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Show home in the midst of greatest darkness. Although she had her own family cares with four small people growing up about her, schools sprang up all around, moulded by the touch of her hand into new light-giving centers. Her letters are most fascinating; and when we read of the strong Zulu church of today, we know that Mr. and ]\Irs. Holbrook had no small part in the seed-sowing. Before they came home for their much needed change, they welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Dorward who carried on our interest in Zululand. Mr. Dorward was a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley (then the Pacific Theological) and it was in his third year there that he made the decision for a missionary life. He found his wife in Connecticut and she became endeared to our Board at once. No one can look at her strong, lovely face without the keenest appreciation of her nobility of character, and a realization of the great gift to Africa that went when she sailed as a bride in 1890. She had her frontier life also, and then later was located at Adams where Mr. Dorward was connected with the Theological School and she could look after the Ireland Home for girls. The fine hymnbook used wherever the Zulu language goes was in part Mr. Dorward's literary work. Mrs. Dorward was most successful in woman's work, and maintained what none of us could do, a woman's prayer-meeting at seven in the morning before the women went out to their field work. Ill health cut short the valuable service in Africa so that they were obliged to retire in 1905. Little Florence became the first child our Board enrolled as a member, her name heading the Cradle Roll. Natal is not a large country, and the Mission has always been small. One can not read the annals of earlier days without many a pull at the heart strings,, and a conviction that these choice people suffered more than was necessary because the church at home did not support them adequately. Their reward is in the strength of the Zulu Christian when once he is coverted and trained. And he it is who becomes the splendid home missionary and carries his enthusiasm and his literature a thousand miles and more into Rhodesia. Let us also go with him to that inviting field. [ 63 ] |