RECEIPTS OF THE WOMAN’S BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE INTERIOR.

MRS. J. B. LEAKE, TREAsuPER.

* FROM JANUARY 18, 1885, To FEBRUARY 18, 1885.

Mrs. J. H. W. Arren. MRS. i. e. DWINELL.
1526 Eddy St., San Francisco. Redwood, Cal.
Foreign Secretary. Recording Secretary.
MRS. H. r. JEWETT. airts. s. s. shiith.
Treasurer. Auditor.
MRS COLE, 572 Twelfth St., Oakland, Cal. K. P. FLINT, Esq.

LETTER FROM MRS. SARAH L. HOLBROOK.

we publish this month our first letter from Mrs. Holbrook, our new missionary in Africa, whom we have this year adopted, and who thus introduces herself and her work to us:–

MAPUMULo, NATAL, S. AFRICA, Nov. 19, 1884. DEAR FRIENDs: A short time since a letter was received from Dr. Alden, stating that you had kindly taken me into your fold of love and prayer. It is a helpful thought that we in our isolated homes are thus tenderly remembered. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” and a great proportion of missionary success may be owing to those in the home-land who so earnestly besiege the throne of grace, and, as it were, hold up the weary hands of the more immediate toilers. Last December, almost a year ago, we reached Natal, and until April spent our time at the different stations, learning the language, and becoming acquainted with the best methods of work among this people. In April we reached our home at Mapumulo, which is the most northern point of our Zulu Mission. Umvoti, the next station, is thirty miles south of us, over a rough, mountainous road. There is a station occupied by Norwegian missionaries about five miles to the north, and also a few white settlers located at distant intervals along the way. Thus in our isolation from the outside world, we learn to sympathize with so many of the missionaries in our western home-land. But you want to know about our work— and when I stop to think, my mind wanders far back in the past to Paul, the tent

maker, and I wonder if he did not often think it more satisfactory to be telling the story of Jesus than working on those innumerable holes for the tent-pins? or preaching to multitudes on Mars Hill a nobler occupation than sewing those never-ending seams? I can imagine he did; but he kept at work just the same. In these few months we have found our “tent-work” consumes a great share of time which, it would seem, might be better employed in telling the Gospel story to the heathen about us. But if we are to give them an example of a Christian home, much time must be spent in restoring from decay the long-neglected residence to which we have come. We trust these outside duties will soon take less time and strength. Still, we feel that something has been accomplished which tells directly for Christ. The temperance work, which has made such strides in some of the stations, has gained a foothold here. Some have taken the pledge who are proving earnest workers, and we are looking for still greater results. I have spent many hours in the day-school, which was in great need of oversight, and can see a marked progress. Then the Sabbath-school, which could hardly be dignified by that name, is now showing some signs of life, and we hope in time its usefulness may be great. I have just received news that kind friends at home have sent the needed funds for starting a kraal school, and thus some of the people outside the station may soon have an opportunity to learn to read, which is often a stepping-stone to a desire for Christianity. You see, there has been only a beginning made in these things, and where the field is so wide and the need of work so great, we are sometimes tempted to discouragement. But the battle is the Lord's, and surely he will not allow heathenism to prevail, if our armor is all right. I feel that what we need more than all else is the gift of God’s Spirit, not only upon ourselves, but on the whole church here. Only so can the power of vile habits and superstition be overcome. It is a great comfort to feel that you will often remember us in —our little corner of God's world, and that those prayers may be heard and answered is my earnest wish.

A FEw words in regard to Africa may inspire us to greater fidelity in prayer and effort, and may give us a fuller realization that we are linked, on this Pacific Coast, with that resistless current of Christian love and zeal that will flow through that dark land till the shadows shall flee away, and the everlasting light shall flood with glory those waiting souls who are unconsciously stretching forth their hands unto God. We talk of “foreign missions,” and of sending money far away, but we forget that Africa touches us through her millions who have helped to enrich our land; that she touches us through commercial and scientific interests; that she touches us by the learning of Alexandria, whose vital force will always be felt in the Church, forming a part of that historic splendor of Egypt whose impress will always be felt not only in our country, but throughout the civilized world. Africa touches us, too, with a tenderer memory as we see one of her dusky sons coming out from obscurity to bear the cross after Jesus, as if to plead by the very act for his brethren whom Christ came to save. We need not seek further for the many motives that rise at our bidding for mission work in Africa. Let us glance, then, at her needs and at some of the positive accomplishments in this vast field. The province of Natal, where the work of the American Board was established in 1855, is in Southeastern Africa, and has an area of 18,750 miles. It is separated from the wild Zulu tribes on the north by the Tugela River. The Drackenberg Mountains guard its western border, and send their fertilizing streams through her valleys to the sea. Some foreigners reside in the province, but the inhabitants are mostly of the Zulu tribe, who have some characteristics of the negroes, but are superior to them in their splendid physique and in their intellectual powers. They live in huts “like huge beehives,” which are gathered together in kraals or villages. A man here guards his property, which is his cattle, and in women, who are his slaves, though they have the name of wives. The heavy work of the field, wood-cutting, and burden-bearing, are done by women. Daughters are often sold for cattle. Mothers, think of your little girls rejoicing in their fathers' love, and then remember those heathen women whose daughters are thus despised; for mother-love is instinctive even there, rising like a pure stream in those polluted places. In the harems of the chiefs in Central Africa the head-wife, or queen, rules all the rest. If one displeases her lord she is accused of witchcraft, and poisoned without scruple; and if this method fails, she is shot or drowned. This faith in witchcraft brings untold misery in its train. Du Chaillu tells a pathetic story of a poor girl, Okondaga, in Central Africa, who was compelled to drink poison for having