YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE LIVES OF ROBERT AND MARY MOFFAT. ^6^e* — 't-eviu^ ^t-c--fc-. THE LIVES OF ROBERT & MARY MOFFAT "BY THEI11 50CNC JOHN S. MOFFAT WITH PORTRAITS AND MAPS SECOND EDITION 3LorUiori T. FISHER UNWIN 26 PATERNOSTER SQUARE MDCCCLXXXV PREFACE. 1HAVE to thank many for willing help rendered in the making of this book — so many that I cannot name them all ; and if I pass over some who are not mentioned, or of whose service I have seemed not to avail myself, let them understand that their kindness has been none the less felt or valued. I thank the Directors of the London Missionary Society for placing their records at my disposal ; and their Foreign Secretary, the Rev. R. W. Thompson, for the liberal interpretation which he gave to the instructions of the Board on the subject. Still more do I thank those old friends who, with brotherly and sisterly confidence, committed to my care the family correspondence of long years, a sacred record of mingled joy and sorrow in the lives of their parents and mine. I need scarcely say how I value the communica tions received from Messrs. Yellowlees and Oswell, the Reverend Messrs. Collum, Guest, Rogers, and Robinson : also from Dr. Mackie and Mr. F. W. vi PREFACE. Chesson. It was not till most of these pages were in print that I had the opportunity of visiting Ormis ton, my father's native village, on the occasion of the unveiling of a monument to his memory, of which an illustration will be found in this work. The monument owes its existence to the zeal of a few friends in Edinburgh. They found an unwearied secretary in Mr. Thomas Fairgrieve, to whose hearty exertions much is due. I am thankful that Mr. Stevenson has been successful in producing one of the best portraits of my father that I know, in so permanent a form as that of the bronze medallion which forms the chief feature of the memorial at Ormiston. Round that quiet nook in East Lothian cluster many associations. Close by is the Hall, with its great yew-tree, one of the finest in Scotland, so closely bound up with the memory of John Knox and of Wishart ; and from the old Hall — a part of which still stands — Wishart was taken by night, to be carried away to his martyrdom. At the entrance of the grounds stands the gar dener's house, a substantial stone building, in which Robert Moffat's mother spent her youth a hundred years ago ; and in the churchyard stands a stone to the memory of her parents, William Gardiner and his wife, erected by the Earl of Hopetoun of that date, in whose service they had lived and died. A short walk from Ormiston is the village of Tranent where the first coal mines in Scotland were worked • and a little farther on is the field of Prestonpans PREFACE. vii perhaps less remembered for its battle than for the fact that the pious Colonel Gardiner fell there within sight of his own house. An illustration is also given in this work showing the Kuruman street, with Robert Moffat's house in the foreground — from its least picturesque side un fortunately, but no better view is available. The church is seen beyond, and farther still is the other mission house. Two pairs of portraits are given, the earlier of 1816, the later taken in the last years. There are also two maps showing the relative knowledge of South Africa at the time of Robert Moffat's arrival and final departure from that country. I hope this book will, in a measure at least, serve to continue the strong missionary influence exerted by my parents during their presence here amongst us. JOHN S. MOFFAT. SS. " Spartan," off Madeira, May 26, 1885. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. EARLY YEARS IN SCOTLAND. MDCCXCV. — MDCCCXIV. PAGE The home at Carronshore — Attendance at school — First missionary impres sions — His life at Donibristle — Saves a man from drowning — Leaves for a situation in Cheshire — His promise to his mother — Voyage to Liverpool — Arrives at High Leigh — His situation there i CHAPTER II. RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS. MDCCCXV. — MDCCCXVI. Spiritual Struggles — He suffers for conscience' sake — His father urges caution ¦ — A memorable Walk to Warrington — Seeks to become a missionary — His first call on Mr. Roby — He goes to Dukinfield Nursery — Unfolds his plans to his parents — His father's adverse comments — And resignation to the inevitable 12 CHAPTER III. PREPARATIONS AND DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. MDCCCXVI. Earnest longings for the work — He resolves to go unmarried — His first visit to London — Set apart to the work and embarks 23 x CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. JOURNEY TO NAMAQUALAND. MDCCCXVII. — MDCCCXVIII. PAGE Obstructive action of Government— Stays at Stellenbosch— Departure from Cape Town— Episode at a Boer farm— Preaching to the " dogs "—Arrival at Afrikaner's kraal 2" CHAPTER V. LIFE IN NAMAQUALAND. MDCCCXVIII. The Chief Afrikaner— Moffat's hut at Vredeburg — His work among Afri kaner's people — Journey eastward — Hardships of travelling — Multifarious occupation — Reasons for visiting the Cape — Moffat's home circle — First acquaintance with Bechwanas — Religious activity at the Cape — Afri kaner's reconciliation — The Namaqualand Mission 35 CHAPTER VI. THE WIFE OF ROBERT MOFFAT. MDCCCXIX. Parentage and youth of Mary Smith — With the church at Ashton — Parents consent to part with her — Letter to Moffat's parents — Letter of consola tion — Letter to Miss Lees — A converted brother — Letter to Mrs. Greaves — Prospect of parting — Her departure draws near — Entertained by Dr. and Mrs. Bogue — A communion Sunday at Gosport — Letter to Miss Smith's parents 48 CHAPTER VII. ROBERT MOFFAT VISITS THE CAPE. MDCCCXIX. Deputation from the L. M. S.— Relations of Moffat and Dr. Philip— Trials °ffaith • 62 CONTENTS. xi CHAPTER VIII. ARRIVAL OF MARY SMITH AT THE CAPE. MDCCCXIX. PAGE Her voyage out— Joyful meeting in Cape Town— Marriage- Cheerful counsels 66 CHAPTER IX. JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO. MDCCCXX. The Orange River— Travelling experiences— The great Karroo— Wild animals — Infant village of Beaufort West— Obstructive policy of Government- Encouragements by the way 7I CHAPTER X. SOJOURN AT GRIQUA TOWN. MDCCCXX. Campbell's visits to various tribes— Hopes fulfilled— The Kuruman fountain — The neighbourhood of Kuruman— State of the mission— Curiosity of the Natives — Intercourse with Afrikaner — The Moffats at Griqua Town- John Campbell's snuff-box -79 CHAPTER XI, SOJOURN AT GRIQUA TOWN. MDCCCXX. — MDCCCXXII. Mode of living — How the larder is replenished — Primitive floor-scrubbing — Anderson among the Griquas — Reorganizing the mission — The Griqua Church needs discipline — Mary Moffat's severe illness — Birth of adaughter — Moffat settles at Kuruman — Description of the country — Ungracious conduct — Internal difficulties — The people reject the gospel — Trials of faith — Ox-waggon travelling — Death of Afrikaner — Children rescued . 89 xii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. THE MANTATEE INVASION, MDCCCXXIII.— MDCCCXXIV. PAGE Clouds from the eastward— Rise of the Matebele power— Moffat makes a reconnaisance — He seeks the aid of the Griquas — First sight of the Mantatees — Battle with the Mantatees— Narrow escape of Robert Moffat — Results of the engagement— The missionaries gain influence — Suffer ings of missionaries — Famine and cannibalism ..... 107 CHAPTER XIII. WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS. MDCCCXXIV. Visit to Makaba — Another invasion repelled — Marauders from the west — Mary Moffat in a lonely situation — Continued commotions — Mr. Hamil ton's house is burned — The miseries of heathenism — Encouraging con ditions 119 CHAPTER XIV. FA MIL Y BEREA VEMENTS. MDCCCXXV. The Batlaping desert Kuruman— Death of Mary Moffat's mother— Moffat's brother Alexander — Commencement of a literature 128 CHAPTER XV. PROGRESS ON THE NEW STATION. MDCCCXXVI. Rescue of a child buried alive — The charge ot trading in Ivory— Small stipends of missionaries— Aged missionaries and widows— Hard manual labour unavoidable— Mr. Wright at Griqua Town— Moffat starts for the desert— Rough fare and discomfort— The marauders at work again— The Blooms menace Kuruman— Jan Karse settles on the station— Con course of tribes at the station ... 133 CONTENTS. xiii CHAPTER XVI. LAST ATTACKS OF THE MARAUDERS MDCCCXXVIII. PAGE Attempt at mediation — The banditti grow poorer — Moffat under a flag of truce— A terrible pair ot eyes — The last ot the robbers .... 146 CHAPTER XVII. DAYLIGHT AT LAST. MDCCCXXIX. Unshaken faith — The great awakening — Hope not made ashamed — A bright spring-time — Answers to prayer — Mosilikatse first heard of — His messen gers visit Kuruman — Moffat journeys to the Matebele — A land of deso lation — State reception by a chief— Robert Moffat's message to him — Return home 152 CHAPTER XVIII. VISIT TO THE CAPE. MDCCCXXX. — MDCCCXXXII. Moffat turns printer— Death of Mr. Roby — Children put to school — Horse back journey to Cape Town — Birth of a daughter — Printing-press set up at Kuruman — Mosilikatse attacked by Griquas — French mission to the Bahurutse — Evil results of the Griqua raid — French missionaries have trouble — Establish themselves at Motito 165 CHAPTER XIX. MARY MOFFAT TRAVELS TO THE COLONY. MDCCCXXXIII. — MDCCCXXXIV. An escort of natives — Arrangements for the children — Fellow-labourers in the mission — Another attack on Mosilikatse — Millen's lonely death-bed — Universal regret . . 177 xiv CONTENTS. CHAPTER XX. A SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. MDCCCXXXV. PAGE Moffat accompanies it— Smoothing difficulties — Counsels of peace— The anti- swearing covenant — Military versus missionary tactics — Messengers from Mosilikatse — Moffat's confidence in the natives — At the mercy of the chief— Second reception by Mosilikatse — Peaceful stay of the expedition — Tries to gain various objects — Improved disposition of Batlaping — • Sources of consolation — Woodcutting expedition r84 CHAPTER XXI. MOFFAT ITINERATES, AND HIS WIFE GOES TO THE COAST. MDCCCXXXVI. Moffat parts with his family again — Preaching by dim moonlight — Work on an empty stomach — Caught in a thunderstorm — News from the wife — Zeal for the gospel — Waiting for the river — Sending children away to school — Embarkation under difficulties — Mary Moffat in Port Elizabeth — They meet at the Orange River — State of the Mission .... 199 CHAPTER XXII. DISTURBANCES IN THE INTERIOR. MDCCCXXXVII. Labours, mental and manual — The Boers and Mosilikatse— Fatal blow to American Mission — Americans leave for Natal — Dark forebodings— Matebele reap what they sowed— The French missionaries at Motito — A peep into the home 212 CHAPTER XXIII. VISIT TO ENGLAND. MDCCCXXXVIII.— MDCCCXLI. Birth and death on board ship— An unexpected welcome— The circle of old friends— Great missionary interest excited —Moffat's literary labours— CONTENTS. xv PAGE Introduction to the Eisdells — Successful anniversary meetings — Mary Moffat longs to return — Bechwana Mission reinforced — Moffat writes a book — His wife's anxieties about him — Letter to Mrs. Jacob Unwin — Gratitude for kindness — Consolation for a dying bed . . . .221 CHAPTER XXIV. THE M OFF ATS RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA. MDCCCXLII., MDCCCXLIII. Valedictory services — Last farewells — The voyage out — Death of Mary Moffat's Brother — The Rev. John Brownlee — Narrow escape of the baggage — Crossing Orange and Vaal Rivers — Enthusiastic reception at Kuruman — By missionaries and people — Influx of visitors — Edwards and Livingstone — Moffat's daughter goes to Mabotsa — A night with the lion — The adventure ends well 236 CHAPTER XXV. MARY MOFFAT VISITS CHONWANE. MDCCCXLIV. — MDCCCXLVII. Labours great and small — The sunset hour — Mary Moffat starts for Chon- wane — In the lion country — An interesting country — Interest in the interior missions — Death of Moffat's father — Letter of condolence to his mother 251 CHAPTER XXVI. MARY MOFFAT JOURNEYS TO THE CAPE. MDCCCXLVII — MDCCCXLIX. Last weeks with her little ones — Her perplexities about them — Motives for parting with children— Sacrifices for Christ's sake— Progress meanwhile at the station— An aged parent — Flooded rivers again — Difficulties by the way — A timely meeting — The Boer invasion — Effects on the Bech wana Mission — Origin of the Transvaal State— The worst fears confirmed — Moffat's son Robert on the Boers — Their unmanageable disposition — The natives in a dilemma — Explorations of Livingstone — Mr. Fr^doux turned back — The natives perplexed 260 xvi CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. DARK CLOUDS WITH A SILVER LINING. MDCCCL. PAGE Translation and printing go on — Reasons for not writing oftener— Slow progress of the people — The Kat River Rebellion — Encouragement in the retrospect— The Moffats and their parents— The case for the Hottentots — Kuruman in its beauty — Moffat's labours in translation— Hopeless prospects — Reasons for not taking sick leave— The Boers triumphant — Sechele's confidence in Moffat 28c CHAPTER XXVIII. MOFFAT'S THIRD JOURNEY TO MOSILIKATSE. MDCCCLIII. Death of Mary Moffat's father — Moffat's failing health— Mosilil-atse's move ments — Moffat sets out to visit him — Visiting chiefs by the way — Sechele's anomalous position — Travellers groping their way — Sabbath in the wil derness — Mosilikatse aged and decrepit — Condition of the Matebele — Moffat and Livingstone — A journey with Mosilikatse — Return to Kuruman 294 CHAPTER XXIX. MARY MOFFAT AGAIN JOURNEYS TO THE COAST. MDCCCLIV. — MDCCCLVI. Meets her daughter from England — Death of Robert Moffat's mother — Letter to friends at Kendal— A retrospect of mercies — Letter to Dr. Bruce— Interruptions to his work— Many sorts of visitors — Unfair policy of the Government — The chiefs well disposed 308 CHAPTER XXX. FOURTH JOURNEY TO MOSILIKATSE. MDCCCLVII. Moffat looks northward again — Extensive plans for new missions— The Hanoverians at Sechele's— Moffat smooths their way— They are estab- CONTENTS. xvii lished there — The captive Macheng — He is restored to his people — The new undertakings — Livingstone at the Cape — A laborious journey from the Cape— Antagonism to the new missions — Work in an interval of delay 31? CHAPTER XXXI. THE NEW MISSIONS TO THE NORTH. MDCCCLIX. Helmore's party sets out — The Makololo Mission — Heavy loads in a sand desert — A march through the forest — The evening bivouac — The approach to Matebeleland — Waggons drawn by warriors — The chief hesitates — A season of suspense — Settlement at Inyati — Affections weaned from the world — Misconceptions of natives 331 CHAPTER XXXII. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MA TEBELE MISSION. MDCCCLX. Fever in the camp — Death of Marekue— Moffat leaves the Matebele — The Matebele Mission an enigma — Encouraging considerations — Collapse of the Makololo Mission— Interest in the interior 344 CHAPTER XXXIII. FAMILY BEREAVEMENTS. MDCCCLXII. — MDCCCLXVII. Care for those in the interior — Death of Moffat's sod Robert — Death of Mary Livingstone — Death of William Ross — Moffat attacked by a lunatic — Deaths of relations — The waifs and strays of society — Death of Jean Fridoux — Death of Mrs. Brown 352 CHAPTER XXXIV. DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND. MDCCCLXVIII., MDCCCLXIX. Strong home-ties to Kuruman — FareweU scene— They are welcomed on the road — Early condition of South Africa — Effecting a change — He teaches - T * PAGE 362 xviii CONTENTS. agriculture-Moffafs scientific observations-The geology of Bechwana- land- Linguistic achievements — Christianity and civilization — Uins- tianity must take the lead ' CHAPTER XXXV. DEATH OF MARY MOFFAT, MDCCCLXX. — MDCCCLXXII. Meetings in Port Elizabeth-First days in England— Stay at Brixton— Mary Moffat's illness— She finishes her course— Her care over her husband— Moffat travels for the Society— The old house at Dukin field— The insti tute at Kuruman — Interview with the Queen— Visit to Mr. Black at Melrose— Visit to Sir Titus Salt 374 CHAPTER XXXVI. MOFFAT REVISITS CARRONSHORE. MDCCCLXXIII. Presentation of jfsooo— Mary Moffat's long-lost brother— Letter from Mr. Yellowlees— An old schoolmate at Carronshore — A collection of por traits—The sceptical tailor — The home at Bantaskine — Death of a grandson 3 7 CHAPTER XXXVII. FAREWELL TO CHILDREN. MDCCCLXXIV. Welcomes a daughter from South Africa— Lecture at Westminster Abbey- Address from ministers— Letter to Mrs. Goulty, of Brighton— The Jubilee Singers— Visit to Miiller's Orphanage— Visit to Paris— Meeting at the house of Casalis— Visits the Kidstons at Portencross . . . • J96 CHAPTER XXXVIII. CLOSING SCENES. MDCCCLXXVIII. — MDCCCLXXXIII. Visit to Jersey and Guernsey — Removal to Leigh in Kent — Delight in country life — Retrocession of the Transvaal — Visit to South Bantaskine — Repre sentative meeting — Of Scottish friends — Meetings at Manchester — In terview with Ketshwayo— Visit to Lancashire friends — Failing strength — Last meeting with the Sturges — Letter to Mr. Dickson — The last Sunday — The land of Beulah — Thoughts about Africa — The end draws near — The kindness of friends — Farewells — The pilgrimage over . . 406 CONTENTS. xix CHAPTER XXXIX. FUNERAL, AND NOTICES OF THE PRESS. PAGE The funeral — Address by the Rev. J. C. Harrison — Address by Rev. J. G. Rogers — Comment of The Times — Eulogium on mission work — A mis sionary first, a citizen after — Such men much needed — Moffat at home everywhere — Dr. Mackie's reminiscences — Moffat at the Mansion House 427 CHAPTER XL. REMINISCENCES OF FRIENDS. Mr. Oswell on Kuruman — Robert Moffat in his Kentish home — Letter from Rev. Hugh Collum — The village of Leigh — Moffat's personal qualities — His stedfast faith — His views of the Liturgy — His pubhc engagements at Leigh — His Nonconformity— Entertained at the Mansion House — His Death — Letter from Rev. J. G. Rogers — At Great George Street Chapel —Letter from Mr. Chesson — His address in Westminster Abbey — At the Mansion House — Archbishop Tait's speech — Rev. R. Robinson's letter — At the Mission House — Refuses to take arrears of salary — The end INDEX 461 PORTRAITS. ROBERT and Mary Moffat. — From Miniatures taken at the age of 20, prior to their departure to S. Africa. Drawn from the originals by Rudolf Blind, and reproduced by Lithography. Robert and Mary Moffat. — Cabinet Portraits by Elliott and Fry and Brittain (recently taken) in Woodburytype, with Autograph facsimiles. ILLUSTRATIONS. Ormiston, the birthplace of Robert Moffat. Showing the Monument erected to his memory. Kuruman, Robert Moffat's station in Bechwanaland. MAPS. South Africa in 1820. Showing the routes taken by Robert Moffat. Stanford. South Africa in 1885. Stanford. LoncLon: T 40° '*. SOUTH AFRICA 1820 -to accompany "Thetives ot'RQbert&MalyMbl'fiIt,' Scale of Englisli Miles 0 50 JOO fiOO 300 35° 30° 35° 40° Stan/brdls Gea&-Est73& CHAPTER I. EARL Y YEARS IN SCOTLAND. J795— i8i4- ROBERT MOFFAT was born on the twenty- first of December, 1795, at Ormiston, in East Lothian. Of his father's origin and family little is known, but his mother, Ann Gardiner, came of ancestors who had lived for several generations at Ormiston in a lowly walk of life, their only dis tinction having been a steady and unobtrusive piety. It is uncertain what was the occupation of the elder Moffat at Ormiston for some years after his mar riage, but in 1797, when the subject of this memoir was two years old, his father received an appoint ment in the custom-house at Portsoy, near Banff, and removed thither with his wife and young family. In those days the voyage was long and venturesome, not without serious risks, as would appear from some of the letters written at this time. A visit which had been promised by some of the family is deferred till a more convenient season on account of a fear of being " captured by the French ; " and that this fear was not altogether groundless appears from S THE HOME AT CARRONSHORE. another item in the same letters, to the effect that a French privateer had chased an armed brig into Leith roads. An account is also given of the raising of volunteer forces to repel an expected invasion, towards which force the quiet landward parish of Ormiston furnished its quota of sixty-nine men. The Moffats remained only a few years at Port soy. In 1806 we find them established at Carron shore, on the southern side of the Firth of Forth, and a short distance from Falkirk. The cottage in which they lived still stands, a small and unpre tending abode, surrounded by others of the same class. It was visited and recognized by Robert Moffat when in his old age he re-visited some of the scenes of his youth. The family which found a home here consisted of four sons and two daughters, besides Robert himself. These have all passed away ; only one of them left children, and of these scarcely any remain. In a letter written nearly fifty years later to one of his sons, Robert Moffat tells the story of this period : " When I think of the advantages you have possessed, I am reminded by way of contrast of my infant years. Well do I remember, as if it were but yesterday, being sent to William— or, as he was called, Wully — Mitchell, a parish schoolmaster, to learn to read. The shorter catechism was my first book, the title-page of which contained the A, B, C, &c. That acquired, I went plump into the first question, ' What is the chief end of man ? ' I tugged away at this till I got to the Amen, but not without having my hands some times well warmed with the taa's, for Wully was stern when he sat in judgment. This was my first step at school. You would be surprised to hear how little I knew. I might ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL. 3 have received a better education. My dear father and mother were not to blame, but I wanted to be a man before the time. I lived among shipping, and ran off to sea ; and the captain becoming exceedingly attached to me, con strained my parents to allow me to go many voyages with him in the coasting trade, and many hairbreadth escapes I had. I got disgusted with a sailor's life, to the no small joy of my parents ; and I shall always feel grateful that I was afterwards, about the age of eleven, sent with my elder brother Alexander to Mr. Paton's school at Falkirk. It was properly only a school for writing and book-keeping, and those who chose to pay, or could afford to pay, received lessons in astronomy and geography after school hours. My brother was one of the class of young men, who were nearly all the sons of the better sort of folks. Having some distance to walk home I was allowed to remain in the large room. I felt queer to know what the master was doing within the circle, and used to look very attentively through any little slit of an opening under au elbow, while I eagerly listened to the illustrations given, the master all the while never suspecting that I was capable of under standing the wonders of the planetary system. What I could not understand my brother explained on our way home. I was only six months at this school, the last I ever attended." At this time he was a regular attendant on the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Caldwell. Judging from later allusions, even at an early age deep and serious impressions must have been made. All his life through, Mr. Caldwell's earnest teaching left recollections never to be effaced. These were con firmed by a mother's influence. Robert was blessed with a mother of a type not uncommon in those days in Scotland. In the opinion of more than one of. her grandchildren who have had the opportunity of judging, she might have sat to George Mac 4 FIRST MISSIONARY IMPRESSIONS. Donald for his portrait of Robert Falconer's grand mother. She united a sternness of religious belief bordering on gloomy vindictiveness with one of the tenderest and most loving hearts that ever beat. Her handsome features and dark eyes usually wore an expression of melancholy, but when a smile came it lit up her beautiful face in a way that could not be forgotten. Nor was her sombre theology incompatible with a lively interest in the movements which were even then on foot for the preaching of the gospel to the heathen, and tidings of which reached even the se questered villages of Scotland. On the long winter evenings the lads were gathered by the fireside, and while their mother taught them — not without re monstrance against employment which they thought more fit for their sisters — to knit and to sew, she would read aloud, in such missionary publications as were then to be had, the story of the dauntless pioneers of the gospel ; and more especially of the work of the Moravians in Greenland and in the East Indies. About 1809 Robert was apprenticed to the trade of a gardener, under a certain John Robertson of Parkhill, Polmont. This John is described as having been a hard man, though withal a just one. Often, even in the bitter cold of a Scottish winter, the lads were required to be on foot in the dense darkness at four o'clock in the morning, and had to hammer their knuckles against the handles of their spades to try and bring some feeling into them. They had just enough to eat, but not a whit more than was absolutely necessary. HIS LIFE AT DONIBRISTLE. 5 Notwithstanding the severe regime under which he lived, Robert seems to have found time to attend an evening class occasionally, and to make an at tempt at learning Latin and mensuration ; and it would appear that in his intercourse with the family of a neighbour — of which one member, a Mrs. Home, still lives near Liverpool — he took his first lessons at the anvil, and also learned to play a little on the violin. He had a craving, which clung to him through life, to learn something of whatever he came in contact with, and many of the accomplish ments of which he thus gained a smattering proved of unlooked-for value to him afterwards. In 181 1 his father was transferred from Carron shore to Inverkeithing, in Fifeshire; and at the end of 181 2 his apprenticeship at Parkhill expired, and he obtained a situation at Donibristle, a seat of the Earl of Moray near Aberdour. For a twelvemonth he had the opportunity of frequent intercourse with his own family circle only a few miles away — the last as it proved, for after this, with the exception of a few transient visits during the lapse of long years, he was never with them again. The late Dr. W. Lindsay-Alexander, in a paper in the United Presbyterian Missionary Record, says : " While at Donibristle he lived with the other workmen in the bothy there, only occasionally visiting his parents at Inverkeithing. One who was a fellow-workman with him at that time, and who still survives, reports that he was wont to while away the evening hours by practising the fiddle, and thereby contributing largely to the entertain ment of his companions, who delighted in his performances. He was fond of athletic sports, and in these he excelled. 6 SAVES A MAN FROM DROWNING. When about sixteen years of age he fell from a boat and narrowly escaped death from drowning, being insensible for some time after he was drawn from the water. This did not, however, deter him from his favourite pastime of bath ing, and he soon became an accomplished swimmer. Of his powers in this respect he on one occasion made noble use." Mr. William Dickson, of Edinburgh, has furnished the following account of the incident referred to by Dr. Alexander. " i8t/z March, 1885. — The following narrative I to-day received from the lips of John Roxburgh, who is now in his eighty-fifth year, and whom I found occupying a com fortable cottage on the estate of Colinswell, about a mile from Burntisland, on the high road to Aberdour : — "'In the summer of the year 18 14, I was employed along with Robert Moffat in the gardens at Donibristle, \ under the head gardener, Mr. Piper. I was then about fourteen, and Moffat about eighteen years of age. " ' One morning at the breakfast hour, between nine and ten o'clock, the two of us, and some others of the workmen, were bathing in the Firth of Forth, opposite the "New Harbour " at Donibristle. One of them, John Thomson, could swim a little, but wanted to learn how to " turn " in the water. Swimming out beyond his depth, he tried to do so, but sank. The others thought he was diving ; but, seeming to remain too long down, they got alarmed, and feared he was drowning. He again, however, came to the surface. Meantime Robert Moffat, who was a strong swimmer, was out in deep water several hundred yards off, when the others shouted and signalled to him to come to the rescue. Swiftly he came. They showed him where Thomson had disappeared, when Moffat, plunging down, caught him round the body, swam with him ashore, and laid him on the bulwark. When brought ashore, Thomson was unconscious. The others tried to help him, the sea- water running from his mouth ; but they had quickly to LEAVES FOR A SITUATION IN CHESHIRE. 7 get on their clothes and go back to work, as it was now near ten o'clock. I stayed beside him till he was able to speak, and then left him. " ' Robert Moffat was in this way the means of saving John Thomson's life. If he had not come at once, and been but two minutes later, I believe all would have been over.' "Roxburgh told me that at this time Moffat was living with seven other men in a ' bothy ' on Donibristle estate. He himself (then but a mere boy) lived with his father, who was also a workman on Lord Moray's property. Notwith standing his great age, Roxburgh still possesses sound health of body, and remarkable acuteness of memory and intelligence. He has for fifty-two years been an elder in the United Presbyterian congregation at Burntisland." Robert Moffat's engagement at Donibristle having expired, he obtained employment as under-gardener to Mr. Leigh, of High Leigh, in Cheshire, and bid farewell to Scotland. It was on this occasion that an incident occurred which has happily been recorded in his own words, and is quoted from the Bible Society's " Gleanings for the Young " : •' I was scarcely sixteen when, after working in a nur sery garden near my parents for about a twelvemonth, I was engaged to fill a responsible situation in Cheshire. The day arrived when I had to bid farewell to my father, mother, brothers and sisters. My mother proposed to accompany me to the boat, which was to convey me across the Firth of Forth. My heart, though glad at the prospect of removing to a better situation, could not help feeling some emotion natural to one of my age. When we came within sight of the spot where we were to part, perhaps never again to meet in this world, she said — " ' Now, my Robert, let us stand here for a few minutes, 8 HIS PROMISE TO HIS MOTHER. for I wish to ask one favour of you before we part, and I know you will not refuse to do what your mother asks.' " ' What is it, mother ? ' I inquired. " ' Do promise me first that you will do what I am now going to ask, and I shall tell you.' " ' No, mother, I cannot till you tell me what your wish is.' " ' O Robert, can you think for a moment that I shall ask you, my son, to do anything that is not right ? Do not I love you ? ' " ' Yes, mother, I know you do ; but I do not like to make promises which I may not be able to fulfil.' " I kept my eyes fixed on the ground. I was silent, try ing to resist the rising emotion. She sighed deeply. I lifted my eyes and saw the big tears rolling down the cheeks which were wont to press mine. I was conquered, and as soon as I could recover speech, I said — " ' O mother ! ask what you will and I shall do it.' " ' I only ask you whether you will read a chapter in the Bible every morning, and another every evening ? ' " I interrupted by saying — " ' Mother, you know I read my Bible.1 " ' I know you do, but you do not read it regularly, or as a duty you owe to God, its Author.' And she added : ' Now I shall return home with a happy heart, inasmuch as you have promised to read the Scriptures daily. O Robert, my son, read much in the New Testament. Read much in the Gospels — the blessed Gospels. Then you can- ¦ not well go astray. If you pray, the Lord Himself will teach you.' " I parted from my beloved mother, now long gone to that mansion about which she loved to speak. I went on my way, and ere long found myself among strangers. My charge was an important one for a youth, and though pos sessing a muscular frame and a mind full of energy, it required all to keep pace with the duty devolved upon me. I lived at a considerable distance from what are called the means of grace, and the Sabbaths were not always at my command. I met with none who appeared to make rcli- VOYAGE TO LIVERPOOL. g gioh their chief concern. I mingled, when opportunities offered, with the gay and godless in what were considered innocent amusements, where I soon became a favourite ; but I never forgot my promise to my mother." The following gives a picture of what travelling was for the humbler classes seventy years ago : " High Leigh, Dec. 5, 1813. " Dear Father and Mother,— I make no doubt but you will be greatly surprised at my not writing you sooner, but I hope the reception of this will satisfy you. I shall begin with giving you an account of our passage. After parting with you on the 5th (of November), I got to Polmont about four o'clock. I slept with Robert Bailie that night." He seems to have joined a ship the following day at Carron, which was to go by way of the canal to the Clyde ; and after many delays reached Greenock on the 1 Sth. "We left Greenock next morning, very calm. It was about midnight when we got as far as the Cumbrae Isles, blowing a strong breeze right in our teeth. We were obliged to bear away under a heavy sea and dismal dark to Rothsay Bay, in the Island of Bute ; but the wind favouring us, we put about and stood towards the Cumbrae Lighthouse, but under a dreadful sea we were obliged to bear away a second time to Rothsay Bay, where we got in about one o'clock Saturday morning with several sloops and a man- of-war. The rain descended in torrents the whole night till about eight o'clock. One unhappy circumstance took place. Two men of the man-of-war, the Cygnet, had got overboard, and attempting to swim on shore, one of them found himself going; he immediately cried out, which alarmed the ship. A boat was immediately hoisted out, but before they could get nigh him he was no more ; but ,they laid hold of the other one who was attempting to swim to shore, but the body of the other was not found so io ARRIVES AT HIGH LEIGH. far as I know. He was nine years on board. The above enraged the Captain (Russell) ; the boat was sent out early the next morning, the 20th, and pressed John Bow. I happened to be in bed, and keepit there as long as they were upon deck. There was no other pressed in the bay. The vessel was stationed at Lough S willy in Ireland. Every man was sorry for Jock. But to make a long story short, we left there next morning, and arrived in Liverpool Dock on Friday morning the 26th. Mr. Walker asked me if I would attend on deck in Bow's stead, which I did alL the voyage ; indeed Thomas Barker was mate. I got my victuals along with Mr. Walker, and he charged me £1 5s., which was nigh two shillings a day. He said that he would take nothing for my trunk or passage. He was kind enough to me, indeed. I got the fiddle, and I kept ourselves merry during the long voyage, but it was against my will. " I attended church at Rothsay, and heard a young man, an anti-Burgher. His text was in Matthew — Jesus coming to John to be baptized. " Every person was for me taking the coach on Sunday morning, but I took my own way of it, and set off on Saturday morning between nine and ten, and arrived at High Leigh about five o'clock at night. I think my travel cost me a sixpence for a pint of ale besides five or six shillings for a coach. The distance is about twenty-six miles." At High Leigh the Scotch lad found himself in a genial atmosphere. The head gardener, a Mr. Bear- park, took to him, and soon got to leave a great deal in his hands. This tended to make his duties heavier, and to lay more responsibility upon him. The gardens were maintained on a scale and in a style to which he had as yet seen nothing to com pare, and he was at work almost day and night, weekdays and Sundays ; but as he took a strong HIS SITUATION THERE. n delight in his calling, this was no hardship. Many men were employed, and these seem to have been for the most part careless, and given to amuse ments for which Robert Moffat had no inclination. He lived in a lodge in a somewhat secluded situa tion in the grounds, and what time he had was given to quiet study of such books as he could obtain. Mr. and Mrs. Leigh were very considerate, and gave a good deal of attention to the interests of their numerous servants. The young gardener attracted the kindly notice of Mrs. Leigh, who lent him books and encouraged him to studious pursuits. CHAPTER II. RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS. 1815-1816. N' OT long after his arrival at High Leigh he came in contact with what to him was a new development in religion. The Wesleyan Methodists had commenced a good work in that neighbourhood, and by the influence of a pious Methodist and his wife Robert was led to attend some of their meetings. The passionate appeals of the faithful evangelists found a ready response. His condition at this time will be best described by himself. " I had, like most Scotch youths in those days, the Bible in two small volumes. These I read (remembering my mother's last words), chiefly in the New Testament, but it was only as a pleasing duty I owed to her. I thus became familiar with the Gospels, notwithstanding my inattention to what I read. At length I became uneasy, and then un happy. The question would sometimes, even when my hands were at work, dart across my mind, What think ye of Christ ? which I dared not to answer. A hard struggle followed. I could have wished to have ceased reading, but the very thought would raise the image of my mother Rudolf -Blind, drf ¦$U».t-^yfi,6 ,y/ef 2*2 SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES. 13 before me. I tried hard to stifle conviction, but I could not help reading much in the Epistles, and especially in the Epistle to the Romans. This I did with an earnestness I tried in vain to subdue. I felt wretched, but still I did not pray, till one night I arose in a state of horror from a terrific dream. I fell on my knees, and felt as if my sins, like a great mountain, were tumbling down upon me, and that there was but a step between me and the place of woe. Then followed the struggle between hope and despair. I tried to reform — not byavoiding grosslyimmoral conduct,for I had never been guilty of that, but by forsaking foolish and worldly company, vain thoughts and wicked imaginations. " For many weeks I was miserable. I wished to feel that I was converted, but I could not believe I was. I thought I had the faith required, and that I had repented or turned to the Lord, and could adopt the words, 'To whom shall I go but to Thee, O Jesus ; ' but still my soul was like a ship in a tempest. At last I made a resolve to become as wicked as I could make myself, and then if con verted I should be so sensible of the change that all doubts , would vanish. I looked over this awful precipice down which I was about to leap, and trembled at the thought that I might perish in my sins. I turned anon to my Bible, and grasped it, feeling something like a hope that I should not sink with it in my hands. I knew of no one to whom I could unbosom the agony that burned within. I tried to pray fervently, but thought there was a black cloud between me and the throne of God. I tried to hear Jesus saying to my soul, ' Only believe ; ' but the passages from which I sought comfort only seemed to deepen my wounds. "Living alone in a lodge in an extensive garden, my little leisure was my own. One evening, while poring over the Epistle to the Romans, I could not help wondering over a number of passages which I had read many times before. They appeared altogether different. I exclaimed with a heart nearly broken, ' Can it be possible that I have never understood what I have been reading ? ' turning from one passage to another : each sending a renovation of light into my darkened soul. The Book of God, the 14 HE SUFFERS FOR CONSCIENCE' SAKE. precious, undying Bible, seemed to be laid open, and I saw at once what God had done for the sinner, and what was required of the sinner to obtain the Divine favour and the assurance of eternal life. I felt that, being justified by faith, I had peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He was made unto me wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. " Oh to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be." With all the energy of which he was capable, Robert Moffat threw himself into the society and work of his new friends, whose ministrations had quickened into life the seed sown in earlier days. Not but what he had to meet crosses. He lost the goodwill of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh, who were grieved that a young man in whom they took more than ordinary interest should have become a Methodist, and should have taken upon himself a name which in those days was to many a term of the severest reproach. His letters home at this time are full of the intense feeling shown in the foregoing quotations. His father, with true Scottish caution, replies in guarded language. He says : " We are always happy to hear of good news, especially while they are of the nature you mention, and the Scripture assures us that good news from a far country are as cold water to a thirsty soul ; and we are very happy to hear that you seem to have got a sight of the evil nature of sin, and the evil that it often bringeth on the unthinking and heedless part of mankind. Nevertheless I would exhort you not to be highminded, but to fear ; for I read of one who was brought up into the third heavens, and saw things which were not lawful for him to utter ; nevertheless there was given him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan HIS FATHER URGES CAUTION. 15 to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure ; and our Saviour himself no sooner received the sign of baptism than He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and was tempted of the devil forty days. And tempted to what ? Even to distrust the common providence of God. And the Apostle Peter, although he made more pretensions of love to the Saviour than any of the disciples, yet how soon was he tempted of the adversary of souls to deny his great Lord and Master. " I have said, ' Be not highminded, but fear.' I would also say, ' Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall,' for the history of all ages confirms to us that one no sooner begins to set his face heavenward than he begins to be persecuted with- enemies both within and without ; and it often becomes no easy matter to bear the mocks and even threats of some who set themselves up to oppose all that is good. " You seem to be much attached to the Methodists. I verily believe they are a set of men who have done much good. But at the same time, I do not altogether go in with some of their tenets ; and as there are different sects of these preachers, some of which are said not to be very sound in the faith, it would take one to examine well for themselves, and to follow them no further than they follow the Word of God." To this the son replies, stoutly defending his friends. There was evidently a severe struggle in his mind between the Calvinistic faith of his fathers in which he had been brought up, and the teachings to which he was now listening. Meanwhile another phase of life was dawning upon him, which we can read in his own words : " I had undergone a great change of heart ; and this I believe was produced by the Spirit of God through reading the Bible and the Bible only, for my small stock of books consisted chiefly of works on gardening and botany. Be yond visitors to see the gardens, and the men in daily 16 A MEMORABLE WALK TO WARRINGTON. employ who returned to their homes after the labours of the day, I saw no one. I occupied my leisure in studying the Scriptures, and when opportunities offered I did not fail to try and convince others of the necessity of repent ance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. I thought I had only to tell them what Christ had done for them and what was required of them to be saved. I wondered they could not see as I saw, and feel as I felt, after explaining to them the great truths of the everlasting gospel. On the contrary, I was treated by some as one . who was somewhat disordered in mind. " Having a desire to visit Warrington, a town about six miles from where I lived, to purchase a trifling article, I went thither. It was on a calm, beautiful summer evening. All nature seemed to be at rest, not a breath of wind to move a leaf. In the clear blue expanse of heaven was to be seen a single cloud passing over the disc of the sun as he hastened toward his going down. I seemed more than usual to feel admiration ofthe handiworks of God. I was imperceptibly led to a train of thinking of the past : how much of my life I had spent serving the world and not Him who died for me ; that I had really been living to no purpose. I thought of the present : how little I could do. It was more pleasurable to contemplate the future. The prospect of ere long being put in a position of honour and of trust had of course a charm to one who was yet in his teens, besides the hope of having it in my power to do good. Little did I imagine that this bright picture I had been painting of future comfort and usefulness was in the course of an hour to vanish like a dream, and that I should be taught the lesson that it is not in man to direct his steps. " With thoughts like these I entered the town, and, passing over a bridge, I observed a placard. I stood and read. It was a missionary placard, the first I had seen in my life. It announced that a missionary meeting was to be held, and a Rev. William Roby, of Manchester, would take the chair. I stood some time reading over and over again, although I found that the time the meeting was to be held was past. Passers-by must have wondered at my SEEKS TO BECOME A MISSIONARY. 17 fixedness. I could look at nothing but the words on the placard, which I can still imagine I see before me. The stories of the Moravian missionaries in Greenland and Labrador which I had heard my mother read when I was a boy, which had been entirely lost to memory, never hav ing been once thought of for many years, came into vivid remembrance as if fresh from her lips. It is impossible for me to describe the tumult which took hold of my mind. " I hastened to obtain the trifle I wanted in town, and returned to the placard and read it over once more, and now wended my solitary way homeward another man, or rather with another heart. The earthly prospects I had so lately been thinking of with pleasure had entirely vanished, nor could any power of mind recall their influence. My thoughts became entirely occupied with the inquiry how I could serve the missionary cause. No Missionary Society would receive me. I had never been at college or at an academy. I, however, began to devise plans. I had been for a short time a young sailor, and I resolved to go to sea again and get landed on some island or foreign shore, where I might teach poor heathen to know the Saviour. " Soon afterwards, having heard that a Wesleyan Con ference was to be held in Manchester, I proposed to a young man with whom I had become intimate that wc should go thither. During our few days' sojourn, hearing first one and then another, I resolved on hearing William Roby. His appearance and discourse, delivered with gravity and solemnity, pleased me much. In the evening the lady of the house where we lodged remarked that he was a great missionary man, and sometimes sent out young men to the heathen. This remark at once fixed my pur pose of calling on that great man, but how and when was a very serious matter to one of a naturally retiring habit. I thought and prayed during the night over the impor tant step I was about to take. There was something like daring in the attempt which I could not overcome. Next morning, when I awoke, my heart beat at the prospect before me. I had told my beloved companion, Hamlet Clarke, what I intended doing, and asked him to go with 3 18 HIS FIRST CALL ON MR. ROBY. me. This he decidedly objected to, but he wished me to go, and promised to wait within sight till I should return. " Though the distance we had to walk was more than a mile it seemed too short for me to get my thoughts in order. Reaching the end of a rather retired street, I pro ceeded with slow step. On getting to the door I stood a minute or two, and my heart failed, and I turned back towards my friend, but soon took fresh courage, and came back again. The task of knocking at the good man's door seemed very hard. A second time I reached the door, and had scarcely set my foot on the first step when my heart again failed. I feared I was acting pre sumptuously. " At last, after walking backward and forward for a few minutes, I returned to the door and knocked. This was no sooner done than I would have given a thousand pounds, if 1 had possessed them, not to have knocked ; and I hoped, oh ! how I hoped with all my heart, that Mr. Roby might not be at home, resolving that if so I should never again make such an attempt. A girl opened the door. ' Is Mr. Roby in ? ' I inquired with a faltering voice. ' Yes,' was the reply, and I was shown into the parlour. " The dreaded man whom I wished to see soon made his appearance. Of course I had to inform him who I was, and my simple tale was soon told. He listened to all I had to say in answer to some questions with a kindly smile. I had given him an outline of my Christian experi ence, and my wish to be a helper in the missionary cause. I did not even tell him that it was his name on the mis sionary placard which had directed my steps to his door. He said he would write to the Directors of the Society, and on hearing from them would communicate their wishes respecting me. I returned to my charge, and after some weeks was requested to visit Manchester, that he might get me placed in a situation which would afford him the opportunity of examining me as to my fitness for mission ary work. On my arrival, Mr. Roby took me to several of his friends to obtain, if possible, a situation in a garden, a mercantile house, or a bank ; but all failed, there beino- no HE GOES TO DUKINFIELD NURSERY. 19 opening for any one at the time. Mr. Roby then re marked, ' I have still one friend who employs many men to whom I can apply, provided" you have no objection to go into a nursery garden.' " ' Go ! ' I replied ; ' I would go anywhere and do any thing for which I may have ability.' Very providentially Mr. Smith of Dukinfield happened to be in town, and at once agreed that I should proceed to his nursery garden. Thus was I led, by a way that I knew not, for another important end ; for had I obtained a situation in Man chester I might not have had my late dear wife to be my companion and partaker in all my hopes and fears for more than half a century in Africa. As it was, Mr. Smith's only daughter possessing a warm missionary heart, we soon became attached to one another ; but she was not allowed to join me in Africa till nearly three years after I left. " Mr. Smith, whose house was a house of call for minis ters, and who was always ready to advance the Redeemer's kingdom at home and abroad, only bethought himself on returning home that the step he had taken might eventually deprive him of his only daughter ; and so, in the provi dence of God, it turned out. It would be unnecessary to detail the subsequent events during my stay — under the watchful care and instruction of Mr. Roby, which lasted nearly a year — at the nursery garden, from which I could visit him only once or twice a week." A letter from Mr. Roby himself bears upon this period : " November 27, 1815. " Dear Sir, — I have been anxiously waiting for an answer to the letter which I wrote to the Directors of the Missionary Society respecting you, and did not receive it till this morning. It informs me that at present they have so many applications that they cannot receive all who offer their services for missionary work, and are therefore obliged to select those who possess the most promising acquire ments. On this account they are under the necessity of declining your offer at present." 20 UNFOLDS HIS PLANS TO HIS PARENTS. Mr. Roby was, however, convinced that the young gardener had good metal in him, and, carrying out the measures above described, eventually prevailed upon the Directors to reconsider their decision. Robert was not for some time able to screw up his courage to tell his parents the nature of the great step he was taking. In a letter to them about this time, he says : "You requested to know what I intended doing next season ; and I doubt not but you will be surprised at my informing you that I leave my present situation next Saturday, being the 23rd of December, and I intend stop ping a week with my religious friends in this place, and then go, about New Year's day, to a nursery near Man chester. Some of the circumstances I will mention which have occurred within this short time to me. About the month of July there was a situation offered me, and it seems to be of great extent. I was to be both factor, steward, and gardener, and have under my charge some hundreds of acres of farming, with a number of men and a garden, &c. ; and my description, it seems, was given to the gentleman, and he said there was nothing to hinder me but one thing — and what was that do you think ? It was, if I would give up going to the Methodists I would just suit him ; but my answer was, I thanked them for their good intentions, but I would prefer my God to white and yellow ore. Some time after another situation was offered me, but I did not feel a willingness in my mind to accept of it, not having a desire to settle so soon. My master was very good. He said that if I found employers he would become responsible for a good character. Some time about a fort night ago kind Providence opened a door for me to the above-mentioned place. I am not driven there, but I am called to go there— not for the present benefit, but for the future good. The wages are fifteen shillings per week ; mine will be only twelve or thirteen, on account that I will only work five days in a week. The reason of this I will leave a future period to determine." HIS FATHER'S ADVERSE COMMENTS 21 To this his father replies : " We are not without our apprehensions that you may not have made a very profitable change. You say that the wages are fifteen shillings per week, but as you are only to work five days you will have but twelve or thirteen shillings a week. But you have left us to conjecture how you are to employ yourself on the sixth day. But if my opinion be rightly founded, I presume that you mean to endeavour to fit yourself for another line of life ; but I would have you duly to consider the importance of such an undertaking, and to weigh well what our Saviour says to the builder in the Scriptures, and to first sit down and count the cost, and to see whether you have sufficient to finish or not ; and to consider what was said to David, that the Lord said that he did well that he had it in his heart to build an house unto the Lord. And we think that you might both live usefully to your neighbours and profitably to yourself without engaging in a line of that kind ; neither do we think that your health would altogether agree with such an undertaking, as I verily believe that you will find a close application to study as hard an undertaking as anything you have hitherto engaged in. "You mention having had the offer of a good situation, which in my opinion was rather flattering, especially for one of your age. But as you were to be bound up to a certain mode of worship, we think you did well in refusing it." It was not till the month of May following that he wrote and made his parents acquainted with the nature of the determination to which he had come ; and even then it was only under the persuasion of his good friend and adviser, Mr. Roby : so great was his diffidence, and, we may add, so heavy did he feel the news would be to them. To his mother it was a trial of no ordinary sort. In those days, to go out into the heathen world was like taking an eternal 22 AND RESIGNATION TO THE INEVITABLE farewell so far as this world was concerned. No swift steamers then crossed the ocean in a few days or a few weeks. A great part of heathendom was an unknown region, into which few had gone and from which still fewer ever returned. In a letter full of dignified resignation the old man bids his son Godspeed, declaring that whatever may be his own feelings and those of Robert's mother, they dare not oppose his design, lest haply in so doing they should be found fighting against God. CHAPTER III. PREPARATIONS AND DEPARTURE FOR AFRIC a. 1816. AT last the Directors resolved to accept his services, and he left Dukinfield nursery for the purpose of being close to Mr. Roby in Manchester, to receive such superintendence as was possible in his studies ; but as this period was not allowed to extend over more than a few months, whatever gifts may have been bestowed upon Robert Moffat to fit him for his work as a missionary, it certainly could not be said that they came in the form of collegiate opportunities. The time drew near for his departure, and he paid a hurried visit to Scotland to bid farewell to his parents. He little thought of ever seeing them again, though they were both spared to welcome him on his return twenty-three years afterwards. He never saw his two sisters again. In a letter written from Manchester after his visit, he says : " Having left Edinburgh with emotions which it is our lot to share, I arrived here at five o'clock the Sabbath morning following, very much fatigued. My bundle re- 24 EARNEST LONGINGS FOR THE WORK. ceived no injury. I caught a slight cold. I availed myseli of three hours' sleep, and with unusual transport I accord ingly went to hear our beloved pastor. Having embraced the opportunity of conversing with him, I could not learn the precise time that we were to depart, further than that letters had been received stating that we were to be in readiness, and that it was expected that we were to take partners along with us, and that in so doing it would be approved by the Directors (but more of this hereafter)." After a description of the missionary anniversary services held in Manchester, which were marked with the enthusiasm of those early days, he goes on to say, in reference to his approaching departure and that of his companions : " Mr. Kitchingman and Mr. Pratt both take wives along with them, but from particular reasons I go alone. I made it a matter of prayer to God, and from the clearest dicta tion of His Providence He bids me go alone; and He who appoints crosses and disappointments also imparts resigna tion and grace sufficient unto the day. So I am bold to adopt the language of Eli, and to say : ' It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.' My dear parents, such language may seem strange unto you, but its interpretation is known unto me in a measure, and what we know not now we shall know hereafter. My present feeling with re spect to my undertaking, is that I long to be gone ; I long to be engaged in the blessed work of saying to the heathen, ' Behold your God ! ' Do not think that the future scenes cast me down. No ! behold I go full of hope, transported at the prospect of being counted worthy of undergoing a few transient troubles for His sake, who for our sake be came poor, who for our sakes was despised and rejected, was crucified and slain. No, my Redeemer! let me not sink, let me not faint. Oh ! that when I die, I may die fighting in the armies of the living God ! " My colleague, Mr. Kitchingman, has earnestly requested me to remember him to you though unknown to him. I HE RESOLVES TO GO UNMARRIED. 25 have to be grateful to God who hath appointed me such an one. He is endeared to me, and worthy of my affection. I shall be happy to spend my days with him : so what the Lord takes away on the one hand He gives on another." This early judgment of Mr. Kitchingman was not belied. He always remained a valued friend, though his lot was to work in another part of South Africa. He died at his post many years afterwards ; one of his sons followed him in the missionary work, and is also gone to his rest ; and others of the family are still entering into their labours. The " interpretation " of one passage in the fore going letter is to be found in a few lines addressed to the Rev. George Burder by Mr. Roby. " Manchester, Aug. 31, 1816. " Our festival is concluded, and it has been a festival indeed, at least equal to any that I have enjoyed in London. The sermons were uncommonly excellent, the meeting for business delightful, the missionary communion solemnly affecting ; the collections at the several services amounted to upwards of £500 ... . " Poor Moffat's amiable disposition and eminent devoted- ness have attracted the affectionate regards of his master's daughter, a young lady of high piety, of polished manners, and the expectant of a considerable fortune. She possesses as truly a missionary spirit as he, and is eager to accom pany him ; but her parepts forbid it, and both she and he therefore determine to sacrifice their ardent wishes." Moffat writes to his parents from London on the twenty-third of September : " I left Manchester on Friday the 13th, at four o'clock in the afternoon. It was with no small degree of sorrow that I bid a final adieu to my present friends, who were friends indeed, who manifested their distinguished kindness to- 26 HIS FIRST VISIT TO LONDON. wards me in an extraordinary manner. The family of Smith, with whom I served at Dukinfield, were truly kind to me, with many others whose names are written in heaven, and who shall be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. It is impossible for me to be grateful enough to God for such a friend as Mr. Roby. Truly his kindness, like that of a father, will not be easily obliterated from my mind. I have no doubt but it will follow us as long as the wheels of life continue to move. " I visited the Rooms on Friday morning and saw Mr. Burder, secretary. I spent some time in viewing the museum, which contains a great number of curiosities from China, Africa, South Seas, and West Indies. It would be foolish for me to give you a description. Suffice it to say that the sight is truly awful, the appearance of the wild beasts is very terrific, but I am unable to describe the sen sations of my mind when gazing on the objects of pagan worship. Alas ! how fallen my fellow-creatures, bowing down to forms enough to frighten a Roman soldier, enough to shake the hardest heart. Oh that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies : all of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals. I have not repented in be coming a missionary, and should I die in the march, and never enter the field of battle, all will be well. " On Saturday night I heard a minister of Lady Hunt ingdon's Connexion, at Spa Fields, and on Sabbath I heard the Rev. Mr. Burder and Dr. Waugh, that worthy Scotch man, like another John Knox. To-day, which is Monday, the Committee of Directors met for examination, but there was very little said to us — from our having been examined at Manchester, I suppose. On my entering the room with the rest, Dr. Waugh, on shaking hands, said, ' Are not you one of Ebbie Brune's lads ? ' I said that I had heard him frequently, and knew him well. I understand that Dr. W. was one of his father's pupils. He speaks of them with great feeling and respect. I was almost afraid of appear ing before the Directors to be examined, for they turn one outside in. However, next Monday we are appointed to SET APART TO THE WORK AND EMBARKS. 27 meet, and be publicly ordained and designated to the im portant work." On the evening of the thirtieth of September nine missionaries were set apart. The service was at Surrey Chapel. The names of Leifchild, Winter, Waugh, and John Campbell of Kingsland — household words to a past generation — appear on this occasion in connection with what was naturally a specially interesting service ; though few could have formed any adequate forecast of the wide interest that would attach to the names of two who were then buckling on their armour. Four men were destined to the South Seas, of whom John Williams was to be the first martyr of Erromanga. Other five were for South Africa. During the discussions in the missionary com mittee as to how this band of men was to be dis tributed, it had first been proposed that Williams and Moffat should both go to Polynesia ; but this was overruled at the suggestion of Dr. Waugh, who deemed '¦' thae twa lads ower young to gang tegither," so they were separated. On these small links hang our lives. After many delays — which intending voyagers then took as a matter of course — the party embarked at Gravesend, on the eighteenth of October, in the Alacrity, Captain Findlay. The pilot left them in the Downs on the twentieth, bringing one more affectionate letter from Robert to his parents ; the shores of England faded from his view, and he was launched on the enterprise of his life. CHAPTER IV. JOURNEY 10 NAMAQUALAND. 1817-1818. ROBERT MOFFAT and his companions reached Cape Town on the thirteenth of January, 181 7, having been eighty-six days at sea in their little brig. They were well pleased with their passage and with each other, peace and goodwill having prevailed among them, and the captain having shown them unvarying kindness. They were received in Cape Town by the Rev. George Thorn, then or afterwards a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. Two of the party were destined for stations within the Colony ; Moffat and Kitchingman were to go to Namaqualand, which was beyond the border, and it was necessary for them to have the permission of the Government before they could proceed on their jour ney. To their great surprise this permission was re fused. An interview with His Excellency the Gover nor followed, of which the following is a record : " His Excellency stated that it was the intention to prohibit us as well as other missionaries from proceeding OBSTRUCTIVE ACTION OF GOVERNMENT. 29 beyond the limits of the Colony; that he had been informed that many of the servants and slaves belonging to the farmers within the Colony had fled to Griqua Town as an asylum ; and that he understood from a letter that Mr. Anderson exhorted them to go back, but that he con sidered it not the intention of the Society to drive such characters back by force of arms to their former masters. " Mr. Taylor replied that it certainly was not the intention of the Society that we should arbitrarily govern by force of arms, but that we should introduce religious civilization. " His Excellency stated that the collecting of individuals together was likely to prove fatal, they being without the limits of the Colony. He said because the population of the Colony was thin, that when men were called up in case of war they were not to be found ; and that, also, such a body of men without government laws was likely to mutiny, and so to prove fatal to the missionaries and also to the Colony." It was in vain for the missionaries to plead and to urge such arguments as common sense suggested. It was true that escaped slaves and criminals were continually making their way across the frontier and settling beyond the reach of the Government ; but this was going on quite apart from the question as to whether there were or were not missionaries in those regions already ; and it did not seem to occur to the men in authority that if Christian teachers chose to exile themselves, and perhaps to incur peril in following their duty by going into those remote districts, their influence would tend to diminish the dangers and inconveniences which were supposed to threaten the Colony. Under these circumstances the only thing that was left for them to do was to await orders from home, and meanwhile to make the best use they 30 STAYS AT STELLENBOSCH. could of their time. Taylor went, for the time, to a missionary institution not far away ; the Kitching- mans took up their abode in Tulbagh, and Moffat in Stellenbosch, the latter a village about thirty-six miles from Cape Town. Here he lodged with a Dutch wine farmer named Hamman, who was not only hospitable, but a man of deep piety and earnest missionary spirit. The object of this arrangement was to give the young missionary an opportunity of learning Dutch, which it did not take him long to do, placed as he was among those who could speak or understand no other language. Much as he must have been discouraged and perplexed by the long delay, it was always a great advantage to him in after life to have had this enforced detention. He was in a position to go to work at once when he did eventually reach Namaqualand, and it was at all times a great advan tage to him during his missionary career to be able to speak Dutch. During the period of his stay at Stellenbosch, he accompanied Mr. Thom on an evangelistic tour extending over six weeks, in which they rode a distance of about seven hundred miles, in the district of the Western Province adjacent to the Cape. To any one who knows the present condition of the country round which they travelled, it would be curious to read how the evangelists found them selves in a desolate region, with primitive home steads few and far between, where now many a smiling village lies nestled amongst its trees. In these then lonely spots small congregations gladly assembled from many miles around to listen to DEPARTURE FROM CAPE TOWN. 31 the preaching of the gospel, which was to them a rare privilege. Sometimes the travellers would be belated in the wilds, and would have to make their bivouac on a hillside, and be treated to a serenade more wild than sweet of jackals and hyaenas. From these there was no danger : but they were sometimes in fear of visitors of another kind, for the mountainous districts were full of fugitives, mostly runaway slaves, whose hand was against every man. After a further stay at Stellenbosch, Moffat returned to Cape Town, where he busied himself with picking up everything in the shape of practical knowledge that came within his reach, and found a congenial outlet for his zeal in visiting the military hospital. Many of the soldiers were Scotch, and he had a peculiarly tender feeling towards soldiers. His brother Alexander had gone to India in the ranks some years before, and at this time nothing was known as to what had become of him. The long detention at length came to an end. The scruples of the Governor were overcorne, ap parently by the efforts of Mr. Thorn, who was possessed of some influence and of much persever ance. Permission was granted to Kitchingman and Moffat to go their way. No time was lost ; the necessary preparations were made, waggons were bought, oxen were hired, and on the twenty-second of September, 181 7, Moffat bade farewell to the many warm friends whom he had found in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. His companions were the Kitchingmans and the Ebners. With the latter he expected not only to 32 EPISODE AT A BOER FARM. travel but to be a fellow-labourer at Afrikaner's kraal, where Ebner had already been for some time resident. The record of the journey, like many in the olden time, is one of hardship and difficulty. Every day which took the travellers farther from Cape Town brought them into a more desolate region, in which the lonely homesteads became fewer, and approached an almost complete isolation. With a few excep tions the farmers were friendly and wished the travellers well. The chief Afrikaner had earned himself a terrible reputation, and the reports that he was now a changed character were not readily believed by the Boers. Many were the gloomy prognostications. One motherly dame shed tears over the comely lad — for he was little more, being not quite twenty-two years old — who, in her belief, was going into the lion's mouth. One evening he halted at a farm which showed signs of belonging to a man of wealth and impor tance, who had many slaves. The old patriarch, hearing that he was a missionary, gave him a hearty welcome, and proposed that in the evening he should give them a service. No proposal could have been more acceptable, and he sat down to the plain but plentiful meal with a light heart. The sons and daughters came in. Supper ended, a clearance was made, the big Bible and the psalm-books were brought out, and the family was seated. " But where are the servants ? " asked Moffat. " Servants ! what do you mean ? " " I mean the Hottentots, of whom I see so many on your farm." PREACHING TO THE "DOGS." 33 " Hottentots ! Do you mean that, then ! Let me go to the mountain and call the baboons, if you want a congregation of that sort. Or stop, I have it : my sons, call the dogs that lie in front of the door — they will do." The missionary quietly dropped an attempt which threatened a wrathful ending, and commenced the service. The psalm was sung, prayer was offered, and the preacher read the story of the Syrophenician woman, and selected more especially the words : "Truth, Lord, but even the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the master's table." He had not spoken many minutes when the voice of the old man was again heard : "Will Mynheer sit down and wait a little ; he shall have the Hottentots." The summons was given, the motley crowd trooped in, many who probably had never been within the door of their master's house before, and many more who never before had heard the voice of a preacher. When the service was over and the astonished Hottentots had dispersed, the farmer turned to his guest and said, " My friend, you took a hard hammer and you have broken a hard head." This must not be taken as an instance repre senting the universal feeling of a class. Even in those days there were God-fearing and earnest- minded Boers who did their best for their slaves ; and now, thanks to the labours of many devoted ministers, there is a true and growing missionary spirit in the Dutch population of South Africa. As the travellers got farther on their way their difficulties increased. They advanced into an al- 4 34 ARRIVAL AT AFRIKANER'S KRAAL. most pathless region, barren and stony hills, inter secting plains of sand, with scanty trickling springs, and occasional but uncertain pools of water, at long intervals. Their oxen grew weaker day by day; the little flock of sheep on which they depended for mutton was dispersed by the hyaena and lost; and they were thankful to reach at last a haven of rest in the missionary station of Byzondermeid, more than two months after they had left Cape Town. Here the Kitchingmans were to remain, and Moffat after a time continued his journey to Afrikaner's kraal, where he rejoined Mr. Ebner and his family, on the twenty-sixth of January, 1818. CHAPTER V. LIFE IN NAMAQUALAND. 1818. ROBERT MOFFAT'S stay in Namaqualand extended to a little over twelve months, and only a part of that time was spent in residence at the station. Before he had been many days on the spot, he saw that it was not a place for permanent settlement and progress. A long journey was soon undertaken to the north, in which he was accompanied by most of the able-bodied men of the tribe and by their chief. The result of their journey was to put an end to any hope of a settlement in that quarter, and the thoughts of Afrikaner were drawn eastward across the Kalahari to the country of the Bechwana, with whom he had enjoyed some friendly intercourse. The missionary, with a select party on horseback, made a journey in that direc tion, reaching Griqua Town and Lattakoo. On his return to Afrikaner he found that Mr. Ebner, the only other missionary in Namaqualand north of the Orange River, was leaving the country, so that he was left completely alone. In the intervals of his 36 THE CHIEF AFRIKANER. long absences from his station he carried on such missionary work as was possible — conducting a school, and raising a place of worship. Towards the end of the year he saw reason to visit Cape Town in company with the chief, and there he met Dr. Philip and John Campbell, who had come out as a deputation from the Missionary Society. It will not be necessary to go into much detail about Afrikaner. His history is told by Moffat himself in his " Labours and Scenes." Suffice to say here, that he was a man who had escaped from vassalage in the Cape Colony, and having his own family as a nucleus, with a following of other refugees had crossed the Orange River, and es tablished himself in what is known as Great Nama qualand. Here he carried on for years a system of predatory warfare. His enemies were twofold — the farmers within the Colony, and the Namaquas, of a race kindred to his own, in whose country he had settled as an unwelcome intruder. He managed to strike terror into them all, and to make himself of so much importance that a large reward was offered for his head by the Government of the Cape Colony. After many years he came under the influence of the earlier missionaries, more especially of Christian Albrecht, a man of more than ordinary character and apostolic zeal ; and on the occasion of John Campbell's first visit to South Africa, negotiations were commenced which ended in his consenting to receive a missionary. A Mr. Ebner was at once sent to take up the work until the promised mis sionary should arrive from Europe, and he would probably have remained but for a certain want of MOFFAT'S HUT AT VREDEBURG. 37 harmony between him and some of Afrikaner's people ; so that as soon as he saw the post filled he took his departure, and the young missionary was left quite alone. Vredeburg, as it was called, was a collection of huts in a small valley, bounded by bare rocks on either side. A spring rose in the upper part of the valley, which in times of heavy rain — say once in two or three years — swelled into a flood, filled the river bed, and covered the. levels on either side, so that the people had for a few days to move their huts nearer to the rocks. There were many large mimosa trees, which gave a pleasant look to the place, and redeemed it from the utter dreariness of the barren plains which stretched around for many miles. The huts in which the people lived were as movable as tents. They were formed of long tapering wands, planted in a circle, then bent over and tied together so as to form a cage, and on this were fastened rush mats, packed more or less thickly according to the means of the owner, and admitting less or more rain accordingly. As rain fell very seldom, and as in that country to get wet was a mere refreshing novelty, this was not a serious inconvenience. The dust and the heat were the worst plagues. There was one opening large enough to crawl in at, and this sufficed for door and window, and for that matter chimney too, when a fire was lighted within. In a hut of this kind the missionary lived during his sojourn with Afrikaner. His efforts to obtain comfort must have met with but partial success. He lived principally upon milk 38 HIS WORK AMONG AFRIKANER'S PEOPLE. and dried meat, until latterly he was able to raise a little grain and garden stuff. For the best part of a year he did not see the face of a fellow countryman, or hear a word in his mother tongue. Happily he was in entire sympathy with the chief and his brothers. Not only could they enjoy the mutual confidence of fellow Christians, but a strong personal friendship sprang up, and from the first Robert Moffat exerted a charm over Christian Afrikaner, which it was given to him to exert over many others afterwards. Even Titus, the brother who stood out against the gospel, was amenable to his personal influence, and devoted to his interests. Moffat went to work earnestly, and soon had a flourishing school. Meanwhile a building was being raised for a church on a different scale from that of the beehive huts. But the temporal condition of the people was miserable, and there never could be much progress in civilization or industry with such surroundings. The missionary and the chief were of one mind in the conviction that no lasting settle ment was to be thought of in that part of the country. The scanty spring gave water enough for the irrigation of only a small bit of ground, which would not supply food for one-fifth of the few hundreds of people belonging to Afrikaner, and yet it was the only spot available for many miles around. So in June we find them starting with a large following of the able-bodied men to explore the country northward, in search of something better. This journey took nearly two months, and ended in nothing. No better country was to be found in that JOURNEY EASTWARD. 39 direction, so far as they went, without entering a region where the hostility of other Namaquas might be looked for; so the idea was abandoned. In those thinly peopled regions, the few Bushmen and scattered Namaquas whom they found were sunk into a brutish degradation which stirred the heart of the young missionary, and instead of repelling rather quickened his zeal. Space would not suffice for even extracts of his journals, but the following letter will give a view of this part of his life : "Vredeburg, Dec. 15, 1818. "My dear Father and Mother, — I feel ashamed when I recollect that I have not communicated to you a single syllable since the eighth of April last. But on the other hand, when I call to mind the different scenes through which I have passed since that period, and how my time has been taken up, I think myself almost excus able. In the month of June I commenced a long journey to the northward as far as the Fish River, accompanied by the chief and his principal people ; our object was to find a more suitable place to form an institution, but after enduring many hardships we returned after two months, disappointed in the object of our journey. A short time afterwards I came to a conclusion to undertake a journey to Griqua Town to see a place which the Griquas had offered to Afrikaner. The approach of the warm season induced me to take the journey immediately. I accordingly departed on the second of September, accompanied by four of my people with ten horses. We travelled along the Great River and crossed it twice. I preached frequently to the tribes of Korannas along the river. We suffered much both from hunger and thirst, having taken nothing with us, depending entirely upon the natives. The last three days previous to our arrival in Griqua Town, one of the men and myself suffered extreme hunger and thirst, nearly 40 HARDSHIPS OF TRAVELLING. three days without victuals and nearly two without water. This was on account of three of my people having un expectedly stayed behind, and been unable to overtake us ; and we not knowing the hindrance, saw it most proper to go forward, being then in the midst of a sand desert without water, and the little flesh was with those who stayed behind. You may well conceive what effect such hardships had upon me in a bodily respect, sleeping behind a bush on the sand, eating nothing but flesh, and that so hard frequently that we must beat it small with stones, and living two or three days on a little milk. But I stood it out far better than my companions, for I had always to encourage both them and myself, or we never would have got there. Through Divine help we all arrived at Griqua Town on the evening of the eleventh. The brethren and sisters received me with joy and affection, and supplied me with everything needful ; and I may say with Paul, when I saw them I thanked God and took courage, and when I reflected on the difficulties which I had undergone, I adored the Hand which had preserved me in them, and I more than ever estimated the value of providential blessings ; but above all, I was cheered with this one recollection that it is for Jesu's sake and the sake of the heathen. In the midst of these hard ships I felt, as I do at this moment, that I desire to suffer anything, even death itself, if but Christ is glorified in the salvation of the poor heathen. During my stay at Griqua Town I preached occasionally, and got proper information relating to the situation alluded to — to which I had some objections, seeing some difficulties in the way in a political point of view. " I set off on the fifth of October to return home, and after experiencing nearly as great difficulties as before, I reached this place on the fifteenth. My little flock were all out of patience, and were ready to quarrel with me for leaving them. They assured me that they would never again suffer me to do so. On my arrival I found a letter from Brother Ebner, informing me of his critical situation, he having been obliged to leave the Warm Bath station on account of the broils which had taken place between the MULTIFARIOUS OCCUPATION. 41 people themselves, which were likely to end in a war. He begged of me to visit him. I immediately set off, and reached him the same day on the north side of the Great River ; he was then on the point of crossing, and only waited on me. I did all that I could to dissuade him from the idea of leaving the Namaqua Mission, but all my entreaties were vain, for he seemed determined to leave Namaqualand entirely, and perhaps resign the work and return to Europe. This considerably affected me. After stopping two days I left him ; he soon crossed the river, and suffered consider able loss of cattle on account of the strong current. "About two weeks ago the two parties, viz., that of Bondelzwartz and that of Magerman, came and laid the whole of the case before me, leaving me to judge betwixt them. After hearing both parties, I showed each how far they had erred from common justice, and how Magerman's people were culpable, which they acknowledged. Both parties were perfectly satisfied with the judgment, and gave each other the hand as a token of peace, promising to return the guns which each party had taken. Ebner is gone, and has left me a solitary missionary with little prospect of having help. But the cause is the Lord's, and how can we be faint or weary in well-doing, while we witness immortal souls dying for lack of knowledge. I have many difficulties to encounter being alone. No one can do anything for me in my household affairs. I must attend to everything, which often confuses me, and, indeed, hinders me in my work, for I could wish to have almost nothing to do but to instruct the heathen, both spiritually and temporally. Daily I do a little in the garden, daily I am doing something for the people in mending guns. I am carpenter, smith, cooper, tailor, shoemaker, miller, baker, and housekeeper — the last is the most burdensome of any. Indeed, none is burdensome but it. An old Namaqua woman milks my cows, makes a fire and washes. All other things I do myself, though I seldom prepare anything till impelled by hunger. I drink plenty of milk, and often eat a piece of dry flesh. Lately I reaped nearly two bolls of wheat from two hatfuls which I sowed. This is of great help to me. I 42 REASONS FOR VISITING THE CAPE. shall soon have plenty of Indian corn, cabbage, melons, and potatoes. Water is scarce. I have sown wheat a second time on trial. I live chiefly now on bread and milk. To day I churned about three Scotch pints of milk, from which there were two pounds of butter, so you may conceive that the milk is rich. I wish many times my mother saw me. My house is always pretty clean, but oh what a confusion there is always among my linen. I have no patience. " On the twenty-sixth of November I received letters from the Cape and England, of a very interesting nature. One from Miss Smith of Dukinfield. She informed me that Mr. Roby saw you on his visit to Scotland, and that you were well and that my mother was in good spirits. This was very agreeable news to me indeed, for I often think of you all, and feel anxious to know how it fares with you. In a former letter I mentioned something respecting my hope of being united to Miss S., but her last two letters have been completely effectual in blasting my hopes. She has most reluctantly renounced the idea of ever getting abroad, her father determining never to allow her. Of course I have been greatly cast down of late, but have at the same time been enabled to love and confide in Him who sticketh closer than a brother, and have been more than ever led to see the mutability of every earthly comfort. " I must now inform you that it is my intention shortly to visit the Cape. I think of commencing my journey in February. I have requested Afrikaner to accompany me. He immediately consented, and is now making prepara tions. This will be a wonderful event to hear of, Afrikaner accompanying a missionary to Cape Town. It will also be very acceptable to the Governor, as he has often requested him to come that some sort of peace might be established. For particular reasons he would not go, nor would do now were it not that he esteems and puts great confidence in me. I have much reason to believe that this unexpected event will be the means of doing much good, both in a political and an ecclesiastical point of view. The Govern ment will see the fruits of our labours, and be convinced MOFFAT'S HOME CIRCLE. 43 that we are indeed messengers of peace ; but you will hear more afterwards. " I am also excited to visit the Cape by hearing that my presence will be acceptable when some important discus sions will take place relating to our Missions. " I could have wished to communicate my journal in full ; it would interest you in the winter evenings, and I may do this. I long to hear from you. I have now been nearly two years in Africa, and only received one letter from you, not a syllable from William, nor do I hear anything of Alexander. Write me fully, and forget me not in your approaches to the throne of grace. Remember me to all my friends in Edinburgh and elsewhere, and particularly to Richard, Helen, Ann, and James. Tell them all that I often think of them and pray for them, and that it is not likely that I shall see them any more till we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and I hope finally in the presence of the Lamb. I must conclude, desiring to remain your affectionate but unworthy son." We can form but a faint idea of the feeling with which such letters as this would be received and read in the quiet Scottish home at Inverkeithing. They continued to come in unfailing succession through more than fifty years, perhaps sometimes not oftener than once in the twelvemonth, but never failing to come at last. The home tie was never broken or allowed to die away, indeed it seemed to grow stronger and more tender as the years rolled by. The reader will understand that the region called Great Namaqualand lies to the north of the Orange River, and along the western coast of the continent. To the eastward of it is the almost rainless and waterless Kalahari desert, and beyond that, still further eastward, the Bechwana country. To any- 44 FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH BECHWANAS. one comine from the southward the first Bechwana tribe encountered is the Batlaping, who were then on the Kuruman river. The missionaries Read and Hamilton were already among these people. Moffat had already seen, and had been favourably im pressed with, some Bechwanas who, travelling for purposes of trade, had visited Namaqualand. They in their turn were importunate for him to accompany them to their own country, which was a few miles to the westward of Lattakoo as it was then called. Of course he could not yield to their entreaties. On the occasion of his visit to Griqua Town above re lated, he went on to visit the missionaries on the Kuruman ; and whilst with them came in contact with the same people, who hailed him as an old friend. He then found that his fame had preceded him, and that he had already gained a most sur prising ascendency over the hearts of these strangers. He little thought even then that among these very people it was the will of God that the great work of his life was to be done. The letter already cited had a postscript, both long and important, of which the following is a part : " Cape Town, April 16, 1819. " Dear Father, — It was my intention when I wrote this letter to have sent it off immediately, but the overflowing of the Orange River completely cut off all communication. I accordingly kept this and other letters, as there was a probability of my reaching Cape Town before them should they have been sent. Although the Great or Orange River was nearly full, I crossed it safely, though not without being exposed to imminent danger and loss, and after a pros perous journey I reached this place about four days ago. Afrikaner, the chief, is with me, and every one is pleased to RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY AT THE CAPE. 45 see him, and no less astonished to witness the effect of Divine grace manifesting itself in him and others who are with me. On my arrival here I received your letter of the thirty-first of July, 18 18, and you may well conceive what my feelings were in recognizing the handwriting of my dear brother Alexander, whom I never expected to behold again in this world, and may not even as it is ; but I cannot de scribe my joy on hearing that he yet lives, not in a far distant land, but in the bosom of his nearest friends. When I think on this my soul seems winged to your habitation and mingling in your converse. "The worthy Mr. Harvard, Methodist missionary from Ceylon, on his way to England, goes on board in three hours, and promises to take this with other letters. I also send with him some African curiosities to my dear friend Mr. Roby. I have just received letters from Miss Smith. The scene is changed. I have now abundant reason to believe that God will make her path plain to Africa. This I trust will be soon, for a missionary in this country with out a wife is like a boat with one oar. A good missionary's wife can be as useful as her husband in the Lord's vine yard. "Dr. Philip and Mr. Campbell are preparing for their journey into the interior, and have earnestly begged of me to accompany them as interpreter. I have consented, and we will, I think, proceed in a few weeks. Of late in this corner of hell the dry bones begin to shake, apostolic zeal begins to peep out, Government is favourable to missions and to the cause in this town, and we confidently look for ward to a harvest of souls. Dr. Philip has got permission to build, a chapel ; such a thing was never known before. Twice every Sabbath Divine service is held at the Orphan Chamber, when Messrs. Philip and Campbell preach. Ou the Sabbath a prayer-meeting is held in this house, also on the Wednesday evenings, when exhortations are given. The two directors are always present. There are many other meetings in Dutch. Brother Evans preaches in Dutch to-night to slaves, and I have to engage on Sabbath. This you see is the old way and the only way to damp 46 AFRIKANER'S RECONCILIATION. Satan's courage, and eventually gain victory. Pray for us all. " Remember me to Mr. Brown. Tell him, after all that I have suffered, I am not tired but strengthened, and feel myself more a missionary than I ever was before in my life." This visit of Afrikaner to the Cape was an event of great importance in more ways than one. In a striking and concrete manner it brought to the view of those who had authority and influence the fact that missionaries, instead of increasing political diffi culties, may often help to solve them. Moreover the strikingly gentle and Christian deportment of Afrikaner and his followers, a man who had formerly been known as a public terror, greatly encouraged those who were holding forth the power of the gospel to regenerate the most unpromising cha racters. The Governor himself was personally much in terested with the visitors from Namaqualand, and when Afrikaner left to return home it was with many good wishes and substantial proofs of esteem. It was a curious coincidence that the hundred pounds sterling which had once been offered for his head as an outlaw, was eventually laid out by the Govern ment in offerings of goodwill to be bestowed upon himself. Afrikaner took a tearful farewell of his friend, but kept the hope of a speedy meeting in Bechwanaland, whither it had been determined that Moffat should go. That meeting took place, and Afrikaner again returned to Namaqualand, with a view to arrange the removal of his little tribe to the neighbourhood THE NAMAQUALAND MISSION. 47 in which his beloved teacher was settling. It was not to be. Before he could carry out his plan, he was called away to eternal rest ; his people got divided, and lost purpose and heart for an under taking which required a measure of discipline under a strong leader. " At last " (says Moffat in his own history) " our Wes- leyan brethren nobly extended their efforts to Namaqua land. Their labours have been crowned with success, and I have watched their onward progress with as much interest as though I had been one of their number. The field being thus ably occupied, it was unnecessary for the London Missionary Society to send others, while the character of the country, with its scanty population, and the cry for missionaries to carry on the work in more important fields, influenced the Directors to leave that section of the mis sionary world to our Wesleyan brethren." M CHAPTER VI. THE WIFE OF ROBERT MOFFAT. i8ig. ARY SMITH was born in the year 1795, a few months earlier than Robert Moffat, at New Windsor, which now forms part of Salford. Her father was a Scotchman, originally from Perthshire, who settled in England and married Mary Gray, of York, in the year 1 792. Mary was their eldest child and only daughter. She had three brothers, one of whom, William, died at a compara tively early age. Another, John, became the pastor of a church near Manchester, but afterwards followed his sister's example and gave himself to foreign missionary work. He was for some years an ardent and faithful labourer at Madras, and his earthly career was brought to a sudden and mysterious close by the loss with all hands of a ship in which he was voyaging off the coast of Hindostan. The third brother, James, alone survived his sister, and has but recently died in the United States. He has left children and grandchildren who happily have imbibed the missionary spirit, and are entering Rudolf Bhnd, del. o^i-u- ^J^p-r/r/A PARENTAGE AND YOUTH OF MARY SMITH. 49 into the labours of those who have set them an eminent example. Both James Smith, of Dukinfield, and his wife, were persons of strong piety, in which they stood upon common ground, though he was a staunch Nonconformist, and she an adherent of the Church of England. Their daughter, from her earliest years, walked in their steps. Her father followed the occupation of a nursery gardener, in which he prospered greatly, and at one time promised to be a wealthy man. By the foolishness of others he after wards became much reduced in circumstances after his daughter's departure for South Africa. He never lost the respect and friendship or the practical aid and sympathy of those who had known him in more prosperous times, and valued him for his true worth of character. Mary lived at Dukinfield all her youth. The old house is still standing, but the extensive nursery grounds have long ago been built over, and gone past recognition. She went to the Moravian school at Fairfield, and the years she spent there must have been very happy, judging from the way in which she was wont to dwell upon them in talking to her children in after times. They were not only happy, but they were years full of sacred influence ; and at Fairfield was fostered the strong sense of devotion to duty as a servant of the Cross, which helped to carry her through toils and difficulties of no ordinary kind, and made her a helpmeet indeed to her husband. There still lives a lady who remembers with affec tion her life at Fairfield with Mary Smith. It was 5 50 WITH THE CHURCH AT ASHTON. the custom for each of the younger children to be placed under the special care of one of the elder girls, who was called her " little mother." Mary was " little mother " to one who afterwards became Mrs. J. S. Buckley, of Ashton, and the circumstance is connected with happy and blessed recollections. The following extract is taken from the Records of Albion Independent Chapel, Ashton-under-Lyne : " The church had not been long formed when one of its members went out to live and labour among the heathen in South Africa. In 1819, Mary Smith, of the Dukinfield Nursery, departed for the Kuruman, where she safely arrived, and was married to the Rev. Robert Moffat. Mr. Moffat was an occasional worshipper and communicant with the small company in Refuge Chapel, with which Miss Smith was connected. Her father was an old In dependent, and was one of the fourteen who left Providence Chapel. One who saw her relates that when service was occasionally held in a carpenter's shed in Cricket's Lane, she was there, ever active and attentive to all. She often .arranged the benches and other furniture of the place in order to reduce the discomfort to a minimum ; found the hymns for strangers, and invited people to attend. The missionary spirit which was in her then has rendered her through a long, laborious, and honourable life, the worthy helpmeet of her husband, the well-known apostle of the Bechwanas." The manner in which she became acquainted with her future husband has already been seen ; the rest •of her tale will be largely told by her own pen in these pages. The following letter was addressed by her to the parents of Robert Moffat, and will explain itself: " Manchester, Dec. 16, 1818. " My dear Friends,— Doubtless you will be surprised to be addressed thus by an entire stranger : but though PARENTS CONSENT TO PART WITH HER. 51 personally unknown, you are dear to me for the sake of your beloved son Robert. If you have received a letter from him lately you will perhaps know in what relation I stand to him ; but as I think it very probable that your letter may have miscarried, I cannot but feel deeply anxious that you should know of his welfare. I received letters from him about ten days ago, dated April and May, 1 8 1 8, in the former of which he states that he sent by the same opportunity a letter for you and also one for my father, but as this has never, come to hand I fear that yours also may have met with some delay, if it is not entirely lost. " It is not only the probability of this circumstance which induces me to write to you, but also a desire to com municate to you that, after two years and a half of the most painful anxiety, I have, through the tender mercy of God, obtained permission of my dear parents to proceed, some time next spring, to join your dear son in his ardu ous work. This is what I by no means expected a week ago ; but God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. When He arises, every mountain flows down at His presence. He has the hearts of all men in His hands, and can turn them as the rivers of water. So He has done with regard to my parents. Previous to the arrival of these last letters, my father had persisted in saying that I should never have his consent ; my dear mother has uniformly asserted that it would break her heart (as I have no sister, and she is far advanced in life) : notwithstanding all this they both yesterday calmly resigned me into the hands of the Lord, declaring they durst no longer withhold me. "The idea of parting for ever with my beloved family appears almost too much for myself. Sometimes I think I shall never get launched on the ocean before grief weighs me down ; but such are my convictions of duty, that I believe were I to remain here another year, it would then be out of my power to go, for I must sink under the weight of an accusing conscience, when I consider Robert's peculiarly trying situation and the strong affection which he seems to bear to me. When he last wrote he was exceedingly well, very happy in his work, but quite alone, 52 LETTER TO MOFFAT'S PARENTS. seldom sees a white face. The people are nearly all Namaquas, are very kind and affectionate to him. " He was about to take a journey still further north in search of a better situation. The chief and part of the people were going, and would have him with them. I have had a letter from a gentleman at the Cape saying that he was gone, and was expected to return the latter end of the year. It must be trying to parental feelings (as well as mine) to think of a dear child being alone in a strange land and among savages ; but let us remember that Abraham's God is his God, that the Divine promise belongs eminently to him and his companions in self-denial : ' Lo ! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' " He speaks of enjoying much of the Divine presence, and while exhibiting the truths of the gospel to the wild Namaquas, he feels the power of them on his own heart in a remarkable degree. I am sorry my father's letter is lost, as I understand it was much more descriptive than mine, his thoughts naturally turning to our personal concerns when writing to me." At this juncture she was in Manchester, and to this circumstance we owe another letter which will show her strong sense of duty, and at the same time her intense affection for the parents between whom and herself there was not only the tie of natural relationship, but the strong bond of a kindred faith : "December 18, 1818. " I cannot but be anxious to know how you feel by this time. I hope you have not wished to recall that which you have resigned. No, I trust you are more and more convinced of the propriety of the act. I cannot describe to you the secret pleasure it gave me to see both you and my dear father give me up in such a Christian-like manner. I always feared that if you did give me up it would be by a sort of compulsion, but when I viewed you with calmness declare that you saw it your duty and could no longer LETTER OF CONSOLATION. 53 withhold from the work of the Lord whom He had a right to demand, I could not but exclaim, 'Is not this the finger of God ? ' What but a Divine power could have brought your spirits to what was so contrary thereto ; and I trust you will live to see abundant cause to rejoice that you were ever brought to do it. I dare venture to affirm that you will not be losers by it. You must ever remember, my dear mother, that the Lord never deprives us of our comfort, but He is ever ready to make it up by a greater degree of His own Divine consolations, if we seek these at His hands, and are willing to have the space filled up by Himself; and surely you would be willing to be deprived of an earthly comfort, to have more of the consolations of the Spirit of God. For my own part, I have found it so much the more to be valued, that sometimes I have thought I could bear to be stripped of every earthly comfort if I might enjoy the Divine presence in a proportionate degree for everything, as I have under troubles of late. " You will be well aware that the struggle in my own breast is very great ; yes, it is so much so, that I dare not reflect closely upon it. If I could rest, surely I should be tempted to do it on your account. But no, my convictions of duty are so strong, that were I to remain at home I should surely sink under the weight of an accusing conscience. " When I went home last week it was with the intention of exerting myself to the utmost ; and if I could not prevail, I saw, I felt, that death must soon put an end to the conflict. But the battle was the Lord's. He brought me off more than conqueror by His own almighty arm. And now I think if ever I do land on Afric's shore, my soul will feel more sensibly than ever her obligations to active usefulness. Such a singular display of his care over me as I have had lately, surely calls loudly for active gratitude. And, O mother ! will it not gladden your heart if the Lord permit me to enter into His work ? I say, will it not gladden your heart that the Lord made you the mother of at least one child who was so highly honoured as to be an instrument in His hands, however humble, of doing something towards the conversion of the heathen ? 54 LETTER TO MISS LEES. O mother ! were I a mother, I should esteem it the greatest honour which could be conferred on me or my child. I should think it an ample compensation for all the self- denial I was called to exercise. "I think I need not fear that you doubt my natural affection, by thus leaving father and mother. No, surely my dear mother knows me better than that ; she is well aware of the pangs that my feeble nature will feel when the last hour arrives : surely her own will not be more violent ; nothing but Divine power can support me in such an hour. Often have I thought that it would be too mighty a struggle for my poor tabernacle to stand out, but I have the promise, ' My grace is sufficient for thee ; My strength is made perfect in thy weakness. ' " It was several months before a suitable op portunity to the Cape occurred. Passenger ships did not go at regular and frequent intervals as they do now. The following letter was written to her friend Miss Lees, of Manchester. Such unveilings of the heart as appear in this and in the previous letter are almost too sacred for the public eye, but at the distance of more than sixty years it is hoped that they may be an encouragement to some who are going through similar experiences now. "Dukinfield Nursery, May t, i8r<;. " I sit down to write a few hasty lines to you this morning. I have uniformly made my complaints to you, and I often used to wonder when my complaining days would be over. I often used to think of a maxim of my old friend Mr. Bennett, that ' prayers and praises are sure concomitants.' I thought surely my experience differed from any one else's, for I groaned year after year for particular blessings, and I seemed as far from having obtained them as when I first began to pray. These reflections had never been so strong before as when I heard your dear pastor preach A CONVERTED BROTHER. 55 from the eighth verse of the ninety-ninth psalm. The sermon was so powerfully applied that I wept the whole of the time, as he described the various workings of my mind under that particular, ' thou answeredst them,' and sent me away rejoicing with an assurance that my prayers would yet be answered. Shortly after, you know how that sweet sermon of Dr. Jack's affected me, ' Faithful is he that promised ; ' and very shortly after this you know how wonderfully, I may say miraculously, some of my prayers were answered. This encouraged me to go on, and that passage was as powerfully applied as any ever was to my mind, ' Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it' " I had still large requests to make ; still some of my most anxious desires appeared to be unnoticed. But I did not believe they were, though I was resigned and willing to wait the Lord's time. Often when I had contemplated the separation from my family have I groaned in spirit ; often have 1 shed tears of wormwood and of gall to think that, when I was gone, my dear parents would not have one child to sit down with them at the table of the Lord ; that their eyes could no longer beam with pleasure on one of their offspring whom they had any reason to believe the Lord had made His own. Often had I poured out my soul to God, ' Oh ! could I but see the spiritual life of one of my dear brothers, I could go without half the anxiety.' And oh ! my dear friend, how shall I tell you ? Now I can depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen the salvation of God for my dear brother John (so I have good reason to hope) ; yes, my tears, and sighs, and inward breathings are answered. He was last night proposed to the church. He has written several very pleasing letters to Mr. Sutcliffe. Does it not appear, in deed and of a truth, that we are now enjoying the smiles of our God ; does it not appear that He approves of our conduct, and if He takes away one child He gives another ? You know what it is to rejoice over a brother born ; but in proportion to the peculiarity of the case on account of my going, and the length of time we have been looking with deep anxiety to this event, in proportion our joy is greater. I know you will rejoice with 56 LETTER TO MRS. GREAVES. me, and as you had long heard of my complaints, you shall hear my thanksgiving." About the same time she wrote to a friend in Sheffield, Mrs. Greaves : " With grateful emotions I sit down to acknowledge the receipt of the bountiful present which you and Mr. Greaves have made me. My parents and I have just now been examining them, and we are very much gratified ; the whole of them appear so well calculated for usefulness, and some of them such beautiful articles. I can answer for Mr. Moffat's gratitude when he views them on a foreign shore, if such a time should come, and I dare venture to say that benevolence so pure will not be forgotten by him at a throne of grace. I feel unable to express to you how much I felt on receiving the parcel, and reading your very kind letter. I could not but admire the love which you and your dear partner manifested to that great cause which the Lord has made peculiarly my own, and which now lies nearer to my heart than any other. I could not but reverence the humility which induced you to say that you regretted not having had the privilege of my company at Sheffield, and shrink into the dust of self-abasement to see how much better an opinion you had formed of me than was my due, and which I was apprehensive, had you had a more intimate acquaint ance with me, would have been in some degree altered. As for my qualifications for the noble employment which it appears probable is to devolve upon me, I am daily led to see more and more of my own weakness and insufficiency for such an undertaking ; and were it not for a persuasion that the Lord often makes use of the meanest instruments to bring about important designs, and declares in His Word] ' Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' I durst in nowise presume to venture. But having (according to my own internal conviction and the opinion of many pious and prudent friends) a clear and loud call to leave my native land and enter into this arduous work, I would humbly follow the leading of His providence, counting it the highest PROSPECT OF PARTING. 57 honour which could be conferred upon me in this vain world. Yea, highly favoured indeed of God shall I con sider myself if I might but be permitted to smooth the rugged path of one of those dear men who have given up all for His sake, so that through my feeble aid and assistance he may give himself more devotedly to the work. " Sometimes, indeed, when I contemplate the last painful hour when I must bid adieu to all my dear friends, my family, but above all my dear mother, now far advanced in years, my feeble nature faints, my tears will flow, the enemy of my soul and destroyer of my peace would then persuade me that it cannot be my duty to go ; but these vile in sinuations I feel assured proceed from my weak, treacherous heart and the father of lies, who had too long inclined me to listen to these things by the transforming himself into an angel of light to overcome. " Yes, my dear Mrs. G., through the goodness of God I am not now entirely ignorant of his devices. He knows my weak side, and as he has been foiled in every other attempt (though no praise to me) he often assaults me in this way : a beloved and affectionate mother, bowing under age and infirmity, her sick and dying bed are often pictured on my imagination in the most gloomy colours, and the reflection that she will not have her daughter to cheer by kind attention those gloomy scenes, overwhelms me with sorrow. But I would chase away my tears and sighs, bid every anxious thought begone, cheerfully walk in the thorny path appointed for me, and in humble faith commend her and my dear father into His hands who can and will be more unto them than all they are called to sacrifice. Great condescension has been displayed by my heavenly Father to make my path plain. For two years and a half I have suffered much from perplexity, not knowing what to do, continually harassed with a fear that I had acted sinfully in suffering Mr. M. to go alone, as he declared he could not reconcile his mind to taking another ; and from various concurring providences I feel a degree of assurance that I have been out of the path of duty ; at the same time the 58 HER DEPARTURE DRAWS NEAR. circumstance of my not going with him appears to have been overruled for good by Infinite Wisdom. "As to my health, about which you appear tenderly solicitous, it is the opinion of a medical man whom I have consulted that the climate will agree with my constitution. The delicate often survive the strong and robust in that country ; but this I would leave with Him, who will grant me just as much as is needful " Now, my dear Mrs. G., I must draw to a close. I must say farewell. Oh, think of me when on the stormy ocean, when on the burning sands of Africa, and when you think, oh let your heart be lifted up to Him who ruleth all. You have promised me your prayers, and I most earnestly ask them for myself and my dear friend, that we may be found faithful and diligent, and never be weary in the work of the Lord." It was at last arranged for Mary Smith to sail for the Cape under the care of the Rev. Mr. Beck, a minister of the Dutch Church, and his wife. She bade her mother a life-long farewell, and, accom panied by her father, made the journey to London by coach. There were the customary delays in the date of sailing, days grew into weeks ; her father, too, had to return home, and she found herself, in a manner, alone in the great city, but at the same time among friends in the best sense of the term. Mr. Lewis, the pastor of Islington Chapel, and his wife did their best to cheer the young girl, and their kindness and that of other friends in Islington ever remained a grateful memory. The many, almost daily, letters of this period are not for a public memoir. In them the whole tender ness of a dutiful childhood and youth culminate, and reveal an anguish of soul and a conflict of faith of ENTERTAINED BY THE BOGUES. 59 which only a rare nature could be capable. The following short note is characteristic : " London, August 13, 1819. " My dear Mother, — I have sent you a small token of affection. I thought it would be better calculated to communicate pleasure and comfort to your heart than any article of dress. As for having my portrait taken, I cannot now, as my father is leaving, and I should have to pay for it myself; and that you know would not do. Whatever I possess now I must husband well, remembering that I am now supported more peculiarly out of the sacred treasury. Oh ! may I ever keep this in mind, and be a faithful steward. O my dear mother ! do be happy, as you value my peace of mind, the honour of religion, and my credit in the world. Do not let me be reflected upon for want of affection to the best of mothers. You know it is not want of affection. Oh ! do not allow the world to think so. Let us prove to the world that our blessed religion has power to soothe us under every distress." It was not till the twenty-fourth of August that she left London, and then only to go to Gosport on her way to Cowes, where the passengers were to embark. At Gosport she was the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Bogue. Nearly a fortnight later she writes her last letter from English ground. " Cowes, Isle op Wight, September 7, 1819. " My dear Parents, — Having received an order from Captain Scott to go on board to-day, I sit down to address a few lines to you, which will most probably be concluded on board the British Colony. My feelings are very solemn at this time, but calm. I anticipate much pleasure in the voyage. We have plenty of good books, work and pleasant company. I begin to like Mr. Beck very much. I hope to derive much advantage from his society. I believe he is a very learned man. Mr. White and family have 60 A COMMUNION SUNDAY AT GOSPORT. increased much in kindness to me, and I have not felt so awkward of late as I did at first. " Having a longing desire to spend another comfortable ordinance Sabbath with friends for whom I felt some peculiar attachment, I proposed to Mr. B. to go to Gosport if the wind did not change. He readily entered into it, and accompanied me in the packet on Sabbath morning. We spent a happy day, heard the old doctor preach twice, and a student once. I sat down with them and attended a church meeting. The doctor and his lady and daughter all gave us a hearty welcome. We stopped all night and returned yesterday. " I could not but feel a melancholy pleasure in reflecting both on Sabbath afternoon and last evening, at the mis sionary prayer-meeting here, that my own dear people and family were engaged in the same way. I could not but hope that I was at both of those seasons remembered by some of them. Oh beg my friends to think of me at those times. For a season I am going to be shut out from these ordinances. Oh pray that the God of ordinances may be with me. " Now, my dear and beloved parents, I commend you to God, believing that He will preserve you in these troublous times. I sometimes think you will be shortly coming after me. Do not be anxious about me. The Lord is going with me. Do not be long before you write to me at the Cape — conceive how anxious I shall be to hear; and be sure to send good, full letters, or they will only set my teeth on edge. The wind is quite unfavourable, but the captain is tired out, and we are to sail at twelve to-day." "Gosport, September 15, 1819. "My dear Madam, — After having had your lovely and interesting daughter an inmate in our family, and enjoyed an opportunity of developing her character and beholding her unfeigned and exalted piety and zeal, I cannot but feel deeply for you and Mr. Smith, on being called to part with her to such a distance. Great must have been the trial, the conflict must have been severe ; all the parental LETTER TO MISS SMITH'S PARENTS. 61 feelings must have risen up in direct opposition to her plans and wishes. The sacrifice you have made of them is great, but not too great for Him who gave up Himself for you. ' The best child is not too good for God.' He gave her to you, and He has demanded her back again, and He can and will be better to you both than ten such daughters, lovely and excellent as she is. His gracious presence can more than supply hers, and if He withdraws the nether springs He can make the upper springs to overflow and abound. He has highly honoured you in giving you such a daughter, and by calling her to fill such a high post on earth as that of a Christian missionary, the highest she could fill "While with us Miss Smith was in excellent health and spirits, looked well and was cheerful, and in a very happy and suitable frame of mind. She sailed last Thursday, and is, we suppose, by this time safely across the Bay of Biscay, as the wind has been favourable. " Your truly sympathizing friend, "Charlotte Bogue." CHAPTER VII. ROBERT MOFFAT VISITS THE CAPE. 1819. IN the year 18 16 the Missions in South Africa had fallen into a state of grievous disorder. The number of stations was large, and they were scattered far apart. Some of the men who had been sent out had proved themselves unworthy of their trust, and had not maintained even an ordinary standard of Christian conduct. On the arrival of Robert Moffat and his colleagues they were astounded to find themselves associated in the service of the Society with men who had brought shame on the very name of Christian, and whose reputations were a by-word to the ungodly. A correspondence with the Directors followed on this and some other subjects. They were slow to open their eyes to the unwelcome truth, and were disposed to regard the representations which had been made to them as the result of prejudice and discontent. They were the more predisposed to take this view of the case because the missionaries were at the same time pointing out another of their diffi- DEPUTATION FROM THE L. M. S. 63 culties — the smallness of their stipends. The Directors seemed unable to understand why men who had given up home and friends for the sake of preaching the gospel to the heathen should be so open to ordinary human weakness as to find it irksome, if not difficult, to keep up a position of respectability on twenty-five or thirty pounds a year, which was less than half what any ordinary mechanic could earn at the Cape. Correspondence, as is often the case, did not mend the matter much. The chasm between the Directors and their mis sionaries grew wider. It was for Robert Moffat a happy circumstance that he was away in Namaqua land, too far off to take an active part in the strife which led to three of the colleagues with whom he sympathized retiring from the service of the Society. Happily, too, when he arrived at the Cape on his return from Namaqualand he found that the Directors were sending two deputies — John Campbell of Kings- land, and Dr. Philip — to inquire into these matters, and to set things in order. This measure saved the South African Mission. The Directors had made a good choice. Mr. Campbell's work was temporary, but Dr. Philip was to take up his position at the Cape as the Society's agent or superintendent. It would be difficult to measure the good that has resulted from the work of Dr. Philip. Per haps a test of the depth and reality of the in fluence he exerted is to be found in the fact that for many years he was the best-hated man in the Colony — hated, that is, by those who were not the friends of the natives. To the Cape he was in those days, in his championship of justice to the natives, 64 RELATIONS OF MOFFAT AND DR. PHILIP - very much what Dr. Colenso was later on in Natal ; and he was more fortunate than the latter in never having handicapped himself with excursions into the regions of Biblical criticism. He united a clear and scholarly mind with a will as firm as the granite of his native land, and he fought the battle of the native races at heavy odds. Now that the tide has turned, and that there is a strong Colonial party standing where Dr. Philip once stood all but alone but for a few trusty friends, some men may have forgotten what he did. His record is on high, and can never be forgotten there. The members of the Deputation set themselves to remedy the evils which had worked so much havoc; and Moffat soon saw that there was no reason for him to do otherwise than to continue his work in connection with the Society, though, as he says in a letter to his parents at this time, " My determination was, whether I continued with or left the Society, to return to the heathen beyond the limits of the Colony." Men like Philip and Moffat, both devoted to the service of their Master, could not be very far away from each other in personal brotherly feeling. The latter, however, had a stout Nonconformist objection to the principle of a superintendency. He protested against it from the first as " putting Pope into new clothes." It was well that the remoteness of the Bechwana Mission practically isolated it from the range of the doctor's rdgime ; and after his retire ment from the duties of his office in old age no successor was appointed. The wisdom of this is an open question. TRIALS OF FAITH. 6$ The Deputation was already in Cape Town when Moffat arrived there with Afrikaner. After many conferences with him, it seemed good not only that his services should be transferred to the Bechwana country, but that he should accompany Campbell and Philip on a journey of inspection to the stations in the eastern part of the Colony and in Kafirland. As this journey involved a probable absence of about twelve months, it was a trial of faith to him. He was expecting the arrival of his bride, and it seemed hard that she should have to land in a strange country and to find none of her own to welcome her. " On these accounts " (he says) " nothing could have excited me to take this journey but a sense of my duty which I owe to Him in whose service I am engaged. Dr. Philip and Mr. Campbell laid before me the valuable aid my service would render them on their important tour. I consider this a sufficient cause to fake up my cross and to follow Jesus. This is my comfort, that the Lord is her refuge, and she will find numerous affectionate friends in the Cape who will receive her with open arms. During my stay in the Cape I enjoyed the longed-for privilege of hearing a few English sermons from Dr. P. and Mr. C. I also preached occasionally in Dutch both to Christians and heathen — or properly, to white and black." CHAPTER VIII. ARRIVAL OF MARY SMITH AT THE CAPE. 1819. THE Deputation had a prosperous journey, tra velling, as everybody did then, in ox waggons, and visiting the line of stations which lay along through the eastern districts as far as Bethelsdorp. Drastic measures were adopted, healthy reforms effected, and the Missions were put upon a new footing. At Bethelsdorp the party found its further progress effectually barred. War with the Kafirs had broken out, and there was no way to visit Kaffraria. This was a providential circumstance for Moffat. Dr. Philip, having no further work to keep him in the eastern province, returned to Cape Town, taking Moffat with him, who had thus the unspeakable happiness of being able in person to welcome his Mary when she first landed on the shores of Africa. " Cape Town, Dec. 8, 1819. " My dear Parents,— From this far-distant land I sit down this morning to address you, being informed that a vessel is to sail at two o'clock to-day for England. Before I proceed, however, I must warn you not to expect me to HER VOYAGE OUT. 67 write an interesting letter, as the change of scene and cir cumstances which has burst upon me renders my mind confused and agitated. I will begin by bearing testimony to the goodness of that God who brought me out from my father's house to this land of heathen darkness, to which my eyes and my heart have been so long directed. He has granted us delightful weather all the voyage, and made me with His own presence unspeakably calm and happy ever since I embarked " Thus you see my God has delivered me from the perils of the sea, which are truly great, such as no heart can con ceive but those who have ¦ been there. I have enjoyed excellent health all the way, excepting my headache, which has been very bad for the last two months. I had good spirits all the time. I suppose none was more cheerful than I. Our captain kept us well, but I cannot say we were very agreeable company, there being one continued scene of jangling, but I generally managed to steer pretty clear. We had Divine service every Sabbath day, when the weather would permit, in the cabin, but not on deck. The captain is unfavourable to these things. Mr. Beck paid me every necessary attention. From some of the passengers I received the most respectful attentions. My fellow-passengers pronounced me the fittest person on board to go into the interior — I bore everything so well both mentally and bodily. You will not, my dear parents, suspect me of want of affectionate solicitude about you when I tell you I was so happy. No, surely you know me better ; but I did not think it incompatible with that cheer fulness that reigned in my breast sometimes to weep and to mourn when I thought of you and each of my dear brothers (not to mention my numerous friends in England). I do confess that often during the silent hours of darkness, when the angry billows beat against my cabin with tre mendous roar, at such moments I turned my thoughts to you and your dear dwelling. Then my imagination would rove till my heart sickened and floods of tears drenched my face. There is something inconceivably cutting in the reflection (to nature) that for many years at least there is 68 JOYFUL MEETING IN CAPE TOWN. an ocean between us, and that personal intercourse has ceased, but even from these piercing reflections I was enabled to derive consolation. It was for the cause of the Redeemer I had forsaken all. This I accounted my highest honour, and it was this consideration that enabled me to take down my harp from the willows and tune it to His praise. " Having parted from you all, my affection felt weaned from the world ; and there being an uncertainty whether on my arrival here my dear friend would be alive, I felt prepared for anything. But oh ! my cup of happiness seems almost full ; here I have found him all that my heart could desire, except his being almost worn out with anxiety, and his very look makes my heart ache. Our worthy friend Melville met me on board, and conducted me to his house, where a scene took place such as I never wish to experience again. We have received each other from the Lord, and are happy " Moffat will conclude this letter, and I will write very soon more particularly ; my time is now expired, and I can say no more. But, mother, be happy, and praise God on my account." Robert Moffat to Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Dukinfield. " Dear Father and Mother, — I can now with more reason than in my former letter address you with the endearing title of parents. It would be in vain for me to call to mind the different scenes through which I have passed, but more particularly what I felt when the sound of your beloved daughter's arrival had reached me. It was to me nothing less than life from the dead. My prayers answered, the promises which had long been my refuge were now fulfilled. My prayers" in that respect are now turned to praise, and surely never in my life has the hand of God been so singularly manifested for good. " Mary, my own dear Mary, is now far distant from a land endeared to her, being the place which gave her birth, and which still contains a circle of friends who are entwined MARRIAGE. 69 round her heart ; but more especially endeared as the resi dence of you, dearer than all besides. She is now separated from those scenes and from you, but let this comfort you, that, although in a land of strangers, she is under the care of our ever-present God, and united to one who speaks as he feels when he promises to be father, mother, and husband to Mary, and will never forget the sacrifice you have made in committing to his future care your only daughter. " When I last wrote you, from Swellendam, the affairs of the mission were almost buried in a cloud of gloom, which obliged me to be silent on that subject ; but how do I rejoice to be now able to tell you that those seasons of sadness are in a great measure turned into joy. The gloom is dispersed ; but ah ! shall I tell you that from the general wreck a few, and only a few, have survived the sad cata strophe. " We were disappointed in our intended journey into the interior from the state of the Kafirs, now in a considerable measure appeased. Nothing but the gospel will make the Kafirs good neighbours. We were no farther than Theo- polis, from which place we returned direct to Cape Town. The Deputation having destined me to superintend the mission at Lattakoo, and having empowered me to set to rights the affairs of our missions in that quarter, Mr. Campbell thought seriously of returning to England, having done all that was essential to be done by him in Africa ; but the whole depended on the early arrival of Mary. He is now completely engaged, and I have some reason to think that he will accompany us to Lattakoo, for he is now all on fire about going. The warm season is approaching, but I intend to proceed in a few weeks with or without Mr. Campbell. Dr. Philip will remain for the present to settle other important affairs." They were married on the twenty-seventh of December, 18 19, in St. George's Church. Dr. Philip took the place of the absent father ; and the Melvilles, ever ready when an act of kindness was 70 CHEERFUL COUNSELS. to be done, opened their house to the company. Writing to her brother John a few days later, Mary Moffat says : "There was an expression in my father's letter which rather grieved me : it was that in one sense I was dead to them. Now I think they ought not to consider me so. Surely it ought to afford consolation that I am now united to a devoted servant of God, one who counts not his life dear to himself. They can hear of me, and I trust that they will hear that I am of some little use in the world. Is not this better, to be a succourer of those who are labouring, than to lie down in the grave without having done anything towards the building of the temple ? I trust you will en deavour to remove this impression. Cheer their hearts, and never indulge any melancholy fears respecting me. I can assure you every provision is made for my comfort which is possible, and the Deputation afford Moffat every facility. At the same time, I wish ever to be reasonable in my expectations and cheerfully to take up the cross. "I find missionaries are greatly despised here, and indeed it is not to be wondered at after the conduct of some, but I think I can say — • All hail reproach ! and welcome shame ! If thou remember me.' Before I bid adieu to home with all its delights, I calculated upon a life of hardships, toil, shame, and reproach, and now my soul can bid it welcome for the sake of Christ." CHAPTER IX. JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO. 1820. EARLY in the year 1820 the missionary party started from Cape Town. It consisted of John Campbell and the Moffats. When once they had left the fertile vallies and lovely mountain scenery of the Breede and Hex Rivers, they had to traverse a comparatively desolate region for some hundreds of miles. In the middle of this they came to the place on which is now found the village of Beaufort West, about three hundred and fifty miles from Cape Town. Here there was as yet a house or two only. The newly appointed magistrate and the clergyman of the Dutch Re formed Church were the principal inhabitants : the latter, a Mr. Taylor, one of Moffat's late colleagues. Passing Beaufort West, they in the course of a day or two crossed what was then the Colonial boundary and advanced into the Bushman country, a dreary waste extending to the southern bank of the Orange River. Here, after seven weeks of ox-waggon travel ling, they found themselves about six hundred miles 72 THE ORANGE RIVER. from Cape Town. This journey can now be ac complished by railway in a couple of days. It is impossible to describe the curious sensations which fill the minds of those who have had occasion many times to make this journey in the old style, when, for the first time seated in a comfortable railway carriage, they glide over plains which can scarcely ever be anything but monotonous, and mark hour by hour the spots which used to be the night's bivouac after a long and toilsome day's march ; for the line is almost identical with the trade and mis sionary route of the old days. The travellers crossed the Orange River without much difficulty, as it was low. This was its normal condition. Although a stream of a thousand miles in length, rising not very far from the shore of the Indian Ocean, and crossing the continent to fall into the Atlantic, it is for the most part shallow enough to be fordable for the greater part of the year. This did not prevent it in years of exceptional rain fall from being a serious obstacle at times, as will be noticed by the reader who follows this narrative. For months the great channel would show a narrow stream brawling over a small part of the broad stony bed ; but when the river rose, as it did sometimes, suddenly, a muddy flood would fill it up to the very top of the steep banks twenty or thirty feet high, covering even great willow-trees growing on those banks, and sometimes spreading beyond and over the adjacent levels. Two or three days' north of the river lay Griqua Town, and here the party made a halt for a time. Kuruman — or Lattakoo, as it was first called — was a TRAVELLING EXPERIENCES. 73 hundred miles further. The missionaries Hamilton and Read were already there, but had scarcely established their footing. " Beaufort West, Feb. 17, 1820. " My beloved Parents, — Having by the good provi dence of God been brought thus far on our journey, been mercifully preserved from all dangers in this wild and barren country, and enjoying good health, I feel it in cumbent upon me to write by every opportunity, conscious that soon my opportunities may be very few of sending letters to the Cape. We have experienced much of our Heavenly Father's love while traversing the barren sandy desert. We are all well, and, excepting a little headache, my health is extraordinary. It is true I feel a little feeble and languid in the very heat of the day, but am not sickly as I always was at home in warm weather. I never was more vigorous than I am now in the cool of the day ; and when I consider the manner in which we live, just eating and sleeping when it is convenient, I am truly astonished. It is frequently one or two o'clock when we outspan. I like waggon travelling better than I expected. It is not so fatiguing. I have had none of those hardships which I looked for. Our table is generally well spread, better than we shall look for when settled as poor missionaries ; this is partly owing to Mr. Campbell being with us, and partly to Moffat's being well known in the country, and receiving liberal presents. At a Mr. De Vos's, where we last stopped a few days, at the Hex River, we experienced the most unmerited kindness, though they had never seen one of our party before. I never met with so much hospitality in my life as I have witnessed in Africa, though the Dutch are considered fond of saving. We have met with many of the descendants of the French refugees. They originally took refuge in one of the deep vallies near the Paarl, where, as a people, they still reside ; the name of the place is Frans Hoek ; but, as might be expected, they are now a little scattered. What I have seen of them are remarkably 74 THE GREAT KARROO. nice people, and retain the savour of the gospel amongst them. " I could not but feel a reverential regard when I saw them, on remembering that their forefathers were cruelly persecuted for the gospel's sake. " I trust you will have received a letter from Robert, dated the 31st ultimo, at the Hex River. Since that time we have been in a perfect desert called the Karroo, and in the last ten days never saw but one house till last night, about two hours' ride from here. For eight of those days we have been on the banks of the Gamka River. The principal features of the desert through which we have passed are its mountains and rivers. The banks of the rivers are thick with the long-thorned mimosa, which is certainly very beautiful. In some places I have seen the old tree fallen with age, and from the root a young flourish ing large tree, and both attached to each other. There are few other things except succulent plants, and everything in the desert, except the mimosas, has a blue and yellow sickly hue with the saltpetre. We have scarcely seen any grass for a fortnight. Mr. C. remarked that we had need put on our spectacles to look for a blade of it. The water is a little brack, but not much. The roads have been very good indeed — in many parts as fine as any turnpike- road in England. It is a very public road ; we have met with a great number of waggons from Sneeuwberg and other parts of the interior. Amongst others we met poor Pienaar, the son of the man whom Afrikaner murdered. M. told him that he was restored to favour and had been at the Cape, but he said very little. Meeting with so many Boers on the way affords a fine opportunity of dis tributing tracts, with which they seemed well pleased, for they seldom see a book, except their old, massy, finely- gilt family Bibles, kept more as a piece of furniture than for use. I think I never saw so many fine-looking Bibles in my life as since I came to Africa. They seem to have a particular pride in them. " Some persons thought it imprudent of us to travel at this season of the year ; but from all we see and hear, we WILD ANIMALS. 75 think it by far the best, notwithstanding the heat, for the rivers we have to cross are at present chiefly without water, except a little stream the same as your river in summer ; but the beds of them in some places are very broad, and we might have to stop a fortnight together on the banks till the water was gone, and then the ground is like a quagmire. " We have seen no beasts of prey, though we have been in their dominions. M. saw the footmarks of one about a mile from where we outspanned one day ; and at the farmhouse we saw last week we were informed that sixty lions had been killed in six years in that neighbour hood. At that farm we saw two tame ostriches, which to our great surprise devoured pebble-stones like bread. It is said they will eat iron or any hard substance. I have seen' these huge, uncomely-looking birds at a distance running on the mountains, and have often walked in their footsteps. " Thus you see the promises have been fulfilled in our experience. The sun has not smitten us by day, nor the moon by night, and the beasts of the field have been in league with us. Our God has been our sun and our shield, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. We all enjoy excellent spirits, and all our company is cheerful and pleasant, and everything goes on well. " We have got two men and betwixt twenty and thirty oxen from Bethelsdorp. They are just arrived after a month's journey, but they came very slowly. The oxen are what they left there on the last journey. "The place where we now are is the newly-formed district where our missionary Taylor has accepted of a church — which, by-the-bye, is only a room in a farmhouse, with two beds in it.. I have been in many odd-looking places to worship, but never saw one like that. There are only about six houses in the place, and the Landdrost's is one of them. He is a Scotchman, a Mr. Baird. He visited our tent on our arrival here, and courteously invited us to his house to eat, which we have done now for four days. We go to every meal, and then return to the waggons. 76 INFANT VILLAGE OF BEAUFORT WEST. He is remarkably friendly, and affords every facility for getting what we want. He supplies us plentifully with delicious fruit from his garden, though we eat it three times a day at his house. He speaks well of Mr. Taylor, and says that a minister is a needful auxiliary to the magistrate here. " He showed us a plan of the intended town. It is a fine fertile spot, bounded on one side by the Gamka, and on the other by the dry river. He intends to bring the water down the main street, and to have trees planted on both sides. They are going to build a shed for a temporary church until they get the other built. From all that we can see and hear, it appears that Mr. Taylor may have great opportunities of doing good. They have the law and the prophets, but they are as ignorant as the heathen them selves. They are very much scattered. Mr. Taylor is now visiting his flock, which I hear will be a month's journey ; they live so very remote. This is a disappointment to our people, as they expected to have got much information from him. " Mr. Anderson is well spoken of here. The Landdrost is sending him by us a little coffee and sugar as a present. There is a half-yearly fair established here, and the people at Griqua Town bring their stuff to sell, and are highly spoken of. We leave this place to-day for Griqua Town, which is ten days' comfortable journey from here, good roads, plenty of water the most of the way, and a fine moon, which is valuable to African travellers. "Mary Moffat." Though on their way to Lattakoo, it was by no means certain that they would be allowed to remain there. In a letter to his parents Robert Moffat explains this : " I think I mentioned in my former letter that we were preparing to go and reside at Lattakoo, expecting to be accompanied by Mr. Campbell. It pleased the Lord, how ever, at first to allow these our expectations to be baffled, OBSTRUCTIVE POLICY OF GOVERNMENT. 77 for when we were almost ready to set off the Colonial Government sent a negative to a memorial on the subject. Their political, though very inapplicable views, served them as a sufficient reason to hinder me. I may here remark that the Governor has been for this some time imperious on me to become their missionary, and proceed to Kafir- land, and had I consented to this they would have jumped at me ; but because I would not agree to their proposal for conscience' sake, however encouraging their offers were, they seemed to make a necessity of my accepting it by barring my prospects. This threw us into a little con fusion, for Mr. Campbell was determined to go, and that was deemed by others both imprudent and impracticable without I were to go with him ; and to undertake such a long journey in the heat of the season without a hope of remaining appeared to have its difficulties, considering my situation. We, however (I trust divinely directed), have come to a conclusion that I should accompany Mr. Camp bell in the place of Dr. Philip, who should remain at the Cape to set to right other important affairs relating to the missions with the Government. Of course, prudence and advice dictated to me the propriety of taking Mrs. Moffat with me on the journey. In many respects it was prefer able to her remaining in Cape Town, it being much healthier in the country, and there is after all, I may say, a probability of our remaining at Lattakoo. We accord ingly left the Cape about a month ago, and travelled by Stellenbosch, the Paarl, and Tulbagh. We are now near the limits of the Colony opposite to Griqua Town. It has been very warm, the thermometer as high as 960 in the shade ; this and a constant sunshine tans us all like gipsies. " It is astonishing that you are at this time shivering in the beams of the same sun which drives us to take refuge to the shadow of a rock or bush. We have had a tolerable supply of water, though we have travelled through a country the most desert. I am happy to say that Mary stands the journey amazingly well ; she takes everything as she finds it, and encounters with ease what you would term diffi- 78 ENCOURAGEMENTS BY THE WAY. culties. She has several times asserted that she never enjoyed better health than she has done since she came to Africa. Nay, I am sometimes astonished to see her possessed of such good spirits at times when human nature is spent, for we have our hardships. " Mr. Baird's kindness is astonishing. As we are com plete strangers to this part of the country, he has provided us with two guides, who will cross the Bushman country with us. We intend to depart to-day. And what is very wonderful, a few people have arrived from Bethelsdorp whom we sent for previous to our leaving the Cape. Had they been a day later we should have been gone. All things seem to work together for the furtherance of the journey." CHAPTER X. SOJOURN AT GRIQUA TOWN. 1820. THE Moffats had gone thus far in uncertainty about their real position. The Governor had as yet withheld his assent to their settling at Lattakoo. They walked by faith. In a few weeks they continued their journey from Griqua Town with John Campbell. It was intended that Robert Moffat should take the place of James Read, who was to return to one of the Colonial stations. On their arrival at Lattakoo John Camp bell went on to the north-east to visit the Bahurutse, a tribe two hundred miles distant, about whom much had been heard in consequence of their friendly relations with the Batlaping. He took with him Read, leaving the^ Moffats at Lattakoo to make the acquaintance of the people there. This journey to the Bahurutse country was really a surprising feat at the time. Campbell was a man with little physical endowment for playing the part of a pioneer ex plorer ; but he was a simple and heroic soul, who went straight on wherever he saw duty, and left 80 CAMPBELL'S VISITS TO VARIOUS TRIBES. all troublesome questions to be settled by the Master he served. He returned from the Bahurutse with a determina tion to press their claims for the early planting of a mission among them, and this object was kept in view until the convulsions of a few years later drove this and much else out of reach. The Bahurutse still exist as a tribe, though in vassalage to the Transvaal Boers, and their spiritual wants are ministered to by worthy men of a German Missionary Society. When Campbell got back to Kuruman, he and the Moffats made an excursion westward to the scattered villages of the Batlaro, another Bechwana tribe, an offshoot of the Bahurutse. They had found their way down to the neighbourhood of the Batlaping, and were living on the border of the Kalahari desert. These were the people with whom Moffat had some slight intercourse before he left Namaqualand. Returning from the Batlaro, the unwelcome news reached them from the Cape that the desired per mission had not been obtained ; and as Mr. Campbell had now done all that he had to do, and was leaving, there was no alternative but for the Moffats to turn their steps southwards, which they did with heavy hearts. Read's transfer to the Cape Colony was still to be carried out, so that Hamilton, not for the first or the last time, was left alone at Lattakoo. At Griqua Town a fresh message from the Colony met the travellers ; the Government had yielded, and the way was now open to the Moffats to carry out their dearest wish. HOPES FULFILLED. 81 " Lattakoo, South Africa, Aprils, 1820. "My beloved Father and Mother, — Now that I am here, and when I look back to the day on which I left my father's house in full confidence that my heavenly Father would go with me, I am astonished. I was only seven months 'twixt Dukinfield and Lattakoo, and never met with one disaster. What reason have you and we to adore that God who has heard our prayers, and has gone before me and made all things pleasant and comfortable. Yes, my dear parents, and in addition to all other favours, He has brought me to that place which, of all others in the world, was first fixed upon my heart as a place and a people amongst whom I should love to dwell and lend a helping hand to the work, nearly six years ago, when hearing our friend Mr. Campbell in Manchester. It was then I first dared, with tears in my eyes and an overflowing heart, to breathe the petition — Oh, that I might spend my days at Lattakoo ! This doubtless was noticed by a heart-searching God, and so here am I. I cannot tell you what I felt on approaching the spot, when I took a retrospect of all that had passed to bring me here. I could not but exclaim, Is not this the finger of God ? You can hardly conceive how I feel when I sit in the house of God, surrounded with the natives ; though my situation may be despicable and mean indeed in the eyes of the world, I feel an honour conferred upon me which the highest of the kings of the earth could not have done me ; and add to this seeing my dear husband panting for the salvation of the people with unabated ardour, firmly resolving to direct every talent which God has given him to their good and His glory. I am happy, remarkably happy, though the present place of my habita tion is a single vestry-room, with a mud wall and a mud floor. It is true our sorrows and cares we must have, and, in a degree, have them now from existing circumstances at the station ; but is it not our happiness to suffer in this cause ? It is one of the trials of missionaries to bear such long silences from their friends. Poor Mrs. Helm has not had a letter for five years ! I long to hear from you, to know how you all are, but do not expect till the people 7 82 THE KURUMAN FOUNTAIN. return from the fair at Beaufort, which will be the latter end of May. Many Bootsuanas, as well as Griquas, are gone this time. I hope you are perfectly easy about me, and do not consider me dead or lost. I wrote to you from Beaufort. We arrived at Griqua Town on the 13th of March. I did not find things there quite as good as ex pectation, but must say great things have been done. The indolence of the people is a formidable obstacle in the way of civilization. There are some, however, who do well, and some of the places belonging to the rich captains assume the appearance of English farms. Decent houses, a waggon before the door, plenty of oxen, poultry, dogs, &c, about, and good cultivated ground, and very respectably clothed ;, they make good appearance at the church, which is often full, and it is about the size of the old preaching-room at Salford. " I forgot to say how we got over the Orange River. It was but very low, and all our waggons were over in half an hour. This will appear to you a happy circumstance, when I tell you that at the same time last year Mrs. Hamilton was nine weeks waiting on the other side, and one week in the act of getting ovei with one waggon ! Some parts of this time the rain was descending in such torrents that she could not tell whether the waggon was in the river or out of it. It is a majestic stream, and on the banks are woods of the mimosa and a species of willow. There is a greater variety of greens than I have seen since I came to Africa, and much more pleasing to the eye. We travelled along the banks three days before we crossed. We were met with oxen and men from Griqua Town, they having heard of our approach. After spending a week there, we pro ceeded to this place, four long days' journey. I do not recollect being so fatigued since I left the Cape. We were obliged to make long stages on account of there being no water between. The last outspan place was the source of the Kuruman River. It is a vast rock, which appears to have been terribly convulsed some time or other, forming curious caves>.and on every side the most beautiful water that ever I saw. (except at Greenfield) gushing out. I went THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF KURUMAN. 83 into the principal cave that is accessible, and went nearly knee-deep in water as clear as crystal. The top of the cave was lined with bats, and in some directions we heard waters rushing like a torrent. The sound came along the subterraneous passages. I should have imagined that a mighty river would have flowed from such a spring, but it is very small. The country between Griqua Town and here abounds in fine-looking grass, but not good ; in low mountains, but few trees. " On our entrance to this place I was pleased. I thought the landscape resembled that of England, the cornfields and gardens being very pleasing, and here and there trees scattered ; trees are not seen in general in Africa, except on the banks of the rivers. I have not yet seen a wood equal to the one above the Nursery. " I think there is already timber there superior to any I have seen in the uncultivated parts of Africa. Upon the whole, as a country, I am greatly disappointed. It is my opinion that the new settlers will be deceived if they expect a fat land. Were I choosing a country, either for a com fortable livelihood or pleasure, it should be old England still. The extreme scarcity of water, and in many parts firewood, render people's comfort very precarious. If the periodical rains fail they sometimes reap less than they sow. In this part everything that is sown must be greatly assisted with water, or it would do no good at all. The cattle are sent to different outposts where there is water. The source of the Kuruman is the principal place, and there they are subject to the depredations of the Bushmen, who are very daring indeed. The cattle are watched by Bootsuanas and some who are half Bushmen through inter marrying, but, notwithstanding this, a large number of the cattle are carried off. " It is really a pity that no hold can be laid on these men. They do deserve punishment, but that the innocent should perish with the guilty is hard. The Bootsuanas have, since the missionaries came, renounced the practice of going against other people unprovoked. They only plead now that they defend themselves, and to this no one 84 STATE OF THE MISSION. can object ; it certainly is a great attainment to bring them to this, as all the nations beyond partly live by robbing tach other. This, however, makes them very exacting from us, as they have done it by our advice. "There are no appearances of real piety among this people but in one woman who is blind ; she is in church fellowship. The attendance is irregular. Sometimes the church looks well with numbers of them, and sometimes the benches are nearly empty. They seem to think they do us a favour by coming. The school is miserable. There is no girls' school, and I almost doubt the practicability of it, as the women here do all the men's work, and the men the women's. " One great impediment here is not having the language. Not one of our friends here can converse surely with the natives. All is done through an interpreter, one of those who has lived at Griqua Town. They are good-tempered people in general, happy and easy, dance and sing a good deal. The strong man armed keeps his house in peace, but we hope ere long to see one stronger than he take pos session. They have curious notions about God. They make Him the author of everything evil. If it rain when they don't wish it, they ask why God does so ; if the ground is parched, the same. " Mary Moffat." In a letter to his parents, dated from Griqua Town the eighteenth of September, Robert Moffat writes : " On the fifth day after our departure from Griqua Town we arrived at Lattakoo, and found all the friends there well. We were soon introduced to Moteebe, the king, who seemed very much pleased at our arrival. We were soon visited by a retinue of chiefs, with people who, of course, were anxious to see the strangers. To Mr. C. and myself the sight was not new, having been amongst them before, but to Mary it was; indeed their manner, appearance, and dress must greatly interest any one, and especially my dear Mary, whose hopes had been so long directed CURIOSITY OF THE NATIVES. 85 towards that people. After remaining three weeks settling the affairs of the mission, Mr. Campbell set off on a journey nearly north-east. He took Mr. Read with him, deeming it of importance that I should remain with a view to ingratiate myself into the affections of Moteebe and his people. " After two months Mr. C. returned, having visited some nations, properly tribes, hitherto unexplored. We remained a week together, when Mr. C, Mr. R., my wife and self, set off on a journey to the westward along the bed of the Kuruman River. We visited many towns of the Boot suanas, in which Mr. Campbell and myself alternately preached to. the benighted inhabitants the word of life. Our journey extended to Lehaise's town, the most westerly of the Bootsuanas, lying on the east side of that great desert which separates Namaqualand from them. The inhabitants here never having been visited by white people before, made our visit the more interesting to them, who of course received us as curiosities, and especially Mary, who got plenty to stare at her and her dress. They have often sat nearly the whole of the day gazing upon our movements, and especially our sitting together at table when dining in the tent ; our using knives and forks, plates and different dishes, was such a sight as they had never seen before or heard of. In one of our interviews with Lehaise, the old chief was asked if he would like to have a missionary with him to inform him and his people of the things of God. This grave, aged, and well-looking man answered very seriously : Yes ! if the missionaries could tell him how he could become a young man again. He also added that if missionaries came he was not able to sing. " Such was the judgment he formed of the missionaries ; and oh, how affecting! The subject of his answers was explained, and he seemed to approve of missionaries coming among them. " Taking a circuitous road on our return, we fell in with some Koranna kraals. They differ materially in manners and dress from the Bootsuanas, though : ^siding very near them. To obtain water for themselves and their cattle 86 INTERCOURSE WITH AFRIKANER. they dig down in the beds of periodical rivers to the depth of twenty-five feet. By means of five men standing at a suitable height from each other they hand the water up in a wooden bowl ; and this requires to be done daily. "After an absence of little more than a fortnight we arrived safely at Lattakoo. Shortly after, we had letters from Dr. Philip informing us that permission had not yet been obtained from the Governor for me to remain at Lattakoo. Nothing now remained but to return. We all felt acutely, as our hopes and designs were completely thwarted. We were obliged, however, to submit to the powers that be, and to look to Him who has the hearts of all men in His hand, and to say, ' The Lord reigneth.' "After suitable preparations, we, including Mr. Read and family, took our departure from Lattakoo — nor could we help being affected on leaving a country where the harvest was great and the labourers so few — Mr. Hamilton being left alone with a Griqua assistant and a few Hotten tots. A remarkable circumstance took place just before we left. Previous to our leaving the Cape I wrote to Christian (Jager) Afrikaner to meet me at Griqua Town or Lattakoo, and bring my cattle and property with him ; which he did, and arrived, as above, just when we were preparing to return. I was happy to see them, and to hear that all went on well in Namaqualand. To his honour I would just add that my books and articles of furniture were in good order. Particular attention had been paid to these, as well as to my cattle and sheep, during my long absence. Such was the conduct of the once plundering Afrikaner, conduct in every respect becoming a Christian. He stated his regret at my being taken from them, and his wish to remove to a situation near my destination, which was to us at that juncture unsettled. " We returned by another road from Lattakoo, in order to see a fountain which might afterwards become a station for the Bushmen. While we were at the said fountain, some of these unfortunate people, whose interests we were seeking, came during the night and set off with four of our cattle. They were pursued in the morning, but in vain. The THE MOFFATS AT GRIQUA TOWN. 87 pursuers, however, caught one man and a boy, who were more or less engaged in the theft. These were brought to the waggons, and our people had much to do to keep the few Bootsuanas who were with us from plunging their assegais into them — such is the abhorrence which the Bootsuanas have to that despised and forlorn people. But it is also to be observed that the Bootsuanas suffer greatly from their depredations, which so exasperates them that they spare neither man nor woman nor child. " The prisoners alluded to, especially the eldest, expected nothing but death, but we let him go after giving him a sufficient number of stripes. " To proceed on our journey. Afrikaner left us when we were half way to Griqua Town, to take a nearer route home. When we were near Griqua Town we received a letter from the Rev. "Mr. Faure of Graaff Reinett, informing us that permission was granted for me to proceed to my destination. This was unexpected but pleasing infor mation. The same letters also informed us that he, in company with the Landdrost of Graaff Reinett, was on his way to Griqua Town and Lattakoo. " We came here and awaited the arrival of Mr. Stocken- strom, the Landdrost, whose object was to investigate the political concerns of this people, which had hitherto been in a state of confusion." When Mr. Stockenstrom had done his work among the Griquas, he prevailed upon Moffat to go with him on a visit to Lattakoo. It had been de cided that for a few months he should remain at Griqua Town to set the affairs of that town in order, before he availed himself of the Government per mission to settle at Lattakoo. John Campbell was now to take his departure. To the Moffats it was an affecting occasion. They had been in his com pany as fellow-travellers many months, ap-d he had singularly endeared himself to them. 88 JOHN CAMPBELL'S SNUFF-BOX. Fifty years afterwards Moffat wrote to a son of Robert Philip of Kingsland, John Campbell's suc cessor, who had sent him as a relic the snuff-box of his old friend : "I must now thank you for the late good old Johnny Campbell's snuff-box. Of course I could not but know it, having travelled so much with him in our dear Africa. I prize it exceedingly, and feel honoured in possessing it, and will care for it being cared for, after getting engraved on it from whence I received it. John Campbell, his name is fragrant. The very sight of the box brought to mind great and little incidents of long bygone years. I have often seen him, when perplexed, take out his snuff-box, take a pinch, and sometimes two if the subject was weighty, and in the tent, or outside of the tent, or on the other side of a thin partition, he might be heard to say, ' Oh I never was in such a world as this ! ' More delightful society and a better fellow-traveller than Mr. Campbell could not be desired. Many, many nights, to avoid the heat of the sun, we travelled together in one waggon for company, and he was wont to interest us (Mrs. M. and self) with anecdotes almost without end, all bearing on what was good, and many of which had reference to the course of Christ's kingdom in our own and in foreign lands." CHAPTER XI. SOJOURN AT GRIQUA TOWN. 1820-22. THE Moffats were now settled down for a few months at Griqua Town, and the following from Mary Moffat is a simple description of the homely ways which obtained in those secluded regions — indeed it will still hold good of what may still be found in some parts of South Africa : " I dare say my friends often wonder how we proceed in our domestic concerns. In some of them we are extremely awkward, and in others pretty well. For instance, in this part of the country it is the custom to have the kitchen separate from the house, a thing which few English women can reconcile their minds to ; for when that is the case the kitchen of the missionary is the place of common resort, and if one turns one's back, perhaps half of the food is gone, and spoons, knife, fork, or whatever lies about, is away. They are generally such places as an English person cannot sit in, because there is no chimney and the place is full of smoke, and it must all go out at the door or not at al'. Add to this the wood fire, which requires one person's constant attendance to keep in and regular. " Those who have tolerably good houses have generally what is called a fore-house. It is the place of entrance. go MODE OF LIVING. The outer door renders' it cool and comfortable, which door is in the middle, as in a hall ; and this place is generally the largest in the house. It is the houseplace of the family, where they eat, fold and iron their clothes, prepare victuals for the fire, &c. At each end of this place is a small room, one of them the bed-room, the other the private sitting-room, study, or whatever you may call it. Behind are detached pack-houses, where everything is kept. This is the plan of a good missionary house here, and I approve it, only I would have both kitchen and pack-houses attached to the dwelling-house. If I want a little coffee, sugar, or butter, I like to have it at least a little nearer the house than they have it. Custom seems to have established this awkward system, which is productive of many evils : for instance, it ruins servants, and there is such a propensity in all the natives of this country to assist each other to food, when they have it in their power, that you cannot keep them from it whilst the kitchen is out of your sight. " However, my good man dislikes it as much as I do, and has promised to order matters differently when he builds, which will be on our return to the Kuruman. No servant will like it, as she will not then have an oppor tunity of displaying her liberality. They seem to account all Europeans stingy. Poor creatures ! they are ignorant of the value of most things, and they think we should eat everything up at once as they do, and starve all the rest of the time. "The washing is done at the river, in cold water, and instead of rubbing they beat things upon the stones, which wears them fast. When we get settled, I wish very much to wash in the English way. We cannot at present for want of tubs, but Moffat has promised to make me some, as I know he will. " With regard to animal food, all missionaries, however small the family, kill a sheep (but the sheep are small in this land) every week in the moderate weather. They must do it on account of the people they have about them — people in the garden, &c, who all eat more than their work HOW THE LARDER IS REPLENISHED. 91 is worth, for it will take two or three generations to get indolence out of their nature. The chief part of the sheep's fat is in the tail, which is an enormous size, a burthen for it to carry. The fat of this is of quite an oily nature and very rich ; this we melt, and it assists in cookery. In the heat of summer it will not stiffen unless mixed with hard fat and set in a cool place. With the hard fat we make candles, and some people soap ; but that is an immense and troublesome business, being three weeks every day on the fire, and requiring the most constant attention. "As much of the mutton as we can we salt for the summer, for fresh meat will not keep a day here in that season. Sometimes an ox or a cow is killed, and the chief part of it salted. The salt here is used in its natural state, and is both salt and saltpetre. We smoke the meat to keep the moth out of it, otherwise it would be devoured — and is even then sometimes. " Most missionaries have a brick oven for their bread. We leaven our bread, always keeping a lump of leaven, and the bread is as sweet as any yeast could make it if we do not let it work too long. We have the wheat all ground down together, and I like it better than sifted for house hold bread. "The cows in this country give very little milk. Seve-n or eight are no better than one English cow. When I was in England we used to wonder what the ' thick milk ' was of which Mr. Campbell spoke, and now I can tell you. It is only the natives who make it, but I shall certainly have it too if ever I get abundance of milk, it is so good. They get a goat-skin and scrape the hair quite clean off, so that you could not tell that it had been hairy. Then they turn the outer side in, sew it up into a bag with a narrow neck like a bottle. At the bottom they have a very small peg stuck in, a thick peg at the top which closes the mouth of the sack. Into this sack of goat's-skin they pour their milk as it comes from the cow. Perhaps in three or four days it is full. It is hung in a pretty warm place. They pull out the small peg at the bottom and let the whey off. The milk is poured out at the top end of the sack, and comes 92 PRIMITIVE FLOOR SCRUBBING. to the table wet, but not swashy. This when served up looks like a dish of light curds. The milk here being very rich it has quite a yellow appearance. It is rather sour, and with a little sugar and new milk it is delightful. I did not fancy it at first, but probably it was on account of its being brought in their dirty vessels. I have now got over that, and eat it with relish. Moteebe frequently brought us a dish of it, which is a great mark of esteem. The Bootsuanas have it much nicer than others, because they let no dirt into the bag. " I have yet another of our customs to relate. You will perhaps think it curious when I tell you that we smear all our room floors with cow dung once a week at least. At first when I saw Sister Helm do it I thought to myself, ' But I'll do without that dirty trick, or I will try hard.' However, I had not been here long but was glad to have it done, and I have hardly patience to wait till Saturday. It lays the dust better than anything, kills the fleas which would otherwise breed abundantly, and is a fine clear green. You observe it is mixed with water, and laid on as thinly as possible. I now look upon my floor smeared with cow dung with as much complacency as I used to do upon our best rooms when well scoured. " Writing about this curious article puts me in mind of a custom of the Bootsuanas. If his majesty Moteebe dines with us, before he eats he sends his servant for a handful of this article and rubs his hands with it till every particle of dirt is gone. However curious it may appear to you, I would rather see him eat after this process than before it, as their hands get a share of the nasty fat and red ochre with which they smear themselves. "Griqua Town, Aug. n, 1820." M. M. The close of the year found the Moffats still at Griqua Town. This place was inhabited by a mixed multitude of Griquas, Korannas, Hottentots, and even Bushmen and some Bechwanas. At an ANDERSON AMONG THE GRIQUAS. 93 early period, about the year 1 799, missionaries made an effort to collect the scattered Bushmen in the northern part of the Colony. They were only par tially successful, and they extended their plans so as to include others as well as Bushmen. There were many people of mixed blood, descendants of the Dutch farmers, who had taken to a roving and marauding life. The missionaries Anderson and Kramer spent several years of almost incredible hardship following these people in their wanderings, and at length succeeded in prevailing upon a large body of them to settle down. When once this was accomplished, the new village soon became a rallying point for members of all the broken tribes above mentioned. Mr. Anderson lived to see a large and orderly community making great progress in industrious habits, and a Christian church formed. Then the Government took a very strange step. Art order was sent to Mr. Anderson to furnish twenty Griquas as recruits to the Cape regiment. It might have been supposed that these people would have been left alone. The missionaries had found them mere wanderers in the desert beyond Colonial control, and had gathered them together in a locality far outside of the frontier, where they could claim no protection except that of God and their own right hand. Mr. Anderson had no option but to give the message, and the effect was disastrous. He at once lost the confidence which he had earned by years of patient labour and self-denial. Up to this time he had acted as a medium of correspondence between the Griquas and the Government, and had, moreover, 94 REORGANIZING THE MISSION. been the adviser and guide of his people in reference not only to spiritual but political matters. They now began to look upon him as an emissary in the interest of the Government, and so utterly did their trust in him fail that in a few years he saw it his duty to give up the charge of the mission of which he was to a large extent the founder, and to retire to another station in the Colony. Nor were the effects less disastrous to the people themselves. They began to break up ; one party, headed by the most influential chief, removed to another part of the country ; a second, though acknowledged as chief, withdrew to a distance of about fifty miles ; and Griqua Town was left with a population reduced in numbers and practically without a head. It was at this juncture that Robert Moffat was requested by Mr. Campbell to assist Mr. Helm in reorganizing the mission on a new footing. The task seems to have been a difficult one. The people were invited by the missionaries to make choice of one of their number as chief. They did so, showing great wisdom in the appointment of the late Andries Waterboer, who for many years ruled the settlement with firmness and discretion, but was succeeded by a son far inferior in character, under whom matters went altogether wrong. The Griqua Mission is now a thing of the past. They as a people have broken up, and are becoming absorbed in larger and stronger communities around them ; but this is no reason for considering what was done amongst them in the earlier days as thrown away. For a long time the Griquas served a good purpose on the northern border of the Colony — as we shall have THE GRIQUA CHURCH NEEDS DISCIPLINE. 95 occasion to notice — apart from purely spiritual results, of which the annals of the mission furnish abun dantly satisfactory proof. Of the mere degraded wanderers in the desert whom the first missionaries gathered together, many a humble and faithful believer in the Lord has entered into rest after a life of consistent godliness. During his stay at Griqua Town Robert Moffat wrote as follows : " As it regards the cause of our Lord in this place, I cannot say much to the praise of the Griquas. It is true of late we have been delighted to see a full church. The members are numerous. The last time I administered the Lord's Supper there were upwards of forty who partook ; but alas ! too many of these have stains on their garments, but of such a nature as not to bring them under church discipline. Heretofore this important duty has not been exercised to that extent that Paul would have done had he been here. The result of such neglect is that our church is a mixed heap of which the major part is rubbish. They have a name, and they lead a course of life which exhibits neither a devil nor a saint. Within the last month a number of these dead members have been amputated from the body, and their examples have the very effect which the Scriptures intimate : ' others fear,' and dread to commit crimes which they would otherwise have done with im punity. Mr. Helm, who is a wise, prudent, and pious brother, fully coincides with my views, and is very zealous in clearing the church of such fruitless stumps. We rejoice, however, in the faithful few who seem indeed pillars in the temple of our God. These, with others who have entered the regions of immortality, witness that the labours of Mr. Anderson have not been in vain, and that the exertions of British Christians have, through the Divine blessing, been mighty in pulling down the strongholds of Satan. " This season has been extremely warm, and we have had much thunder. On the 21st of November we had a 96 MARY MOFFAT'S SEVERE ILLNESS. heavy storm of thunder, lightning, and rain. The light ning struck and set fire to a small round storehouse in which some of our goods lay. It entered the top and ran obliquely down one of the thick poles which supported the roof, shattering it into a thousand pieces. It passed through the wall, melting the very stones in its course. " Means were soon used, the fire was got under, and no injury whatever sustained. This round house is only about fourteen yards distant from our dwelling-house, and scarcely so far from Mr. Helm's. It was very alarming, and deeply impressed our minds of God's fatherly pro tection. On the 28th of the same month the lightning struck a tree in one of the missionary gardens at Lat takoo." Towards the end of 1820, Mary Moffat was prostrated by a severe illness, and for a long time it seemed unlikely that she would recover. In reference to this her husband writes some weeks afterwards : " We are assured that though weeping endures for a night, joy will come in the morning, which has also been realized in the experience of thousands since it was written. A very short experience, indeed, convinces us that the brightest scenes and most enlivening prospects are not without their alloy ; like the interrupted rays of the unchanging sun which cast a shade on our most dazzling enjoyments, and convince us that this is not our rest, and that the Christian life at best is a life of vicissitude. Happy they, whether on beds of languishing or in adversity, who can say, ' Faithful are the wounds of a friend.' To such, affliction is not loss, but gain, for they say from experience that it is good to be afflicted, and joy more exalted and pure takes possession of the mourner's heart. This, my dear parents, has been the experience of myself, but especially of your beloved daughter. She has sowed in tears, but now reaps in joy. Yes ; she who a few months BIRTH OF A DA UGHTER. 97 ago stood on the brink of eternity, expecting hourly to quit the tottering fabric, delivering with sinking voice her last message, is at this moment sitting in perfect health, with a lovely, healthy daughter on her knee. Surely this is the Lord's doing, and is wonderful in our eyes." This daughter was named Mary, and was after wards known as the wife of David Livingstone. She was born on the twelfth of April. Very soon afterwards the quiet little community at Griqua Town was enlivened by an unusual event — the influx of a large party of visitors : Mr. John Mel ville of Cape Town, with his wife and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Kaye, Wesleyan missionaries. The former had come as a representative of Government, to inquire into political affairs, with a view to his eventually taking up his abode as Resident at Griqua Town. Mr. Kaye's object was to find a station among the Bechwanas. As the time was now come for the Moffats to commence their work at Lattakoo, it was agreed that their visitors should accompany them, and so the whole party started together, and arrived in safety on the seventeenth of May. Mr. Hamilton was not a little comforted by the advent of his future companions in labour. He had borne trials of no ordinary character, which would have caused many men to give up in despair. Though gentle and unassuming, and by no means disposed or fitted to take a leading part, he was a man whose faithful obedience to his Master and tenacious perseverance nothing could shake or turn aside. From this time he and Moffat stood shoulder to shoulder through a work of more than 98 MOFFAT SETTLES AT KURUMAN. thirty years, at the close of which he was called away to his rest. This period marks the commencement of Robert Moffat's permanent connection with the Kuruman Mission. It may be well to explain here that the name of Lattakoo, so long used, was better known in England than in South Africa. When Mr. Campbell paid his first visit he found the Batlaping tribe at a place called Letakong, about thirty-six miles north-east of the present station of Kuruman. When the missionaries he had promised to send arrived at their destination, the tribe had removed, or was removing, to a spot on the Kuruman River, about ten miles from its source. The name Leta kong — or, as it had been transformed by persons unaccustomed to native pronunciation, Lattakoo — had, however, become identified with that parti cular station, and for a long time continued to be so, until the missionaries moved a little higher up the valley, and Kuruman, which was the name of the river, came into use. The Kuruman River, so-called, is through the greater part of its course a mere channel, such as is common enough in that waterless region. The stream, which takes its rise as already described in a previous chapter, flows for a mile or more along a somewhat narrow valley. This then widens out, and the water used to spread over a broad, reedy lagoon or marsh, but has been stopped with a dyke, and led in watercourses along the higher ground on either side, and made available for irri gation. Little or none of it passes beyond the limits of the present station. Such is the thirsty DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 99 nature of the soil, that, especially during the grow ing season, every drop is required for watering the lands. A few miles lower down, at the site of the old station, there is a recurrence of springs in the river-bed, and a stream again flows for some dis tance and eventually disappears. The course of the Kuruman trends away westward, and then southward across the Kalahari Desert. Here and there, at long intervals, wells are sunk in the chalk deposits within the channel ; but it is only in an exceptional year that there is any stream, and I am doubtful whether even that fitful stream ever runs continuously as far as the junction of the Kuruman with the Orange River. The higher part of the Kuruman used to be well fringed with mimosas. These have nearly all disappeared, owing to the increasing demand for wood. The picturesque aspect of the original station and its environs, which so pleased Mary Moffat on her arrival, is pretty much a thing of the past. As soon as we ascend the low banks on either side and leave the river, we find the surrounding country barren in the extreme. For many miles nothing is to be seen but stony hills and sandy plains covered with long grass, which for the greater part of the year is not green, but a light straw-colour. The continuity of the grassy ex panse is broken by scattered bushes a few feet high and of a dull grey hue, and dotted here and there with a few dark-green camel-thorn trees. To any one accustomed to the rich foliage and green ioo UNGRACIOUS CONDUCT. fields of England, such a prospect must be cheer less in the extreme, especially when, as in those days, the transit from one point to another was a matter of crawling along for days ot weeks in an ox-waggon. The Kuruman station is not far from the border of the desert. Westward towards Namaqualand the country becomes drier and more dreary at every step. Eastward, and particularly north-east ward, there is a steady improvement until, after a journey of two hundred miles, the traveller finds himself in a comparatively picturesque and well- wooded region. The self-denying labours of the original pioneers had not been attended with any success when the Moffats joined the Lattakoo Mission. The Bech- wanas turned a deaf ear to the gospel. The ground which the chief had given them for gardens, and which they with immense labour had made avail able by leading the water to it, was encroached upon by the women, headed by the chiefs wife herself. Rather than make any difficulty, the point was conceded. When the corn ripened, a great part of it was openly taken by the people. Their sheep were stolen out of the fold at night, or driven off when grazing in the day-time ; until they were constrained to slaughter the remnant and to put the meat into salt lest they should lose it altogether. No tool or household utensil could be left about for a moment, or it would disap pear. The chief, though himself friendly, was a man of weak character, and could not, or would not, give them effective help. INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES. lor A severe drought had set in. A. rainmaker who came from the N.E., when he found all his arts in vain, laid the blame on the white strangers. The people, who were really suffering greatly, were only too ready to take up this idea ; and for a time it seemed possible that the missionaries would be driven away. But the cruellest trial of all was to find their worst foes within their own camp. A number of Hotten tots had accompanied the missionaries from the in stitutions within the Colony. These, though them selves converts, were too new and too weak in the faith to meet the demands which were made upon their constancy, surrounded as they were by a heathen and corrupt people. Their conduct became a source of shame to their leaders, and could not be otherwise than a hindrance to the gospel of which they showed themselves such unworthy exemplars. Robert Hamilton, the only one of the three originally told off for the Lattakoo Mission who remained, was in a position which hampered his own usefulness, and must have hailed with joy the advent of a colleague who was both able and willing to wield the pruning-knife with a strong and skilful hand. In a few months after Robert Moffat's arrival a course of stern discipline had purged the little community ; and though the band that met around the Lord's table was reduced to a mere fraction, yet it was a lesson to heathen onlookers that must have told its tale. In February, 1822, Mary Moffat writes to her parents : ' At present Moffat is applying himself with all diligence 103 THE PEOPLE REJECT THE GOSPEL. to the language, as the particular object of his destination here. He finds immense difficulties from the barrenness of the language and imperfect interpreters, but he is naturally too persevering soon to lose courage. This is his sole motive for undertaking a journey at present, in order to become familiar with it by being for a time out of the habit of speaking Dutch with our own people here. I think it will also be of advantage to me in that respect ; having so much to employ my time with at home I have little chance of learning much of it. You beg of us to pay particular attention to the instruction of the rising generation, but alas, we have no opportunities of doing this : the people, instead of desiring that their children should be instructed, are afraid of their becoming ' Dutchmen,' so tenacious are they of their old customs and habits ; and if a boy and a girl venture to come they are soon laughed out of it. Perhaps if we gave them each a meal of meat every day or a few beads, we might have the place crowded — but on no other condition. Oh J how were we affected on reading an account of Madagascar, when we thought of the dif ference between that people and this ; they so desirous and these such despisers of instruction. As to some of these people having correct notions of God and of heaven, death and hell, as has been asserted, you must not believe it ; for daily conversations convince us that the wisest of them have most corrupt notions on these subjects. We are astonished at their dreadful stupidity about these things. My beloved parents, we have much need of your sympathy and prayers, and those of all other Christians. Could we but see the smallest fruit we could rejoice amidst the priva tions and toil which we bear ; but as it is, our hands do often hang down." "Aug. 29, 1822. "I acknowledge the receipt of brother Alexander's letter of the 16th of February, 1821. It rejoiced us ex ceedingly to hear that all was well with you. It is always a great treat to us to receive one of his letters. We have not a more interesting correspondent. My own father and he are much alike in their letters. We hope he will keep TRIALS OF FAITH. 103 his resolution of writing once every four months. You can form no idea of the delicious repast which a well-filled letter affords to our minds, especially when we hear that all is going well. We are entirely at the mercy of our friends for what we know of what is going on in the world. We seem here to be in its suburbs, and when a long time elapses without fresh intelligence our hearts sicken and languish. " We have no prosperity in the work, not the least sign of good being done. The Bootsuanas seem more careless than ever, and seldom enter the church. Their indifference seems to increase, and instead of rejoicing we have continually to mourn over them. Our consolation is derived from the promises of the immutable Jehovah. We walk by faith and not by sight. How mysterious are His works, and His ways past finding out. In almost every other part ofthe world to which the gospel is sent, some of the people receive it gladly, but here the blessing is withheld. Five years have rolled on since the missionaries came, and not one soul converted, nor does any one seem to lend an ear. All treat with ridicule and contempt the truths which are de livered " I must now endeavour to remove some mistakes under which you seem to labour respecting African travelling. You appeared to think that the journey from Griqua Town to this place was a very formidable one. It is true, con sidering the weak state in which I was at the time you allude to, it was a little exertion, and at times I felt it ; but we are so accustomed to travelling that in general we think that journey a mere trifle. Since that time I have been twice to Griqua Town with Robert. We think it essential to health to take a trip now and then, and it is a rule of mine that when my husband goes with the waggon for more than two days I go with him, unless circumstances render it very improper.. If he goes alone he does not take care of himself, and will not be at the trouble to make himself comfortable ; and I think he had enough of that sort of life in Namaqualand. But you can form no idea how comfortable our waggons are. They are very light vehicles, and in them we carry all necessary comforts. If 104 OX-WAGGON TRAVELLING. there are children, they play on the bed or lie asleep. The length of our day stages is about eight or twelve hours on an average, riding about three and a half miles an hour ; we are chiefly guided by the water, riding from one fountain to another, that our oxen may be refreshed as well as our selves. Sometimes the water is too distant and we make two stages of it, but we always take with us a keg of water in case of an accident in the wilderness. When we span out (or unyoke), a fire is immediately made, the kettle set on, and coffee or tea made. I would here notice that that missionary must be very regardless of his wife's comfort who does not see to that being done without her troubling herself. For my own part I never think of coming out of the waggon till there is a good fire, for it is comfortless work indeed turning out in a cold night in the wilderness with a child oi children before there is a fire. " If it is a short journey we generally make bread enough to serve us before we leave home, and if a long one we stop when needful to provide such necessaries. Having thus refreshed ourselves, we have worship with our people round the fire, or in the tent which we sometimes pitch, and retire to rest in our waggons. In these we have as comfortable beds as at home, only a little strait, especially when the family increases. The Hottentots roll themselves in a kaross, with another skin under them, and lie round a good fire quite happy. There are also dangers attending our journeys. In many places a sharp look-out must be kept lest the Bushmen seize our oxen while grazing ; in other places the lion is on his prowl for the same object. In every place the wolf pays us a visit. He seldom touches the oxen, but seizes the sheep if he can. Though I wish to convince you that we do not lead such a gypsy sort of life as brother Sandy seems to suspect, I shall by no means attempt to prove that it is a remarkably pleasant life, fer we are always heartily tired by the time the journey is done. It is at the same time a lazy and a busy life — all bustle when we stop, and unfavourable to sewing and reading when we are moving ; but custom and necessity reconcile us to it. DEATH OF AFRIKANER. 105 " At the present time the scarcity of food in this country is terrible. The cattle are dying from want in every direction, and the inhabitants feed on the flesh of the animals which are starved to death. Of our small stock three calves and four cows have died, and from the re mainder we have not one drop of milk. The poor people have scarcely any milk, no corn nor anything else. How they live we know not. Truly this is a wretched land. " If you have not heard what I am going to communicate you will doubtless be much affected. Afrikaner is no more an inhabitant of this lower world, but has passed through the swellings of Jordan and entered the abode of endless bliss. Younker, his son, has lately written to Robert to apprise him of it. You may readily conceive of the feelings it excited in our breasts, especially that of Robert, who was once so nearly connected with him. He feels as one who has lost a near relation, and cannot but wish that he had been there to have witnessed his happy spirit take its flight." At the close of the year 1822 Robert Moffat writes to his brother : " I shall now give some particulars of our present situa tion. The most important is the cause of Christ. Alas ! we still hang our harp on the willows, and mourn over the destiny of thousands hastening with heedless but impetuous strides to the regions of woe. They turn a deaf ear to the voice of love, and treat with scorn the glorious doctrines of redemption. This often causes our hearts to languish, while our eyes fail with looking upward. " It is, however, pleasing to reflect that affairs in general wear a more hopeful aspect than when we came here. Several instances have proved the people determined to relinquish the barbarous system of commandoes for stealing cattle. They have also dispensed with a rainmaker this season. We rejoice in this, because his services and presence must ever form a strong barrier to the spread of the gospel. 106 CHILDREN RESCUED. "We prayed and hoped that a good season would thoroughly convince them that the power of giving rain belonged only unto God, but He whose, footsteps are in the sea has been pleased to order it otherwise. The season has been so dry as to destroy their corn, except a little which happened to be sown on ground a little marshy. Nothing, however, has been said as to the cause of the drought. "We continue on friendly terms with them, though we have also much to suffer, especially from thieves, who pester us on all sides. " Ann and Dicky, the two Bushmen children whom I consider part of the family, are doing well. Ann is very useful, and forms a good nurse for the little Mary." Some months before this Robert Moffat, on one of his journeys, had come unexpectedly upon a party of Bushmen. They were digging a grave for one of their number, a woman, who had died leaving two children. Finding that it was the intention of the party to bury not only the body of the woman, but the two children also, the missionary begged for them ; and as the only object was to get rid of them, his petition was readily granted. He brought them home, and for some years they were part of his household. CHAPTER XII. THE MANTATEE INVASION. 1823, 1824. THE year 1823 opened quietly enough, though it was to be a period of considerable anxiety and excitement. The Batlaping continued indifferent to the gospel, and unbelieving of any thing beyond the things of time and of sense ; but the hostile spirit had passed away, and the gentle perseverance of the missionaries in bearing evil and in doing good had borne fruit. At the end of March a second daughter was born, who was named Ann, after her father's mother. There was at this time among the Batlaping at Lattakoo a young man, a refugee. His father, Makaba, was chief of another Bechwana tribe, about two hundred miles to the N N.E., and the son had fled from his father's anger. He came in contact with the missionaries, and although his testimony about Makaba was not of a friendly character, it had the effect of exciting in the mind of Robert Moffat a deep interest in the Bangwaketsi and their chief, who had shown somewhat more of warlike prowess io8 CLOUDS FROM THE EASTWARD. than their neighbours, and had made themselves dreaded far and wide. For some months rumours had been spreading, however, which had put Makaba and his Bang waketsi in the shade. It was reported that a strange people, fierce and many, were slowly but steadily advancing from the eastward, eating up all the tribes with which they came in contact. To those who have known the country since, it must seem strange that events had been taking place for months, and even for years, within the space of a few hundred miles, the knowledge of which had spread but a very little way. But in those days each tribe occu pied its own locality, often separated from its neigh bours by a tract of uninhabited country, Occasional messengers might be sent from one chief to another, now and then some enterprising person would make a journey for purposes of trade ; but as often as not some act of hostility had caused a break in com munications, and it might well be that for months together tribes which were only two or three days' journey from each other remained in igno rance of each other's affairs, no one being bold enough to cross the intervening solitudes which in the meantime were left to the game and to the lions. That branch of the Bechwana race which extended from the junction of the Vaal and Orange rivers up along the western side of the former stream, into what is now known as the Transvaal, was subdivided into numerous tribes which still recognized more or less kinship to each other; but eastward there lay another branch of the same race, now known generally as Basuto or Bapedi. Beyond these, and RISE OF THE MATEBELE POWER. 109 still related — all being members of the great Kafir family — but more distant in kin as in locality, were the Zulus and other coast tribes inhabiting the well-watered and fruitful slopes of the Kwathlamba range, on the coast-line of South-eastern Africa. Early in the century rose the tyrant Chaka, who extended his rule over all the tribes adjacent to his own, and commenced a career of conquest. He attacked one tribe after another, blotting them out, unless they saved themselves by timely and absolute 1 submission or by flight. More than one emigration took place from this cause, but the fugitives kept as much as possible to the mountain country, and directed their course parallel with the coast. At last one of Chaka's lieutenants, himself the son of a chief whose power had been broken by Chaka, gave offence to his master, and sought safety in flight. This was Umziligazi, or, as the Bechwanas called him, Mosilikatse. He, with his followers, climbed the Kwathlamba range, and once upon the high up lands which now form part of the Transvaal, he found himself like a wolf among a flock of sheep. Of the Bapedi and Basuto tribes none could resist him except Moshesh, who, on his mountain fortress of Thaba Bosigo, successfully defied the invaders. Meanwhile the Bapedi and the Bechwana tribes were thrown into confusion by the onslaughts of the terrible Matebele. Some tribes were utterly destroyed, others bowed the knee and accepted the position of vassals, and others again fled. It was these fugitives, tribes and broken remnants of tribes, huddled into great hordes, abandoning lands and driving what they could of their cattle no MOFFAT MAKES A RECONN AIS ANCE. with them, who came pouring on like a flood and threatening to overwhelm the western Bechwanas, who, if driven back, would have had no option but to perish in the foodless and waterless wastes of the Kalahari. For months the reports which came were vague and contradictory, but they gradually became less shadowy, and it was evident that the danger was coming nearer. So little was definitely known, however, that Robert Moffat determined to carry out his project of visiting Makaba, whose town was about two hundred miles to the north-east. Leaving his wife at Kuruman, he directed his course through Old Lattakoo — or Letakong — and Nokaneng, at both of which places there were sections of a tribe closely connected with the Batlaping. As he advanced it became more and more certain that the dreaded enemy, known under the general name of Mantatees, was not far away. It was resolved to continue the journey as much for the purpose of gaining infor mation about these Mantatees as for anything else- For some days the travellers went on through the wilderness, seeing much game and getting quite accustomed to the neighbourhood of lions — seeing as many of these, according to the journal, as nine in one day. At last, however, at a place called Mosite, they received definite information that the Mantatees were in actual possession of the Barolong town.s, a few hours to the eastward, and that they were on their way to Lattakoo. This of course hurried them back home, not knowing whether they might not find the enemy there before them. No time HE SEEKS THE AID OF THE GRIQUAS. in was lost. A public meeting was called by the chief Moteebe, who with his people heartily acknowledged that but for Moffat's pertinacity in starting for the north-east on a journey which they had tried to hinder him from taking, they would not have had this timely warning ; and the missionary was asked for his advice in the critical position in which they were placed. He judged — and the event proved him right — that the Batlaping would be no match for the invaders. He advised them to seek the aid of the Griquas, who, though few, had .guns and horses ; and he himself hastened to Griqua Town and received from Waterboer the promise that as soon as he could muster his men he would come. By the time that the Griquas reached the station the Mantatees had occupied Letakong, thirty-six miles away. It was thought best that Moffat should accompany the little force of not a hundred men. It was hoped that a white man might be able to open negotiations with the Mantatees, and that at all events his presence as a missionary might tend to mitigate the horrors of war carried on by people like the Griquas, only im perfectly civilized. Mr. Melville, the Government Commissioner resident at Griqua Town, was his companion. They rode to the Matlwaring River, about half way. The chief Waterboer, with the two Europeans and about a dozen men, went on, and spent the night in a clump of thorn-trees a few miles from Letakong. They proceeded next morning, and about ten o'clock came within sight of the dreaded Mantatees. One detachment held the town, of which the inhabitants na FIRST SIGHT OF THE MANTATEES. had fled. Another lay on the hills to the left of it, presenting the appearance of a great black patch as contrasted with the light straw colour of the grass- covered slopes. The horsemen drew near, and as they did so they could perceive a deal of hurrying to and fro, and that the cattle were driven in and enclosed by the men. It was the first time that these people had seen a man on horseback, and at first they naturally supposed that horse and man were one animal. This was learned from some of the prisoners after wards. In a ravine leading down to the river the scouting party found a young woman who belonged to the Mantatees. From her they learnt nothing, except the fact that their language was only another dialect of Sechwana. She was sent back to her people with a message of peace, but nothing came of this. A little farther on the party found an old man with a lad lying under the shadow of a rock, the younger in the last stage of starvation, and the elder not very much better. They dis mounted in full sight of the enemy, and stood talking for some time with the wretches whom they had found, and they gave the old man some meat, which he ravenously devoured. Not finding any way of getting speech with the Mantatees, who would now and again make a furious rush towards them, hurling clubs and spears, they moved back to a height at some distance and saddled off, taking their horses to a pool of dirty water. Here they found several dead Mantatees, one body lying partly in the pool from which they had to drink. They sent back for the main force to come on, BATTLE WITH THE MANTATEES. 113 and spent the night in this dangerous bivouac. Next morning their men came up, followed at a distance by the Batlaping force. They again ad vanced, and exhausted every resource to get at the enemy by way of coming to an understanding, but at last the latter became more and more fierce in their rushes, compelling the party to retire. At last Waterboer raised his gun and levelled one of their boldest warriors. It might have been thought that this experience so new and startling would have had some effect, but it had none what ever. The firing now commenced, very slowly and deliberately, a single shot at a time ; and not a shot failed to tell, for the Griquas had to be careful, as all the ammunition they had amounted to about a dozen rounds per man. Every now and then there was a cessation of the firing to give a chance of negotiation, but it was to no purpose. The Batlaping now came up, and began playing upon them with poisoned arrows, but a rush of a few Mantatees in their direction sent them all scampering. After about three hours the Griquas charged their positions, and they gave way, and eventually started in full flight in the direction from which they had come. The detachment occu pying the town, which had taken no part in the engagement, set fire to the houses and also started in retreat. Then ensued a scene of the wildest confusion. The houses burnt like straw ; an immense volume of smoke rolled across the track of the fugitives and mixed with the dust of retreating thousands — for they were many thousands in number ; the country 9 H4 NARROW ESCAPE OF ROBERT MOFFAT. was covered with bands of people fleeing or pur suing. True to their cowardly tactics, the Batlaping began to vent their warlike ardour on the wounded, and on the women and children who could not keep up in the flight. This was the most difficult and dangerous part of the day for Moffat and Melville. They could not stand by and see this going on without interference. They galloped hither and thither rescuing women and children from the human wolves who were deliberately slaying them for the love of killing, or to despoil their bodies of such brass rings and beads as they had upon them. As soon as the women began to discover who were their protectors, they would rush frantically to them, baring their breasts and crying, " I am a woman ! I am a woman ! " The wounded men were especially dangerous, and would not be taken alive, stabbing as they lay on the ground. Robert Moffat has been heard to tell of one especial deliverance on this day — though, alas, it was bought at a dear price. He had got hemmed in between a rocky height and a body of the enemy. There was only a narrow passage through which he could escape at full gallop. Right in the middle of this passage there rose up before him a man who had been shot, but had collected his strength, and, weapon in hand, was awaiting him. It was almost impossible for him to escape. Just at this moment one of the Griquas, at a long distance, took in the situation at a glance — raised his gun, and fired. The ball whizzed so close past Moffat that he shuddered ; but it was a true aim, and his outlet of escape was clear. RESULTS OF THE ENGAGEMENT. 115 This battle decided the fate of the mission and a good deal more. The invaders retreated, never to return. Their descendants are to be found, some of them in Basutoland and others in the Transvaal. Had they not been checked by the little body of horsemen with guns, who proved, though few, such terrible enemies, they would have swept away the Batlaping and probably have poured into the Colony — greatly extending the area of disturbance, and would have been repelled with a loss of life terrible to think of, as compared with the five hundred or more who fell at Letakong. Robert Moffat, with the able assistance of Melville and afterwards of Hamilton, collected the women and children who remained behind in the flight. These poor creatures had many of them been reduced to dire straits. At one place a horse had died of snake bite, and had of course swollen up, but they fell upon it like wolves, and would not desist till every particle of it had disappeared. They had not only to care for these people, but on their return to the station, as soon as the Griquas had gone home the country was full of rumours of the advance of other bodies of Mantatees from a dif ferent quarter. So serious did matters become that the missionaries eventually saw it their duty to abandon the station for a time and to retire to Griqua Town. They carried away what they could of their property, and buried the rest, and started with heavy hearts. Robert Moffat, having seen his wife and children safely bestowed, returned to Lattakoo, and remained a while alone. These events proved of great and lasting import- 116 THE MISSIONARIES GAIN INFLUENCE. ance to the mission. The Batlaping saw that the missionaries, by their advice and energy, had been the means of saving them from their enemies. Their position was now established, and though for a while there was a lack of interest in their message, they themselves had gained a personal ascendency which they never again lost. At the beginning of September Mary Moffat writes to her parents from Griqua Town : " My dear Robert left me on the 6th ultimo, having a severe cold upon him, but so anxious to be at the post of duty I could not prevail upon him to remain here till he was better. It was . by no means congenial to our wishes to separate, but our oxen are already too much hurried to take our goods back again to Kuruman before we go to the Cape ; and on account of the confusion we have been in for some months I shall have time little enough to prepare for the journey to get off at the appointed time, which we are anxious to do that we may be back in the month of March, that being the best time for the river. " Robert is gone to make another effort at the language before we go. He writes me that all our buried things are taken up in excellent order, but the garden is completely destroyed by the oxen. Some of the Bechwanas made attempts at robbing the houses, but Moteebe had acted honourably ; and I assure you it is no little thing that would arouse Moteebe to so much exertion. Were these people idolaters, I should be afraid of them deifying Robert now — they are so convinced of the interest he takes in their welfare, from what has lately transpired. They say it would have been easy for us to decamp, with all belonging tous; but are surprised at the promptitude and activity which Robert used in warning the Griquas of the approach ing danger, and thereby preserving them from enduring those horrors which have come upon all their neighbours. Last year we had the pleasure of informing you of the downfall of rainmaking superstition, and now another SUFFERINGS OF MISSIONARIES. 117 obstacle is broken through ; indeed they now seem to fear denying Robert anything. " He writes that he has broached the subject of removing the station, and thinks he will succeed. If we get to that place it will soon pay the expense, and save the Society many thousands of dollars, and will also be a sort of maga zine for provisions for infant stations in the interior. We cannot but think that a new era is dawning on the history of this unhappy, wretched country, and that the late awful events will be overruled for the spread of the glorious gospel. "We are persuaded that the surrounding tribes will desire to have teachers after seeing the advantage that Moteebe's people have derived from their connection with them. " Spies have been sent out from this place to ascertain the truth of the report respecting the other marauding tribes which were said to be approaching from up the river; but it proves to be a mere fabrication. The spies saw the miserable wretches with whom they had fought at Lattakoo. They appeared afraid, and made signs to that effect. The spies went amongst them and talked with them. They said all their chief warriors were killed, and they desired to return from whence they came. Brother Hodgson (Wes- leyan) arrived here on the 29th ult., all well, having been in great danger from both men and beasts of prey, lions abounding exceedingly on their road. He found Mr. Broadbent in a pitiful situation. The enemy having gone in that direction, Sebonelo and all his people had fled, leav ing Mr. B. alone. Even his own servants went, except one Bechwana man. Providentially, however, Mr. H. arrived when they had been one day in that situation. Mr. B.'s waggon had come here with Mr. H. for supplies, so that he could not fly, being himself in too weak a state to walk and Mrs. B. having two little ones such as ours. " It appears that the vanquished are fled in three direc tions : one party over the river (Vaal), which was seen by the spies, and the other two keep the river beyond Sebo- nelo's place. His people find them scattered in straggling 118 FAMINE AND CANNIBALISM. parties, and kill them wherever they get them. They ap pear to be dying of hunger, and Mr. Hodgson witnessed the most horrid spectacles. Where they stopped one night the unhappy people had encamped the night before, and had left behind them two women and a man, who were feeding on the body of a dead companion ; they were stamp ing the bones to suck out the marrow ! I know you will shudder when I tell you that they did it without the least emotion. They pointed to the mangled limbs, and told Mr. Hodgson the name of the man. Whether they are cannibals from choice we are at a loss to know ; but I am not disposed to think they are, as many Bechwanas do die of hunger when they might get a share with the wolf of their poor dead companions. At Nokaneng, Robert writes, there are many women left behind, and some wounded men. He had proposed a plan to Andries, the chief of this place, for their rescue and preservation ; but I fear it will not be attended to, but think R. will go himself and devise some plan. This is such a hungry country that it is difficult to procure victuals for them. There is no doubt whatever but that they subsist on the dead bodies of such as die amongst them. Oh the dark barbarity of this wretched Africa ! When, oh when will the Sun of right eousness arise and disperse the heathenish gloom ! O Lord, hasten, and make no tarrying ! " CHAPTER XIII. WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS. 1824. AT the beginning of 1824 we find the Moffats in Cape Town. They had gone thither for the threefold object of seeking medical advice, of obtaining supplies, and of conferring personally with Dr. Philip about the removal of the station to Kuruman — its present site. They had with them Peclo the son of Mothibi, a young man who gave good promise, and the heir- apparent of the Batlaping chieftainship ; and Teysho, one of the headmen of the tribe. It was an unusual and striking proof of confidence, and spoke well for the influence the missionaries had gained over the native mind. On the very day that the party reached Cape Town, after more than two months' journey from Lattakoo, a ship cast anchor in the bay bringing three new men intended for the Bechwana Mission. The coincidence was pleasing, but it was a dis appointment that, after all, only one of the three, Mr. Hughes, was allowed at that time to continue 120 VISIT TO MAKABA. his journey. Mr. Edwards was detained in order that his skill as a builder might be made available at some of the Colonial stations, and he did not reach Kuruman till some years later ; and Mr. Rob- son's health never allowed him to venture into the interior. He eventually took charge of a station within the Colony, where he did good work for many years. The Moffats got back to their station in the month of May, and found Mr. Hamilton pursuing his lonely labours with the quiet patience so characteristic of him. As the final arrangements for the removal of the station were not yet complete, it was thought best that Robert Moffat should meanwhile make his long-promised journey to visit Makaba, the chief of the Bangwaketsi. He left on the first of July, and was accompanied by a large party of Griquas, who were going to the more remote part of the country to hunt elephants, Rumours still continued to come of the movements of the Mantatees ; but so difficult was it in those times to obtain authentic in formation of what was going on in the country about other tribes, that nothing could be certainly made out about the truth of these rumours. The journey to Makaba was unusually interesting and eventful. It has been so fully described by Robert Moffat himself in his " Labours and Scenes," that it can be lightly passed over here. Suffice to say that the party — happily as it turned out afterwards — was a strong one, with eleven waggons and a number of horses, and well-armed men, they having turned out for hunting purposes. They took a westerly route along the edge of the ANOTHER INVASION REPELLED. 12T Kalahari Desert, but were eventually obliged by want of water to deviate and to call at Pitsana, where a great concourse had gathered, consisting of the different sections of the Barolong tribe who had been driven the previous year from the country along the Vaal River by the Mantatees in the course of the same invasion which had threatened Kuru man. From Pitsana they went on to Kwakwe, the residence of Makaba and his people. Here they were royally entertained, and started on their return journey, the greater part of the Griquas accompany ing the missionary, contrary to their previous plan of remaining to hunt. Their leader could give no explanation of this except that they had changed their minds ; but whatever was the cause of their doing so, the result was an exceedingly important one. They had not left Makaba many hours when they were met by messengers from Tauane, the chief of the Earolong, calling them to come and help him as he was on the point of being attacked by the Mantatees. They went on to Pitsana, and found that this was actually the case. The presence of scarcely twenty men armed with guns was the means of repelling an attack which must otherwise have resulted in the utter destruction of the great Barolong town and the flight of its inhabitants into the Kala hari Desert, where thousands who escaped the spears of the ruthless Makari must have perished of thirst and hunger. As it was the Barolong gave way and took to flight, and it was only the effect of a few shots from the Griqua horsemen, who stood their ground, which turned the tide. 122 MARAUDERS FROM THE WEST. Robert Moffat got back home to find that his wife had been in a position of most intense anxiety. Not only had she heard of the Makari invasion on the north-east, which she knew was in the track of his journey, but dangers were threatening from an oppo site quarter. A horde of evil characters, runaways of mixed blood from the Cape Colony, with Korannas, Bushmen, and Namaquas, had established themselves in the mountains to the westward of Griqua Town, and had been joined by renegade Griquas who re sented the rule and discipline of Waterboer and the other Griqua chiefs. These people were carrying on a series of marauding excursions, and had attacked the Batlaros, a tribe to the south-west of Kuruman, destroying some of their villages and carrying off their cattle. They were atrociously cruel ; they were mounted, and armed with guns, and consequently no Bechwanas could stand against them. They were contemplating a visit to the Kuruman. Nothing but strong faith and a sense of duty kept Mary Moffat at her post in this crisis. On one occasion so great was the alarm that she was aroused at midnight by the chief. Mr. Hamilton, with the men attached to the mission, was at the site of the new station about eight miles away. All that she could do was to write and send a note to him, and to put a few things to gether so as to be ready to flee with her two babes and two little Bushmen children if it became abso lutely necessary. In her solitude Mary Moffat had written and sent off at hazard the following letter on the twenty- eighth of July : " It is with a faint, faint hope that you will ever see this, MARY MOFFAT IN A LONELY SITUATION. 123 that I take up my pen, it being so very improbable that you will meet with the Barolong who take it ; but the possibility of such a thing compels me not to neglect the opportunity, anxious as I am to convey to your affectionate heart tidings of our welfare. Our covenant God has graciously protected us and all about us ever since you left ; and I have strong confidence that He has also been with you. But oh, my dear, I find it requires the exercise of some fortitude to be calm and serene under such a separa tion, in such circumstances and at such a time in a land of barbarians. In vain has my heart fluttered when I have seen a strange face, hoping he would pull out from under his kaross a letter, no post yet having arrived from you, and I begin to think that I must not have that exquisite plea sure till the living epistle burst in upon me himself. You know I dreaded your departure exceedingly. I had many fears about your health from that ugly cough. I had also fears on account of the tumultuous state of the land. I expected also to suffer a good deal myself from low spirits in my great solitude, but in this I was mistaken, having been remarkably composed and very seldom in a melan choly mood. When I feel it coming on I make great efforts to dispel it, and have been successful. I feel very thankful for the support I have had, and derive encourage ment from it that all is well with you, and that your journey is under the smiles of our Heavenly Father. I have also great liberty at the throne of grace, for you and the cause of Christ. " Our dear little Mary and Ann are well. Mr. Hamilton is also well. He took away most of his goods yesterday and many trees, but will come as usual on Saturday till you return. Mr. Hughes has not yet come, nor do we hear anything from them. About ten days after your departure two hastily written notes from Mr. Helm to Mr. Hamilton arrived, bearing different dates, the last of them the 6th inst., saying that an immense body of Mantatees was rapidly approaching Griqua Town, that the Koranna Mission was destroyed, that Mr. Edwards had been to call a commando, that Edwards and Melville were gone out 124 CONTINUED COMMOTIONS. with the Griquas and had been three days away. Borumelo is since come from Campbell, and says that they were not yet returned, but had sent for a fresh supply of ammunition, and had also sent to Mr. Stockenstrom for help. The Mantatees were not the same people who fought at Old Lattakoo. You will easily conceive how I felt with regard to you, but was enabled in the confidence of faith to com mend you to our covenant God. The idea of any of them on their return falling in with your single waggon is truly shocking. " Since you left, Jacob Cloete, with a number of armed Korannas on horses, besides a number of Bushmen, has been making terrible ravages at a town beyond Lehaise's, has taken a great number of cattle, killed eight chiefs, besides others and women and children. By all accounts he has acted most barbarously ; the people here were much alarmed, as he threatened to come here to get powder. Of course I had some fears, but am happy to say he has gone back to his place. . . " I know you will excuse the brevity of this letter when you reflect on the uncertainty of getting it. I will promise the man a few beads if he bring it to you, as well as tobacco." On Robert Moffat's return things had settled down a little, but only for a time. The marauders began to repeat their operations. The Batlaros appealed to their neighbours the Batlaping for help. The latter sent out a party, but, heathen-like, instead of joining hands with their own kindred in repellino- the common enemy, they took the opportunity to carry off a large quantity of cattle belonging to the Batlaros. From this time things went from bad to worse. The missionaries had moved to the new station, but they had scarcely done so when the Batlaping whom they had left at the lower place were attacked, not only by the marauders, but by MR. HAMILTON'S HOUSE IS BURNED. 125 the Batlaros, who might have been their friends but for their own folly. So general was the confusion, that a second time did the missionaries find it necessary to take refuge at Griqua Town, where we find them at the end of the year. In July, during her husband's absence in the interior, Mary Moffat had written : " I feel my solitude very much, Mr. Hamilton having removed to the new station to build himself a house, and has the men with him. They come home, however, on Satur day evenings and stop Sabbaths over ; but trying as it is, I feel a satisfaction in sacrificing my dear husband's company when I reflect that it is for the cause of Christ, and I feel persuaded that these journeys into the interior are of enormous importance to the kingdom of our Lord, as they prepare the way for the spread of the gospel. Poor Mr. Hamilton is heavily afflicted. Whilst he was away at Griqua Town last October, his whole premises were burnt to ashes. The Bechwanas were, however, active in endea vouring to save his property, and succeeded pretty well, but it may be easily conceived that his loss was consider able." After detailing the alarming rumours from the north-east, she goes on to say : " Since we came home the Bushmen took at one time fifty head of cattle from the post of one of our chiefs, but we do not hear that they are projecting a commando against them. We now hear that the Batlaros to the westward of us are visited by a company of depredators, joined by some rebel Griquas, and they have taken the poor people's cattle. I cannot vouch for the truth of this report ; but a man was here yesterday who said he heard the firing of the guns. Thus you see we are surrounded on every hand. It requires some little fortitude to live at rest in such a 126 THE MISERIES OF HEATHENISM. tumultuous land, amidst barbarians, but we trust that ' He who hath delivered will deliver.' " How truly descriptive of the natives of this country is the prophecy, ' His hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand shall be against him.' And if we will allow ourselves to reflect on the train of miseries which such a mode of life brings with it, how conclusively may we argue against that vain philosophy which declaims against the efforts of missionaries in such a country by saying that the natives live a quiet, harmless, and peaceable life, attending to their flocks and herds, and know nothing of the miseries of refined society. Oh how futile are such reasonings ! When I allow myself to conceive of the feel ings of the natives of this wretched country in their most elevated state, I shudder. Methinks the condition of the very beasts is enviable in comparison of theirs. They know that they must die, and the dread idea of annihila tion strikes them through like a barbed arrow. To talk of death makes them almost frantic. " The hundreds who perish annually from hunger in this state of society is another argument against such reasonings, and a convincing proof that even feelings of common philan thropy would induce many to exert themselves even for the temporal good of these sons of humanity. Horror and devastation reign over the whole land, darkness covers it, and gross darkness the people. The longer we live in it the more convinced we are of the necessity of missionaries being here, being fully persuaded that it is only the gospel of peace which can raise the degenerate sons of Adam. How transcendently blessed will those missionaries be who live to see the thick gloom which covers them dispelled by the beams of the Sun of righteousness. I scarcely expect to witness it myself, but feel confident that the time will come, because the promises of Jehovah are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. It is not conferring with flesh and blood to live amongst these people. In the natives of South Africa there is nothing naturally engaging ; their extreme selfishness, filthiness, obstinate stupidity, and want of sensi bility, have a tendency to disgust, and sometimes cause the ENCOURAGING CONDITIONS. 127 mind to shrink from the idea of spending the whole life amongst them, far from every tender and endearing circle. But when we recollect that the Saviour of men has said, ' Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me,' we blush for harbouring such a feeling. He left the heaven of heavens, the bosom of His Father, to carry through a life of unparalleled suffering, ignominy, and scorn on this base and sinful earth. Oh how imperfectly do we follow Him ! Pray for us that we may have grace ever to keep His example in view. " At present there is no appearance of a work of grace among the Bechwanas. As may be expected, they are very friendly, and consider themselves privileged. They are by no means unanimous about going with us, but we believe many will go at least next year, as we advise them not to go till the water ditch is made. " Peclo was received with loud and joyful acclamations, and Teysho and he have made the people wonder with their accounts. We are confident their visit to the Cape will have a good effect." CHAPTER XIV. FAMILY BE RE A FEME NTS. 1825. ARLY in 1825 the immediate danger seemed to have passed, and the Moffats, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, rejoined Mr. Hamil ton, who had remained throughout at his lonely post. The western banditti had for the time retired. Though the noise of war had ceased in their own neighbourhood, yet elsewhere a spirit of madness seemed to have seized on all the interior tribes. Wasting and destruction were the order of the day eastward and northward. Tribes of the same cha racter, and in similar circumstances to those who had been called Mantatees, roved about, carrying terror and devastation through wide regions. Even the hitherto invincible Makaba had been overcome and slain, and his Bangwaketsi were scattered far and wide ; but there was at all events a lull in the neigh bourhood of Kuruman. Once more the missionaries took heart, and com menced laying out the new station. They raised three temporary dwellings, each consisting of a THE BATLAPING DESERT KURUMAN. 129 wooden framework filled up with reeds cut from the adjacent valley, and plastered within and without ; and they meanwhile laid the foundations of more permanent dwellings. But their troubles were not yet over. The young chief Peclo died suddenly, and his death scattered to the winds many bright hopes which the mission aries had entertained of what might have been done by his means. Again a cloud came up from the west in the shape of a band of marauders. They were a part of those who had come before, but greatly reduced in numbers. Few as they were, however, their boldness and their possession of guns and horses made them irresistible. The Batlaping at the old station gave way before them, losing nearly all their cattle. The roving band drew near to the Kuruman itself, but the missionaries had deter mined this time to hold their ground ; and the marauders retired, and again they were left in peace to carry on their labours. Unhappily the Batlaping could not be prevailed upon to return to their deserted town. They drifted away eastward, and eventually settled down on the Hart or Kolong River, where the bulk of the tribe has remained until now -; the greater part of what remains now being under Mankoroane, a nephew of Mothibi. The missionaries found themselves surrounded by a much reduced population, though probably more amenable to their influence, as those who remained did so for the most part from confidence inspired by their presence. Meanwhile the Moffats themselves were called to mourn over the death of a little boy, who only lived five days. In the month of October 10 130 DEATH OF MARY MOFFAT'S MOTHER. the mother of Mary Moffat passed away, after some years of declining health. She had done her work at home, and had the blessing and comfort of having a daughter like-minded in the missionary field, and of being present a few months before her death at the ordination of her son, and his induction into the charge of a church at Hulme, which he afterwards gave up in order to go to Madras as a missionary. She died early in October. In April of the fol lowing year her daughter received the news, so slow were the means of communication then. She writes as follows to her father : " The account of my dear mother's heavy bodily afflic tion distresses us much, but to hear at the same time of the consolations of the gospel being so abundantly supplied causes the voice of joy and praise to be heard in our taber nacle ; and though the event of her death will be inex pressibly painful to us, the bitterness of the stroke will be in no small degree mitigated by having heard of the bright ness of her evidences and her comfortable experience of the efficacy of the blood of Christ." She writes again in June : " It is with mingled feelings of sorrow and gratitude that I retire from the bustle of my domestic cares to write to you once more : sorrow that you are now alone, and that the endearing name of mother is no longer united with that of father, and gratitude that I have still yourself to address, and trust that the great Disposer of all events will continue to spare your life for a few years longer ; but these repeated strokes teach us not to set our hearts too much on any earthly object. " My dear Moffat and myself were for thirty years ex empted from such bereaving dispensations ; the commence ment was at length made with the beloved offspring of our own bodies : and what is very remarkable, Robert's elder MOFFAT'S BROTHER ALEXANDER. 131 brother Alexander died within ten days of my ever-beloved mother — we received the accounts of both their deaths by the same post, and you will judge of our feelings on the occasion. For my own part, with regard to my dear mother, I was long before I could in any degree feel recon ciled to her approaching dissolution, though for more than two years I have opened every letter with a palpitating heart, expecting the painful intelligence that would at once blast the feeble hope which was sometimes cherished of again beholding her in the flesh. I never felt anything like resignation till I heard how repeatedly and heavily she was afflicted, and how happily she was prepared for the last remove. I felt that it was cruelly selfish to wish her to live : when I say selfish you must not suppose that I did not consider you, my dear father, for my heart does testify that this was the last struggle in my feelings, a con sideration of your desolate condition, when she should be called to leave you in this vale of tears, knowing how uncommonly happily you have lived together, and sensible that the widowed life would be comparatively dreary. " May the God of all grace grant you consolations equal to the loss you have sustained, and enable you to pursue your earthly course with Christian cheerfulness." Moffat's brother Alexander, mentioned above, was a man, to judge from his letters, of great talent, but his life was marred by a want of purpose and of the devotion which inspired his missionary brother. He had been a soldier in the East India Company's service, but had come home invalided, to die. It had been hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Hughes would be a permanent addition to the band at Kuruman ; but the health of the former suffered so much from the excessive heat that he had to seek change, and after a time he became attached to the Griqua Mission, in which he remained till the close of his life in 1870. 132 COMMENCEMENT OF A LITERATURE. About this time Robert Moffat commenced his first regular efforts towards laying the foundation of a Sechwana literature. A spelling-book was pre pared, and sent to the Cape to be printed. a z << z pur- 136 SMALL STIPENDS OF MISSIONARIES. chase his freedom ; one of the Griquas I know purchased a new waggon for 606 dollars, being the proceeds of what he took to town in the same waggon ; and several other individuals also sent ivory by the same conveyance. As Moffat had to manage the business of the sale of the ivory of the slave through his agent, and having sent a small quantity of his own, some person either ignorantly or maliciously spread a report that he had sent two thousand pounds of ivory to town. I don't think there is a mis sionary in the country more disinterested than Moffat ; and from my knowledge of the circumstances, nothing but necessity induced him to send a little ivory to town to pay his debts." This is a matter which has been much spoken about in South Africa, and wherever there are people disposed to cast a stone at the missionary enterprise. In the early days missionaries were expected to prove their devotion by leaving home and friends and going to live among repulsive barbarians on stipends utterly unequal to their needs. The sums which were then paid to missionaries were such that the contemplation of them now raises a smile. It was no laughing matter, however, for them. When, therefore, a missionary could, by rendering a service, by dint of his medical knowledge or me chanical skill, he could not be blamed for being willing to accept in return some kind of a thank- offering. This might be a sheep, which would supply his family with meat for a few days, or it might be a tusk of ivory or a kaross. But for as sistance of this kind, it is doubtful whether the pittance on which these men were expected to hold their ground, and to fight a heartbreaking battle in a heathen country, would have kept them alive. Some AGED MISSIONARIES AND WIDOWS. 137 men succumbed to the additional trial to which their constancy was exposed, and there are instances on record of missionaries who became eventually traders or farmers, to the detriment or utter forsaking of their spiritual work. These, however, were the exceptions. Most men added to their many missionary cares and labours the duty of eking out a livelihood for themselves and their families, and did so without their love and zeal waxing cold. That their efficiency was de creased by this additional weight on their hands there is no room to doubt, but they did what they could, and what was necessary, w th no thought of laying by for their children or even for their own old age ; — though, as all the world knows, there is no more conspicuous example of the meanness and want of right feeling which may be displayed by a board or committee, even when composed of kind-hearted and Christian men individually, than that which we see in the dealings of missionary boards with super annuated missionaries or their widows. The Editor can speak with the more freedom about this matter, because his father met with an exceptional lot and is entirely out of the case. With reference to the working stipends of missionaries, in most cases these matters are better understood than they used to be, and the effort is now made to put matters on a right footing, and so to sustain men that they may have nothing to think of but the work they have to do : but as to aged missionaries and their widows, the Church has still its duty to learn. Mary Moffat writes to her father in September, 1826: 138 HARD MANUAL LABOUR UNAVOIDABLE. "As regards the present, I must add that I never enjoyed an equal share of health in similar circumstances. It appears that I am really improving, and could I regain my strength should be as well as in my native land ; but the Lord knows best what is good for me. Through His blessing Robert has enjoyed excellent health, but has been terribly harassed with hard manual labour. Our Bethelsdorp Hottentots having left us, it falls heavily on Hamilton and Moffat, especially as our house has been building. It is, however, within a few days of being finished, when he intends leaving the public work entirely — the smith's excepted, because nobody else can do it — and applying closely to study. Mr. Millen, not being able to go on for want of labourers with the masonry, has made a journey to the Molopo and bartered for ivory, with which he is gone to Algoa Bay, and will return immediately to finish his work. We have at present only one effective man, a Hot tentot, all the rest being Bechwanas, with whom it may easily be conceived it is difficult to get on. One of our Hottentots was, three months ago, severely wounded by a buffalo, and it remains doubtful if he will ever recover so as to be able to work. " You may form some idea of what missionaries have to put their hands to when I tell you that Robert was a fort night every day up to the middle in water cutting thatch for the house. We promise ourselves the pleasure of writ ing to all the friends to whom we are indebted when we get settled in our new house, which is a very comfortable one, and will be a treasure to the Society in this barbarous land. The design is to build another good house and a chapel, when I think every one will be heartily tired of building ; but they will be permanent, and not require rebuilding every few years like our reed houses, as well as more conducive to the health of Europeans. " As to the Bechwanas, I am sorry to say that they are much as usual, equally careless about spiritual things, and evidently as much attached to their old superstitions. They have built large villages along the valley, and are very busy cultivating their ground ; but a temptation has MR. WRIGHT AT GRIQUA TOWN. 139 lately fallen in their way which was too powerful for them to resist : a rainmaker from a distant country to the south east, has made his appearance and offered his services, which they have accepted ; and he is now exerting himself to the utmost. We have had two showers since he came, -and this has of course strengthened their faith. He says our houses will be washed away before the season is past. They keep him away from us as much as possible, evi dently ashamed of having turned again to this folly. We sometimes think he is a Mantatee spy, as he very much resembles those people. " Mr. Wright, whom you know, has at length arrived at Griqua Town, and is actively engaged. He appears to be making a stir among the people, and especially in the school. It is now three months since he came, and we trust the interest excited will continue and increase. We ardently long to hear of good doing somewhere in South Africa, for wherever we turn our attention in this miserable country we hear of no spiritual work." The Mr. Millen thus mentioned was not in the regu lar service of the Society, but had been engaged as a good mason for a certain time, and for special work. When the year 1827 opened it appeared as though the mission had really entered on a peaceful and steady course. The first permanent dwelling-house had been finished and occupied — a substantial stone building, instead of the wooden frame filled in with wattle and daub with which the missionaries had hitherto been contented. The water had been led out, and smiling gardens gladdened the slopes of the valley. Hamilton and Hughes took in hand what remained of public manual labour, which it was arranged that Moffat should lay aside at least for a time, and devote himself to the literature of the Sechwana language. 140 MOFFAT STARTS FOR THE DESERT. Rumours of war still came from the interior at intervals, but from a great distance. The marauding vagabonds along the Orange River seemed also to have ceased from further movements in the direction of Bechwanaland. The time had come for Moffat to carry out a plan he had long kept in view. Hitherto, although living among Bechwanas, he had been so much in contact with Dutch-speaking people on the station, that it was not easy to gather up the language, which as yet was nowhere to be found in a written form. He determined, if only for a short time, to go right away, so as to be perfectly alone with Bechwanas, taking with him no one who spoke Dutch or English. In the month of January a son was born. He was called Robert after his grandfather. As soon after this event as it was fit for him to leave, Moffat started on his journey. He directed his course to the Barolong tribe, who were at this time scattered in several spots along the margin of the Kalahari Desert, to which they had been driven by the Man tatee invasion, and from which they had not yet seen their way clear to return to the part of the country more suitable for settled residence. They were living in a state of utter degradation and wretchedness, in mere temporary booths rather than huts, in a dry and thirsty land, depending mainly upon the milk of what cattle they had saved, and the meat of such game as they could kill. He took up his quarters at the encampment of Bogacho, one of the chiefs of the Barolong, and spent the greater part of two months there, visiting also some of the other places. Day by day his ROUGH FARE AND DISCOMFORT. 141 waggon was surrounded by the idlers of the camp, whose noisy clatter would continue without inter mission for hours. Their conversation was such as no civilized person could take any pleasure in ; their habits were dirty, as might well be imagined when it is remembered that the water was four miles from the village, and that what was brought, carried by the women, would be used only for drinking and cooking. The intense dryness of the country, the high winds, carrying clouds of fine sand and dust, the imperfect shelter of a waggon, with not a vestige of a tree available for shade, and the swarms of hungry flies from the heaps of rubbish around, formed a sum total which imagination would fail to grasp, except that of one who has seen the like. The headmen were, in their way, hospitable enough. A good supply of milk was always given, and this with the flesh of the rhinoceros, the came- lopard, and the quagga, or zebra, all of which were plentiful in the neighbourhood, supplied sufficient if not very delicate food. But the soul of the mis sionary craved other sustenance. If he could have found one patient or attentive listener to the mes sage which lay like a burden upon his heart, it would have sufficed. This was not to be. The hearts of these people, even after their manifold chastisements, were utterly brutish, and his message fell upon deaf ears. The chief object of his journey he fully gained. He had already so far a knowledge of the Sechwana language that a few weeks of the life he led in this desert, physical and moral, were sufficient to place him at one bound in a position to do without inter- 142 THE MARAUDERS AT WORK AGAIN. preters, and to speak freely to the people in their own tongue. He set off to return home with this satisfaction, and on his arrival astonished Mothibi and his councillors by preaching to them a sermon in such Sechwana, that the only growling criticism the chief could find to make was that it smacked too much of the Serolong dialect. He found all well in his now beautiful home ; but his chief joy was that he could settle down with some feeling of ability to the work of translation. The time for this had not yet come. He had not been long home before trouble again began by the movements of the banditti from the westward. The hands of these miscreants were strengthened by dis sensions among the Griquas themselves, some of whom had joined the enemy. An attack was made upon Griqua Town itself, and repelled, but Water boer with his people were unable to follow up the advantage in consequence of the capture of most of their horses, and the exhaustion of their ammunition. The marauders having failed at Griqua Town, now turned their attention to Kuruman ; and so threaten ing did the aspect of affairs become that the mission aries there, in response to the urgent representations of their friends at Griqua Town, felt it their duty to retire for a time to that station, not for the first time an ark of refuge to them. Some time passed with no further movement on the part of the banditti, and the Kuruman mission aries returned home. But the loss of time was great, and there was also the inevitable loss of property ; though, upon the whole, they found their houses and what they had left behind in good order — a proof of THE BLOOMS MENACE KURUMAN. 143 the influence they were gaining over the minds of the Bechwanas, whom they found on their first arrival a set of inveterate thieves. Robert Moffat writes as follows : " Lattakoo, Feb. 18, 1828. "My dear Father, — We wrote to Mr. Roby and to John about two months ago, but as Mr. Hamilton will leave this to-morrow for Algoa Bay, and there being little probability of another opportunity for some months, I cannot let the present slip without writing a few hasty lines. If the above communications have come to hand, you will be apprised of our temporary removal to Griqua Town and subsequent return to this station. Since then we have been thrown into much perplexity from a circum stance which led us to fear that the worst of events was yet to happen to this our afflicted Mission. Nearly a month ago a strong party of the mountaineers, headed by the Blooms, sons of the famous robber of that name, came unexpectedly on the Batlaro cattle outposts, a little way below this station, where they made an easy prey of all within their reach. They came no further ; but we were soon informed on good authority that it was the intention of the Blooms to return from the Orange River with the sole purpose of rooting out this Mission, which all along has been an eyesore to such marauding expeditions. In, consequence of this well-authenticated report, many of the natives in our immediate vicinity sent off all their families and cattle to a distance. After mature deliberation and prayer for Divine assistance, we resolved to remain on the station, and to abide the consequences. From a sense of duty we acquainted Andries Waterboer with what had transpired, and he soon informed us that his adverse cir cumstances precluded every possibility of his rendering any assistance. This was what we wished and expected, as it was more congenial to our sentiments to remain un connected with either party ; for if Andries had, agreeable to his first intention, sent a small party to defend the station, we should have become more than ever the butt of indignation to the enemy. 144 JAN KARSE SETTLES ON THE STATION. " In this state of suspense we continued near three weeks, when it pleased our Heavenly Father to disperse in some degree the gloom which rested on our prospects. Jan Karse, a respectable Griqua, brother-in-law to the Blooms, hearing of our situation, came with his family to the station, not to defend by the force of arms, but to endeavour to convince his relations by soft argument of the error of their ways, and influence them to abandon their murderous courses. Nothing could be more agree able to our wishes than the motives of Jan Karse, and through the Divine blessing they may have the most salu tary effects. It is also likely that he will remain some time on the station, being anxious that his children and domestics should enjoy the advantages of the school. " Affairs are wearing a more pleasing aspect. Mothibi and his people are still wandering in the Bushman country, and will not likely return till public affairs become more settled. Although things are so unpropitious, we are, blessed be God, far from being discouraged. The Lord has hitherto preserved us, and done great things for us, and He continues able to deliver. "There are also some things calculated to cheer and encourage, and we have no doubt but ultimate success will crown our labours. At a small distance are two Batlaro villages, and on the station there are at least fifty families. All these from time to time have the gospel of salvation preached in their own language ; and though we as yet see no immediate fruit of the Spirit, yet it is a con solation to know that their knowledge in Divine things is increasing, and there are several who have begun to pray. " By Mr. Miles the long-looked-for books arrived, and about two weeks after he left I commenced the school in the Sechwana language. Notwithstanding the unpleasant circumstances of the station, the number attending ex ceeded our expectations. There are already four Bech wanas who can read in their own language the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, and I trust to be able very soon to put six or eight more into that class. I have also begun an evening school, which promises well. CONCOURSE OF TRIBES AT THE STATION. 145 The attendance, chiefly adult, has risen to forty, while that of the day school is about fifty. We have also begun to sing hymns composed in the language, which has a very enlivening effect. The scholars are at present exclusively from the families who live on the station, and these con sist chiefly of strangers. There are here Batlaping, Batlaro, Barolong, Bashuto, Bakuena, Bakalahari, and Matebele. At present they are chiefly poor, but indus trious, and, with the assistance of fruitful gardens, are better off than the more affluent natives whose depen dence is entirely on their flocks. We have found them very serviceable in carrying on building, they being always ready to work, for which they are duly rewarded. We are entirely dependent on them for such assistance. " Attending school twice in the day, with the different services in the church and other cares connected with the welfare of the station, will for some time keep me very busy, and prevent me devoting all that time to study which I could wish. It is my object now to get something trans lated to put into the han ds of those who learn to read." CHAPTER XVI. LAST ATTACKS OF THE MARAUDERS. 1828. THE hopeful prospect was soon, however, to be again clouded over. In the month of April the unfortunate Bechwanas from the surrounding country began to take refuge at the station on account of another band of marauders that came up from the Orange River and scoured the country. These were the people of whom Jan Karse had heard, and he behaved very well indeed in carrying out his good resolutions. Hearing that they were encamped upon the Matl waring River, about eighteen miles away, he rode out and en treated them to return, and not to add to the long list of their evil deeds. He found among them his brother-in-law, and gained him over. The rest made as though they were persuaded, and actually started ; but instead of going the way they had come, as they had promised to do, they suddenly appeared on the station, and threw them selves into some breastworks which had been raised for purposes of defence. There they remained ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION. 147 several days, maintaining a sullen silence about their intentions, but making so far a show of friendliness that they went freely about among the people on the station. At last Bloom gave warning that evil was intended, and that all must be upon their guard. Karse went up to their camp the next day, and tried to bring them to a better mind. His wife went with him. The interview was long, but ended fruitlessly, and he was warned to get him gone. His wife was tall and portly ; he was quite the contrary. She took in the situation at a glance, and as the pair came down the slope she made him walk in front of her, having a shrewd sus picion that otherwise he would be shot. A few minutes later, Bloom, taking his gun, also left the camp, and finally broke with his associates. He was just turning the corner of the mission-house when a shot was fired, and a bullet ploughed the ground at his feet. Happily at this juncture a timely reinforcement appeared in the person of Arend and his party. Mention has already been made of this man. He was an escaped slave from the Colony, who had paid his own ransom with ivory, and had settled in the vicinity of the station. He was a bold and resolute man, and a good shot, and he and his men were well armed. His appearance put heart into the somewhat timid Bechwanas. Sharp firing- commenced, Arend and a few resolute men made a rush, the robbers deserted their entrenchments and scattered in wild flight across the plain ; six fell and five more were captured, and the rest be- 148 THE BANDITTI GROW POORER. took themselves to the western hills. Thus ended another critical episode in the history of the mission. This was only one of several parties of marauding banditti who for some years kept the border country in a state of misery. Their haunts were along the Orange River ; and they were in communication with certain lawless Boers on the northern outskirts of the Colony who carried on an illicit trade in guns and ammunition. By means of these, though their numbers were small, the Bechwanas were quite at their mercy, armed as they were with as segais and knobsticks only. Though they swept away thousands of cattle and ravaged many vil lages, so little did their wickedness profit them that they grew the longer the poorer. After the attack on Kuruman had been repelled, and had shaken their prestige, another blow fell upon them by the action of the Colonial Government in cut ting off the supply of ammunition, and before long these wretched men began to wander all over the country in the last stage of destitution. The missionaries now began to take heart again, and work was resumed ; but their troubles were not yet over. On the ninth of August the alarm was again raised. The fugitive Batlaros came pouring in with their flocks and herds, and the Kuruman was once more a camp of refuge. Few slept that night. Next morning, by Moffat's directions, the low heights at the back of the station were crowded with men, to give the appearance of a large de fending force, though probably not a dozen guns could have been mustered. The enemy was seen approaching. The cavalcade was even more for- MOFFAT UNDER A FLAG OF TRUCE. 149 midable than had been expected. It was a com paratively strange party, which had come from Namaqualand, far west down along the Orange River. As they came on, they scoured the sur rounding plain in search of plunder, but found only a few sheep and cows, all other stock having been crowded on to the station, and filling up every available space in and around the half-built church and other houses. The would-be assailants drew up at some distance, dismayed at the signs of an apparently formidable defence. After some delay they sent forward two messengers with a flag of truce. It would not do to let these people come within the precincts of the station and see its weakness, so Moffat started to meet them half-way. He learned from them that a renegade Christian Griqua was one of the leaders of the party, and wished to see him. He came, but as he drew near the presence of the missionary was too much for him, and his courage was fast melting away. He was only too glad to disclaim any autho rity or responsibility for what had already been done, and tried to lay all blame on the shoulders of another, a Namaqua chief of the name of Paul. Just at this juncture a waggon came in sight on the road from the southward. It proved to be that of Archbell, a Wesleyan missionary from Platberg. As it had to pass near the place where the bandits had encamped, and a movement was evidently taking place to intercept it, Moffat said to the cowering Griqua, " Now is your time to show that you are sincere ; bring that waggon safely past." He was only too glad of an excuse to end a meeting that 150 A TERRIBLE PAIR OF EYES. was growing every moment too embarrassing for him, and ran off to curb the violence of the party and to escort the waggon. This gave time for further negotiation, and at last Paul himself slowly and reluctantly drew near, with his hat drawn down over his eyes, for he could not look into the face of a man who in former days had slept in his village, and had faithfully preached to him and to his family the word of life. He pleaded that Moffat personally need fear nothing from him, but tried to justify his desire for vengeance upon the Batlaping. It took long and patient persuasion to bring him round, but when he did turn the victory was complete. He abruptly called one of his men. " Bring back those sheep and cows we took this morning." It was done. " I am going," he said. " There are the things of your people. Will Mynheer not shake hands with me for once ? " " Of course I will ; but let me see your face." " That I will not indeed : I do not want to die yet. I can see your face through my hat." And away he went, glad to turn without having met those terrible eyes which roused an accusing con science within. So complete was the revulsion of feeling, that the leaders of the party appealed to the missionary to promise that they should not be attacked in their camp that night. They were supplied with food, and by the dawn of next day had vanished like the shadow of a dream. The larger part returned to Namaqualand, and others turned off and went to seek plunder on their own account further north wards, but came to a miserable end. One of the few THE LAST OF THE ROBBERS. 151 scattered survivors made his appearance naked and starving, under cover of night, at Moffat's door a few weeks afterwards, and found the succour which was denied to none. From this time the land had peace until fifty years afterwards, when an English force invaded the Bechwana country — an invasion about which the less said the better. CHAPTER XVII. DAYLIGHT AT LAST. 1829. FROM the commencement of the Bechwana Mission by Hamilton and Read in 1816, for a period of more than ten years, not a ray of light shot across the gloom to cheer the hearts of the missionaries. A dull and stolid indifference reigned ; the Batlaping would talk of any ordinary subject, and were willing to avail themselves of the presence of the white people in their country for any temporal advantage that might be within their reach, but the moment a word was said about divine things their ears seemed to become deaf at once, and they would walk away determined to have nothing to do with that foolishness. To people like the missionaries, whose whole heart was in their work, who believed that all said in the New Testament about the solemn eventuali ties of another world was literally true and no mere figure of speech, who looked at the heathen around them and felt that they were verily perishing, it was sore trial of faith to go on year after year with their message burning in their hearts. UNSHAKEN FAITH. 153 The darkness was long and gloomy beyond com pare, but there was no wavering of faith. There were times, indeed, when the brethren Hamilton and Moffat were cast down and disposed to cry with the prophet, " Who hath believed our report ? " and to ask, " Is this the right path ? " but there was one member of the mission, weak in body but strong in faith, who never faltered. She would but fall back on the promises of the unchangeable God, and say, " We may not live to see it, but the awakening will come as surely as the sun will rise to-morrow." On one occasion a letter was received from her friend Mrs. Greaves of Sheffield, asking if there was any thing of use which could be sent. The answer of Mary Moffat was, " Send us a communion service ; we shall want it some day." At that time there was no glimmer of the dawn, and in the course of the two or three years which it took with their slow communications to get that request of faith fulfilled there was time for an even thicker darkness to over spread the sky, and the sorest cross of all was a rumour which came that doubts were beginning to be felt at home about the use of going on with the Bechwana Mission : but they held on. In the year 1827 there began to be a sort of change, almost like that change in the sky even before the dawn which is familiar to watchers in the night. The bulk of the Batlaping tribe, utterly weary and impoverished by the incessant forays of the western banditti, had drifted away eastward and settled along the course of the Vaal and the Kolong rivers ; but their place at Kuruman had been in a measure supplied by a mixed community 154 THE GREAT AWAKENING. of refugees from the interior tribes, and the Batlaro still clung to their old location to the north-west of the station on the confines of the Kalahari Desert. Many of the refugees were drawn to the station by feelings which gave them a disposition open to mis sionary influence, so that it began to be seen that there was a better attendance and a more settled attention to the preaching and teaching of the mis sionaries. At length, in 1829, a marvellous awakening began. It came, as such things do come, without any human or visible existing cause. There was a wave of tumultuous and simultaneous enthusiasm. The two brethren who witnessed it were sober- minded and hard-headed Scotchmen, by disposition not willing to lend themselves to any movement which might seem to have the taint of mere sensa tionalism. They had been schooled to adversity, and they could but dread some new device of the devil to obstruct their path ; but it was not long before they were forced to admit that there was something that could not be gainsaid. In a few months the whole aspect of the station had changed. The meeting-house was crowded before the service had begun. Heathen songs and dancing had ceased, and everywhere were to be heard instead the songs of Zion and the outpouring of impassioned prayers. The missionaries were beset even in their own houses by those who were seeking fuller instruction in things which had become to them all at once of paramount importance. The moral condition of the community rapidly improved, and the dirt and in decency of heathen costume were exchanged for HOPE NOT MADE ASHAMED. 155 cleanliness and European habits of clothing, as far as the supply could be met by the visits of occasional traders. Great as was the change, the missionaries did not dismiss their northern caution. It was only after careful examination that from the many who pressed forward they selected some six in the first instance to receive the rite of baptism. Few can enter into the feelings which must have animated the hearts of the missionary band when they first sat down with that little company at the table of the Lord. On the day preceding this memorable occasion in the history of the Bechwana Mission a box arrived which had been long on the road from England. It contained the communion vessels for which Mary Moffat had asked nearly three years before. The zeal of the new converts showed itself in practical forms. There were, of course, in the first instance features of the movement which needed to be carefully watched. The Bechwanas pride them selves in the suppression of all outward emotion. Those who know them can often see that under a calm demeanour there is raging a volcano of excite ment. But if their feelings do gain the upper hand they are shown by uncontrollable outbursts, and in ways almost painful to witness. Thus it was that at times the little meeting-house at Kuruman was filled with a storm of sobs and cries which made it almost impossible to proceed with the service. But as time went on these manifestations moderated, and the converts settled down to steady work. Three of the men came forward and offered to take upon themselves the work of building a brick school- 156 -A BRIGHT SPRING-TIME. house, which should at the same time serve as a temporary place of worship until the great stone church, of which the foundations had even then been laid, should be finished. All that they asked was that the carpenters' work, for which they were not qualified, might be done for them. They would provide all the material and would build and roof. They were as good as their word, and a school- house was raised without a sixpence of direct expense to the Society. The station at this time enjoyed much prosperity in temporal matters. The leading out of the water for irrigation made the people more independent of the precarious rainfall ; they were well supplied, while in the country around their heathen neighbours, impoverished by war and drought, were living a life of semi-starvation. The year was one of the brightest in the annals of the station. It was the full bloom of the spring time, which has been suc ceeded by those alternations of frost and sunshine common to all missions. Moffat was now more at liberty to carry out his long desired purpose of translating. He put into Sechwana the Gospel of Luke and a selection of other scriptures ; and of these he used to read from his manuscript in public worship or as occasion offered. Mary Moffat writes to her father on the nine teenth of October, 1829 : "If you have received our former letters your heart would be overjoyed at the glad tidings from this station, and the later communications were calculated rather to increase than to diminish that joy. To hear of the steady and growing piety of some of these sable children of Adam, ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 157 together with the increase of Divine knowledge in the minds of others, must be reviving to the hearts of all who love the cause, but especially to such as are so nearly con nected with this mission as yourself. Our gracious God has been very condescending to spare the lives of His unworthy servants to witness some fruits of missionary labour — a felicity we frequently despaired of enjoying while in this lower world, where crosses and disappoint ments seemed to form so large a proportion in our cup. We now often wish you could be with us, to witness for yourself what we see. As I think you would see Mr. Roby's letter, and probably the Directors would publish Moffat's, it is not necessary for me to repeat what was then written. Suffice it to say that the converts are going on well, and though the general commotion in the minds of the people has in a great measure subsided, we have solid reason to believe that there are many persons who are the subjects of an abiding conviction of their condition as sinners before God, and are in the constant and diligent use of the means of grace ; which we doubt not will be effectual through the Spirit in leading them to the Saviour of sinners. We do ardently hope and pray that what has taken place may be but the few drops before the plenteous shower. The Spirit of God has commenced His operations, and surely He will go on. Oh for a more general spirit of prayer and supplication ! I hear from my friend Miss Lees, that the very time of the awakening here, was the season of extraordinary prayer among the churches at home. What a coincidence ! and what an encouragement to persevere in that important part of Christian duty. " But it is time for me to acknowledge the receipt of the two boxes you sent. They came to hand in July. I will not attempt to describe my feelings on the sight of the portraits of my dear mother and yourself. They are such striking likenesses as powerfully to affect our hearts, and to the present moment when inadvertently I cast my eyes on either, my heart bounds within me. The first day we hung them up we had a church-meeting in our hall. Brother Hamilton sat on one side of the fire in an arm- 158 MOSILIKATSE FIRST HEARD OF. chair, and Robert on the other, and the portraits hanging above seemed to form a part of the company. I fancied my mother might be spiritually present. Five Bechwana converts, with Rachel the wife of Arend, were received on the occasion. The scene was highly interesting, and to us the interest was heightened by this little circumstance. I could not but breathe when looking at your own, ' Oh that those lips had language, and that those ears could hear ! ' " The turn events had taken in the Bechwana Mission was followed by another event which led in the end to a wide extension of the sphere to which Moffat and his coadjutors looked with hope for the prosecution of their work. For months, and indeed for years, vague rumours had been coming, handed on from one tribe to another, about a strong and warlike people to the eastward, who spoke another language and were strangers to the Bechwanas. Of his first visits to these people and their chief, Moffat has fully told the tale in his own missionary volume ; but in view of the important part they played ever after in his life and interest, a summary account of these visits is now repeated, being much abridged parts of his journal in his own words : " This records the first contact of missionaries with the Matebele tribe under the chief Mosilikatse — or Umziligazi, as he would be called in Zululand, whence he came, him self a fugitive from the tyranny of Chaka. He headed another wave of emigration which rolled westwards, and threw into terror and confusion the comparatively unwar- like Basuto and Bechwana tribes, who inhabited what is now the Transvaal. "In the year 1829 two traders went into the interior to shoot elephants and to barter. Hearing from the Bahu rutse that a tribe rich in cattle lay far eastward, they went HIS MESSENGERS VISIT KURUMAN. 159 on, and were well received by Mosilikatse the king, who, however, allowed them to approach his town on horseback only. Before this the Matebele — or Mantotoana, as they were then called — had come in contact with the Bahurutse, and had learned through them of the existence of the white people, especially those at Kuruman, with whom they were best acquainted. Mosilikatse, in quest of more exten sive and particular knowledge of the white men, was led to send two of his head men, charging them to inquire specially about the manners and teachings of those at the Kuruman. " On their arrival here with three attendants, everything astonished and interested them, and they themselves were the objects of still greater astonishment to our people, who stared as though regarding another order of beings. They were shown every attention, and they in turn were full of gratitude. The order of worship and the singing arrested their attention, while the water-courses, gardens, houses, and blacksmith's forge kept their minds in con stant exercise. Difficulties arose about their safe return to their own country. A report was spread that the tribes through which they had to pass intended to murder them as spies, and they were naturally in some alarm. In view of the warlike disposition and mighty power of the Matebele, who had already destroyed so many great tribes and deluged the Bakwena country with blood, I could not help fearing the dire results if anything should happen to these peaceful messengers. After careful thought, and having sought counsel from above, I resolved, with the cordial approval of brother Hamilton, to escort them to the Bahurutse, after which they could go on without fear to their own country. " I hired a waggon for their conveyance, and left this place on the 9th of November. We travelled quickly, and reached the Bahurutse at Mosega a little south of Kurrechane in ten days. We had been traversing immense and monotonous plains, the only objects of interest upon which were occasional troops of game, including giraffes and rhinoceros. We passed without visiting the Barolong villages at Kunwana. 160 MOFFAT JOURNEYS TO THE MATEBELE. "At Sitlagole, a sand river about one hundred and sixty miles from Kuruman, we had just halted, and our oxen had gone little further than a gun-shot in front of the waggons, when two lions appeared, one of which rushed down upon the cattle, sprang upon one of them, and with one bite at the back of the neck laid him dead. All hands hastened with guns and spears to dispute possession of the carcase with the king of the desert, and he hastened away, making no attempt to regain his booty. " Reaching Mosega we were received with much pleasure by Mokatle, the chief of the Bahurutse. We were detained for three days by torrents of rain, during which I embraced every opportunity of making him and his people acquainted with Divine things. Many still remembered Mr. Campbell. Mokatle had long wished to visit his new neighbour, but had not dared to venture himself within the grasp of one who had ravaged the country. " Having fulfilled my engagement in conveying my charge safely to the Bahurutse, I resolved to return]; but of this they would not hear. They entreated me to ac company them to their master, who, they declared, would be ready to kill them for allowing me to go back after coming so far. I at last consented, and Mokatle, seeing that if he accompanied me he would now have some chance of returning alive, started with us. The country now became beautiful ; hills and valleys, with groves of a richer foliage than I had seen before, and numerous running streams of excellent water, all flowing towards the Indian Ocean. " The whole country appeared to have once contained a dense population, but was now, since the invasion of the Mantatees and the terror of the Matebele, become the habitation of wild beasts and venomous reptiles ; where lions roamed at large as if conscious that there was none to oppose, and emboldened by having become accustomed to gorge on human flesh owing to the destructive warfare which had raged for some years. We were mercifully preserved, though our slumbers were often interrupted by the hideous serenade. A LAND OF DESOLATION. 161 " Five days after leaving the Bahurutse, we came to the first outpost of the Matebele. The country through which we now passed was along a range of hills running nearly east and south-east, while the country to the north and east became more level and beautifully studded with small chains of mountains and conical hills, along the bases of which lay the ruins of innumerable towns, some of amazing extent. Many an hour I walked pensively among these scenes of desolation, casting my thoughts back to the time when these now desolate habitations teemed with life and revelry, and when the hills and dales echoed with heathen joy. Nothing now remains but dilapidated walls and heaps of stones and rubbish, which form a covert for the game and for the lion. Occasionally a town may be met with where the principal folds are now occupied by the cattle of the savage victors. From having Matebele with me, I found it difficult to obtain local information from the scat tered and now degraded aborigines we occasionally met, who trembled before them, and dared not to give a satis factory answer in the presence of the men now their masters, who ruled them with a rod of iron. " In this neighbourhood we were detained again three days by the rain, which fell in torrents until the valleys resounded with the roar of rivers and waterfalls. Every sort of vegetation was exceedingly luxuriant, and immense quantities of native corn grew wild among the ruins of the towns. We at last went on, but with difficulty, on account of the nature of the ground. The plains were saturated, and the blacl. peaty clay so adhesive that each wheel became clogged with a solid mass, almost too tough to be cleared away. We had to make towards the rising ground, where the soil was more sandy and free. This was accomplished at the cost of so much labour and time that we halted at sunset after a short but most oppressive stage. " Next day we continued our course over a picturesque country, and crossed many fine rivulets. Towards evening we came to the Oori River, a pretty large stream, in which sport the hippopotamus and the crocodile. At this place the river passes through a range of high hills, and flov/ing 12 16a STATE RECEPTION BY A CHIEF. N.N.E. is joined by other streams, after which it is called the Lempopo. We crossed the hills by a pass, and halted on the banks of the Oori where it enters the range, cross ing next day, and halting at a town where we were to await orders as to our future course. Next day we went on, and at length came within sight of the king's abode. " Having preceded the waggons on horseback, we entered the large public cattle-fold, where were ranged in a semi circle about eight hundred warriors in full dress. About three hundred more sat concealed in ambush, perhaps for precaution or to try our courage. We proceeded to the centre of the fold, when they beckoned us to dismount. We had scarcely reached the ground when those who were secreted at the entrance rushed in, shouting and leaping with the most fantastic gestures, so that our horses, un accustomed to such fun, tried to break away from us. " A profound silence followed for some ten minutes ; then all commenced a war-song, stamping their feet in time with the music. No one approached, though every eye was fixed upon us. Then all was silent, and Mosilikatse marched out from behind the lines with an interpreter, and with attendants following bearing meat, beer, and other food. He gave us a hearty salutation and seemed overjoyed. By this time the waggons were drawing near, and as he had never seen such things before he desired to see them walk, as he called it. We left the fold, the warriors maintaining their positions in perfect silence. As the waggons drew near he seemed awestruck, moving backward and dragging me along with him. When they had halted, and the oxen were unyoked, he approached with caution, grasping me with one hand and holding the other on his mouth. He spoke little at first, but examined all minutely, especially the wheels, and when told of how many parts each wheel was composed his surprise seemed to reach its climax. He then returned to the fold, where he was received by his warriors with immense bursts of applause. " I stayed eight days, during which I had many inter views with the chief and received many tokens of his friend ship. I was struck with the way in which he testified his ROBERT MOFFAT'S MESSAGE TO HIM. 163 gratitude. Laying his hand on my shoulder he said, ' My heart is all white as milk ; I am still wondering at the love of a stranger who never saw me. You have fed me, you have protected me, you have carried me in your arms. I live to-day by you, a stranger.' " I replied that I was not aware of having rendered him such service. Pointing to the chiefs who had visited the Kuruman he instantly rejoined, 'These are my great servants . whom I love ; they are my eyes and ears, and what you did to them you did to me.' " I took an early opportunity of telling him of my object as a missionary among the Bechwanas, and that I had not come to hunt or to trade. I wished to return at once, having gained the object of myjourney. I told him I was a teacher from God, the Creator of all things and Governor among the nations, and in visiting him I had also in view the time when his people also might receive messengers from God to tell them of another and a better world beyond the grave. " I had long conversations with him on these subjects. I took the opportunity of pointing out to him the horrors of war, and directed his attention to the depopulated country once swarming with inhabitants, who had lived in comparative peace and plenty. I told him how I had met with only a few wretched individuals, the remnant of all the multitudes that must have been either destroyed or scattered. I told him that though his cattle-posts were numerous they were lost in the immense and solitary region which was as a land that mourned, while innumerable bones that strewed the plains seemed to call to heaven for ven geance. He tried to lay the blame on Mantatees and others who had preceded him : but time would fail to tell of all the subjects on which we talked. " I felt glad when the day came that I could return home. Short as my stay was, the varied instances of despotism and horrid cruelty made me feel as if I sojourned in the tents of Kedar. Everything I saw or heard filled me with melancholy. I had never before come in contact with such savage or degraded minds. Truly the dark places of the 164 RETURN HOME. earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. Let such as philosophize on the happiness enjoyed by man in his savage state, visit such scenes and hear the ten thousand sighs and groans which echo in these gloomy shades, and shudder at the innocent blood shed through the length and breadth of heathen lands — and then, if they can, tell the world that such are happy. " Mosilikatse showed much anxiety to prolong my stay. My engagements at home made it impossible to delay. He often made me promise to visit him at some future time and to stay a year. I assured him I should not cease to remember him, and to pray for him and his people that God might send them teachers. As the time drew near for my departure his attachment seemed to increase, so much that some of his people thought I had given him some kind of medicine which made him love me. He accompanied me a short distance from the town, when he took my hand and addressing me by name, said : ' Ramary, your visit to me seems like a dream ; my heart will follow you. Go in peace to Kuruman, and when you come again bring Mamary with you. Tell the white king I wish to live in friendship. He must not allow the Batlaro and the Korannas to come and annoy me as they have done. Let the road to the Kuruman for ever remain open.' As the waggons moved off, he and his men sat down on the grass and chanted some dirge ; and I walked away musing on all the things I had seen, and on the deplorable condition of the heathen world. " His attention and kindness have been unbounded. He appointed Umbate to accompany me for several days ; and said that at a certain place on the road I should find a couple of horns. This proved to be some cattle which were de livered to me as a present from him at one of the outposts. "After a quick journey I reached Kuruman in safety, having been absent two months." CHAPTER XVIII. VISIT TO THE CAPE. 1830-1832. IN June of the year 1830, a long - projected journey to the coast was carried out with a twofold purpose — to put the two elder children to school, and to get printed such parts of the New Testament as had been translated. On their way the Moffats had the pleasure of meeting, at Philip- polis, the French missionaries Lemue and Rolland, and also Mr. and Mrs. Bailie of their own Society. The Bailies were intended for the Kuruman, and it was arranged that the whole party should take up their abode at Kuruman to await the return of the Moffats from the coast. Whilst the mother was arranging for the children at Salem, the Wesleyan school near Grahamstown, the father started on a journey to visit the stations in Kaffraria ; and then finding that some time must pass before a vessel would be leaving Algoa Bay, and there being no possibility of getting anything printed in the Eastern province, he took his manu script in his pocket and started on horseback, for a 166 MOFFAT TURNS PRINTER. ride of about four hundred miles, to Cape Town. By hiring relays from the farmers on the road he made the journey in nine days, leaving his wife to follow by sea. At Bethelsdorp the Moffats found Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, who were originally destined to the Bech wana Mission, but had been detained among the Colonial stations. It was arranged that Edwards should also go to Cape Town, and assist Moffat in carrying the Sechwana books through the press. In Cape Town new difficulties arose. No print ing-office could undertake the work, small as it was : both type and compositors were scarce. In this strait, by the exertions of Colonel Bird, Secretary to Government, the Government printing-office and material were placed at the disposal of the mission aries ; but as no one could be spared to carry on the printing, Moffat and Edwards had to set to work themselves, with such guidance as the one man in charge was able to give them. He was very willing, and gave his assistance so well that they were soon able not only to turn out the books they were printing in fair style, but to regard themselves as finished apprentices. All these things were ordered for the best. At this very juncture a printing-press came into the possession of the mission, and as soon as this could be transported to the Kuruman there were qualified hands ready to work it. The intense exertions of this period, his forced journey to Cape Town, the labours of the press and the application of proof reading, with a crowd of bustling engagements, were too much even for Moffat's strength and constitution. He was pros- DEATH OF MR. ROBY. 167 trated by a bilious fever, and when the time came for him to return to Algoa Bay, on his way back to his station he was so ill that he had to be carried on board the ship on a mattress. Mary Moffat to Miss Lees of Manchester. " Bethelsdorp, Sept. 15, 1830. " I brought with me from home two of your letters un answered, and, to make the debt the heavier, received one on the way at Philippolis containing the affecting intelli gence of the death of our esteemed father and friend, Roby. We cannot but feel it very sensibly, though we were so far removed from the privilege of his society, but with you and his bereaved widow and church we can sincerely sympathize. Verily a prince and a great man is fallen in Israel, but our consolation is that he has finished a glorious course, and has entered into the joy of his Lord ; and good and great as he was, the Lord of the harvest can supply his place to the Church. I trust in this you have attained a greater measure of resignation than when you last wrote. I know the tenderness of your heart, and can in some measure con ceive of your feelings. Give my most affectionate regards to Mrs. Roby, and assure her that could I have expressed it she would not have found me wanting, but ready to contribute my mite of sympathy to her. The assurance that her loss is the infinite gain of her dear departed must suppress every repining feeling, and lead her only to look .forward to that period when she also will mingle with the sacred throng. O my friend ! this is a dying world. Almost every packet of letters brings us the intelligence of some whom We have once known and loved having ended their pilgrimage here below. We shall lose all desire to see our native land, for all our friends are dying away. I recollect nearly seven years ago, when we saw Dr. Morrison on his way to England, our congratulating him on the prospect of meeting with his friends at home. He invariably appeared dejected, and said : 'I have no friends to see ; all who love me are dead, and I feel alone in the world.' We then wondered 168 CHILDREN PUT TO SCHOOL. at such remarks, but, believe me, we now begin to be con scious of a similar feeling ; two or three more dead about Manchester, and what will it be to us ? . . . " Taking it for granted that my father will have called upon you, as I sent a message to you when I wrote from Cradock, I have not mentioned our leaving home, which took place on the 15th of June. We met the French missionaries Lemue and Rolland three weeks after at Philippolis; arrived at Grahamstown on the 1st ultimo, and at this place on the ist instant. The distance is not more than a week from Grahamstown to Bethelsdorp, but Moffat, wishing to visit the stations in Kafirland, set out on horseback, and left me to proceed with the children to Theopolis, to get the two elder, Mary and Ann, in readiness for school. We accordingly left them a fortnight ago at Salem, the Wesleyan establishment, with considerable satis faction : the strict attention paid to the religious instruction of the children compensates for the want of some ad vantages ; the cheapness of the school and its comparative contiguity to our own part of the country are also induce ments to have them there, as keeping them at home is beyond all doubt highly improper. Hence you will per ceive that we are entering on a new sort of trials. We purpose calling to see them as we return, after which it is probable Moffat will be many years before he sees them again. It is likely, however, that I may come in the course of two or three years, as we have not friends to fulfil the duties of a mother to them. How happy are we, my dear friend, to have a covenant God to go to in all these straita and difficulties. Nature has its struggle, but we are not to confer with flesh and blood. " Being disappointed in our expectation of meeting with a vessel at Algoa Bay, ready to sail for the Cape, Moffat, to save time, has proceeded on horseback with his manu scripts ; as he expects to be detained a length of time correcting for the press, I am to follow with the two children, Robert and Helen, by sea. I expect to sail in about a fortnight. Moffat has been gone nearly a week. I have said nothing about our station, and shall decline HORSEBACK JOURNEY TO CAPE TOWN. 169 saying much till we see it again. Suffice it to say that we left it in a hopeful and prosperous condition." On his way to Cape Town, Moffat had visited his old friends the Andersons, formerly of Griqua Town, then settled at Pacaltsdorp, one of the Society's stations within the Colony, from which the follow ing was written : " August 17, 1830, Sabbath night. "My dear Mary, — Through the goodness of God I reached this place at nine o'clock last night, which was more than I expected after being detained more than half a day at Kromme River waiting on horses. This circum stance obliged me to ride a seven hours' stage during the night, and thirteen hours on Saturday, to be here before Sunday. I was treated with the greatest kindness and attention by the Boers wherever I called, even though I told them all I was a ' Zendeling.' Stephapus Ferreira, a notorious enemy to missionaries, whom I the most dreaded, was the most kind and did the most to enable me to proceed without loss of time. Had I acquainted the Field Cornets with letters, as is the custom, I could have procured fresh horses every four or five hours ; but not having used this precaution my arrival in the Cape will be very un certain. From George to the Cape is twenty-five hours' ride on horseback — further than from Uitenhage to George — so that I may scarcely reach the Cape on Saturday. But if health be continued and horses at hand I may reach a day sooner. The Lord willing, I leave this to-morrow. morning at three o'clock. " Mr. and Mrs. Anderson received me with great kind ness. They scarcely knew me when I first entered the house. They were greatly disappointed when they heard that you were not following. Many have been their inquiries respecting the Griquas and Bechwanas, and they do rejoice in what is doing among them. ' Had I youth on my side,' says Mr. A., laying his hand on his pate, ' I would spend it among the Bechwanas.' He is much aged, and the sound of the grinders being low, his speech is not 170 BIRTH OF A DAUGHTER. so clear as formerly. This evening he ran to hide his tears when I was describing the pleasing change which has lately taken place at Griqua Town. Mrs. A. takes the liveliest interest in the welfare of our missions in that quarter." Mary Moffat continues the narrative : "Lattakoo or Litako, Sept. 15, 1831. " My ever dear Father, — I am quite overcome when I think that I have three of your letters by me unanswered, but trust to your considerateness to make allowance for our apparent neglect ; for surely since we came to the country we have never experienced such a bustling life as during the last year and a half. When on the Sneeuwbergen, I wrote a hasty scrawl to Miss Lees, from which you would hear part of our history since I wrote to you, I think in November, from Cape Town. It was then my intention to write often to my friends, but the press of business and Robert's subsequent illness prevented me. When we embarked at the Cape I felt quite worn out, and the tedious voyage and necessary attention to Robert produced fatigue from which I did not speedily recover. At the same time there was so much to do with the landing of our goods and getting them off from Bethelsdorp that Robert did not write at all to England, he being still weak and easily fatigued. The Lord has been merciful and gracious, and, notwith standing our unfaithfulness to Him, has loaded us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. During our stay in the Colony my own health greatly improved, and, as you would hear, on the 25th of March I was again made the joyful mother of a fine daughter whom we have baptized Elizabeth, after my worthy friend, Miss Lees. " My dear Robert's health is now completely established, and he is able to pursue his usual avocations with his accustomed vigour. We left our dear Mary and Ann much improved, and in good health and spirits, after having been absent from them a half-year. At Grahams- PRINTING PRESS SET UP AT KURUMAN. 171 town we met with almost all of the Scottish Brethren from Kafirland, as well as those of our own Society.. They were come to the missionary meeting there, and we had our babe baptized among them by Mr. Brownlee,. in the house of our missionary Monro, where most of us were lodged. From there we went to Graaff Reinett by way of Somerset, both which places are blessed with ministers from Scotland, holy men of God ; Mr. Morgan r of Somerset, lately received a wife from his own land,. an excellent woman, Murray, of Graaff Reinett, is a re nowned friend of missions. His house is open to all missionaries. We stayed there a fortnight, making fur ther arrangements for the conveyance of our baggage, and arrived all well about the end of June at the Kuru man. Here we found things going on well ; but one of the members had, alas ! turned to his idols, his young wife, whom he had put away, having proved a snare ta him, and we are sorry to say we do not perceive in him the penitence which is desirable. " The French missionaries had both been very ill, but were recovered. Mr. Lemue, however, continues sickly. Mr. Hamilton has judiciously given up his house and garden to the Edwardses, and they and the Bailies share it at present. As we were anxious that Mr. Hamilton should be as comfortably circumstanced as possible, and we knew he would rather live with us than with the new-comers, it is so settled that he boards with us. We have also the mason, so that my family is now large, and may apolo gize in some measure for my long silence ; since we came home I have had no leisure. " The printing press is set up, and has been at work printing lessons for the school. It has been a formidable work to bring it and to set it going ; but the advantages of it will be inestimable to the mission. They are, however, short of suitable type for lessons, though they brought all which was to be found in Cape Town, Bethelsdorp, and Griqua Town. Mr. Edwards will be found admirably fitted to supply Mr. Hamilton's place, in many things where his strength now fails. Since we came home he T72 MOSILIKATSE ATTACKED BY GRIQUAS. has been chiefly engaged making appliances for the print ing office, and later at the printing itself. The building of our new church is now to be resumed. Five or six waggons are to-morrow to leave the place for wood for the same. While we were in the Colony Robert solicited subscrip tions for it, and raised about a hundred pounds sterling. Nearly twenty pounds came from Government House, besides what was given by other officials. It is intended to be built free of expense to the Society. Millen, the mason, gives his work, and only requires his board. The -old church is now being enlarged by Arend, being much too small even for the school. " You will naturally be inquiring what are the French missionaries going to do ? Mr. Rolland, after his recovery, went to the Bahurutse and looked out a place, and pro mised to go immediately ; but Mr. Lemue's health being so bad, his going at present is out of the question. Mr. Rol- iand has been busily employed making a plough and mending his waggon, and is ready to go. He has also got a mason, a Scotsman, a Mr. Hume, to go with him. He -came here on trading business. A painful circumstance has, however, taken place in the country which may cause them some trouble, and renders it extremely doubtful whether they ought to go at present. You have heard of Mosilikatse, the Zulu chief whom Robert visited two years ago. He is a desperate tyrant, and subjugates all the tribes about him. He is consequently very rich, and his cattle have proved a bait to those who ought to have known better. A large hunting party of more than three hun dred men left Griqualand four or five months ago, headed by Berend, chief at Butswap. Many of the Philippolis Griquas were also of the number, and some English traders to whom these Griquas were indebted. When they came by the outposts of the Zulu monarch, instead of hunting ¦elephants, they fell upon his cattle, took three posts, and killed many of his young soldiers, who generally reside at -such places. This, of course, was not to be suffered with impunity, and the enraged savages pursued and surprised them while asleep. The battle was horrible. Many were FRENCH MISSION TO THE BAHURUTSE. 173 slain on both sides, and but few Griquas have come out. They suppose many of their number are still wandering in the interior, but we apprehend their wanderings have for ever ceased. When the traders who were with them found that their object was a commando, they left them and made the best of their way back to Butswap. From what I have written you will judge how delicate is ..the position of our dear French brethren. The Barolong joined Berend in his iniquitous project, but the Bahurutse would not. Mr. Millen, Arend, and many from our station were at the same time in the interior, and, of course, made for home. They were met by numbers of Mosilikatse's people after the battle, and though completely in their power, they received no harm, on it being found that they were from the Kuruman. We have since heard that two messengers were on their way hither from the Zulus, and have been murdered by the Barolong." Mary Moffat again writes : "Litako (Lattakoo), Feb. 23, 1832. " My dear Father, — ... If Miss Lees received mine of the 2nd ultimo you will anticipate what I am going to add. Our beloved and interesting child Betsy is rio longer an inhabitant of this lower world. Her freed spirit took its happy flight on the night of the 4th of January. As parents we do feel, and it is necessary we should feel, for He does nothing in vain who has afflicted us. . . . " I scarcely know where to begin, having forgotten the contents of my last. I have some impression that I in formed you of Mr. Rolland's departure to settle at the Bahurutse. He was, however, obliged to return, not being able to get his attendants to accompany him on account of the enraged Mosilikatse, who had been so villainously treated by old Berend. For some time, however, all has been quiet. Mr. Lemue's health seems to be established. Mr. Rolland has had the smallpox. Mr. Pelissier has joined them, and they again left us on the 15 th in good spirits. They have met with many discouragements, but 174 EVIL RESULTS OF THE GRIQUA RAID. we hope and trust they will now succeed. Moffat has sent with them a messenger to Mosilikatse to explain the matter of Berend to the poor, ignorant savage. Robert would have gone himself, but could not be spared at present from the place. The printing and the building of the new church require much attention. " Robert and I have necessarily had a good deal to do for the French mission, but it is all one cause, and we could sympathize with them ; having enough to damp their zeal, they require Christian sympathy and kindness. I feel attached to them as my own brothers, and have greatly enjoyed their company." The raid of Berend and his Griquas which had ended so disastrously to themselves left behind it consequences which at length proved the ruin of the infant mission of the Paris Society in the Bahu rutse country. Mosilikatse was himself a new-comer from the far east, then an unknown region. He knew but little of what lay to the southward of him. It was difficult for him to discriminate between Griquas and white men, or to understand how the former coming from the country of the white men could do what they had done to him without being called to account by the Government of the white people which he had been taught to regard as wise and just. He had learned to place unbounded con fidence in his friend Moffat, and had formed an exaggerated notion of his power and importance among his own people. It was hard to make these things clear to him. It was natural that when the three French missionaries entered the country ot the Bahurutse, which had become tributary to him, he should a little hesitate. He professed himself satisfied with the explanations given by a messenger FRENCH MISSIONARIES HAVE TROUBLE. 175 whom Moffat had sent with them, and wished one of them to repair to his own headquarters. Pelissier accordingly did so, but found himself under a sort of restraint from returning to his companions. This naturally alarmed the missionaries, new as they were to the country, and not yet ripe in the ex perience that the only way to get on with people such as these were was to treat them with perfect confidence. The missionaries would probably have come right, but their native attendants took the alarm and were determined to go back with or without them. The motive of Pelissier's detention was probably two-fold. He would be useful as a hostage if it should prove that Mosilikatse's fears were well founded about the missionaries being privy to some further raid upon him from the southward ; and, moreover, a large number of guns had fallen into his hands by his victory over the Griquas, and he wanted some one to put them in order and to teach his people to use them. It was difficult for him to see why the missionaries should object to supply him with ammunition, of which indeed they had but little for their own use, even had they been willing to serve his purpose in this way. It soon became evident to them that their position would be untenable, and when at length Pelissier was allowed to return to them they at once grasped the opportunity and left the Bahu rutse country and started for Kuruman. They were met by Moffat himself, who was on his way to see whether he could not smooth matters for them. It was not to be, however, and this first mission, in 176 ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AT MOTITO. some measure directed to the Matebele themselves, was a failure. In the providence of God what was their loss was the great gain of another South African people, the Basuto, under Moshesh, to whom the French gave their attention. Their mis sion in Basutoland has been most prosperous and satisfactory in spite of great trials caused mainly by wars between the natives and the Colonists. Towards the end of the year 1832 Dr. Philip visited Kuruman, and it was arranged that Rolland and his companions, who saw no immediate prospect of re-opening their work with the Bahurutse, should commence a station at Motito, about thirty-six miles to the north-east of Kuruman, until time should open a way for further undertakings. The appeal of Moshesh afforded that opening. Motito long remained the only station of the Paris Society in Bechwanaland, and it was after many years handed over to the care of the missionaries at Kuruman. CHAPTER XIX. MARY MOFFAT TRAVELS TO THE COLONY. 1833-1834. EARLY in 1833 Mary Moffat started for the Colony. It was more than two years since she had seen the daughters who were at school. Her heart was naturally drawn to them. They had of course friends, but not of their own kindred. Even for the sake of visiting them she did not feel that it would be right of her to take her husband away from his work. She brought her mind to undertake the journey alone. It involved in absence of five months. Her escort through the wilderness for a good part of that time was to consist of Bechwanas who a few years before were mere barbarians, not to say savages. It was an additional comfort to her to be able to do good service to the mission by her journey. She brought up from the coast a large quantity of printing material which otherwise would have pro bably been many months finding its way from Port Elizabeth to Kuruman. 13 178 AN ESCORT OF NATIVES. Mary Moffat to Mrs. Roby of Manchester. " LlTAfcO, Oct. i, 1833. " You would hear that I had visited the Colony to see our dear children. It was of course no pleasing task to take such a journey alone, but it appeared to us that we were bound in duty to separate for that time. It was necessary to know how the children were getting on and to attend to their wants ; and it could not be Moffat's duty to leave the station again so soon, and therefore we determined to part. I was more than five months absent, having arrived on the 7th of last month, nearly a month later than was my intention, having taken with me a waggon expressly to bring type and printing paper for the Society, and having to await the arrival of the same. We have, however, satisfaction in the step, Moffat's presence having been exceedingly requisite on the station, and much has been accomplished both in the spiritual work and in the temporal, and all has been well. "The maids also, whom I left to manage domestic matters, have far exceeded my expectations, so that he had very little to trouble him in that respect, and I see that my labour in instructing them in these matters is not lost. Every member of the mission family enjoyed uninterrupted health the whole time. My journey was exceedingly pros perous, nothing worthy the name of an accident having taken place, though the waggons had extraordinary weight upon them. My travelling company of servants consisted of five Bechwana men and one Hottentot as drivers, leaders, and loose cattle-drivers, and a girl to nurse my baby. In one of these men, Paul, one of the first converts, I had great comfort. Not having my husband with me I had occasion to put the more confidence in him, and truly it was not misplaced. He has proved himself faithful, did everything in his power to make me comfortable, and managed the rest of them admirably. I assure you that I had continual joy in him as a brother in our Lord Jesus Christ. Ever since his conversion, nearly five years ago, we have esteemed him highly, but now justly more than ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CHILDREN. 179 ever. I know, my dear Mrs. Roby, you will bless God for His goodness to us in this transaction of our lives. I am a poor weak creature, mentally and bodily, but He has graciously supported me through the whole of it. I found it particularly pleasant to be constantly feeling my dependence on Him, having no earthly protector near me, and in numerous instances had occasion to admire His providential care over us. He was indeed to me better than all my fears, for I am too ready to suspect that the rod of correction is about to be used. By this you may guess what a wayward child I am. " I left the three elder children at school. The two girls have I think made as much progress as could be expected in the time. We have been desirous of making Mary acquainted with the Infant School system before her return home ; but she is still rather too young to leave school, unless she could have been placed with a person who would have attended to her education, such as Miss Tyndall — but the dear woman has been obliged to retire from labour on account of bad health. Should she recover her strength the good people at Grahamstown are anxious to secure her future labours for their children, and this would be the very thing for us. Should there be no probability of accom plishing this object, we shall most likely soon get Mary home by some opportunity. "And now, my dear Mrs. Roby, I must conclude. Will you forgive all my neglect of you ? I know you will. Surely I need not say how happy I shall be to hear from you at any time ; and whilst you live do not forget to pray for us. I trust the church at Grosvenor Street will never lose the missionary zeal which has so long characterized it, and into which our late beloved friend so warmly entered. I suppose you do not often see my poor old father. I fear his health is declining, but he appears to be happy and resigned ; but my anxieties about him can only cease with his life." " Litako, March 20, 1834. " Do, my dear father, write as often as you can, and forgive us that we are not more attentive to you. Robert 180 FELLOW-LABOURERS IN THE MISSION. is in a perpetual bustle ; the printing is a wonderful addition to the work here, and the extreme anxiety of his mind to give everything as correctly as possible causes him incessant mental labour. Whatever he is doing or however engaged we are sure to find that his mind is occupied with some knotty passage of Scripture about which commentators and critics cannot agree. Besides this, the care of the whole station spiritual and temporal is upon him. Mr. Hamilton is an excellent and laborious man, and his labours on the place are invaluable, but he has not an ability for managing the affairs of a mission, neither have the Directors ever thought proper to invest him with that office. Mr. Edwards is a laborious and active schoolmaster, and the rest of his time is filled up with work in connection with the press. If my dear Robert had not had an iron constitution he must long ago have sunk under his manifold labours, so that I really feel delicate about pressing him even to write a letter. . . . " I have the happiness to inform you that our dear Rolland has married Miss Tyndall, and we expect them daily, when Moffat and all who can be spared from this place are to set off for the Bahurutse for roof timber for the chapel, as they could not get away last winter. Mosilikatse has full possession of that country, and gives no rest till Moffat goes to see him. We have at present a messenger of his in the house who came out with Hume, two months ago. Mr. Millen was out about two months before that, having got into a district of country where a stinging fly abounds, lost all his oxen, and actually left his waggon in care of another trader in the same predicament, and came hither on foot, a distance of four or five hundred miles from the north-east. He mustered oxen, took another waggon, and set off again in a fortnight to fetch his property and add more to it. With him, also, we had two messengers from Mosilikatse, and with him they returned. He pro fesses the most unbounded confidence in- Moffat, and we hope it will be useful in the establishment of a mission there." ANOTHER ATTACK ON MOSILIKATSE. 181 Robert Moffat to his brother Richard. July 28, 1834. " Much of my time has been taken up in acquiring the language under innumerable trying circumstances, and now that I am able to translate I view every moment as doubly precious. I am trying to redeem much precious time which has been lost. I see nothing in the world worth looking after if it has not a direct reference to the glory and extension of the Redeemer's kingdom ; and were we always able to have a lively view of the myriads who are descending to the horrible pit, our zeal would be proportionate. Much depends on us who have received the ministry of reconcilia tion, assured that God our Saviour willeth the salvation of all. " A short time ago we mustered a number of men and waggons, and Mr. Hamilton and I set off to the Bahurutse country to bring timber for the roof of our new church, leaving Mr. Edwards on the station. We had just reached within little more than two days of Mosilikatse's residence, near which the timber stood, when a messenger overtook us with the information that Jan Bloom with a commando was gone to attack Mosilikatse. This obliged us to return, for had we proceeded we should in all probability have been placed in a most distressing dilemma, as the scene of conflict was within sight of the spot where we should have encamped. As we could have neither conscientiously helped the one nor fought against the other, the event would likely have been fatal to some if not to all of us. "Mosilikatse's messenger, who had been with me for some months, I sent forward from the place at which we returned. Jan Bloom, it is said, shot a great number of the younger soldiery, but he and his party, who were all on horseback, were entirely defeated, and narrowly escaped with a handful of cattle, losing some men and horses. It is said he will go again next month. If so I fear it will be never to return. Mr. Millen passed us by another road coming out, and died in the desert beyond old Lattakoo. He seems to have died of a bilious fever. Two of his men died before him on the road. We were much affected to 18a MILLEN'S LONELY DEATH-BED. hear of it. He had almost become like one of our family. He has done much for this station. Mosilikatse sent with him two messengers to me, who are still here. He may yet be exasperated to do dreadful things on this side. None of the Bechwana tribes in this part of the country have ever yet done him any injury, and he professes friendship on that account, but the professed friendship of a savage monarch is little to be trusted." Mary Moffat to tier Father. August 20, 1834. " I forget whether I told you that Mr. Millen, our mason, was away in the interior, seeking ivory. We were daily expecting him, and indeed he was not far from us, but never arrived here ! His waggons and those of this place passed each other in the desert, about a half-day's journey apart. Had they been upon the same road they would just have seen him to close his eyes in death, but this privilege was denied to poor Millen. He had none but Bechwana attendants, and they, worn-out with fatigue with travelling night and day to bring him home, had slept while he breathed his last. They afterwards did their best to bring him to Motito for burial, but it was impossible, and they reluctantly committed his remains to the dust in the desert. The grave is on a plain, but in a clump of bushes — rather a prettyspot. It is remarkable that all those who came out on foot are dead, and we suppose the effects were latent for some months. To the north of the Zulu country a bilious fever attacked several of his people, and he feelingly Laments in his journal that he has no medicine to give them. Before they reached Mosilikatse's one of them died. The day they left Mosilikatse's he himself sickened ; two days after another man died, and three or four days after, he himself. He said nothing in his illness, but one day told his people to drive on without regard to oxen or anything else, as he thought more of their number would die. "There is great obscurity on his eternal state. He possessed much knowledge on religious subjects ; he loved UNIVERSAL REGRET. 183 the cause and people of God, but never decided. He was the child of pious parents, who died when he was very young, and his reverence for sacred things was great. His Bible was found in his bed, and his driver testifies that he read much in it. He was much respected, and every heart was melancholy, not only Europeans, but natives. I think you know that he finished the walls of our church last winter — the last labour of his hands, for which he charged nothing but his board. " We have for some months been expecting the expedi tion for Central Africa, which is not yet arrived ; nor have we had any news whatever from the Colony for two months." CHAPTER XX. A SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. 1835. EARLY in 1835 an expedition reached Kuruman. At the head of it was Dr. Andrew Smith. He was accompanied by several English assistants and by an officer and a few men of the 98th Regi ment, making up a somewhat imposing party, and a caravan of seven waggons. The object was scientific, being promoted by the members of an association at the Cape with a little assistance from Government. Dr. Smith found the Moffats in great trouble. The summer had been unusually hot, and this cir cumstance, combined with exhaustion from overwork, had prostrated the missionary with a severe attack of bilious fever : from which he had scarcely re covered when his wife was brought very near the gates of death. After the birth of a son on the tenth of March she seemed to be better, but soon relapsed into a state of such debility that for many days there seemed no hope. It was a special sub ject of thankfulness that at such a time there should have been on the spot a medical man of Dr. Andrew Smith's skill ; and that, too, exercised with such MOFFAT ACCOMPANIES IT. 185 tender care and assiduity as might have been looked for in a dear brother rather than in a comparative stranger. It was the beginning of a lifelong friend ship, for the Moffats could never forget the man who had come to them like an angel out of heaven in their time of trouble. The members of the expedition were for some months engaged in the country round Kuruman ; but as the doctor's main object was to get farther into the interior, he prevailed upon Moffat to ac company him as far as Mosilikatse's headquarters. He left about the tenth of May. His main object was of course to aid the expedition, but he had other important matters in view. The new church, the stone walls of which had long been raised to their full height, could not be roofed with such timber as was to be obtained about Kuruman. From what he had seen on his former visit to Mosilikatse he was convinced that what was required was to be obtained in the dominions of that chief. There was also a prospect of the American missionaries seeking a place in which to work, and he felt that he might be the means of preparing the way for them in Mosi likatse's country. All these considerations over came his reluctance to leave his work at Kuruman and his wife scarcely recovered. The following extracts formed only a small part of a copious journal giving a minute account of each day's pro ceedings. The first quotation is dated from Motito, the station of the French missionaries, near to which Mahura, the brother of Mothibi, had settled with a part of the Batlaping tribe, which had formerly lived on the Kuruman river until broken up by wars : 186 SMOOTHING DIFFICULTIES.' " Motito, August 13, 1835. " My dear Mary,— Though it is now late I must write a few lines, lest I be too busy to write to-morrow morning. Yesterday afternoon I wrote to you by two men, Batlaro returning to the Kuruman on horseback. I shall now give you a brief account of what has transpired since. After a very short night's rest, I left this at an early hour to visit Mahura, who lives as far again as Letakong is from Motito. As the object of the visit was of some importance, I had many cogitations on my way thither. He received me well, and I soon stated one of the objects of my visit, namely, to obtain Mosilikatse's oxen. He gave the reasons why he had not brought them, the chief of which was that he had been falsely charged with having stolen them from Mosilikatse. He said this continued to annoy him beyond anything. I pointed out the propriety as well as the neces sity of his returning the cattle, both for his own sake and for that of the country. I had scarcely finished my argument when he instantly ordered a man to proceed to the outpost, and to have the oxen forthcoming at Motito by this evening or to-morrow morning. This was one point gained. " The next thing was that I was sorry and surprised at the misunderstanding between him and Dr. Smith, and that he had not visited him since his return to Motito. He said in reply to this, that when the doctor was last at Motito he promised on his return from the Kuruman to visit him and see the hills, and examine the different stones. That, instead of fulfilling his promise, he only heard that he would not come because he was very angry with him. I admitted that if the doctor promised he ought to have sent a reason for not coming, and added that the doctor was certainly much grieved with his threatenings to hinder the party and the interpreter from proceeding on the journey. He said he would like well if the doctor would point out any one who had heard him say such things. I said some thing more on the propriety of his having a good under standing with the doctor. I then asked him to accompany me to Motito. He said he would yield to my request, and immediately sent off for his horses, stating that if they did COUNSELS OF PEACE. 187 not come in time he would follow. This was a second point gained. " Of success in the third object of my visit I despaired, namely, his intended attack on the Batlaro. However, the subject was introduced, and I stated to him all that I had heard on the subject. He replied that all was true. That his full determination was to punish the Batlaro for their insolence. He had a long string of complaints, to which I remarked that if these things were true he certainly had cause to be offended, but no reason to go to war. I said the Bechwanas were a nation of liars, and that any beggar would bring him such reports merely to get a bone to pick : that if he went to war on these grounds I should ever view him as a fool, and incapable of government. I proposed to him what he ought to do, namely, to call the chiefs of the Batlaro to account or visit them, hold a pitso, and hear the sentiments of the principal men. I said a great deal to him on the horrors of war. I told him to throw a burning coal into the grass and tell me when the burning would end : that attacking the Batlaro was like attacking the Kuruman station, which had been the means of saving himself and the country. After I had done speaking — for I had spoken long and earnestly on the subject — he paused for some time. He said he was glad he had heard me on that subject, and he would endeavour to do what I had recommended. This was the third point aimed at. You cannot think how grateful I felt. After partaking of thick milk I left, and arrived here about three o'clock." " Maoto A TsfiPE, May 1 7, 1 83 5 . — Nothing of any interest occurred on the road. Nothing to be seen but an extensive plain covered with long grass, and a few camel-thorn trees and bushes. I ordered my waggon forward in the long train at a distance from the gentlemen, in order that I might be alone and get a nap, but I could not get a wink of sleep. However, I had the more time to read. The evening was pleasant, and the whole camp seemed as cheerful as a hive of bees in midsummer. I spent most of the evening in 188 THE ANTI-SWEARING COVENANT. the tent with the doctor and the young gents, and also Mr. Kift, who is more cheerful company than I had supposed. " I proposed to the doctor that he, or rather Mr. Bell the chaplain, should read a short sermon in English for the few who did not understand Dutch and Sechwana. He objected, stating that most of them knew a little Dutch. We had the Dutch in the forenoon and the Sechwana in the afternoon, and as all attended I had good congregations — and who knows but that the seed sown may yet grow. May the Lord grant His blessing. This evening I found that the English do not understand a Dutch sermon, at least but a very few sentences ; and therefore, the Lord will ing, I shall next Sabbath have a service for them also. " I continue to admire Dr. Smith more than ever. He sets an excellent example to his men and is not only will ing but anxious for their instruction in the things of God. All the English, if I except Dr. Smith and one or two more, swear, and some do it to no ordinary degree, but they are all cunning enough to take care that I never hear them. I am glad, however, to be informed this evening by Messrs. Hume and Scoon, that they have just written out an agreement that for every oath the swearer pays a fine of half a stick of tobacco. Tennant is to be the treasurer. I am quite rejoiced to hear this, and pray that the plan may succeed ; and it is very likely, as all have put their names to it and tobacco is precious. " The sentry walks for two hours, and six are appointed for each night. Dicky had the first watch to-night, from eight to ten, and the second watch has just commenced. Every ten minutes or a quarter of an hour the sentry shouts that all is well. I hope it will be the same song till we return. " Now I must return to last night, and tell you that when I was sitting by a roaring fire, taking my last puff for the day, I jumped for joy to hear them calling out ' Matlolanyane.' I soon got hold of the packet of letters, and instantly read yours, with a heart full of gratitude to God for His continued favour toward you. I handed it to the doctor, who I am sure read it with almost equal pleasure." MILITARY VERSUS MISSIONARY TACTICS. 189 " MARITSANE, Sabbath, May 24th.— Have had a quiet and peaceable Sabbath. The forenoon service was in Dutch. After dinner I read to the English a sermon on the im portance of Divine knowledge. In the evening I addressed the Bechwana. It may be that what was said about eternal things may prove like bread cast upon the waters. Many have left the land of light on which the Sun of righteous ness shone with almost meridian splendour, and have found a Saviour in a land of pagan darkness where but a few glimmering rays were darting on the gloom. The day has been very serene, but the night is cold. " I think I mentioned in my last that the English swearers had unanimously agreed to pay a half-stick of tobacco for every oath. It was on a Sabbath, and when the characters are considered one will forgive such a con tract on such a day. Next day's produce, was seventeen and a half sticks, equal to thirty-five oaths. The most notorious lost only one and a half stick. The number of fines decreased so rapidly that the treasurer is out of em ploy, except keeping what he has got. I comfort them by saying that they will have all the fewer oaths to account for in the day of judgment." " MOLOPO, Friday, May 29th. — We have been here all day. Have been employed most of the time translating. The wind being cold I had frequent interruptions. No messengers have yet arrived from Mosilikatse. In the afternoon the doctor seemed a little anxious, and of course conjectures followed. Towards evening the waggons were removed from the form of a crescent to that of a waggon fortification, with all the oxen on one side enclosed with a fence. When the plan was proposed I gave my plain unvarnished refusal. Hume and Scoon were also much opposed, particularly on account of the oxen, which were comparatively exposed to the lion, as the fence would prove a mere shadow if they were once frightened by him. The excuse the doctor made to Monaheng was that he feared for the men's lives, and he stated at the same time to me that he was bound down to take every precaution for the safety of his people. Of course we submitted, but not cheerfully. igo MESSENGERS FROM MOSILIKATSE. " As soon as it became dark the lions began to drive the dogs back to the fence, and had nearly frightened the oxen out of their enclosure. Port fires and blue lights were burned, and a party went out with guns enough to blow him to pieces ; but ' Tau ' knew how to take care of him self, and of course eluded the short-lived moonshine. The oxen are still very restless. The bell is constantly ringing, and I fear the night's serenading will not be conducive to sleep. " Saturday, May 30/& — Most of those who had cares slept very little and uncomfortably, anxious about the oxen. However, through the goodness and mercy of our God, no evil was suffered to befall us. The forepart of the day was excessively cold, with flying clouds and a strong wind from the S.E. Monaheng told me early that as the doctor was afraid of proceeding he should go forward. I replied, ' Good, and I shall go with you.' I accordingly stated the circumstance to the doctor. He objected to my going. I then said, ' Some one else must go ; ' and in ten minutes Andries, Baba, and Boy, with Monaheng, the latter in regimental coat, started off on horseback. They had scarcely gone half way before they met five Matebele coming post-haste to meet us. The horsemen returned, and the rest followed and came here in the afternoon. The Induna is an old acquaintance of mine, and seemed not a little pleased to get hold of my fist again. We learned the following particulars. Mosilikatse was living beyond the Marikwa River, and many of the people had been carried off by a sickness hitherto unknown to them." " MOSEGA, fune 2. — We arrived here early in the evening. The variety of country, the first part undulating, with a bold range of hills or mountains before us adorned with wood, especially the glens, the valleys showing signs of an abundant harvest, rendered the short stage very delightful compared to the country through which we had been passing before, and especially with so many fine streams running rapidly along the fertile vales. I walked the latter part of the stage, and when we came to the first village the doctor joined me. We passed four considerable villages. As you may con- MOFFATS CONFIDENCE IN THE NATIVES. 191 ceive, twelve waggons excited considerable interest ; but I am sure you would have laughed as heartily as we did to see how much they were astonished at my long beard. Many a ram-race was taken to obtain a front view. I am sure no wild beast in Exeter Exchange could have excited more wonder. " After halting, the doctor proposed to make a kraal for the oxen. This I did not approve of, as there was a com paratively empty kraal capable of holding two thousand cattle quite contiguous, and the Matebele would most cheerfully give them lodging for a few nights ; that for my own part I should send my oxen thither, and that Mr. Hume I believed would do the same. After a good deal of persuasion, he at length agreed. " The doctor's waggons are again placed in the form of a square, the entrance of his own facing the centre, into which I could not go without climbing over the wheels or going under the waggon. A little before sunset the doctor again called me aside, and said that sending the oxen to the kraal referred to was placing ourselves too much in the power of the natives, and that he was not inclined to risk it. I argued that it was in the power of the natives to take our oxen almost all the hours of the day, it being impos sible for them to find grass within sight of the waggons, and that giving over our cattle to their care and placing almost unbounded confidence in their friendship would of itself disarm them of any evil intentions ; but I did not believe that they had any such intentions. No one had seen the slightest mark of it. I never once contemplated danger from that quarter, or I should not have come myself or have recommended others. With many more remarks of a similar kind, the doctor was persuaded to let his oxen go with mine. He has a greater charge than any one of us, and is of course under a greater responsibility. He is indefa tigable in research, and will do great things and throw light on those parts of the country over which he travels ; but all men do not see alike." "June $th. — Kalepe having returned this morning, told us it was Mosilikatse's wish that we should go to his present 192 AT THE MERCY OF THE CHIEF. esidence beyond the Marikwa River. This message was perfectly agreeable to our wishes, and set all in motion ; but we halted at the mouth of the kloof, about three hours and a half from Mosega, fearing to go farther into the thicket on account of lions. Fine grass and abun dance of water, the Mainelwe River carrying off all the drainage of the half a dozen streams which take their rise to the west, of which Mamuri and Marimane are the most distant. There are also sea-cows in the river a little farther down." " Monday, June Sth. — In the evening Kalepe told me that he was going forward early to-morrow morning, and I must follow. Monaheng again came into the tent, and said it was the wish of Mosilikatse that I should precede the waggons on horseback. I objected, preferring to ride in my waggon. We conferred sCme time, and then I told him I should likely go, and that he must be ready to accompany me. I told the doctor what had passed. He, as I expected, opposed my leaving the waggons. I stated that my chief reason for acceding to Mosilikatse's wish was to show him that I was entirely what I was before — that is, void of fear. Should I not go, he might think I could not trust him now as I once did, and of course our friendship would be broken, and the whole party would as a consequence suffer more or less. To suspect danger appeared to me like a childish mania, and to act towards such a tyrant according to the doctor's system would certainly create suspicion. " I also argued that if Mosilikatse seriously intended to do us harm, he would have numerous opportunities when he could destroy the whole party. A soldier, of course, will not admit this, however clear it may be to others. As I had engaged to take the party to Mosilikatse with a pro mise of his attention and friendship, the inference was clear that I must be allowed to take my own way in obtaining the same. I left the doctor silenced, but not convinced ; for after I left the tent he resumed the subject with Scoon, but he said he wished with all his heart for me to go forward. Mr. Hume was of the same mind. SECOND RECEPTION BY MOSILIKATSE. 193 "Tolane River, Tuesday, gth. — The Indunas, Kalepe &c, left for Mosilikatse before sunrise. I, with Monaheng, Andries, and Younker, left on horseback just when the waggons were starting, and reached this place in about three hours. " Mosilikatse was bathing in the river, but he soon marched up with a kind of bodyguard singing. The moment he entered the kraal lie stretched out his hand, hastened up to me and seized me by mine. He did not speak, but gazed on me for a time as if I had dropped from the clouds. " At length he repeated my name two or three times, and said, 'Now my eyes see you, my heart is white as milk.' This he repeated again and again, laying hold of my hand and stroking my beard. He called me to the side of the kraal, where we sat down, and the warriors began their songs. He seemed as if he could not help laying his hand first on one of my shoulders and then on the other, and sometimes taking a lock of my beard in his hand. During the intervals in the singing I conversed with him about the objects of my journey, and about those who had accom panied me. " We sat together till the waggons came, when I went to point out a place for the encampment. I returned with the doctor and four others to introduce them to the chief." In the course of a few days it was arranged that Dr. Smith, with the major part of the expedition, should go on to the north-east and return. The traders, Messrs. Hume and Scoon, also left on a hunting expedition to the northward ; so that Robert Moffat was left comparatively alone at headquarters. It would be impossible to give anything more than a mere index of the copious journal which it was his solace to write during the two months thus spent, for the benefit of the wife who was watching for news at Kuruman. The extracts which have already been given bear largely upon one point. The principle H 194 PEACEFUL STAY OF THE EXPEDITION. upon which his whole life among natives was based was that of implicit mutual confidence. It was the secret of much of his success. It was of course a little difficult to inspire the leader of an expedition which had a strong military ingredient with a similar confidence. In time, however, the good doctor threw off his strategical shell, and became as contented and as safe among the Matebele as could be desired, and got rid of the strange and unaccountable delu sion which possesses the minds of so many other wise rational white men — that their black neighbours are, as a matter of course, ever on the watch for an opportunity to cut their throats. The expedition was accorded full liberty to come and to go in any part of the wide extent of country then under the rule of Mosilikatse ; and it speaks well for its conduct and discipline that, during the long stay of this party of between twenty and thirty white men of very different grades in life, not a single serious misunderstanding or act of injury seems to have occurred. By the removal of Dr. Smith to the scene of his researches in what is now the Transvaal, near Rus- tenburg and Pretoria, Moffat was left free to attend to other objects which he had in view in visiting the chief of the Matebele. First and foremost was it his work to try, as on his former visit, to instil into the dark mind of the savage despot at least some gleams of religious truth — a work of great difficulty in the case of one who lived as he did, the object of almost idolatrous adoration on the part of all who came near him. Little could be done in this way, but a path was opened and made easy for the advent TRIES TO GAIN VARIOUS OBJECTS. 195 of the American missionaries who it was hoped would come. Another object was to find in the country timber such as would be suitable for the roof of the Kuru man church. In this Moffat was entirely successful, and that roof still stands a monument of the united work of Hamilton, Moffat, and Edwards — an achievement, in those days and with such means as they possessed, of no ordinary character. An endeavour was also made to procure from Mosilikatse the return of two Griqua children who had been captured on the outskirts of his country from a hunting party. He had been much harassed by the depredations of Griqua and Koranna marau ders, and he could not be prevailed upon to give up the captives until he should have some guarantee that he should in future be exempted from such attacks ; and on the same ground he refused to return two waggons belonging to an English gentle man of the name of Bain, who had, unfortunately for himself, been mistaken for one of these marauders. " Kuruman, June 25th. " My dear Robert, — Another day is far advanced, and we hear nothing of you. Shampan arrived this morning, and knows nothing. Once more I begin to feel that ' hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' The brethren advise me to wait till Monday, and then to send to you. " You will doubtless be anxious to hear something about the Americans, but we cannot tell you much, and shall send you all the correspondence respecting them. Late in the last month Moses and his wife were on a visit, and brought us intelligence of their being at Griqua Town, and a letter from Mr. Lindley, which I showed to our brethren and we were all pf opinion that they could not do better 196 IMPROVED DISPOSITION OF BATLAPING. than to send one of their number to visit the Matebele while you were there ; and a letter was immediately de spatched giving them such advice, and offering them oxen to take them on. They did not, however, fall in with the plan, as you will see from their reply, and of course we could do no more. "As far as we can gather from all sources, it is their intention to stop here some time in order to become familiar with the language. " I must now give some account of this place and neighbourhood. All is well as far as I know outwardly, but there has been a necessity for church discipline. The congregations are exceedingly large ever since you went, and the brethren never so much encouraged with appear ances among the Batlaro. The numbers who attend are great, and there is considerable emotion among them such as was never before observed. We have also good news from Mothibi's place. Our people on their late visit found them in a good frame of mind. They appear to be in earnest about coming to the Kuruman. Mothibi wishes you to send him a waggon to help him to come. Our people held service with them on the Sabbath, and many were much affected. " Mahatlane had much conversation with them, and appears to have made very sensible remarks to them ; and he represents them as quite broken in spirit, and as regard ing themselves as dogs before those who have embraced the gospel. Mothibi says he now sees that he has had great privileges and has despised them, that the gospel is now going past them to the interior tribes, and that he is living in deep darkness. So you will see our hopes are- reviving about the Batlaping. " My dear Robert, thus far I wrote on Thursday evening, fondly hoping to hear something of you before this, but still all is darkness, and this is Sabbath evening. Some Bahurutse from Taung arrived yesterday, and tell a story which must be old. They say that a youth of theirs made his escape from the Matebele, and tells that the waggons had all arrived at the Molopo, and that you had sent mes- sources of Consolation. 197 sengers forward to apprise Mosilikatse of your approach ; that when he heard this he had packed up and fled further, apprehending danger. This is all we can hear, except one other report which said you had left the waggons at Mosega, and were gone on alone. " I have now come to the conclusion to send Melomo and another with the little news we have, that you may be no longer kept in suspense, whatever we are. I continue to hope for the best, though I feel very impatient to hear in what circumstances you have been placed. I am aware that your situation is a critical one, and one of considerable responsibility, and therefore I was the more anxious that one of the Americans should have gone to you. I have felt much for you and sympathized with you, and trust that the Mighty Counsellor has been with you to direct as well as to protect you and those who are with you. " For my own part I do not experience less support on this occasion than on former ones, believing that He who has hitherto been so gracious to us will yet be so, notwith standing our unfaithfulness to Him. I again assert that I never trusted God in vain, but have often suffered loss by my distrust and unbelief. I do, however, feel it necessary to prepare my heart for further trials, as I have always done under our separations, anticipating at times the most painful occurrences, and have frequently found that such anticipations are a means of deepening a sense of the Divine goodness when we were again permitted to meet. " I have this day considered the Ninety-first Psalm, and have read Scott and Clarke on it, and am much comforted by it." In the course of the month of August Moffat returned to Kuruman, to be followed shortly after by the expedition. All the available waggons and oxen which could be mustered on the station started under the care of Hamilton and Edwards, to obtain the timber of the existence of which Moffat had satisfied himself. It was a great undertaking. The 198 WOODCUTTING EXPEDITION. woodcutters had to travel to a distance of two hundred and fifty miles ; but they were not men to be deterred by difficulties, and they enjoyed a great advantage in the cordial approval of the chief, and in such assistance as his people were capable of giving. CHAPTER XXI. MOFFAT IIINERATES, AND HIS WIFE GOES TO THE COAST. M' 1836. OFFAT had not long been home when he and his wife were again called to separate for a time. Her health, which a few months before had been severely tried, had not been re-established, and it was the advice of Dr. Andrew Smith that she should pay a visit to the coast. This was also needed on account of the children who were at school. Rather than take her husband away from his post she determined again to go without him, he accompanying her as far as the Vaal River, about a hundred miles distant. Mr. Hume, the trader, being on his way to Grahamstown, she was able to avail herself of his escort, which, as it proved afterwards, was of great service to her. Having seen his wife over the Vaal River, Moffat started on his return to Kuruman on horseback, but made a detour to visit the old chief of the Batlaping, Mothibi, who had settled down at a spot about forty miles higher up the river with a portion of the tribe. 200 MOFFA T PARTS WITH HIS FA MIL Y AG A IN. The people seem at this time to have been much re duced in circumstances, with scarcely food to eat on account of their extreme poverty, not having re covered from the long period of war during which they had deserted the Kuruman. This, however, would not account for their want of hospitality. The Batlaping had always a character for meanness among Bechwana tribes, for the Bechwana generally give what they have without grudging to strangers. Where there was work to be done for his Master it made no difference to Robert Moffat whether he was well cared for or not, as the following letter will show : "KURUMAN, Thursday, Dec. 2, 1835. " My dear Mary, — It is with gratitude that I sit down to record to you the goodness of our Heavenly Father in bringing me back to this place in health and safety. I arrived here about ten o'clock last night with Mosheu. We looked like half-drowned beings, having been exposed to the vehemence of a thunderstorm which lasted from Bok Fontein to near this place. The night was awfully grand, and the rain was heavy on us for more than two hours. Though I suffered a few hardships in my journey I am nevertheless happy indeed that I went, and as a few of the particulars may prove interesting I shall begin where I left you. I did not part with you in that comparatively easy frame of mind in which I left you for the former journey. Poor Jimmy and Johnny were entirely unconscious of the pain we felt. On reaching the opposite bank of the river I felt somewhat relieved. I galloped nearly all the way to Campbell, so that I reached Mr. B.'s house with good day light. Many a look I gave to your waggons, at least to the dust they occasioned, which I still saw when 1 had arrived opposite Abram's house. I felt that evening no inclination to think or speak. " Next day, the 27th, through the kindness of Cornelius, I proceeded with three horses and a guide to Mothibi. PREACHING BY DIM MOONLIGHT. 20 r The day was hot and the journey long, upwards of forty miles. I reached the place a little before sunset. I had no sooner alighted in the public yard than the people flocked to see me, as if I had dropped from the clouds. Mahuto seemed greatly delighted. (Mothibi was absent at Taung with Mahura.) Though she has suffered and is not strong, she has still the same appearance she had when you last saw her ; indeed her countenance seemed to me more intelligent and interesting, and especially her conversation. Many were her inquiries about you and the children. Thus it continued till moonlight, when she brought a little thick milk. She then with many others begged me to tell them about God and their souls! ' We are great sinners, we are ignorant,' were the words which fell from the lips of many alternately. Mahuto ordered the congregation to assemble. I addressed them from ' How shall ye escape, &c.' All were attentive ; every eye seemed to continue fixed on me. The night was a little cloudy, and the pale moonlight falling on my swarthy audience, which was all silence, rendered the scene impressive and solemn. I think I continued speaking for nearly an hour. After they had dispersed, several spoke to me about their souls. It was with difficulty I could reach the loloapa, about twenty yards distant, where I was to sleep. One robust young fellow interrupted me, and repeated with clearness passages he had heard read in the Gospel of Luke, which had been blessed in turning his attention to the concerns of his soul. ' Believe me,' he said, grasping my hand, ' I prayed earnestly to God this very morning that He might send some one to teach my soul ; and God has heard my prayer.' On entering the loloapa I laid me down on a mat, as you may conceive much tired. Mahuto sat a long time, and talked freely on a variety of subjects, and assured me that if she had her will in the government of the people they would soon be back at the Kuruman. I told her you would weep tears of joy to see what I had seen. I fell asleep at a late hour on a hard and stony bed — which to me, however, was as if it were a mattress. " Long before sunrise I was awoke by Mahuto inquiring 202 WORK ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. when I should teach. She wished me to begin then and there. I begged for time to think a little. I then had an earnest and attentive congregation of three or four hundred. I felt great liberty and great delight in dispensing the word of eternal life. I often thought how your soul would be rejoiced to have looked on these countenances, on which you have so often seen the vacant stare or scornful sneer, turned into the most devout attention to the great truths of Christianity. I reasoned long with them, and after the service I felt the cravings of an empty stomach, but found on inquiry there was no food. The outposts were at a distance from which milk was expected. I then went down to the Vaal River from the top of a high stony hill on which the town stands,. I think about four miles distant. I filled my stomach with water, washed, and by the time I had crossed the sandy plain and reached the summit of the hill I was as thirsty as ever. On my return I was assailed by many of the youths to teach them to read, and repeat hymns. Thus I continued till noon, when I was again called upon to preach. The people collected in the largest Bechwana house I ever saw. Many sat outside. I preached till I was nearly exhausted, and made very solemn appeals to the consciences of the aged, they being the only opposers to the people removing to a missionary station. Many applications were made for a missionary, but of this I could not hold out the shadow of a hope ; yea, I assured them that the thing was impossible in their present situation. Finding that I could not obtain any food, I resolved in the evening to leave and visit Simeno's Town, about eighteen miles lower down on the river. They begged and entreated me to remain, but I could not both for myself and horses, for I never saw one blade of grass. " I reached Simeno's about sunset. Many were the salutations. Instant application was made for me to preach. I said, ' I am killed with hunger.' Simeno replied that he was wont to have always something to give, but he was ashamed to say that at present he had nothing. Motlanka now looking very old, rose and brought me a goats, shoulder-blade with a morsel of flesh. I shared it with CA UGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM. 203 my guide. The people were instantly assembled, more numerous than at Mothibi's; and although I could not from the darkness see my audience distinctly, I could perceive that they listened to me for at least an hour with the greatest attention. The night was dark and stormy. Simeno and others talked with me a long time about having a missionary. I gave the same reply as at Mothibi's. I laid me down wearied and hungry, amidst dust and dirt and vermin, and slept soundly. Next morning application was made for me to preach again, but this I refused on the score of want of food. I was asked to stop, and an ox was killed, of which I was promised a steak ; but having thirty or more miles to ride to Campbell, and the horses having nothing to eat, I took leave, and reached Campbell in the afternoon, right glad to eat a hearty meal, for I had fasted nearly two days. " Next day I started for Daniel's Kail, about fifty miles. At the pan one horse gave up, for the day had been terribly hot. I left the man with the horse to come on slowly, while I went on if possible to reach the place before the frightful storm which was approaching from the north should intercept me. My horse also gave in, which obliged me to walk. When within five miles of the place, on a plain without a single bush, the lightning struck close to me, ahd the rain and hail instantly fell in torrents. The knocked-up horse turned his tail to the storm, and I had no alternative but to imitate him, and I sat me down in the middle of the road with my head on my knees. In five minutes I was drenched to the skin, and from a state of perspiration and excessive thirst I was, as it were, instantly launched into an ice-cold bath ; but still my thirst continued. I at length proceeded, it still raining till I reached Mosheu's house — a wretched temporary place, as you know, but to me it was a palace. Having no other clothes, and there being many other persons in the house, I had no alternative but to throw off my jacket and waistcoat, and try and dry myself with the rest on by the fire. A cup of tea did me good, and I lay down with my underclothes like a dish-clout. I awoke fresh in the morning. The weather was still 204 NEWS FROM THE WIFE. unsettled, and I did not leave before ten or eleven o'clock— to finish the last fifty-five miles. We reached Konung, when a heavy thunderstorm came on, which detained us nearly three hours ; but the worst was in the evening approaching home, as stated in the beginning of the letter. I am, however, happy to say that, through the mercy of our God, I feel none the worse, which to myself seems wonderful, considering the transitions through which I have gone. I am quite well, not even a cold. Though the house seemed a little doleful, it was delightful to get under a roof and get on dry clothes. Had I the journey to undertake again, I should do it with double cheerfulness. " By the time I got some tea and had told my tale to Brother Hamilton, who was right glad to see me, it was late. Mr. Edwards also came over to greet. Stiff and tired I laid me down on my lonely bed, but from the tea or the association of ideas I could not sleep." " December zyd. " Two days have been taken up preparing another sheet of the selection for the press ; and to-day it has been printed off, so that I again take up my pen half-tired and sleepy, for I was in the office by 5 a.m. I must first tell you that your letter from the salt-pan came to hand, and it was not only one drop of comfort but a thousand, for I really felt anxious to hear something about you and our dear children. You cannot think how much the particu lars of your letter rejoiced my heart. Your welfare, and your meeting with our trusty friend the doctor, made me weep tears of gratitude to the Father of all our mercies. Blessed be His name ! But now I have another anxiety. You said the Orange River was full ; and David Bergover has just been here, and he says that you, the expedition, Hume and the Boers, are still on this side of the river. Though I make allowance for David's tales, I cannot help fearing that it may be in some measure the case, which must prove very trying to you. T wish I could fly' often fell from my lips. I will hope the best, and continue to believe that the Lord will keep you and bless you. . . . " Our American brethren and sisters grow in our esteem, ZEAL FOR THE GOSPEL. 205 and I think they will be devoted missionaries. None of the sisters are strong or likely to become so. Messrs. Lindley and Venables have resolved to leave this for Mosega some time next month, in order to get the house put in order. They will likely be absent for at least three months. Dr. Wilson remains here with the ladies. The brethren are now making preparations. They will also print a few lessons in the Setebele language from the words they have collected. Frederick and Baba have engaged to go with them, and others are willing to go. They are all in good spirits. They are often at this side of the village, and of course we see each other many times in a day. We feel happy in aiding them in every way we can. Their undertaking is an arduous one, and they need our sym pathy and prayers. They have a glorious Leader and an almighty King. Trials they will have, but the cause will prevail. " As far as I am able to judge, the work of the Lord is still progressing here. A great work is yet to be done. What has been accomplished is only like a handful of corn. May it shake as Lebanon ! I am beginning to think, since I visited Mothibi's, that we want in zeal. The work of conversion, or endeavours to convert sinners, is not so much the primary object of our souls as it ought to be. If I speak for myself I must say that I do not feel that sym pathy for the awful condition of my fellow- men which their state ought to excite in every Christian bosom. When I look at the Man of Sorrows, His toilsome days and mid night prayers, and the burning zeal of the first ministers of the gospel, I feel as if I had not the same mind or spirit. There was no abatement of their zeal till they had finished their course with joy." Mary Moffat to her Father. ' ' Port Elizabeth, April 14, 1836. " My last was written to you in October, after the arrival of my dear Robert from his journey to Mosilikatse. The expedition arrived in November, having been obliged to return, after getting just within the tropics, from failure of 206 WAITING FOR THE RIVER. oxen. They got no further than some of our travellers have done before ; but I expect Dr. Smith will be able to interest the scientific world. I see from the papers that people at the Cape are enthusiastic about it, not only with regard to the objects of science, but the relations of the native tribes with the Colony. We left the Kuruman on the 19th of November ; Robert accompanied us to the Vaal River, over which we walked dry shod, and, finding it so low, we never dreamed of getting the Orange River in flood ; but so it was, and I was compelled to lie on the banks of that mighty stream for one round month. I was in company with a Mr. Hume, with whom I had travelled before, preferring to go with him rather than with the expe dition. Mr. Hume rendered me every possible assistance, but my health being in such a delicate state I could not but suffer much from the extreme heat and exposed situa tion, and was severely tried, often hesitating whether to return. Frequently were we tantalized with the prospect of being able to ride through ' to-morrow,' but as sure as to morrow came the river rose again, till all hope was gone, and we came at last to the conclusion to cross on a raft, some Boers higher up having commenced so doing. We joined a party of them, and got over very well. There were eighteen waggons altogether, and with hard labour we got everything over that frightful river in less than three days without a single accident. How much have we to be thankful for ! and it was gratifying to find that for all I had endured I was no worse, but rather better. Perhaps being obliged to take it easily was in my favour, for it was impossible to be active through the day for want of shade, and by the time the sun was down my strength was all gone, so that I could not walk, except to the water's edge and back. "The raft was a much better conveyance than I had supposed. It was made of four or five willow trees tied together with bark of the river thorn, and again two or three trees tied across underneath. To this they fastened a strong rope of bullock's hide on either side, and then able-bodied men drew it at their pleasure back and for wards from one bank to the other. They chose a narrow SENDING CHILDREN AWAY TO SCHOOL. 207 place between rocks which were convenient for landing. It was eighty yards across ; but where we had lain so long, hoping to ride through, it was five hundred yards across. Each waggon was brought over piecemeal in two trips, and the contents afterwards. It was a time of great anxiety to me, the river being tremendously deep, but the Lord my God graciously heard and answered my prayers, and ex ceeded all my expectations. We recommenced our journey on the 4th of January, and arrived in Grahamstown the latter end of the month ; but finding myself extremely weak, it was judged proper for me to get to the sea coast as soon as possible. I got my children from Salem, and went down in company with Mr. and Mrs. Monro to a place called the Kowie, on the borders of Kafirland. I was obliged to re turn before I had been there three weeks, but found my strength much recruited. " My oxen have suffered so much that I could not get away from Grahamstown again till the beginning of the last month, and even then I was obliged to leave one waggon, which necessitates my returning that way. And now I am detained here for want of a suitable conveyance for the children to the Cape, all the vessels which have left hitherto being destitute of female passengers who could take charge of them. I am, however, congratulated by all my friends here for the necessity that is laid upon me to stop, as my health is daily improving." Mary Moffat had come to the resolution to send the three elder children to school at the Cape. It was, as things went in those days, a great venture, but her faith was also great. " Port Elizabeth, May 2, 1836. "My dear Robert,— No doubt you are perfectly amazed to see the date of this, but be assured it has not been my fault that I am not now at least at Cradock ; but for your consolation I now inform you that if my Heavenly Father does not again see fit to cross my plans, I hope to be at the Kuruman about the end of June, but not one day sooner ; 208 EMBARKATION UNDER DIFFICULTIES. it is impossible. I wrote to you just four weeks ago, since which my patience has had a severe trial in detention against my will. Three weeks ago I took a passage for the children, when they were to sail in a few days, and only last Friday was the final day. The Monday before I was getting terribly impatient, but suddenly got a check. Mary was taken very ill on Monday evening ; her symptoms were so violent that she was twice bled, and had to take much medicine. You may in some degree conceive of my anxiety expecting every hour to be called on board. During the whole of Tuesday I was harassed with messages that the ship was to sail. On Wednesday I was kept in the same state of agitation, besides grief on Mary's account, want of sleep, and excessive fatigue. The captain having assured me the day before that I should have timely warning I tried to keep myself easy, though some of my friends urged me to be off; but knowing the anxiety of the pas sengers, I viewed it all as report, foolishly trusting to the captain's promise, which he forgot. All the passengers were on board, when good old Mr. Kemp came and assured me that the vessel was to sail before morning. The moon had now risen. It was just time to put the little ones to bed. Mary was altogether unfit to go, and I had no alter native but to pack up and get the others away without her. Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. Chalmers, who were here, agreed to stop with Mary, and Mrs. Robson and I went on board accompanied by the good old gentleman. I make no attempt to describe my feelings. The very evening, fine, still, clear, and a full moon beaming on the water : it was enough to produce a sentimental feeling, but I had little time for this. Deep perplexity and consideration of the mystery of this providence absorbed much of my thoughts. 1 left the two dear children in comfortable circumstances and in good company, among them Mr. Thomson, of Grahamstown, who assured me of paying them every atten tion as the father of a family. When we left the vessel they were speaking of drawing up the anchor, and just as the evening gun went off the captain passed us in the last boat. MARY MOFFAT IN PORT ELIZABETH. 209 "Two or three times in the night I arose to try if I could see the Briton, but the light was not sufficient. In the morning, however, I saw a vessel had made out and was opposite Cape Receife, and supposed it was she. About ten o'clock, however, Mr. Robson came, out of breath, to tell me the Briton was still in the bay, and the wind contrary. This was good news to me, as there was still a chance of getting Mary away should she be detained another night. Thursday evening I went down to Mr. Kemp and begged of him to order a boat to be in readiness to-morrow morning should there be any signs of the Briton sailing. As Mary continued to recover, I now began to hope ; and, after committing the matter to the Father of mercies, laid me down quite composed, concluding that if the vessel were away before daylight it was for some gracious reason, and if not, I should certainly get her on board. As soon as day dawned I went to the window to see, but all was still. I lay down again, but was soon roused, hearing that Mr. Chick wanted me. He told me the vessel would soon be off. I sent for Mrs. Robson, and we soon got Mary up and a chair prepared for her. She walked part of the way, and was carried through the sand. The ship was now under weigh, and we followed her about four or five miles. Mary bore it well. My mind was greatly relieved by finding Ann and Robert perfectly happy. The ship was out of sight early in the afternoon. It is now stormy, and I think much of Cape Lagulhas, but am enabled to hope in that mercy which has always attended us." Mary Moffat to Iter Father. " Kuruman, July 18, 1836. " I wrote to you some time in April at Port Elizabeth while waiting for the sailing of the vessel which was to convey our children to the Cape. On the 8th of May I, with my three little ones, left that place for Grahamstown, where we arrived on the 13th. I remained there until the following post day to have the satisfaction of hear ing of the children, which, through the kindness of our IS 210 THEY MEET AT THE ORANGE RIVER. Heavenly Father, I did. They had rather a dangerous passage of eleven days, but were well and in good spirits. On the evening of the same day I left Grahamstown for home, and had a pretty comfortable journey, having been favoured with very fine weather for the season, never having suffered from the cold. Having before I left Port Elizabeth written to my dear Robert to tell him about what time I expected to be at the Orange River, he providentially received the letter, and left home on horseback to meet me there. I arrived at the last farmhouse close to the river on the 15th of June about two o'clock in the afternoon, and about five he arrived ! This circumstance was rather surprising, as such an occurrence is very rare in this country where travellers meet with such a variety of incidents to- cross their plans. I had been particularly anxious that I might meet him there, though I considered there were many probabilities against me, and could not but consider it a special providence towards us. The formidable river was again to be crossed, though then fordable with waggons ; but the water was pretty high, having never run off entirely since I was floated over. I had had to buy sheep and cows from the farmers, and all these would have been an increase to my cares in crossing, which I did not need ; therefore Robert's arrival was most seasonable to me in every light of the subject. And thus to meet again in circumstances of health and comfort was certainly enough to overwhelm us with gratitude to our gracious Benefactor ; and we came on our way rejoicing in that goodness which so graciously led us and protected us in our separation. " We found all well here. Two of the American brethren with their wives had gone to their station at Mosega, the spot where the French brethren commenced, and where Mosilikatse now lives — at least occasionally. Mr. Lindley left to follow them on the 14th, so that we consider that mission now fairly commenced. Mr. Lemue is prospering at Motito. Patience and perseverance are two essential qualities in a missionary in this country, without which no one will succeed. " We are now experiencing some heavy trials. Some of STATE OF THE MISSION. 211 our church members have grievously departed from the path of rectitude, and this produces in our mind great jealousy over others who are making a profession, and makes us slow about encouraging them, lest they also should wound the cause. There are many candidates of long standing, but in general they do not give the satis faction they ought. Their natural apathy is a great barrier to their improvement. The school is not flourishing as it was, and we can scarcely account for it, except that some few families have left the place on account of the discipline which it has been necessary to exercise. " The translating and printing are going on. The Scrip ture lessons which were in hand are finished, a volume of 443 pages. The Assembly's Catechism is also in print and in use ; readers are increasing in every direction. A man was here last week to fetch away his daughter to go and teach the people at Mothibi's to read. She is a clever girl, and has lived all her life on the station, and we doubt not will instruct them well." CHAPTER XXII. DISTURBANCES IN THE INTERIOR. 1837- THE next three years were a period oi tranquil prosperity in the Kuruman Mission, the only cloud upon which was the declining health of Mary Moffat, who had never recovered thoroughly from the shock of a severe illness in 1835. The knowledge and conviction of the truth were steadily growing upon the station itself. Year by year the community of professing believers grew larger, and as they advanced in spiritual life their outward demeanour and manner of life improved also. The population was small ; some were drawn to the station by their desire for instruction, whilst others clung to their heathenism and shrank from the light in which it lay bare at the Kuruman, and they withdrew to a distance where they could follow their old practices with less disturbance of conscience. The three missionaries worked together with a will. Upon Moffat fell the largest share of duty — from his more complete mastery of the Sechwana language, and his personal ascendency over men. LABOURS, MENTAL AND MANUAL. 213 He had been called especially to the great work of translating the Scriptures, but his colleague, Roger Edwards, took a large share of the printing and the whole of the school work ; and Robert Hamilton, though well stricken in years, and never able to acquire the Sechwana language, quietly went about his daily labour in the mechanical department of the mission, supplementing in Dutch, by the aid of a native interpreter, the preaching of his colleagues when necessary. The great church was still in progress. It stands to-day a monument of the patient labours of these three men whose only European assistants were Hume and Millen, the latter of whom had died before the completion of the work. The Bechwanas, however willing, could give but little help except their unskilled labour ; and it is a matter of surprise to those who have seen it how this, for many years the largest building to the north of the Orange River, could have been put up with such scanty means as were then available. Meanwhile the printing office was constantly at work. The increase of those who were eager to learn caused a continual and growing demand for books from the outlying districts. It will be re membered, that the Batlaping tribe, to which the missionaries were originally sent, continually harassed by the western marauders, had moved to the south east, and, breaking up into sections, had scattered along the Kolong or Hart River, a tributary of the Vaal. In the same neighbourhood had settled some of the Barolong and Bahurutse from the interior ; and there was also a tribe of Korannas, under their 214 THE BOERS AND MOSILIKATSE. chief Mosheu, whose headquarters were at a place called Mamusa, now known as Vryburg, the chief village of the modern Stellaland. It was long hoped that the Batlaping might be led to return to the Kuruman. They had found, however, that their new country was far superior to the old in its fitness for cattle, and the return has never taken place. The Directors had not yet seen their way to sending a missionary to them, so that their old teachers, still at Kuruman, felt a call to visit them from time to time, and with considerable encourage ment. Then, again, the Batlaro tribe to the west ward was showing a greater desire for instruction, and thus new demands were made upon their time and strength. So that what with the work on the station, and that throughout the district, even with such assistance as could be given by the converts, every energy was taxed ; but it was with the joyful feeling that every effort was telling in the right direction. Meanwhile, in the year 1837, the aspect of affairs in the interior underwent an ominous change. The emigration of the Dutch farmers, disaffected to British rule, had commenced. One party of these had come into collision with the warriors of Mosili katse. The Boers had intruded on what he con sidered his domain, and had refused to retire. The Boers defended themselves successfully in an en trenchment of their waggons, repulsing the Mate bele with great slaughter, but losing all their oxen. They were extricated from their dangerous predica ment by their friends further south, and shortly afterwards they planned an invasion for the double FATAL BLOW TO AMERICAN MISSION. 215 purpose of plunder and vengeance, which was so well carried out that Mosilikatse was taken by surprise, and a great booty in cattle swept away. Unhappily the attack of the Boers was directed upon the very spot where lay the newly-formed American missionary station. This was destroyed. The missionaries were in a pitiable condition. They had been prostrated by fever for some time, and they were led to fear that on the departure of the Boers the infuriated Matebele would return and wreak their passion upon them ; for it would have been difficult to convince them that they had not in some way been acting as the spies of the enemy. Under these impressions they accompanied the Boers, thus deepening an impression of this kind which not unnaturally did find place in the minds of the Matebele. It was a fatal blow to that mission, and a difficulty in the way of all future endeavours. Mosilikatse, seeing that with the continual in cursions of Dingaan, the Zulu king, from the east ward, and with this new danger threatening him from the south, there was little hope of holding his ground where he was, gathered his warriors and his herds of cattle and started to the far north-east. He disappeared into what was the vast unknown region south of the Zambezi so completely that for some years nothing was known of him except by vague rumour, and his actual existence came to be a matter of doubt. Mary Moffat to her Fatlier in 1838. " I must now leave this half-page for the relation of a most painful event, one of the most painful in the annals of this unhappy country. The Zulu Mission on our side 216 AMERICANS LEAVE FOR NATAL. is broken up, and the Americans have left the country ta go to Port Natal, and to join their brethren who are with Dingaan (the successor of Chaka) on the coast. You have probably heard that some thousands of disaffected Boers have emigrated to Natal and the interior. We have anticipated the direst events from them, and these have commenced. They have approached the territory of Mosilikatse, his people have attacked them, they (the Boers) have since fallen upon him, killed many men, and taken six thousand head of cattle ; and with them the missionaries have fled. This is all we know at present, but we expect an explanation every hour, as some of our people were with them, and are on their way home. " More than six weeks ago the brethren here had every thing ready, with six waggons to fetch timber from thence, but were prevented from starting by the rains, when the report of this event reached us. We could not at once give credit to it, but it was agreed to defer the journey for a time. " Yesterday a letter arrived from a Wesleyan brother stationed east of Philippolis, stating that the Americans were there, and going to Natal ! The interior is now effectually closed, and if Government wink at the pro ceedings of these Boers they will annihilate the aborigines, as we hear they intend seating themselves in the Bahurutse country, and they themselves will doubtless become formidable to the Colony." " April