Christian missions in the Telugu country - Uecf.net

io6 MISSIONS IN THE TELUGU COUNTRY
the bandies maintain a fairly uniform rate of two and a
half miles an hour. The servants walk with them and
go straight to the camping-place, where they pitch the
tents. To avoid the fierce heat of the sun, the tents,
wherever possible, are pitched under trees. There is
generally a grove or ' tope ' near the village suitable for
the purpose, though in some places this turns out to be
the burying-ground of the village. If there are no trees
to afford shade for the tents, the heat at midday, even in
winter, is severe, and in summer dangerous. The large
tent requires eight or ten men to pitch it, so members of
the congregation are expected to come and help. In
various directions in the Mission, labour, as a form of
contribution to the work of the Church, is expected and
given. Besides the missionary's large dwelling tent,
another is pitched for a kitchen, and a third is provided
for the servants to sleep in, but, except in wet weather,
they nearly always prefer not to pitch it, and to sleep
under trees.
Some time after the departure of the carts, the time
varying with the distance to be covered, the missionary
will set out for the camping-place, riding on a pony or a
bicycle, or perhaps, if travelling by night, himself going
in a bandy. On his arrival, the teacher and the elders
of the congregation will come to his tent, as there will be
matters to report and questions on which to consult him.
The men of the congregation are generally at work in
the fields during the day, and when they come in will
need their food. So the service must wait Until they
are ready. When they are ready they call the mission-
ary. Lighted by a good lantern—which is needed in