The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1930, Page 99

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 99

‘Dear Mr. Dorpat:—It is with the greatest
pleasure that I am writing you this letter. I had
always desired to write you earlier but I failed to
do so because I asked one of the patients and order-
lies to help me packing my books when was leaving
Burkeville but failed some important letters and
addresses I have had. Fortunately, Charles Mar-
shall the patient at Piedmont sent me a book Light
wn the Dark Belt by Rosa Young, which you kindly
asked him to mail for me. It is very interesting
book and rather helpful to me. After I read half-
way I thought deeply about my people and how can
also render them such service. I was compelled by
some feeling withing me to
write an article to my people
concerning this New Light.
I am enclosing a copy for you
and if you think it very in-
teresting to show Director of
Missions Drewes. You can
send me his address and I will
mail a copy for him; or if
you happen to see him you
may show him this copy.

“T am seizing this earliest
opportunity of writing you on
the matter which I have been
thinking about for a long
time and hope that my
humble request will meet
your deepest and kind con-
sideration.

“My purpose of coming to
this country or Hampton In-
stitute was to prepare myself
so that on my return to Africa
I shall be at my best to teach
and lead my people in the right way of serving God.
Since then I have been trying very hard in my
studies and work. There are two obstacles, however,
that hinder me from progressing smoothly and have
very much disturbed me: first, my long illness which
kept me away from school for a year and cautioned
me to avoid the opportunities for self-help in strenu-
ous work for a while; second, the poor irregularity
of my parents in supporting me due to their lack of
funds. These things have so much disturbed and
worried me that somenights when I am called into
the office with high bills unpaid, I become dis-
couraged and think or question myself whether
I should drop my plans for enlightening my people
Africans just for the lack of better preparation.
However I shall be very sorry to do so, if my dis-

couragement is against the will and noble plans of
God who called and sent me here.

“I am therefore addressing you now to ask you
kindly if you can assist me in my prayers or in-
fluence someone to assist me in a pecuniary way in
my education. I shall be very much glad and thank-
ful to hear from you. By the way, I am improving
and gaining weight every day also my work in
classes is good.

“T will mail the book very soon.

“With all best wishes,

“Yours very sincerely
“Peter Koinange.”

A Heathen African Village Where No Missionary Has Yet Come.

And here follows the address which Peter Koi-
nange, the young African chief, sent to his people in
Kenya Colony, East Africa.
that this address was revised by the young African

chief’s teachers or other friends, but even a super--

ficial reader will soon notice that the address con-

tains expressions that a person reared in America-

would not use.

To the Elders and Public Leaders,
Kenya Colony, East Africa.

You will remember a few years ago, East Africa.
was a country of forests and the majority of natives -

were separated by the old traditional customs and

superstitious beliefs without any method of inter--
tribal communication. Every tribe had its system _

It is not improbable-

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