INTERESTING LETTER FROM NUNS IN JOHANNESBURG.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 20 March 1896, Page 29

INTERESTING LETTER FROM NUNS IN JOHANNESBURG.

SISTERS OF NAZARETH IN THR TRANSVAAL.

The Mother General of the StHters of Nazareth, Hammersmith, London, received the following letter from one of her community in Johannesburg. The Sisters of Nazareth, we may mention, do similar work to tha Little Sisters of the Pooi. Nazareth House, Johannesburg, January 6, 1 896. My Deareet Mother-General,— We have great anxieties at present here, and I am sure you are anxious, too. You will be surprised to hear that wa had to leave our house as the English soldiers have their camp in Yeoville, quite close to it. At 7 p.m. on Wednesday the Colooel sent a message to say that we would have to house about 800 men that night, but not to be alarmed as officers were appointed to k*>ep perfect order. Fortunately, the ground floor of the new building was not jet occupied by us, so they took possession of it. Nothing could exceed the kindness and respect the officers and toldiers showed the poor and us. We were all well provided for from the officers' megs. On Thursday morning I got an order to take the Sisters and children ont of the house at once, so as to have tham in town in less than half-an-hour, as a troop of Boers were seen coming to Yeoville. You can picture the hurry and excitement. The poor old people and children were very frightened. We were anxious, but knew God would take care of His poor. The English army provided carriages and men to take us away. We left with much reluctance our beautiful home, but Father de Lacy, 0.M.1, is remaining in it to take care of it. We are at present in the old convent near the chnich, and are well provided with everything. The Boers, however, retreated without firing, thank God. The Governor of Cape Colony iB at present in Pretoria with the hope of making peace. The general opinion is that he will be successful. I

trust bo, for both Boers and Zethan^ers are good to us, but the pric. cipal members of the National Union are our greatest friends", viz.— Colonel Rhodes, Messrs Lionel Philips, St John Oarr, Abel Bailey, and others, who gave as the first donations to the new house. The Sisters and poor are quit* well ; the former very brave and cheerful, bnt the poor children often cry to go home. I met one of the chief officers who was in our house the other day, and I told him we felt it hard to be turned oat of the house. He said he was sure we would be well compensated for it. We trust it may be so, and that part of the debt will be paid off—that would be worth a little privation, and cause less anxiety to you, dear mother. I would have wired to D 1 Urban for Mother Provincial to come, but heard that travelling through the Transvaal is extremely dangerous at present. We have passed through an experience we shall not forget easily! However, we hope the disturbance will soon be over.— With love to all at home, etc., your affectionate child, ___ __^_ SB. M. B.