Mission to the Griquas
Mission to the Griquas — Its origin and character — Devotedness of the Missionaries — Mr. Anderson’s description — Their former character — Progress in civilization — A threatened attack averted — Impolitic measure — Critical position — Mr. Anderson leaves — The Author joins Mr. Helm — Waterboer elected chief — His thirst for information — Origin of Bergenaars — Attacks on Griqua Town — Generous conduct — Missionary influence — Retributive providence — Favourable change — Successes — Waterboer’s government — Missionaries government agents — How far a missionary can interfere in civil affairs — Life saved — Sir A. Stockenstrom’s testimony — Treaties a wise policy — Chiefs defended — State and prospects.
It is an agreeable and profitable exercise to take a retrospective view of those events, whatever their character, which have led to important results; and surely, to the mind of the missionary, it must be delightful to look back along the channel, tracing through all its windings the little rill of the water of life, until it is observed oozing from beneath a mountain peak. Like an African river, it now swells, and then dwindles, — is now rapid, then slowly spreads its refreshing waters over a large surface of desert waste, — now disappears, and then rises in another part of its course, in which it resumes a steady flow — affording, at all seasons, permanent fertility, to the advantage of those who assemble on its banks, or come within the range of its influence.
The mind of the writer has been led to these reflections by a minute survey of the rise and progress of the Griqua mission, which although embracing more variety in the national character of its objects than perhaps any other in Africa, exhibits much sameness; but nevertheless, its history, extending to more than forty years, presents us with some remarkable displays of Divine power in causing missionary enterprise to triumph over no common difficulties. Its fluctuations have been very numerous, hut this is not surprising, when it is remembered that it was commenced at the Zak River, on the borders of the colony, in the year 1799 being one of the two branches of the Missionary Society’s first efforts in South Africa. It was in the beginning ostensibly a mission to the Bushmen, but it had not been long founded before it included within its operation both Hottentots and Bastards. Two years had not elapsed when its efforts were chiefly devoted to the Corannas, Namaquas, and Bastards on the Orange River, the missionaries having resorted thither on the invitation of Berend Berend. From these again a select party, though a mixed multitude, finally terminated a migra¬ tory life, by settling down at Griqua Town in 1804, with Messrs. Anderson and Kramer.
Sometimes one missionary might he heard address¬ ing the few who understood Dutch; another, a congregation of Corannas; and a third, a party of Bush¬ men, through interpreters. They were distinct tribes, having different languages, customs, and grades ot honour, from that of the descendant of the colonial
o farmer, to the very lowest state of degradation in the Bushmen. Their government, if they had any at all, was of a mingled character, comprising the patriarchal, despotic, monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic, each party having its claims, either of birth, power, number, or hereditary right; exhibiting all the phases of a tropical thunder cloud, which rolls in wild and black confusion, till it bursts forth, scatter¬ ing terror and death.
It is not the intention of the writer to be a chronicler of the events connected with the progress of this mission, or even to attempt an abridgment of the voluminous details which have been long published. His object is briefly to glance at its more prominent features and changes, and to trace the dealings of Divine providence and grace in sustaining those devoted missionaries, who taking their lives in their hands, and sallying forth far beyond the abodes of civilization, persevered, amid the rage and cupidity of a reckless rabble, in the self-denying duties of their holy calling, until they were crowned with triumphant success.
This station required all the energies of the missionary, as may be observed from the brief sketch already given of the character of the people, and their isolated condition in a lawless country. Their circumstances, afflictions, and prospects, cannot be better described than in Mr. Anderson’s own words: —
“When I went among the Griquas, and for some time after, they were without the smallest marks of civilization. If I except one woman, (who had by some means got a trifling article of colonial raiment,) they had not one thread of European clothing among them: and their wretched appearance and habits were such as
MR. Anderson’s description. might have excited in our minds an aversion to them, had we not been actuated by principles which led us to pity them, and served to strengthen us in pursuing the object of our missionary work; they were, in many instances, little above the brutes. It is a fact, that we were among them at the hazard of our lives. This became evident from their own acknowledgments to us afterwards, they having confessed that they had frequently premeditated to take away our lives, and were prevented only from executing their purposes by what they now considered an Almighty Power. When we went among them, and some time after, they lived in the habit of plundering one another: and they saw no moral evil in this nor in any of their actions. Violent deaths were common; and I recollect many of the aged women told me their husbands had been killed in this way. Their usual way of living was truly disgust¬ ing, and they were void of shame; however, after a series of hard¬ ships, which required much faith and patience, our instructions were attended with a blessing which produced a great change. The people became honest in their dealings; they came to abhor those acts of plunder which had been so common among them; nor do I recollect a single instance, for several years prior to their late troubles, which could be considered as a stain upon their character. They entirely abandoned their former manner of life, and decency and modesty prevailed in their families. When we first settled among them, we had some Hottentots with us from the Zak River. With their assistance we began to cultivate the ground about Riet Fonteyn; but notwithstanding our exhortations, remonstrances, and example, the Griquas manifested the greatest aversion to such work, and appeared determined to continue their wandering and predatory habits. At the end of six months the Hottentots left us; and our prospects, as to the future cultivation of the ground, be¬ came very gloomy. We determined, however, to abide by them; and in wandering about with them we constantly endeavoured to impress upon their minds the superior advantages they would derive from cultivating the ground, and having fixed habitations. After a considerable time had elapsed, we prevailed upon them to try the experiment, and a commencement was made. This event was pre¬ ceded and followed by a great and visible improvement among them as a body. Considering the circumstances of the people, much land was cultivated at this time; and in the following years
the land under cultivation was much increased. I have seen the whole valley, from the Fountain to the Lions’ Den, which must include four square miles, covered with corn and barley. This refers to Griqua Town alone; and the ground around the neighbouring fountains was in a similar state of improvement,”
From other communications from Mr. A., it also appears, that as early as 1809, the congregation consisted of 800 persons, who resided at or near the station during the whole, or the greatest part of the year. Besides their stated congregations, they were surrounded by numerous hordes of Corannas and Bushmen, among whom they laboured.
If we look at the state of moral turpitude in which the missionaries found that people, these results, it must be acknowledged, were very extraordinary. A threatened attack from a marauding horde of Kafirs, in 1810, was evidently averted, in answer to prayer. Mr. Jantz, the only missionary then on the place, with the good people, set apart a day for special supplication; and they sent a pacific message and present to the Kafirs, after which they immediately retired.
Mr. Jantz, whose whole conduct on this occasion seems to have been marked with the true spirit of piety, says, ‘‘Now we must leave it in the hands of the Lord, hoping to see his loving kindness in confirm¬ ing the work of our hand, and granting us a complete deliverance. This is my prayer, that we may be so firmly established by the Lord, that no enemy may be able to hurt this church; for, as a kind father, he hath hitherto taken care of us; so that, instead of complaint, we have cause for thankfulness, that the doctrines of the Gospel, accompanied by the power of his Spirit, have had so much influence on some of our people, that by means of their Christian exhortation and example they have subdued the ungoverned spirit of the Kafirs.”
The mission continued to flourish; extending its benign influence for several years, till an unlooked-for event gave a shock, from which it did not soon recover.
It was not an unnatural supposition, that the government of the Cape, finding that the labours of the missionaries had been so beneficial in transforming a people who otherwise might have been, like Africaner, a terror to the Colony, and helped to drain its coffers in fruitless commandoes, would have tendered their assistance to the growing commonwealth, and afforded means of encouragement and protection in a country where they were exposed, as in the above case, to a foreign enemy. But this was not the policy of those days. In 1814, Mr. Anderson received an order from the Colonial Government to send down to the Cape twenty Griquas for the Cape regiment. Mr. A. was never, as he informed me, amidst all his trials, placed in so painful a situation. The only wonder was, that the people did not stone him when he made the proposal, to which duty compelled him. Was it possible that a people just emerging from barbarism, and scarcely able to defend themselves, would send twenty of their best men to serve at the Cape? The result of non-compliance with this order was a threat from Government, and the introduction of a restrictive system, by which missionaries were prevented from cross¬ ing the northern boundary of the Colony.
Mr. Anderson had hitherto been viewed by the Gri([iias as the founder and father of that mission, to
whom they were all in the daily habit of looking up for counsel and advice in whatever had reference to their temporal as well as their spiritual interests. He had also been the means of communication between them and the Colonial Government, and was virtually an agent. The Griquas, from the above demand, originating, as they supposed, from this connexion, were embittered against Mr. A. His life was threatened; and soon after a party withdrew from the mission, which kept the people in a state of political ferment; and though a great majority remained, they were by no means cordial; so that Mr. Anderson found it necessary to withdraw, that his presence might not give the shadow of offence to the awakened jealousy of those among whom he had laboured with such signal success.
In his farewell sermon he made the following terse and unique comparison: Formerly I went out and in among you as your father, your friend, and your guide; but now I am compelled to leave you, viewed by you as nothing better than a dry stalk of maize.” But, notwithstanding the bitterness of political strife and discontent in which he left them, they afterwards deeply mourned over their ingratitude. The writer having lived on the station, together with Mr. Helm, for nearly a year after Mr. A.’s departure, had innumerable opportunities of witnessing how warmly they cherished the memory of one who had for twenty years laboured among them in circumstances of great privation and affliction. He exemplified zeal and perseverance, which were crowned with remarkable success; and, doubtless, distant generations will venerate the names of Anderson and Kramer, as the founders of the Griqua mission. Although the mission was thus deprived of the valuable labours of Mr. Anderson, Mr. Helm, his colleague, most efficiently supplied his place. Mr. H. was a man of considerable acquirements; in whose character were blended, in an eminent degree, an unflinching faithfulness to the souls of men, and great meekness and humility. His graces had been long tried on a hard campaign, in a Coranna mission on the Orange River.
The events now recorded, prove to a demonstraof the missionary to take an active part in political affairs. In order to save the mission from ruin, it was necessary to make a vigorous stand against interference on the part of the missionaries with the government of the people. My appointed sojourn, as the coadjutor of Mr. Helm, was intended to assist in abolishing a system which had thus hurst asunder the sacred ties between pastor and people, and caused the removal of Mr. A. to a sphere of labour within the Colony. The task was a hard one, from the entire disorganization which existed; and the Directors justly remarked, in reference to that appointment, “But it is painful to add, that the difficulties with which they have to contend from the irregular habits of many of the people, will require the greatest firmness, as well as the most persevering efforts to subdue.’’ These efforts were eventually crowned with success. The former chief, Adam Kok, late of Philippolis, had abandoned Griqua Town, and Berend Berend, the acknowledged chief, lived at Daniel’s Kuil, a distance of fifty miles, attend¬ ing only to the interests of those about him, and very rarely visiting Gricpia Town; neither would he appoint a representative there.
tion that it is not the duty
For some months the affairs of the place looked like a ship’s company without helm or compass; and the consequences were sometimes serious, and frequently ludicrous. The hint was given, to appoint one of their own number to take the government of the village. The idea was eagerly embraced; the elders of the people met, and one would have thought that an elder would have been elected; but no, they
unanimously voted Andries Waterboer to the office
of chief. This was a decision which reflected the highest honour on the judgment of the Griquas, for the person on whom they had fixed their attention was one who possessed neither name nor riches. He had enjoyed advantages, having been educated on the station, under the eye of the missionaries; had been with others set apart as a native teacher, and had long been employed as an assistant in the school, where he was found on the very day of his appointment. We had neither part nor lot in the matter, though it afforded us entire satisfaction.
This was a new era in the Griqua mission, which brought it to a state so ardently desired; and the mission-houses, instead of being turned into a kind of council-chamber, were visited only by such as had cases of conscience to propose, or what had a reference to the general welfare of the church of God. I might here make an exception. Andries, who was not prepared for this new station, soon felt the responsibility of his office. He had no opportunities of studying the science of government from books, (Minos, Lycurgus, and Solon were names un¬ known to him!) and had heard little else than the principles of law, derived from the Bible, the best foundation for the laws of nations. He felt his deficiency, and thirsted for information; and for months together we spent several evenings a week, after it was supposed all were gone to rest, conversing on these subjects.
Though I did little more than reply to his numerous inquiries, yet, having been placed there for the express object of lending my aid to abolish the old system, I naturally felt the task a delicate one. At the same time neither Mr. Helm nor I could see any impropriety in giving him what information we could on the history of nations, and their political economy. From this and other circumstances, he long retained a grateful sense of his obligations, and a warm friend¬ ship of many years ensued.
The chief Waterboer at the commencement of his career was considered severe in his administration, when contrasted with that of former days, in which insubordination was allowed to take deep root. As might be expected, his strict discipline gave rise to divisions, sifting the Griquas of those who cared for neither law nor gospel. From these again arose Bergenaars, or mountaineers and marauders, round whose standards Corannas and Bushmen rallied; and finding no difficulty in obtaining contraband ammunition from the Colony, they carried devastation, blood and ra¬ pine among all the Bechuana tribes within their reach. Even on Griqua Town itself they made two desperate attacks, which, though happily attended with little loss of life on either side, justly excited much alarm in the mission families, surrounded as they were by ruthless desperadoes inured to violence and murder.
It may be proper in this place to notice the origin of these attacks, as well as the circumstances of a pre-GENEROUS CONDUCT.
ceding one, on the inhabitants of Griqua Town, when Mr. Sass was the only missionary on the station. The chief Waterboer, in conjunction with J. Melvill, Esq.,* (now one of our missionaries,) anxious to put a stop to the devastations committed by the Bergenaars on the Basuto, and other Bechuana tribes, endeavoured to disperse the party. For this purpose their strong¬ holds were attacked; and, though every species of warfare is to be deprecated as the world’s curse, the following extract of a letter from Mr. Melvill to the Editor of the South Afiucan Chronicle, beautifully illustrates the moral and civilizing tendency of the Gospel in relation to the Griquas.
“The Griqua chiefs, A. Waterboer and Cornelius Kok, proceeded to the station of the Bergenaars, to take such measures as might put a stop to the system of depradation they were carrying on against the tribes around them.
“Instead of the Bergenaars showing any disposition to alter their conduct, they set the commando at defiance, and maintained that attitude till night came on with rain, when they made their escape. The commando returned to Griqua Town, with 4000 head of cattle, followed by some hundreds of the people of the plundered tribes, to whom a considerable part of the cattle belonged; and, before their arrival at Griqua Town, contrary to the practice of savage tribes, a scene of justice took place, which would have done credit to any civilized people. The chiefs restored to these poor people, Basutos, all their cattle, without reserving a single hoof to themselves, to which any one of them could establish a right. When the people had got their cattle, they were told they might go to their own country; but they were so struck with the justice of the Griqua chiefs, that they begged to be allowed to put themselves under their protection; and accordingly they followed them to the Griqua country.”
To the preceding may be added the following facts,
Mr. Melvill was at that time government agent. as they exhibit a pleasing evidence of missionary influence in promoting peace. It was found necessary for Mr. Melvill and the Griqua chiefs, with some of their leading men, to visit Cape Town. Mr. Helm was on a visit to the same place, on account of his wife’s health. Mr. Sass, who had long laboured in Little Namaqua-land, and among the Corannas on the banks of the Orange River, was alone at the station when the Bergenaars came against the place for purposes of sheer revenge. On discovering that a missionary was there, they retired to a distance, and sent for him. The venerable Sass, who had been in labours abundant, entered the camp of the ruthless and lawless banditti. He had no sling, no stone. His weapons were from the armoury of heaven. His humble, devout, and persuasive address to the leaders of the gang calmed their rage, and saved the inhabitants from impending destruction. “Here,” as Mr. Melvill writes, “we see a missionary has so much respect attached to his character, that even the Bergenaars would not attack the place because he was there: the presence of Mr. Sass afforded a protection to the whole people.”
The particulars of a subsequent attack on Griqua Town are minutely described in the Society’s Monthlij Chronicle for January, 1828; affording an additional instance of the station being preserved by the Divine blessing on missionary influence.
But Griqua Town survived, by the blessing of God on the intrepid and persevering efforts of Waterhoer to establish the principles of order and peace. He has always continued to preach, as well as to exercise his office as a magistrate; and though in the eyes of many
this union of office is inexpedient, he has ever maintained his cause; and having obtained a liberal salary and ordnance supplies from the Colonial Government, he is able to present the Griquas in an aspect his enemies never contemplated.
A retributive Providence accomplished that which Waterboer had neither men nor means to carry into effect; for he could neither punish the banditti to which his government gave rise, nor defend those who fell a prey to the fearful havoc they made on property and human life. After they had filled their cup. Heaven frowned on them; and those who escaped the war-club and javelin, disease swept away; those who escaped both died in poverty, not only under the gnawings of hunger, but those of a guilty conscience; being deprived of that very property of which they had despoiled others; while the bones of the majority lie bleached on many a barren waste, addressing the living in solemn language, He that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword.” The finger of God was so evident, that even the Griquas themselves could not help fearing that their former cruelties committed on the Bushmen would not go unpunished.
These troubles did not subside till 1829, when the mission partially revived under the labours of Messrs. Wright and Hughes; and since 1831, when it received a new impulse, it has continued to increase and ex¬ tend its influence around. Their efforts, as may be seen from the reports, have been blessed in no ordinary degree. Beside their own stated services, they employ six native teachers. Their congregations comprise Bechuanas, Griquas, Corannas, and Bush¬ men; the first the most numerous, while the last are now, as may be gathered from the chapter on their origin, character and state, few and feeble.
About seven years ago this mission became increasingly useful, from circumstances in themselves apparently adverse to its prosperity. Owing to the drought and consequent failure of the fountains, nothing could be done in agriculture in the village. The people were thus dispersed, and obliged to lead a migratory life in quest of food. This state of things led to itinerating and the employment of native agency on a larger scale. The Divine blessing has rested conspicuously on these efforts, and especially on numbers of the Bechuanas, who had, from the destructive attacks on their tribes in their own country, retired to the banks of the Vaal River, within the Griqua district. These were brought
a way
savingly converted to God, and are now able to read in their own language His wonderful works.*
* The following information has come to hand since the article on the Griqua mission was prepared for the press, and cannot fail to interest. Mr. Helmore having been appointed to Likhatlong, a station of Bechuanas connected with the Griqua mission, 190 of their members were thus transferred to his care, and now form a distinct church. In the early part of last year, Mosheshe, chief of the Basutos, sent messengers to the chief Waterboer, informing him that as his people were now favoured with missionaries in their own country, it was his particular wish that all the Basutos in those parts should return home. AVaterboer having at once made it known that all that chose to do so, were at liberty to depart with their property, after having resided under his protection for seventeen years, a party of that people, about 100 souls, lately removed, among whom were 33 church members. This measure cannot fail of being an important acquisition to the French missionaries, as nearly all of them were able to read in their own language. After
they knew not. Many of them have been
waterboer’s government.
I have thought it proper to be a little particular in reference to the origin and present state of the Griquas, who have been so signally preserved and blessed for forty years, and remain after so many conflicts a monument, while other stations, like the one which gave birth to theirs, are left desolate. Humanly speaking, Waterboer’s government is on a basis too firm to be moved by a foreign foe, that is, so long as it supports by its influence the cause of God, and continues the faithful ally of the Cape colony. It is not without great reason, however, that many judicious persons deprecate the effects of what they consider an unhallowed union, in the mission¬ ary’s holding among the Griquas the office of Confidental Agent to the Colonial Government.” There may be apparent advantages arising from this mea¬ sure in accordance with the sentiments of those who hold up the benefit effected by missionary labours to be more of a political than a religious nature, and who maintain that it is far more convenient for Government than appointing distinct agents; but the fact is, it has no warrant from Scripture, and the question is. What does experience say? Let us take South Africa for an example. The preceding statements demonstrate that the cause of Mr. Anderson’s removal was his government agency; and though his not having had a precedent is an apology, the printliese deductions, and including recent additions, the number of church members at Griqua Town is 520. The schools on the station have, under many discouraging circumstances, continued to prosper, and the Infant school under the care of Troy Vortuin, a native female of a respectable family, reflects great honour on her abilities and perseverance. ciple and the consequences of that agency cannot but be deprecated.
Mr. Brownlee, our missionary in Kafir-land, was the next who trod on the slippery path, and resigned the office of missionary agent to Government, as in¬ compatible with the position of a missionary among heathen. Mr. Thompson of the Kat River, followed him with still less success. His “political functions interfered very much with his religious duties.” He informed the writer that it nearly cost him his life, and he would by no means advise missionaries to as¬ sume any thing like a diplomatic character among the people of their spiritual charge.* More than twenty years’ experience among the aborigines beyond the boundary of the Colony, has convinced the writer that the two offices ought not to be held by the same person. Among the Bechuanas our lives have been placed in imminent danger from the suspicions excited in their minds by Conrad Buys and others, that we were agents of government, or in some way or other connected with it. No missionary, however, can with any show of Scripture or reason refuse his pacific counsel and advice, when those among whom he labours require it, nor decline to become interpreter or translator to any foreign power, or to he
* The Rev. Stephen Kay, in his letter to Sir T. F. Buxton, on the Kafir-case, makes the following remark, which being the result of long observation, is worthy of regard. After some very whole¬ some hints on the subject of agency, he writes — “I trust there¬ fore, that Government will never again think of committing the office of agency, amongst the Kafirs, to a missionary; as it places missionaries in a position which might, by possibility, be construed into that of spies, and there would, in all probability, be an end put to their usefulness at once.”
the medium of hushing the din of war arising either from family interests or national claims; nor is it inconsistent with his character to become a mediator or intercessor where life is at stake, whether arising from ignorance, despotism, or revenge. I once seized the right arm of an enraged chief of no little power, who grasped a weapon, which, but for this interference, would have been plunged into the breast of a victim, who had grievously offended. I did no wrong, nor did the chief think so, for when the paroxysm was over he said to me, “I thank yon, father.” A missionary may do all this, and more than this, without endangering his character, and what is of infinitely more importance, the character of the gospel he proclaims; but his entering into diplomatic engagements places himself, as well as the great object of his life, in jeopardy.
That missionaries do obtain an influence among the tribes beyond, without any official interference, has been demonstrated along the whole line of the colonial boundary from the Atlantic, to the Fish River on the east. Among other instances, the following may be adduced as given by the honourable, now Sir A. Stockenstrom, in his evidence before the Aborigines Committee: —
“It strikes me that it is impossible to deny that the benefit thus conferred is incalculable. In 1832, I believe it was, that there was an inroad of a marauding horde of Corannas, Hottentots, and others, who were considered outlaws and independent of the Griqua tribes. They slaughtered indiscriminately several families, and plundered to a great extent; a strong expedition was sent against those people, but was unsuccessful. It was apparent to every man acquainted with the frontier, that if it had not been for the influence that the London missionaries had gained over the Griquas, we should have had the
SIR A. STOCKENSTROM’s TESTIMONY. whole nation down upon ns. It was only the state of feeling produced by that influence which prevented the Griquas from taking advantage of the exposed condition of the country, and the panic then existing, to give vent to their old animosities against the Colony, and overrun the northern half of it. Had they been without that helm — that influence, 1 say, of these missionaries, we should have had a strong tribe instead of a gang of robbers to contend with. We had no force to arrest them if they had. Now that those people are in that state to enable us to treat with them, I attribute altogether to the domesticated state to which they have been brought by the labours, and the confidence which they have in the advice of the missionaries, whose interest it is to preach peace.”
Sir A. S. bears the same testimony to the benign and salutary results from the labours of the Wesleyan missionaries. These effects, to which such honour¬ able testimony is borne, we feel no hesitation in ascribing to the pure principles of the Gospel, which, wherever planted, nurtured, and matured under His reign, who has said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” will always produce them; and through which, as the chief Waterboer has declared, “the Griquas have become a people, wdio were not a people.”
The course pursued by the Colonial Government in appointing an agent, as they did, in the person of J. Melvill, Esq., terminated in a treaty made with the chief Waterboer, by which he became an ally. This latter very important measure was entered into under the auspices of Sir Benjamin D ’Urban, then Governor, and wdio, in addition to Waterboer’s salary, most liberally granted 50/. per annum to promote education among the Griquas. Well had it been for the country, if this arrangement had been made much earlier, for it would have enabled Waterboer to prevent much rapine and murder, which had TREATIES A WISE POLICY.
devastated the country for seven or eight years previously, during which time he could not even defend his own place, for want of suitable resources. Of this he was so sensible, that in the year 1830, on my way to Cape Town, he put into my hands a document expressing his desires on the subject, wdth an earnest request that I would use my influence for their accomplishment; this I did most cheerfully with Sir Lowry Cole, then Governor.
It is a wise policy in Government, to render every facility to the advancement of knowledge and civilization among the aborigines, and especially to such as have, like Waterboer, exhibited in legible characters the delightful results of missionary efforts, both in his conduct towards his own people, and the Colony to which he is allied; and we cannot but assure ourselves, that the friendly system now acted upon by Government, towards the chiefs on the frontier, will not only benefit the aborigines, but the Colony itself, and throw a halo of glory around the British throne.*
* It has been said by one who ought to have a tolerably correct knowledge of the state of the Northern frontiers, that all the chiefs in the country, with only one exception, “are heathens and marauders.” This is a sweeping charge, and it would he an easy matter for the writer, who has not been an inattentive observer of the fluctuations of petty interests in the country for more than twenty years, to contradict it. He possesses ample matters of fact for a volume of reminiscences on this subject, and may, if he finds it necessary, resume his pen to give the history and the characters of both heathen and Christian chiefs and marauders. It is true, the missionaries, like the primitive church at Corinth, have not many noble, not many rich, of whom they can boast; yet there are chiefs, and promising sons of chiefs, who have laid their weapons of war at the feet of the Prince of Peace; and we have only to glance over our missionary records to be It is deeply to be regretted, that the fountain at Griqua Town has almost ceased to flow, which has compelled the inhabitants to resolve on removing to the banks of the Yellow or Vaal River, where they hope to he able to lead out a stream, so as to irrigate a considerable portion of the country; and in furtherance of so noble a work, the “Friends” in England have contributed liberally, through J. Backhouse, Esq. Should they succeed in this important movement, about which they are sanguine, their circumstances will he immensely improved, for their abode at Griqua Town has long been very trying in a temporal point of view. But for this, it is possible that the Griquas might have realized the expectations of many of the Society’s constituents, in supporting their own missionaries, which their advanced state of civilization, and liberal support from Government, authorize them to anticipate; and it is sincerely to be hoped that this will he the first mission beyond the the noble example, especially as, according to Mr. Wright, the “place possesses inexhaustible capabilities.”
convinced of the transforming effects of the Gospel, even over chieftains, who, though strangers to the inward teachings of the Spirit of God, and notwithstanding the baneful example of some called Christians, before their eyes, instead of being “marauders,” have made sacrifices to promote peace around them, and shown mercy to those by whom they were formerly plundered. Not to mention Cornelius Kok, the chief of Campbell, whom the Bechuanas have been accustomed to recognize as one of their guardians; Adam Kok, of Philippolis; Mothihi, the chief of the Batlapis, and his sons, as also his brother INlahura; Mosheshe, the chief of the Basuto, and others whose names might be mentioned, cannot, without a violation of truth, be designated marauders.
Colony which will set