infected area”; found three children all very bad, and one boy struggling in Death’s throes; poor little chap; he is gone since, and we buried him this afternoon.

Thirteen coffins; so sad, so painfully sad.  May I never forget the weeping crowd around the open graves!

“En God zal alle tranen van hunne oogen afwisschen” (And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes); sang, “Voor eeuwig met den Heere” (For ever with the Lord).  And now, where are these dead?  What would I not give to have short minute’s talk with that good young girl!  What would she tell me?  We read together so often, prayed so often, spoke about enternal things so often.  And now!  What now?  How good and wise of God to withhold from our knowledge some certain things.

Our life here on earth must be one of Faith and Hope.

Feel so horribly low this evening.

Visits in camp, before hospital; again before funerals; also after funerals; but making no headway; hundreds of sick all about, and hundreds who can never be visited.