It has been my aim in these pages to give, without embellishment, some idea of the nature of the Africans, their character, customs, religion, and surroundings, as well as some of the difficulties, methods, encouragements, and discouragements of missionary work among them. Missionaries are often censured for being too optimistic, for giving only the bright side of their work, therefore I have studiously sought to avoid this attitude and to give an unvarnished account of missionary enterprise. Judging from my own convictions and beliefs in reference to the work, it seems to me that if I have erred in this respect, it has been by understating rather than overstating the value and encouraging results arising from such labors. This book does not claim to be a complete history of the Brethren in Christ's Missions in Africa, but rather some of the experiences of one member of that mission body. Since, however, it has been my privilege to be with the work from its inception, the enclosed narrative will have the added value of giving at least something of the beginning and early history of the mission. My only apology for recounting so much of my personal experience and impressions in the work is that I am unable to give, properly, the experience and viewpoint of anyone else. We desire to express our thanks to Mrs. Myron Taylor, formerly Miss Adda Engle, for the majority of the photographs with which this work is illustrated; also to Elder Steigerwald and the other missionaries who have furnished a number of them. We had hoped to have some later ones from Matopo and Mtshabezi Missions, but have failed in securing good ones. If this little volume in some small degree arouses a greater interest among Christians in the evangelization of the Dark Continent, and is a means in God's hands of getting the light to a few more of the vast millions of pagan Africans, I shall feel more than repaid for sending it on its mission. H. FRANCES DAVIDSON. Auburn, Ind. CONTENTS PART I Matopo Mission CHAPTER I. Early Missionary Labors--Origin of Foreign Missionary Work, 1894--After Two Years--An Appeal--My Call--First Missionaries--Preparing to Sail, 1897, 19 CHAPTER II. On the Deep--England--Bound for Cape Town--Matabeleland Chosen--Landing at Cape Town, 29 CHAPTER III. Cape Town--Elder Engle's Interview with Mr. Rhodes--Zulu Language--Mrs. Lewis' Kindness--Journey to Bulawayo, 38 CHAPTER IV. Matabeleland--Wars with the Natives--Hide in the Matopo Hills--Bulawayo--Selection of a Mission Site, 45 CHAPTER V.