The Progress of Civilization

The progress of civilization — The foundation of the chapel laid — Description of the station — Learning to print — Introduction of the printing press — Seasonable supply — Berend’s commando — The catastrophe — Mission to the Bahurutsi — A daughter’s com¬ passion — The Scripture Lessons — The dying grandmother — An¬ other instance — Polygamy — The Word blessed — Difficulties — Dr. A. Smith’s kindness — The author accompanies the expedition — Arrive at Moselekatse’s — Curious ceremony — Superstition — The lost horse — Escape from a lion — Return to the Kuruman.

The country had been blessed with such plentiful rains that fields and gardens teemed with plenty, such as had not been experienced for several years. The ancient ramparts of superstition had been broken through by our converts, and many others, who could see no reason why the productions of their field and garden labour should be confined to the varieties of their native grain {Holcus sorghum), pumpkins, kidney beans, and water melons, the only vegetables cultivated by their forefathers. Instead of purchasing a very inferior tobacco from the Bahurutsi, who were no longer able to supply the market, having imitated our example of leading out water, they began to plant it themselves, and it soon became a profitable article of traffic, as it had formerly been to those who lived in a better watered country. They also thankfully accepted the seeds and plants of grain and vegetables we had introduced, of maize,* wheat, barley, peas, potatoes, carrots, onions, and they also planted fruit trees. As the course of our water ditch along the side of a hill appeared as if the stream ascended, several of the natives set to work in good earnest, and cut courses leading directly up hill, hoping the water would one day follow. Ploughs, harrows, spades and mattocks were no longer viewed as the implements of a certain caste, but as the indispensable auxiliaries to existence and comfort. The man who before would have disdained to be seen engaged in such an occupation and with such a tool, was now thankful to have it in his power to buy a spade.

The spiritual affairs of the station kept pace with external improvements. The house of God continued to be well filled, and though the strong excitement which prevailed in the early part of 1829 had sub¬ sided, knowledge was on the increase, a growing seriousness was observable, and there was every rea¬ son for encouragement. Progress was made in read¬ ing, which increased my anxiety to make a revision of the gospel of Luke, especially as it was necessary for me to visit Cape Town.

As soon as the second mission house was finished, and occupied by Mr. Plamilton, the foundation of a place of worship was laid. This was commenced early in the year 1830, at the suggestion of Mr. Millen, the mason, who engaged to devote his spare time, from trading in the interior, to the building of the walls. This edifice, however, from local circum-

* Maize I found abundant among the jMatabele, %vhei-e it does not require irrigation; also a fine large species of kidney bean, the pods of which grow under ground, and are earthed up like potatoes.

stances, and the difficulty of procuring timber, was not finished till several years afterwards. The ac¬ companying drawing gives a bird’s eye view of the station, with the chapel, as completed in 1839, and the frontispiece is a correct view of the spot on which the chapel and mission-houses stand. The buildings are of blue or dove-coloured limestone, and thatched with reed and straw. The place of worship may be easily distinguished between the mission-houses, and the more distant buildings are the trader’s shop, the smith’s forge, and school-house. The lofty trees opposite are a species of willow, peculiar to the Gariep or Orange River; along the roots of these trees runs a watercourse, five feet wide by two deep, and beyond are the gardens and valley ground. The watercourses were greatly extended, not only for purposes of irrigation, but to drain the extensive valley intended to be brought into cultivation; a native water-fiscal was appointed to take care of them, and rewarded by those possessing gardens dependent on irrigation.

Having thus been permitted to witness some of the effects of the introduction of the Gospel among the Bechuanas, and having accomplished a translation of the Gospel of Luke, and of Dr. Brown’s Scripture Texts,* I repaired with my family to Cape Town, by way of Algoa Bay. Before leaving the Kuruman, I signified that it was my intention to collect subscriptions among the friends in the Colony, towards the building of our new place of worship. When this

* The printing of this work wns afterwards abandoned, and its place supplied by the Scripture lessons used in the Borough-road and other schools.

was made known, a number of the natives cheerfully came forward, and begged to add their mite to so important a work. Some subscribed oxen, others goats, and a few money, though it was still very scarce among them, and a number engaged to give some months’ labour. We left the station for the Colony, and on arriving at Philipolis, we were not a little de¬ lighted to meet at the house of Mr. Melvill, Mr. and Mrs. Baillie, of our society, destined to the Bechuana mission, and Messrs. Rolland and Lemue, from the Paris Protestant Missionary Society, also appointed to labour in the interior. To us, so long accustomed to feel as if out of the world, and comparatively for¬ gotten, the season was one of great refreshment to our souls. The accession of so many new labourers was an answer to many prayers, and while they proceeded to the Kuruman, we went on our way, rejoicing in the assurance that as the work of conversion had commenced, a glorious day of grace was dawning on the Bechuana tribes.

After arriving at Graham’s Town, where I left my family while I visited several of the missionary stations in Kafir-land, and then some of those within the Colony, we reached Cape Town, in October, 1830. From the infant state of typography in that place, I found it necessary to apply to Sir Lowry Cole, then governor, to allow the Gospel of Luke to be printed at the governilient printing-office. This request was cheer¬ fully acceded to, but compositors were wanted. This circumstance, with the promise of an excellent print¬ ing press, which Dr. Philip had in his possession for our mission, was a strong inducement for me to learn printing; and being joined by Mr. Edwards, who was originally destined to the Bechuana mission, and now ay)y)ointed to go there, the work was completed under the kind superintendence of Mr. Van de Zandt. The pajier was supplied by the British and Foreign Bible Society, by whom also other incidental expenses were delVayed, which was only a precursor of the booh since conferred by that noble institution on the Be¬ chuana mission, the fruits of which will he reaped by generations yet unborn. A small hymn-hook was also printed in the language. These labours were scarcely completed, when a severe attack of bilious fever, occasioned by over exertion in the hottest season of the year, brought me very low; hut though I was so weak as to be conveyed on a mattress on board ship, my health was much improved by a four¬ teen days’ rough passage to Algoa Bay. Sickness among our oxen, in addition to Mrs. INL’s confinement, detained us some time at Bethelsdorp, from whence, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, we journeyed to the Kuruman, where we arrived in June, 1831.

Never since missionaries entered the country was such a treasure conveyed to the mission as on the present occasion, for we brought with us an edition of the Gospel of Luke, and a hymn-book in the native language, a printing press, type, paper, and ink, besides having obtained very liberal subscriptions from the friends in Cape Town, and other parts of the Colony, towards the erection of a place of worship. In addition to this, Mr. Edwards’s knowledge and experience in carpentering and building, rendered him not only a very efficient labourer, hut a season¬ able assistant in the existing state of the mission; and his superior skill was afterwards called into ojieration,

in raising the roof of the largest mission chapel in South Africa, which, in that remote region, in the absence of cranes, required all the muscular force we could collect. This was a new era in the mission, and the press was soon called into operation, when lessons, spelling books, and catechisms were prepared for the schools. Although many of the natives had been informed how books were printed, nothing could exceed their surprise when they saw a white sheet, after disappearing for a moment, emerge spangled with letters. After a few noisy exclamations, one obtained a sheet with which he bounded into the village, showing it to every one he met, and asserting that Mr. Edwards and 1 had madfe it in a moment, with a round black hammer (a printer’s ball) and a shake of the arm. The description of such a juggling process, soon brought a crowd to see the “segatisho,” (press,) which has since proved an auxiliary of vast importance to our cause.

Great was our joy to find, on our return after a year’s absence, that Mr. Hamilton, our veteran brother, was well, and that the station continued in a prosperous state. Our two French brethren had suffered severely from an attack of illness, but were recovering. Mr. Rolland had gone to look out for a station among the Bahurutsi, from whom he returned with a very flattering report; and immediately the necessary preparations were made for commencing operations at Mosega.

Among the treasures brought with us from the Colony, was a box of materials for clothing, for the encouragement of such as were making efforts to clothe themselves. This was the first supply of the kind, and nothing could be mere seasonable to a people just beginning to emerge from barbarism, the impoverished remains of scattered tribes, but the first-fruits of the Gospel among the Beebuanas. The needy were supplied, and many a heart was made glad. It is impossible for the author to revert to that interesting season, without recalling with gratitude the memory of one who took the liveliest interest in the Beebuanas. To the late Miss Lees, the constant and beloved friend of Mrs. M., we were indebted for active exertions amongst the friends in the congregation of Grosvenor Street Chapel, Manchester, not only in procuring this token of kindness for the poor natives, but subsequent supplies; she also collected a sufficient sum to supply us with a small fount of type; services recorded in the annals of the heavenly world whither she is gone.

Having thus obtained materials to work upon, and Mrs. M. now having the effective co-operation of Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Baillie, a sewing school, on a much larger scale than before, was carried on, to the great comfort and improvement of the natives. The increase of our congregation obliged us to build an additional wing to the chapel, and several members were received into the church. This season of pleasure was not without some alloy, for the small-pox entered the country, and the epidemic, with which old men only were previously acquainted, swept away many of the inhabitants; and among those who died on our station, was one of mv own children. This was a fearful visitation, and appeared to have been first hrouglit by the wreck of a commando, which I’eturned from an attack on Moselekatse.

Berend Berend, labouring under an unaccountable delusion, that be was destined to sweep Moselekatse, and his gang of blood-guilty warriors, from the fine pastures and glens of the Bakone country, and thus emancipate the aborigines from their thraldom, collected a heterogeneous multitude of Griquas from every party except that of Waterboer, Corannas, and other tribes, with sentiments as varied as the costume they wore, but unanimous in their enmity to the Matabele king, and sallied forth on what he considered a noble but daring enterprise, which he might well expect would immortalize his name as a bene¬ factor of mankind. He had not, however, counted the cost, nor thought of the danger of joining hands with the wicked; and unfortunately his valued missionary, the Bev. T. L. Hodgson, of the Wesleyan Society, whose well-known superior judgment, and principles of love and mercy, would have prevented the catastrophe, was absent from the station. The cavalcade of wagons and horsemen, with their magazines of destruction, moved towards the dominions of the haughty tyrant, while the company received fresh accessions from the Barolongs and others, who expected to come in for a share of the spoil. Success attended their arms, while the lovely land¬ scape seemed to invite them to become lords of the wide domain, which had groaned under a tyrant’s rod. Moselekatse and his nobles were taken by surprise, and the “mighty Elephant” was ready to take refuge in his native jungle. The men who defended his outposts teeming with cattle, either fell or fled in consternation, till the mass of captured cattle became too unwieldy to be guarded even by such a force.

The sight of fat oxen, and the lowing of kine, captivated their souls; many an evil eye was fixed on the spoil, and anxiety to obtain the largest share began to rankle in the breasts of the victors. They had slaughtered and eaten to the full. The female prisoners had warned them of their danger. ‘‘ Shall a Kafir dare to fight with a Griqua?” was the evening’s watchword; but amidst the reckless band there were (juaking hearts, and consciences gnawing like the worm that dieth not. Without a picket, a sentinel, or a watch, all self-secure, they fell asleep. Before the morning dawned, just as the waning moon dipped behind the mountain peak, a chosen band of veteran Matabele rolled over the slumbering host, scattering confusion, terror, and death. While many never awoke, some fled in wild dismay; and when the curtain of night was withdrawn, a scene was exhibited — I leave the imagination of the reader to depict.

In a few days Berend, of whose sincerity no one could doubt, and who had remained by the wagons some days’ journey distant from the catastrophe, heard the tale of horror; and now half-convinced that he was not the man to give redemption to the Bakone, returned, to be greeted by the widow’s wail. It may not be improper to state here, that while the southern portion of the Matabele country was thus made the theatre of bloodshed, a large party of our people were on a hunting expedition in the very centre of Moselekatse’s domains, and would have been massacred, by a company with which they came in contact, but for the circumstance of their being from the Kuruman.

It was about six months after these events, that our French brethren set oil’ to iMosega, and having led out

the water, they built a house, and formed gardens, hard by thousands of the Bahurutsi, with the cheer¬ ing prospect of successfully planting the standard of the Gospel amidst that people. But the rapid extension of Moselekatse’s dominion — the cupidity and overbearing conduct of his ambassadors to Mokatla, chief of the Bahurutsi — and the duplicity and cunning of the latter, who, it must be admitted, had but too good reason to dread so formidable a neighbour — soon compelled the missionaries to retire. The Bahurutsi afterwards fled from their country, which was taken by the Matabele, and the brethren went to Motito,* of which a sketch is given in page 425. As this place was within the range of our labours, the brethren felt some delicacy in acceding to our proposal that they should settle there; but Dr. Philip, who had just then arrived, cordially re¬ commended the measure, and since that time we have continued to labour in the most perfect harmony and affection.

The Doctor also considered it advisable to place Mr. Baillie, who had already made considerable progress in the Sechuana language, at Tsantsabane, where a large party of Bechuanas had congregated. While the Doctor was with us, it was deemed proper to select from our candidates such as had approved themselves to the church to be baptized. Five made public profession of their faith in the Gospel. Most of these were foreigners, who, by the wars of the interior, had, in the mysterious providence of God, been

* This spot, nearly forty miles N.N.E. of the Kuruman, was at that time only a fountain, and is now a lovely village, containing a very considerable ])opulatioii.

brought by a way they knew not, to find an eternal home by becoming fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and often did they endeavour to describe, with native eloquence the distinguishing love and mercy of that God who had directed their feet to the Kuruman mission. Mamonvatsi, one of these, some years after died in the faith. She was a ]Iatahele captive, and had accompanied me from the interior; had remained some time in the service of Mrs. M., and early displayed a readiness to learn to read, with much quickness of understanding. From the time of her being united with the church, till the day of her death, she was a living epistle of the power of the Gospel. Once, while visiting the sick, as I entered her premises, I found her sitting, weeping, with a portion of the word of God in her hand. Addressing her, I said, ‘‘ My child, what is the cause of your sorrow? Is the baby still unwell?” ‘‘No,” she re¬

plied, “my baby is well.” “Your mother-in-law?” I inquired. “No, no,” she said, “it is my own dear mother, who bore me.” Here she again gave vent to her grief, and holding out the Gospel of Luke, in a hand wet with tears, she said, “My mother will never see this word, she will never hear this good news!” She wept again and again, and said, “Oh, my mother and mv friends 1 they live in heathen darkness: and shall they die without seeing the light which has shone on me, and without tasting that love which I have tasted?” Raising her eyes to heaven, she sighed a ])rayer, and I heard the words again, “My mother, mv mother!”

This was the expression of the affection of one of Afric’s sable daughters, whose heart had been taught

to mourn over the ignorance of a far- distant mother. Shortly after this evidence of divine love in her soul, I was called upon to watch her dying pillow, and descended with her to Jordan’s bank. She feared no rolling billow. She looked on the babe to which she had but lately given birth, and commended it to the care of her God and Saviour. The last words I heard from her faltering lips were, My mother.”

The importance of introducing the Scripture Les¬ sons, already referred to, having been suggested by Mr. Miles, who also forwarded me a copy, 1 immediately set about a translation of this invaluable work, which, after many years’ experience, I feel no hesitation in pronouncing an inimitable production for schools, and for building up converts among the heathen, in the absence of the entire Scriptures. To spare my time for this object, Mrs. M., in April, 1833, undertook a journey to the Colony, in order to see the children left at school near Graham’s Town, and to take another for education. On her return, after an absence of five months, our printing-office was enriched with a supply of large type, kindly furnished by the Directors. Our Bechuana schools, including those of Griqua Town and its out-stations, Motito, and other nurseries of education, were supplied with lessons which, we flattered ourselves, in that country, were well printed. New and enlarged editions of elementary works were also printed, and portions of the Scripture Lessons were turned off, each additional sheet being received by the readers with increasing avidity. It was no uncommon tiling to see the children around the printing-office door, vcaiting for a new sheet, and inquiring when additions were to be made to their little treasures of knowledge. We were visited at this time with refreshing showers of Divine blessing, and very considerable accessions were made to the number of believers. Strangers from distant tribes were received into the fellowship of the children of God. Among these, three very aged women, all grandmothers, were striking instances of the power of Divine grace. One of them has finished her course since the author came to England. Al¬ though blind, the eyes of her understanding were opened by the entrance of that word which giveth light. From that time till her death, a period of several years, she continued to adorn her profession by a consistent walk and conversation. The infirmities of age prevented her attending public worship as often as she desired. Two or three months prior to her decease she was confined to the house, when, as Mr. Edwards writes, “she appeared to dwell with delight on the marvellous goodness of the Lord to her and adds,

“On one occasion, when I visited her, I had positively to restrain her, that she might not exhaust her strength. Sensible that she could not survive, she admonished all who visited her to think for eternity. A few days before her death she wished her children to he gathered together in her presence, desiring to speak to them before she left them. They surrounded her bed; and when in¬ formed that all were present, she addressed them, ‘ My children, I wish you to know that 1 am to be separated from you, but you must not on that account be sorrowful. Do not murmur at the thought of my decease. The Lord has spared me not a few days: He has taken care of me many years, and has ever been merciful to me; I have wanted no good thing. I know him to whom 1 have trusted the salvation of my soul. IMy hope is fixed on Jesus Christ, who has died for my sins, and lives to intercede. I shall soon die and be at rest; but my wish is, that you will attend to these my words. Mv children, hold fast vour faith in Christ. Trust in him, love

him, and let not the world turn you away from him; and however you may be reviled and troubled in the world, hold very fast the word of God, and faint not in persevering prayer. My last word is, strive to live together in peace. Avoid disputes. Follow peace with all, and especially among yourselves. Love each other; comfort each other; assist and take care of each other in the Lord.’ After this charge to her children, she said but little. Her last words were spoken some hours before her death, when a church member, ever in attendance at sick beds, called upon her. She heard his voice, and said, ‘ Yes, I know thee, Mogami, my brother in the Lord. I am going, but thou wilt remain. Hold fast the word of God. Turn not from his ways. And take a message to thy wife, my sister in the Lord, that she must use all diligence to ensure eternal life.’”

Thus ended the career of Mamotlohogi, whom the author knew when her enmity to the Gospel made her a terror to her own children; but, in answer to many prayers, she was thus completely transformed. She was often seen leaning on a stick, led by a grand¬ child to the house of prayer. Let the reader contrast the above death-bed scene with the picture of heathen¬ ism given in page 367 of the present work.

Another of these grandmothers, who had wallowed in the very sewers of heathenism, the dupe of all the superstitions of former times, had been an active agent of the wicked one in opposing the progress of the Gospel. As the representative of bygone ages — for the snows of many a year were seen through the mass of grease and dirt which adorned her head — she was regarded with reverence by the younger females on the station, as the oracle of ancient wisdom. She was wont to tell them what they knew not of the customs of their ancestors. Had she been a man, her contaminating influence would long have been ar¬ rested; for there were those on the station whose

influence ayouIcI have driven her to seek an asylum elsewhere, hut she was borne with because she was a woman. She hated the very sight of the place of worship, and had taught many to blaspheme. One day she entered the chapel in quest of a child, and was constrained to sit a few minutes. She had not heard many sentences, when she tied from the hated spot. On the Sabbath following she came again, when all who saw her felt alarmed, lest violence was intended against some one, but she quietly heard the voice of mercy, and retired in an orderly manner. In the course of a few days she came to the author in a state bordering on distraction. ‘‘ My sins, my sins!” was the language of her lips; tears streaming down her already furrowed cheeks. Her half frantic soul would hear no comfort, nor listen to any counseh Night after night she would call me out of hed, to tell her what was to become of her soul. One day, meet¬ ing her in the street, with both hands she grasped mine, and, as if her heart would break, exclaimed, “To live I cannot — I cannot die.” Again she was directed to the Lamb of God, and the fountain opened for her sins; but she interrupted me, by saying, ‘’You say the blood of Christ cleanses from all sins; do you know the number of mine? Look to yonder grassy plain, and count the blades of grass or the drops of dew; these are nothing to the amount of my transgressions.” After continuing in this state several weeks, she was enabled to believe; when the being who once persecuted and cursed all who bore the Christian name, a mass of filth, which had given to her haggard and aged form an unearthly look, was found sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in her right mind.

adoring the riches of Divine grace, to one who was, as she would describe herself, ‘‘like the mire of the street.” Remarking to her one day, that, from her constant attendance on every means of instruction, she seemed like the Psalmist of old, desiring “to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever,” she replied, “I am old in the world, hut I am still a child in the school of Christ.” She continued fervent in spirit; the subject of Divine mercy and love so completely absorbing all the powers of her mind, that when visited in seasons of affliction, it was difflcult to elicit any¬ thing about her disease; for, if her answer commenced with the flesh, it was certain to end with the spirit. When subscriptions were making for the Auxiliary Missionary Society, she one day brought in her hand her mite, a pumpkin; and when my wife remarked that she might retain it, and she would put down her name for a small sum, her soul seemed to melt within her, while she asked,” Who is so great a debtor to the Saviour as I am? Is it too small? I shall go and borrow another.” This was verily the widow’s mite, and was doubtless followed by the widow’s reward.

Among numerous examples of the power of Divine grace, it ought to be particularly noticed, that polygamy, that formidable barrier to the success of the Gospel among” barbarous nations, has in numerous instances given way to the principle sanctioned by Christianity. Submission to this law is the severest test to which a savage can be subjected. When we see a man, for conscience’ sake, parting with one or more favourite wives, can we deny him the credit of sincerity? can we demand a more satisfactory demon-

pm st rat ion of the reality of the change? Among the converts at Griqua Town was a Mosutu, who had ten wives, and he cheerfully parted with nine, in obedience to the requirements of the Gospel. I believe all the missionaries among the Bechuanas are unanimous in the opinion, that not only an elder, but every member of the church, ought to be “the husband of one wife;” and that the first wife should be considered as having the rightful claim, unless she voluntarily renounces it, which has sometimes been done. Of course it is understood that such are provided for by the husband as long as they continue unmarried.

The villages of Ilamhana, about eight miles distant, containing at that time upwards of a thousand inhabitants, were regularly visited by one of us; and from the time that the mission had been removed, we had continued to preach to that people, without any fruit whatever from our labours; hut on these a blessing eventually descended, and many from among them have been added to the church. These have made delightful progress in the knowledge of Divine truth, and have realized our highest expectations. They derived great benefit from the most intelligent of our members, who resided among them, and laboured for years, influenced only by the constraining love of Christ.

About this time, the seed sown by Mr. Lemue at Motito began also to spring up, to cheer him and his beloved partner in their solitary labours. Notwithstanding these pleasing indications, we were not without our troubles and enemies. We had to mourn over a few who fell back into heathenism, and thus became stumblingblocks to others. Great forbear-DR. A. smith’s kindness.

ance and charity require to be exercised towards such as have but just emerged from the grossest ignorance; and it is not to be wondered at if, in studiously avoid¬ ing to break the bruised reed, some are received even too weak in the faith. Many, alarmed at the progress made by the medicine of God’s word,” as they termed it, were loud in their complaints of the new order of things which was introduced; and some were so determinately opposed to this new word or doctrine, that they removed to a distance beyond the reach of the Christian atmosphere. Some were concerned lest the water in the river which passed our houses might receive an infasion, and, being drunk, transform them too. None of the chiefs of any influence had then embraced Christianity, and though they did not publicly oppose us, they were of course no advocates for a doctrine, which, though like a leaven, it was diffusing the blessings of purity and peace among the tribes, was dreaded by the worldling and lascivious. They did not, as formerly, manifest any desire that we should leave the country, but on the contrary, would deprecate such an event. Our itinerating journeys became extended, and we were occasionally visited by individuals from a distance, who took with them some portion of the word of life which they had heard on the station, by which means the savour of the Gospel was spread.

In January, 1835, Dr. Andrew Smith, at the head of an expedition to explore the interior, sent by an association in Cape Town, arrived at the Kuruman. To myself, as well as my wife, this was a dispensation of mercy, ordered by that gracious Providence, without whom a sparrow cannot fall to the ground. Domestic

DR. A. smith’s kindness. affliction having compelled Mr. Edwards to visit the Colony, in addition to the increase of labour which necessarily devolved on me during his absence, I had been induced to apply to translation and printing more closely than my strength would allow, in the hottest season of the year, during which much rain had fallen. Dr. S. found me suffering from a severe attack of intermittent fever, but by the Divine blessing on his medical skill, I was soon restored. While the Expedition was surveying the borders of the Kalagare desert, prior to their visit to Moselekatse’s dominions, Mrs. M. was, after the birth of a son, suddenly taken ill, and brought to the very gates of death. The doctor, when informed of this, immediately hastened to render all the relief in his power. His tender sympathy, and unremitting attention in that trying season, during which all hope of her recovery more than once had fled, can never be erased from our grateful recollection, for in the midst of his active and laborious engagements at the head of the Expedition, he watched for several successive nights with fraternal sympathy, what appeared to be the dying pillow of my beloved partner, nor did he leave before she was out of danger. While we devoutly acknowledge His hand, “who healeth all our diseases,” we cannot but record how much we owe to this intelligent and enterprising traveller, for the untiring assiduity with wdiich he exercised his professional skill.

The kuatsi disease was also prevailing on the station at this time, and Dr. S. greatly endeared himself to our people in general by his benevolent exertions among them. These circumstances, as well as a disease among

his oxen, arising from the luxuriance of the grass,* detained him longer than he intended at the Kuruman; but by his persevering diligence, it added materially to the objects of the Expedition, by enriching his collection of specimens. A regular correspondence had been kept up between our station and Moselekatse, who had never in one instance wavered in the confidence he placed in me since my former visit. Messengers who had now been sent to him, having returned with a Matabele for the purpose of inviting the Expedition to proceed, the Doctor thought my presence might facilitate his object, and was anxious for me to accompany him. Mrs. M., on the day of our depart¬ ure, was just able to rise from her bed to bid us farewell, with the prospect of our being absent at least three months. A short time before this, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards had returned from the Colony with their family in improved health.

It is unnecessary for me to describe the journey to the Bakone country with the interesting party who thus entered a new field of scientific research. At the Molapo we were met by Kalepi, one of Moselekatse’s principal officers, who conducted us to Mosega, then in possession of the Matabele, where we were cordially received. Passing the Marikua river, we arrived at the monarch’s abode on the Tolane river, whither he had retired to one of his cattle outposts during the

It is very common for cattle brought from a distance to suffer in this way before they become seasoned to the climate, and accustomed to the pasture. The missionaries, in their visits to Graham’s Town and other places in the Colony, have been exposed to severe losses from a similar cause.

moselekatse’s despotism. prevalence of an epidemic in the country, which of course appeared to him more fatal in the large towns than at a sequestered village. The limits of my present work will not allow me to quote from a long journal, written during a residence of two months with Moselekatse. I had intended to accompany the Expedition while traversing his territories, but to this he objected, urging that I had gone there before, and that while he would send men to conduct Dr. Smith whereever he wished to go, he could on no account dispense with my company. I was therefore constantly with him for two months, during which he visited in my wagon several of his towns. Many opportunities were thus afforded me of conversing with him, and obtain¬ ing extensive information concerning the character of his people, the extent and nature of his despotic sway, and the deplorable state of the aborigines, who were either oppressed by slavery, or compelled to take refuge in the haunts of lions and hyenas. When I brought these melancholy effects of his policy before him, he would reply, that they were owing to the ignorance and disobedience of his chief men, adding, that if missionaries came to dwell with him, they would prevent these evils by teaching the people.

From the frequent conversations I had with him and his people on the subject of religion, and some of the strange ceremonies which I witnessed, it was evident that though they were entirely ignorant of the origin of all things, and of a Creator and Governor, they used the name Morinio* — or Molimo according * This being the Sechuana word, as 1 never could discover that the Zoolus had even the name in their language.

to their pronunciation — which they applied not to a being or power, but to the state of the dead, or influence of the manes of the dead. One evening an ox, bearing no particular mark, was driven into the presence of the sovereign, and kept before him while he walked backward and forward. It was said he was praying, but his prayer consisted of an eulogium on myself, and on his own power and renown, as well as those of his father Machobane. To my inquiries concerning their ideas on the immortality of the soul, I could obtain no satisfactory answer. Nevertheless, there appeared some reason to believe that Moselekatse had an idea that the spirit of Machobane had some influence on his successes and conquests, though his address was more like calling to mind his heroic deeds, than supplicating his aid. He also expressed himself in strong language, desiring, or rather commanding, that no evil should befall me on the road, but that I should return to my friends with a heart as white as his own had been made by my visit. After a long preamble, the ox, which had been some time in his presence, was allowed to mingle with the herd. From all I could see in this affair, or could hear of the nature of their superstitious customs, many of them similar to the above, differing from those of the central tribes, I could not consider them as idolatry, or adoration of any being, but ceremonies that sorcerers had invented, or the mere fragments of what had passed into oblivion. M. Casalis, the French missionary, is of the same opinion with regard to the Basutos, among whom very similar customs prevail. He remarks, “The Basutos speak of Morimo, consult their rain-makers, and their amulets and slaughter their victims, without appearing to attach the least religious idea to these actions. ‘We have learned this from our fathers, hut we do not know the reason of it.’ This is the answer they make to the questions which are put to them on these subjects. Perhaps it would facilitate our labours if they had some notion of this kind.”

Playing travelled in a circuitous direction, we came to Kurrechane, or as it is more commonly called, Chuenyane, a noble mountain, in a fine, well-watered country, the boundary of Mr. Campbell’s journey; but the town which bore the name of the mountain

my Matabele attendants. The number of lions was fearful; my old and only horse happening to wander from the wagons in the evening, I begged Moselekatse to send out some of his men to find it if possible, as it would, in all probability, be devoured before morning. He promptly complied with my request, and as the men passed my wagon, all inquired the name of the horse; “Mars,” was the reply. A diligent search ensued, when they all shouted lustily for Mars, but were compelled to make a speedy retreat owing to the lions. When they returned they said that Mars had wandered far, or had fallen asleep, as he did not reply I Of course I gave up all hope of recovering him; but Moselekatse, to comfort me, sent a message, “That Morimo would assuredly take care of his own servant’s horse.” In the morning the horse was found, though, during the night, we had heard the lions roar from every point of the compass.

It is a pleasing, sometimes an exciting exercise, to look back on the rugged path which we have been

was not to be found by

called to tread, and to recount the dangers from which a gracious Providence has rescued us. Some of these have been so striking, that when I recall the circumstances, I am forcibly impressed with the sentiment, that “man is immortal till his work is done.” On the present journey, when travelling alone in a woody and sequestered place, I left the direct road, to avoid a ford where there were many crocodiles. I had not proceeded two stone casts, when it suddenly occurred to me, that I should like to examine a projecting rock which lay beyond the path I had left. After examining the object which had attracted my attention, I turned towards the place whence I had come in order to retrace my steps, but saw a lion, which had caught scent of me on that spot, looking about for his prey. I of course made for the old ford, when, after throwing in, as is customary, some stones to frighten the crocodiles away, I hastened to the other side, glad enough to get the watery monsters between the lion and myself. The lions in this part of the country having gorged on human flesh, if hungry do not spend time in looking at the human eye, as some are said to do, but seek the easiest and most expeditious way of making a meal of a man.*

* In one of my early journeys, I had an escape from an African tiger and a serpent, no less providential. I had left the wagons, and wandered to a distance among the coppice and grassy openings in quest of game. I had a small double-barrelled gun on my shoulder, which was loaded with a hall and small shot; an antelope passed, at which I fired, and slowly followed the course it took. After advancing a short distance, I saw a tiger-cat staring at me between the forked branches of a tree, behind which his long spotted body was concealed, twisting and turning his tail like a cat just going to spring on its prey. This I knew was a critical mo-MOSEGxV BASIN.

III the course of our journeys, Moselekatse manifested great anxiety to convince me that the ruined towns we passed were the remains of former ages, and not the spoliations of his warriors; and in this instance he was correct. When we reached the Mosega Basin, in which one portion of his warriors dwelt, among thirteen villages, six of which were Bahurutsi, who appeared to he tolerably well treated, he took great pains to point out this to me, as a proof of the benignity of his sway.

Dr. Smith and party having returned from one trip, I rode to Tolane, forty miles distant, and after an interesting meeting, and a day’s social converse with the doctor, I returned to Mosega, to prepare for leaving the country, while the Expedition proceeded towards the tropics. Having received letters by messengers sent to the Kuruman, including one from the American missionaries, proposing to commence a mission among the Matabele, I laid the subject before Moselekatse, to which he gave his cordialment, not having a shot of ball in my gun. I moved about as if in search of something on the grass, taking care to retreat at the same time. After getting, as I thought, a suitable distance to turn my back, I moved somewhat more quickly, but in my anxiety to escape what was behind, I did not see what was before, until startled by treading on a large cobra de capello serpent, asleep on the grass. It instantly twirled its body round my leg, on which 1 had nothing but a thin pah’ of trowsers, when I leaped from the spot, dragging the venomous and enraged reptile after me, and while in the act of throwing itself into a position to bite, without turning round, I threw my piece over my shoulder, and shot it. Taking it by the tail, 1 brought it to my people at the wagons, who, on examining the bags of poison, asserted, that had the creature bitten me, I could never have reached the wagons. The serpent was six feet long.

assent. Thus having settled every thing necessary respecting future measures, and surveyed the country to find large timber for the roof of our new place of worship, I returned to the Kuruman, to record again the goodness and mercy which had encompassed me and all the mission families during my absence, Mrs. M.’s health also being much improved.

Before concluding this chapter I would only ob¬ serve that the countries I visited on the present as well as on my former journey to Moselekatse, are the finest I have seen in Southern Africa, and capable of supporting a dense population, which they evidently once did. The soil is exceedingly fertile, and minerals abound. Iron ore lies scattered over the surface of the hills, many of which appear to be entirely composed of it. This ore the natives contrive, with the simplest apparatus, to smelt, and from it they procure iron of a very superior quality. I have seen little hills composed entirely of loadstone, and from experiment found that every fragment possessed a north and a south pole. Copper mines also abound, and from some specimens I saw, would yield about fifty per cent. The Bakone country also yields tin. The mines of this metal I had no opportunity of seeing, but the specimens of moruru, as it is called, which I purchased from the natives, were of the best quality. The country of the Bamanguato and to the east of the great lake is not without timber, but water is scarce. The neighbourhood of the lake itself is reported to be exceedingly fertile.

i’fiiia l’h(iUi‘jri(ph by Rev. W. Lli.is. IJjiininiahazo, Eafcsiliangia, An lriamperingia,

chief mason. native pastor. the queen’s goldsmith