The Author Arrives at Africaner's Kraal
The author arrives at Africaner’s kraal — Expeditious building — Comforts of a native house — Reflections — Perplexing circumstances — Titus Africaner — Mr. Ebner leaves — Disposition of the people — Prospects brighten — Africaner’s thirst for knowledge — Titus becomes friendly — Quarrelling wives — Africaner and civilization — His benevolence — His pacific efforts — The author’s illness — David and Jacobus Africaner — A thunder-storm — Dying scene.
On the 26tli of January, 1818, I arrived, with emotions of the deepest gratitude to God, at Africaner’s kraal, (afterwards called, by Mr. Ebner, Vreede Berg, and then Jerusalem,) being kindly received by Mr. E. Africaner’s brother, who had charge of my wagon, took it to a large tree in the village, at some hundred yards’ distance from the temporary hut of Mr. Ebner. This I did not like, but knew that sometimes it was wiser to be silent than to speak. Appearances were not so inviting as I had hoped to find them; and Christian Africaner, the chief., was some time before he came to welcome me. I was not aware of any unpleasant feel¬ ing existing between the missionary and the people, although I was startled, before I left the Colony, to hear Mr. Ebner describe them as a wicked, suspicious, and dangerous people, baptized as well as unbaptized.
After remaining an hour or more in this situation.
Christian Africaner made his appearance; and after the usual salutation, inquired if I was the missionary appointed by the Directors in London; to which I replied in the affirmative. This seemed to afford him much pleasure; and he added, that as I was young, he hoped that I should live long with him and his people. He then ordered a number of women to come; I was rather puzzled to know what he in¬ tended by sending for women, till they arrived bear¬ ing bundles of native mats and long sticks, like fish¬ ing-rods. Africaner pointing to a spot of ground, said, There, you must build a house for the mission¬
ary.” A circle was instantly formed, and the women, evidently delighted with the job fixed the poles, tied them down in an hemispheric form, and covered them with the mats, all ready for habitation, in the course of little more than half-an-hour. Since that time I have seen houses built of all descriptions, and assisted in the construction of a good many myself; but I confess I never witnessed such expedition. Hottentot houses, (for such they may be called, being confined to the different tribes of that nation,) are at best not very comfortable. I lived near six months in this native hut, which very frequently required tightening and fastening after a storm. When the sun shone, it was unbearably hot; when the rain fell I came in for a share of it; when the wind blew, I bad frequently to decamp to escape the dust; and in addition to these little inconveniences, any hungry cur of a dog that wished a night’s lodging, would force itself through the frail wall, and not unfrequently deprive me of my anticipated meal for the coming day; and I have more than once found a serpent coiled up in a corner. Nor were these all the contingencies of such a dwelling, for as the cattle belonging to the village had no fold, but strolled about, I have been compelled to start up from a sound sleep, and try to defend myself and my dwelling from being crushed to pieces by the rage of two bulls which had met to fight a nocturnal duel.
But to return to my new habitation, in which, after my household matters were arranged, I began to ruminate on the past — the home and friends I had left, perhaps, for ever; the mighty ocean which rolled between the desert country through which I had passed, to reach one still more dreary. In taking a review of the past, which seemed to increase in bright¬ ness as I traced all the way in which I had been brought, during the stillness of my first night’s repose, I often involuntarily said and sung,
“Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by thy help I’m come.”
The inimitable hymn from which these lines are taken, was often sung by Mr. and Mrs. Kitchingman and myself, while passing through the lonely desert. But my mind was frequently occupied with other themes. I was young, had entered into a new and responsible situation, and one surrounded with difficulties of no ordinary character. Already I began to
discover some indications of an approaching storm, which might try my faith. The future looked dark and portentous in reference to the mission. My inexperienced hand trembled to touch a single chord, lest it should vibrate in sounds still more discordant than those which fell on my ear the preceding day; but the sure word of promise was my stay, and I was enabled to adopt the language of one of old, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul.” What I had contemplated was but too soon realized. The general aspect of affairs was to me any thing but cheering. Christian Africaner seemed cool and reserved; and on Titus Africaner, his brother, coming to the station, a scene ensued which made me tremble for the ark of God. Titus, whom I had not previously seen, was an inveterate enemy of mission¬ aries; he, with others, came and stood before the native house of Mr. Ebner, loading him with the most abusive epithets, and, in the most opprobrious language, ordered him to leave, threatening to lay violent hands on him. The whole of the people on the station were gazing on this scene, to me distressing in the extreme. Dreading some fearful consequences, I begged an interview with the chief, Christian Africaner, which I soon obtained, and entreated him, as a Christian brother, to use his influence to put a stop to proceedings so disorderly and disgraceful on the part of his relative. The chief, however, showed the greatest aversion to take any part in the business, and I could only obtain his promise to prevent Titus from assault¬ ing the person of Mr. Ebner. I then went to Mr. E., to induce him to desist from disputing with a man in a rage, who was threatening him with death. I addressed Titus, begging him to refer the case to the
chief, to which, in a calm tone of voice, he replied, “I hope you will not interfere.’’ Though I could not understand the merits of the case, I sat down at the door of Mr. Ebner’s hut, determined that if any blows were given, I would at least come in for a share, for the sake of the wife and children. Towards evenins: a calm ensued, but it was a gloomy one, especially when Mr. E. came to me, and begged of me to take upon myself the entire charge of the station, as he had resolved never more to address them, but to leave the country entirely. Perceiving him greatly excited against the whole people, I earnestly entreated him to wait and deliberate on the subject calmly. A day or two passed, and though to Mr. E.’s great relief I obtained a kind of promise from Titus that he would not mo¬ lest him again, his determination to depart was unalterable. I shall never forget what were my feelings when, at Mr. E.’s request, I had to go among the people, and beg of some who were able to assist him to remove with his wagon and goods to Warm Bath, whither he had received an invitation from the chief Bondlezwarts to labour.”^ Mr. E. feared, after leaving the station, Titus and his people might fall upon him, as it was rumoured that, but for my presence, he would have done. Here I was, left alone with a people suspicious in the extreme; jealous of their rights, which they had obtained at the point of the sword; and the best of whom Mr. E. described as a sharp thorn. I had no friend and brother with whom
* ]Ir. Ebner remained at Warm Bath hut a short time; for the chief of that place, not obtaining what he anticipated, which was something other than the gospel, Mr. E. was obliged to decamp, return to the Colony, and finally go to Germany, his native country.
I could participate in the communion of saints, none to whom I could look for counsel or advice. A barren and miserable country; a small salary, about 25/. per annum. No grain, and consequently no bread, and no prospect of getting any, from the want of water to cultivate the ground; and destitute of the means of sending to the Colony. These circumstances led to great searchings of heart, to see if I had hitherto aimed at doing and suffering the will of Him in whose service I had embarked. Satisfied that I had not run unsent, and having in the intricate, and some¬ times obscure course I had come, heard the still small voice saying, This is the way, walk ye in it,” I was wont to pour out my soul among the granite rocks surrounding this station, now in sorrow, and then in joy; and more than once I took my violin, (once belonging to Christian Albrecht,) and reclining upon one of the huge masses, have, in the stillness of the evening, played and sung the well known hymn, a favourite with my mother,
“Awake my soul in joyful lays,
To sing the great Redeemer’s praise,” &c.
Soon after my stated services commenced — which were, according to the custom of our missionaries at that period, every morning and evening, and school for three or four hours during the day — I was cheered with tokens of the Divine presence. The chief, who had for some time past been in a doubtful state, attended with such regularity, that I might as well doubt of morning’s dawn as of his attendance on the appointed means of grace. To reading, in which he was not very fluent, he attended with all the
assiduity and energy of a youthful believer; the Testament became his constant companion, and his profiting appeared unto all. Often have I seen him under the shadow of a great rock, nearly the livelong day, eagerly perusing the pages of Divine inspiration; or in his hut he would sit, unconscious of the affairs of a family around, or of the entrance of a stranger, with his eye gazing on the blessed hook, and his mind wrapt up in things divine. Many were the nights he sat with me, on a great stone at the door of my habitation, conversing with me till the dawn of an¬ other day, on creation, providence, redemption, and the glories of the heavenly world. He was like the bee, gathering honey from every flower, and at such seasons he would, from what he had stored up in the course of the day’s reading, repeat generally in the very language of Scripture, those passages which he could not fully comprehend. He had no commentary, except the living voice of his teacher, nor marginal references, hut he soon discovered the importance of consulting parallel passages which an excellent memory enabled him readily to find. He did not confine his expanding mind to the volume of revelation, though he had been taught by experience that that contained heights and de^ths and lengths and breadths which no man comprehends. He was led to look upon the hook of nature; and he would regard the heavenly orbs with an inquiring look, cast his eye on the earth beneath his tread, and, regarding both as displays of creative power and infinite intelligence, would inquire about endless S])ace and infinite duration. I have often been amused when sittimr with him and others, who wished to
hear his questions answered, and descriptions given of the majesty, extent, and number of the works of God; he would at last rub his hands on his head, exclaiming, I have heard enough; I feel as if my head was too small, and as if it would swell with these great subjects.”
Before seasons like these to which I am referring, Titus, who was a grief to his brother, and a terror to most of the inhabitants on the station, as well as a fearful example of ungodliness, had become greatly subdued in spirit. I had again and again addressed him in soft and affectionate language, on his best interests, till he at last entered the house of God, and became at once a steady and unwavering friend, and many times did he minister to my wants in that hungry land. He, too, vfould not unfrequently sit nearly a whole night with the chief and myself, in comparative silence. He thought his doing so would be pleasing to me, but he would never make a profession. He was wont to say his head had become too hard with sin, adding, “1 hear what you say, and I think I sometimes understand, but mv heart will not feel.” He was the only individual of influence on the station who had two wives, and fearing the influence of example, I have occasionally made a delicate reference to the subject, and by degrees, could make more direct remarks on that point, which was one of the barriers to his happiness; but he remained firm, admitting, at the same time, that a man with two wives was not to be envied; adding, “He is often in an up¬ roar, and when they quarrel, he does not know wdiose part to take.” He said he often resolved when there was a great disturbance, he would pay one off. One morning 1 thought the anticipated day had come. He approached my door, leading an ox, upon which one of his wives was seated. “What is the matter I inquired. Giving me a shake of his hand, and laughing, he replied, “Just the old thing over again. Mynheer must not laugh too much at me, for I am now in for it.” The two wives had quarrelled at the outpost, and the one in a rage had thrown a dry rot¬ ten stick at the other, which had entered the palm of her hand, and left a piece about an inch long, and the thickness of a finger. The hand had swollen to nearly four times its usual size. Why,” I asked, “did you not bring her sooner?” She was afraid to see you, and would not come till I assured her that you were a maak mensche” (a tame man.) Having made an inci¬ sion, and extracted the piece of wood, she was melted into tears with gratitude, while I earnestly exhorted her to a better course of life.
But to return to the character of Africaner; during the whole period I lived there, I do not remember having occasion to he grieved with him, or to complain of any part of his conduct; his very faults seemed to ‘Jean to virtue’s side.” One day, when seated together, I happened, in absence of mind, to be gazing stedfastly on him. It arrested his attention, and he modestly inquired the cause. I replied, “I was try¬ ing to picture to myself your carrying fire and sword through the country, and I could not think how eyes like yours could smile at human woe.” He answered not, but shed a flood of tears! He zealously second¬ ed my efforts to improve the people in cleanliness and industry; and it would have made any one smile to have seen Christian Africaner and myself superintend-AFRICANER AND CITILIZATION.
ing the school children, now, about 120, washing themselves at the fountain. It was, however, found that their greasy, filthy carosses of sheep -skins soon made them as dirty as ever. The next thing was to get them to wash their mantles, &c. This was no easy matter, from their being made chiefly of un¬ tanned skins,, and sewed together with thread made of the sinews of animals. It required a great deal of coaxing argument, and perseverance, to induce them to undertake this Herculean task; but this, too, was also accomplished, to their great comfort, for they willingly admitted that they formerly harboured so much company that they could not sleep soundly. It may be emphatically said of Africaner, that ‘‘ he wept with those that wept,” for wherever he heard of a case of distress, thither his sympathies were direct¬ ed; and notwithstanding all his spoils of former years, he had little to spare, but he was ever on the alert to stretch out a helping hand to the widow and father¬ less. At an early period I also became an object of his charity, for, finding out that I sometimes sat down to a scanty meal, he presented me with two cows, which, though in that country giving little milk, often saved me many a hungry night, to which I was exposed. He was a man of peace; and though I could not expound to him that the “sword of the magistrate” implied, that he was calmly to sit at home, and see Bushmen or marauders carry off his cattle, and slay his servants; yet so fully did he understand and appreciate the principles of the gospel of peace, that nothing could grieve him more than to hear of individuals, or villages, contending with one another. He who was formerly like a
firebrand spreading discord, enmity, and war among the neighbouring tribes, would now make any sacrifice to prevent any thing like a collision between two contending parties; and when he might have raised his arm, and dared them to lift a spear, or draw a bow, he would stand in the attitude of a suppliant, and entreat them to be reconciled to each other; and, referring to his past life, ask, ‘‘What have I now of all the battles I have fought, and all the cattle I took, but shame and remorse?” At an early period of my labours among that people, I was deeply affected by the sympathy he, as well as others of his family, manifested towards me in a season of affliction. The extreme heat of the weather, in the house which I have described, and living entirely on meat and milk, to which I was unaccustomed, brought on a severe attack of bilious fever, which, in the course of two days, induced delirium. Opening my eyes in the first few lucid moments, I saw my attendant and Africaner sitting before my couch, gazing on me with eyes full of sympathy and tenderness. Seeing a small parcel, containing a few medicines, I requested him to hand it to me, and taking from it a vial of calomel, I threw some of it into my mouth, for scales or weights I had none. He then asked me, the big tear standing in his eye, if I died, how they were to bury me. “Just in the same way as you bury your own people,” was my reply; and I added, that he need be under no apprehensions if I were called away, for I should leave a written testimony of his kindness to me. This evidently gave him some comfort, but his joy was full, when he saw me speedily restored, and at my y)ost, from which I had been absent only a few days.
In addition to Christian Africaner, his brothers David and Jacobus, both believers, and zealous assist¬ ants in the work of the mission, especially in the school, were a great comfort to me. David, though rather of a retiring disposition, was amiable, active, and firm; while Jacobus was warm, affectionate, and zealous for the interest of souls. His very countenance was wont to cheer my spirits, which, notwithstanding all I had to encourage, would sometimes droop. Long after I left that people, he was shot, while defending the place against an unexpected at¬ tack made on it by the people of Warm Bath. This intelligence deeply affected me, for I knew that he and David, with a select few, continued in accordance with the dying charge of their elder brother, to keep the lamp of God alive; while Jonker, the son and successor of the departed chief, turned to those courses from which he had been warned by the last accents which fell from his father’s lips, though he had been a promising youth, without having made any profession of faith in the Gospel. The following fact will serve to illustrate the character of Kobus, as he was usually called. The drought was excessive; the people were distressed at the idea of being compelled to leave the station in search of grass. Special prayer-meetings were held to implore the blessing of rain. Prayer was soon answered, and the heavens, which had been as brass, were covered with clouds, the thunders rolled, and rain fell like a torrent. The display of Divine condescension produced a powerful effect on the minds of the people, and many were the eyes that wept tears of gratitude. I went out of my hut, where I had been nearly blinded by the vivid glare of the lightning, and witnessed Kobns comfort¬ ing his wife, who was not a believer, while she seemed terror-struck at the tremendous peals which even yet were rending the heavens, and making the very earth to tremble beneath. He asked her how she could be afraid of a God so kind, and who could send down the rain of his grace, with equal abundance, on dry and parched souls; and, falling on his knees, he adored God for the blessings of salvation. At this time, an¬ other interesting CY^ent greatly encouraged me. The subject was a venerable mother, a member of the church, and one of the fruits of Mr. Anderson’s labours, when on the Orange River. Entering her hut, and asking her how she felt, looking upwards with an expression of sweet composure, “I am look¬ ing for the coming of the Lord Jesus,” was her reply. Observing me addressing her unbelieving daughters, who were weeping around her bed, she remarked, “Yes, I have called them, that they may see a Christian die and a few hours after, she was called to the bosom of her God.