While teaching in Florida, before going to college, sympathizing deeply with the two most needy and lowly classes in the community where her field of labor belonged, instead of devoting her leisure time to such amusements and recreation as are generally hailed with delight by the average young and thoughtless teachers. Lulu was found with a devotion which was as rare as it was Christ-like, doing with all her might what her hands found to do, in aid of the aged and infirm and the poor little orphan children. On this line, for a time, she concluded that her mission work was to be consummated.
In 1883, she claims, while in school, Africa was laid on her soul, but she then yielded only to the extent of trying to have others become interested and go. After finishing her collegiate studies, with renewed zeal she returned to her former field in Florida.
Here again the narrative would not be complete if her own graphic language was omitted:
But the Lord had need of me in Africa, and the happiness that I used to enjoy in the work at home was marred from time to time with the shadow of the darkness of the "Dark Continent," and it was not until June 27, 1886, when I answered a personal request, coming from the Woman's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, asking me to go as their first representative to that far off dark land, that I felt happy and free from the sin of omission of duty. I was truly happy then, and since I have set sail for the benighted country I am happier (she was on her voyage when these words quoted were penned); when I reach the doleful shores I shall be happiest. What comfort comes to us from doing the perfect will of God concerning us!
In due time the voyage came to an end; the desired haven was reached. Other than some very rough
