Womans Endurance | Page 4

this little mite clasped her
tiny hands together when Oom began to pray, I was bowled clean over.
35, 156, 15 rather better.
At 34 found old friends of Oom Jacob; Wernich; the old woman weak;

very nice to meet so many great friends of Oom Jacob and of Papa
from Colesberg; old Mr. Du Plessis can't get over it.
Wasted much time at weekly meeting of the Elders; impatient; each
Elder has block of sixteen tents to care for; heard reports; nearly all
report general sickness. The amount of sickness just now is terrible; a
vast hospital; the bitter cold nights play havoc; most lie on the hard
bare ground.
Fighting grimly with uncleanliness; the idea that it is dangerous to
wash with measles; rot!
Another great point; must insist that friends and relatives abstain from
all long-faced despondency, with total absence of any cheer and
hopefulness; this bad effect on patients; if anyone seriously ill, they
"hands up" and cluster around to await the end, lest perchance they
miss seeing "zoo 'n prachtige sterfbed" (such a beautiful deathbed).
Mrs. Botha (outer Camp) sent for me; penitent; wonder if it is only the
fear that drives her, or whether it is a genuine case of true repentance;
she has measles badly.
91; mother sick; five children (and one in hospital).
Sad about 398; buried two children this afternoon; this is the third;
mother also dead; husband sick; glad I found time to see him; poor
fellow.
458; great distress; old grandmother; sick mother; sick children; no
nourishment; no candles; very helpless; Benger's Food, beef tea, and
candles.
Made only about twenty-two visits to-day.
Relieved Mr. Becker funeral service; seven this afternoon; had no time
to prepare; reckless; got through somehow; "Het wordt gezaaid in
verderfelijkheid, het wordt opgewekt in onverderfelijkheid" (It is sown
in corruption, it is raised in incorruption).

"Ja, leeraar, hier in ons Kamp wordt daar nie droppels tranen gestort nie
maar emmers vol" ("Yes, Pastor, here in our Camp it is not drops but
bucketsful of tears that are shed").
There are about a dozen corpses in morgue tents just now.
* * * * *
Tuesday, August 27.--The blessedness of eventide.
Letters from Issie and Louise; seem to have forgotten for a brief space
the sorrows around.
Record day so far; visited thirty-five tents; very hard task. It is so
delightful to offer up a thanksgiving prayer for a change; the usual
"noodgebed" (emergency prayer) is most wearying. Thank God, that in
some I found "beterschap" (convalescence).
Am striking out in new direction now; there is too much despondency
and heaviness of spirit rampant; anyhow, extremely difficult task, for
the conditions all around are most lamentably depressing.
Am going to sew blankets into bag this evening, a la Hanglip[15]; last
night bitterly cold; frost this morning; to-day very hot again; these two
extremes so disastrous to the sick.
440 little better, and 383 much better.
190; Mrs. Taljard died last night.
Deaths at 201, 312, and 460 also; and all these had never yet been
visited. Here is where the dissatisfaction comes in; and yet, how am I to
know?
In 436 a child died; mother in great sorrow.
Next to 416 is Mrs. Van der Walt; very sick; not at all serene within;
such cases very hard. While at dinner suddenly called to Mrs. Van der
Walt--death's throes; prayer; when at dinner, on return, heard the

horrible whistle go.
Our wood is done, and there remains nothing wherewith to make
coffins; will have to bury in blankets to-morrow I fear; this will cause
extra affliction and unhappiness. Pitiable to see husband of Mrs. Van
der Walt pleading for boxes which could not be given; and he was
"schatryk" (very rich) they say. There will be a great outcry, I'm afraid.
And yet, after all, will a coffin save the soul?
After dinner, 169; baby died; mother sorely stricken.
Visited old mother in 25 again, and spoke few words of cheer; she is an
old Christian; blessed me for coming.
In luck's way to-day; felt inclined for handwash, and was taken into
tent 335; Horak's; relations of old Jaap's[16]; nice, clean, tidy;
delighted; happiness; mother; daughter; autoharp; lemon syrup; must
go again if I can.
"Wie is daar? Wat is dit?" ("Who is there? What is it?")
"Zal Minheer L---- assemblief gou kom naar Mrs. Meintjes? Zij le op
sterve!" ("Will Mr. L---- please come quickly to Mrs. Meintjes? She is
dying!")
Just returned; delirious; called her by name after prayer, and she
became conscious for a few seconds; fear her moments on earth are
numbered. How good of those girls to watch over her! Husband rushed
out of tent in tears. Now, what could I do?
"Is there no pity sitting in the clouds can see into