A STUDENT FROM AFRICA

By Mrs. E. W. Seeds

Mabel Eugenia Dennis, from Monrovia, Liberia, Africa, is now a pupil at Eliza Dee Home. She came here through the influence of Mrs. Fannie Wright Turner, once a student at King Home, but now the wife of Rev. W. L. Turner, a missionary to Africa. Mabel sailed from Monrovia in April, 1922, in the care of Mrs. Lucy Porter, of Kentucky, who had visited Africa. It was a most interesting and adventurous journey, and Mabel was interested in all the sights, especially of a volcano on fire. After fifteen days they landed in Cadiz, Spain, and waited there for a boat to America. Once on board they were compelled after a few days to turn back because of a broken propeller. But they finally arrived at Ellis Island and here new troubles awaited Mabel. She was not quite sixteen and there was difficulty about her being allowed to land. During this time of waiting, Miss Matthews, our missionary, and Miss Katharine Woloschak, her assistant, were most kind to her and took her to the Immigrant Girls' Home, and also showed her some of the sights of the great city. Finally, the difficulties regarding her entrance having been removed, she was put on board the train and found her way to Austin, Texas.

Here she was kindly cared for at the home of Professor Frazier until the opening of the Eliza Dee School. She is trying to adjust herself to American ways, but it is all very new to her. On Christmas she could hardly understand why she received so many nice things. Christmas was a happy time in the Home. One Saturday night before the girls, with visitors (invited by them), gathered in one of the rooms where a small tree was decorated with many nice presents, sent to them by kind friends from auxiliaries, circles and bands in the North. They were delighted and greatly appreciated their gifts. On Christmas morning some of the girls sang carols through the halls, making all feel the joy of the holy Christmas day. It was indeed a day of joy, gladness and praise, and no one appreciated it more than the newcomer from Africa.

ELIZA DEE INDUSTRIAL HOME

For two or three years we have observed Passion Week with the whole school, all services being in college chapel and for the whole school. We had our own morning prayer services and the usual Easter ones in the Home at morning worship. In the evening the president had a "candle-light service," when all who would renewed their obligations, and a few who had never taken a stand in public were among the number.

Our Home family, while small, are all professing Christians, some not as active as they might be, but many things account for that in these young people as well as all these days.

ELIZA DEE INDUSTRIAL HOME

Our Eliza Dee family held a six-o'clock service during Passion Week, each morning, led by various teachers. Decision Day, at 7 P. M., all went to the college chapel where a "candle-light" service was held, in which I think each took a part. We had only two little girls in the home who had taken no definite stand, one from Africa. She, some weeks ago, tried to understand and made a promise. We trust all of this effort and the best influence at all times will bring about a change for the better in all girls' lives here.

Woman's home missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church - 1922

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