First Mission to South Africa

First Mission to South Africa — Mr. Schmidt’s success — Mission resumed — Mission to the Kafirs — Dr. Vanderkemp leaves Cape Town — Enters Kafir-land — Suspicions of the Kafirs — Ignorance of the natives — The Doctor’s colleague leaves him — The Doctor’s devotedness and humility — Gaika solicits him to make rain — His self-denial and perils — A Hottentot woman — Enmity of some colonists — Awful retribution — Kafir Mission abandoned.

The London Missionary Society, on its establishment in 1795, directed its first efforts to the islands of the Pacific; in which the missionaries, after a long period of toil, under accumulated hardships, have witnessed triumphs of the Gospel the most signal, among a race of barbarians and cannibals, which it has ever fallen to the province of history to record. The. attention of the Society was next directed to the vast and important field of Southern Africa, then wholly unoccupied, except by the United Brethren of Ger¬ many. The small Moravian church of Herrnhut sent forth her missionaries more than a century ago, first to the negroes of the West, and then to the fur-clad inhabitants of Greenland.

“Fired with a zeal peculiar, they defy
The rage and rigour of a polar sky,

And plant successfully sweet Sharon’s rose
On icy plains, and in eternal snows.”

In July 1736, George Schmidt, with something of that zeal which fired the bosom of Egede, the pioneer of the mission to Greenland, left his native country for that of the Hottentots. He was the first who, commissioned by the King of kings, stood in the vale of Grace, (Genadendal,) at that time known by the name of Bavian’s Kloof, (the Glen of Baboons,) and directed the degraded, oppressed, ignorant, despised, and, so far as life eternal is concerned, the outcast Hottentots, to the Lamb of God, who tasted death for them. It is impossible to traverse the glen, as the writer has done, or sit under the great pear-tree which that devoted missionary planted with his own hands, without feeling something like a holy envy of so distinguished a person in the missionary band. When we remember that actions receive their weight from the circumstances under which they have been called forth, how exalted a glory must such an one as George Schmidt possess in the heavenly world, where one star differeth from another star in glory, compared with a great majority of the present day, who have doors opened to them, and a host of examples before them, with the zeal and prayers of the whole Christian church to animate and support them! Though he could only address the Hottentots through an interpreter, his early efforts were crowned with success, and the attendance at the first Hottentot school ever founded rapidly increased. The Hottentots, with all their reputed ignorance and apathy, justly regarded him with sentiments of un¬ feigned love and admiration; and so evidently was the Gospel made the power of God, that in the course of a few years he was able to add a number of converts to the church of the first born.

In 1743, the lonely missionary was compelled to visit Europe, when the Dutch East India Company, actuated by representations that to instruct the Hottentots would be injurious to the interests of the Colony, refused to sanction the return of this messenger of mercy to that unfortunate people. Every effort to resume the Mission was fruitless, till the year 1792, when Marsveldt, Schwinn, and Kiichnel sailed for the Cape of Good Hope. They received every attention, and went in search of the spot where, more than half a century before, Schmidt left his little band. Part of the walls of his house was indeed still standing, and in the garden were several fruit-trees planted by his hands; whilst various ruins of walls, at a short distance, marked the site of the lowly cottages which were once inhabited by his affectionate hearers; and, what must have been over¬ powering to these followers of so good a man, one of the females whom he had baptized, by the name of Magdalena, was also found out, and appeared to have a tolerable recollection of her former teacher, though she was now about seventy years of age. She also produced a New Testament, bearing the marks of constant use, which he had presented to her. This she had preserved as a precious relic, and, although now bent down with age and feebleness, she expressed great joy on being informed that Marsveldt and his companions were the brethren of her old and beloved pastor.

The Hottentots who remembered Mr. Schmidt, or had heard of his labours of love, rallied around the standard again erected; and though great and many were the trials and distresses of the missionaries, often threatened with destruction and murder, all recorded in the chronicles of heaven, their labours were blessed; and, through Divine help, the Moravian Missions have prospered, and spread their branches through different parts of the Colony, and to the Tambookies beyond it, where they have now a flourishing station. What a remarkable display have we here of the faithfulness and mercy of God, in preserving the seed sown by Schmidt in a most ungenial soil, and left to vegetate in an aspect the most forbidding, for such a length of time! Who can doubt the Divine assurance, “My word shall not return unto me void

On the 31st of March, in the year 1799, Dr. Vanderkemp, accompanied by Messrs. Kicherer and Edmonds, landed at Cape Town, then in the possession of the Dutch. Dr. V. selected Kahr-land as the field of his operations, while Mr. Kicherer, accompanied by Mr. Kramer, yielded to a call of Providence, and proceeded to the Bushmen on the Zak River. Vanderkemp, who was a native of Holland, seemed, from his experience, natural firm¬ ness of character, and distinguished talents, prepared for the Herculean task of at once forcing his way into the head- quarters of the enemy, and raising the standard of the cross amidst a dense population of barbarians, the most powerful, warlike, and independent of all the tribes within or without the boundaries of the Cape Colony, and who, notwithstanding the superior means for human destruction enjoyed by their white neighbours, still maintained their right to their native hijls and dales. He might at once, with comparatively little trouble or hardship, have fixed his abode among the Hottentots within the Colonv, to whom he eventually devoted all the energies of his body and mind, in raising that depressed, degraded, helpless, and enslaved race, to freemen in Christ Jesus, and break¬ ing the fetters that a cruel policy had riveted on that hapless people, the aborigines and rightful owners of a territory now no longer theirs.

The Doctor, having cast his eye over the condition of the Hottentots, concluded that there was scarcely any possibility of making progress among a people so proscribed by government, and at the mercy of their white neighbours, on whom they could not look without indignation, as any other human beings would have done in similar circumstances; he therefore, very naturally, directed his steps to those who were yet free from these unjustifiable restrictions.

Having received every encouragement from the English government, and recommendatory letters to the farmers, he left Cape Town. The country through which he had to pass was thinly, and in many places newly inhabited. The party arrived at Graaf Reinet on June 29, after having, with their attendants and cattle, experienced many narrow escapes from lions, panthers, and other wild beasts, as well as from Bush¬ men and Hottentots, of character still more ferocious. Notwithstanding, wherever they went, they were kindly treated by the farmers, although their fears and alarms must have been many, and nothing but Divine power could have cheered them onward in their desert path.

In July, 1799, he proceeded from Graaf Reinet, the most distant colonial town, and the nearest to the Kafirs. ‘Hiis was a daring undertaking, when it is remembered that for a long time previous a dire.

and often deadly strife had been kept up between them and the farmers, whom they very naturally viewed as intruders, and towards whom they must have looked with a jealous eye, both they and their forefathers having witnessed the reduction of the Hottentots, once their equals in number and power, to a state of slavery, destitution, and sorrow, the mere fragment of a nation being left.

It would be expecting too much from human nature, and even from the noble and manly character of the Kafirs, to suppose that they should refrain from laying hands on the cattle of the farmers, a system carried on amongst all the tribes of South Africa. There is, however, much reason to believe that they were excited to this practice to a much greater extent by the conduct of some unprincipled colonists, for we find on one of the earliest missions to Gaika, for the purpose of preventing depredations by the Kafirs, the chiefs stated that these were prompted solely by the example set first, and on a larger scale, by the colonists. This, it seems, was an undeniable fact, so that the British could only stipulate for the good conduct of their subjects in future, provided the Kafirs observed a similar procedure. It was among a people inured to war, fierce and superstitious, and often exasperated by the exercise of the superior power of their neighbours, that Dr. Vanderkemp pitched his tent. I have gazed with sacred awe on the spot where he raised the Gospel standard; here he laboured for a season, in company with Mr. Edmonds, who, to his deep regret, afterwards proceeded to the East Indies. He was thus left alone with only a few attendants, among a people destitute of confidence in each other, and fired with jealousy towards every white intruder, with these feelings frequently increased by the influence of runaway slaves and deserters, who naturally felt that their interest and safety would be secured by fanning the flame of discord.

Under all these untoward circumstances it was impossible that the Kafirs could view Dr. V.’s sojourn among them in any other light than as a spy, or precursor of deeply laid stratagems to get possession of their country and cattle, by the people from whom he had come, and to whom he belonged. He carried no credentials to recommend him, but the Divine commission: his very appearance must have had little to fascinate a savage mind, capable of appreciating only outward pomp, or displays of human power. The Doctor’s habits were such as to convey a very different impression, for he generally appeared in the plainest garb, and, according to his own account, without hat, or shoes or stockings. He had escaped in rough and trackless ravines and plains through which he passed, not only from beasts of y)rey, but from deserters, who laid in wait to murder him; and when he appeared before the sovereign of the country, he was at the mercy of a tyrant whose mind was poisoned by individuals from the Colony, of some influence, insinuating that he was a spy.

Many questions were put to him respecting his object, and political connexions, and they were especiallv anxious to know if he were sent by the English. To which the Doctor replied with great humility, and referred to the governor’s permission and recommendations to the favour of the authorities, in permitting him to proceed. “Did, then,” continued Gaika, “this

plan spring forth only out of your own heart ‘‘ This very question,” says the Doctor, “upbraided me of my unfaithfulness, and put this answer into my mouth: that this my plan was indeed formed only in my own heart, though it was never formed by it; but that the God of heaven and earth, in whose hand were their hearts and my heart, had put it into it to go to this people, and to communicate in his name, things with which their temporal and eternal happiness were connected.”

This simple and honest reply in some measure pacified the jealous spirit of one whose mind was more likely to be moved by the representations made to him that the missionaries were spies and assassins, possessing enchanted and poisoned wine for the purpose of taking his life. Mr. Buys, who had fled from the Colony on account of debt, being familiar with the language, was in the first instance of essential service to the missionary. Gaika was evidently struck with the peculiarity of the Doctor’s character, being altogether different from any of those he had seen before, and observing he never wore a hat, he asked him if God had ordered him not to do so.

Some time elapsed before the crafty monarch would give his consent that they should remain in his dominions; and when this was granted, and a suitable spot selected, the Doctor adds, in true Gospel simplicity, “Brother Edmonds and I cut down long grass and rushes for thatching, and felled trees in the wood. I kneeled down on the grass, thanking the Lord Jesus that he had provided me a resting-place before the face of our enemies and Satan, praying that from under this root the seed of the Gospel might spread northwards through all Africa.”

Some idea may be formed of the deplorable ignorance of the natives concerning the object of these men of God, from the following facts, occurrences similar to which the writer has often witnessed in other parts of the interior. After reading their evening chapter, when the missionaries arose to kneel around the fire with the Hottentots, a native, who was with them, was so terrified, that he seized his spear, and running ofi’ to the field, hid himself, supposing they intended to murder him. A few days after, a young Kafir woman going to visit the party, seeing in the distance their tent shaken by the wind, and supposing it to be some rapacious beast which the messengers of peace had let loose to devour her, bolted ofi’ through the river into the forest, where, missing the path, she had nearly lost her life by falling into a pit.

The Doctor, with his life in his hand, in the midst of a people among whom the murder of a white man was considered a meritorious deed, continued his onward course, like a ship rising above every succeeding wave which threatens to engulf it; and so completely was his mind absorbed and baffled by the vanity and dull monotony around, that for a time lie kept his sabbath on the Saturday. Deeply did he deplore the departure of his fellow-labourer, Mr. Edmonds, to which the Doctor refers in the spirit of Christian charitv, and ascribes it not to a diminution of fraternal love, but to an insurmountable aversion on his part to the people, and a strong desire to labour among the Hindoos of Bengal.

After Mr. E.’s departure, which was on the 1st of January, the Doctor, in his cheerless abode, was instant in season and out of season, eagerly em-VANDERKEMP’S DEVOTEDNESS.

bracing every opportunity of recommending the Gospel, and catching each little ray of light that beamed on his devious path. He was a man of exalted genius and learning. He had mingled with courtiers. He had been an inmate of the universi¬ ties of Leyden and Edinburgh. He had obtained plaudits for his remarkable progress in literature, in philosophy, divinity, physic, and the military art. He was not only a profound student in ancient languages, hut in all the modern European tongues, even to that of the Highlanders of Scotland, and had distinguished himself in the armies of his earthly sovereign, in connexion with which he rose to be captain of horse and lieutenant of dragoon guards. Yet this man, constrained by the ‘‘ love of Christ,” could cheerfully lay aside all his honours, mingle with savages, bear their sneers and contumely, condescend to serve the meanest of his troublesome guests — take the axe, the sickle, the spade, and the mattock — lie down on the place where dogs repose, and spend nights with his couch drenched with rain, the cold wind bringing his fragile house about his ears. Though annoyed by the nightly visits of hungry hyenas, sometimes destroying his sheep and travel¬ ling appurtenances, and even seizing the leg of beef at his tent door, — though compelled to wander about in quest of lost cattle, and exposed to the perplexing and humbling caprice of those whose characters were stains on human nature — whisperings occasionally reaching his ears that murderous plans were in progress for his destruction — he calmly proceeded with his benevolent efforts, and to secure his object, would stoop with “the meekness of wisdom” to please and propitiate the rude and wayward children of the desert whom he sou2:ht to bless.

In the midst of all his discouragements, when he discovered the faintest image of his Lord and Master in a poor Hottentot or Kafir, he was en¬ raptured. When told by a Hottentot woman that she incessantly prayed to Jesus to reveal himself to her, and teach her what she ought to know, his heart was filled with joy; and he adds, “I prayed the Lord that it might please him to accompany the unworthy efforts of his vile servant with the influences of his Spirit. And, oh, how did my soul rejoice that the Lord had given me in this wilderness, among tigers and wolves, and at such a distance from Christians, a poor heathen woman with whom I could converse confidently of the mysteries of the hidden communion with Christ. Oh, that I may not be deceived. Lo, my winter is past — the voice of the turtle is already heard in the land.” In one part of his journal he says, ‘‘ Satan roared like a lion. It would not he prudent to mention the particulars of his assaults, hut it was resolved that I should be killed as a conspirator against the king of this country.” While, however, thus exposed to the fury and jealousy of those whose feet were swift to shed blood, especially that of a white man, his whole journal exhibits an unwavering reliance on the name of the Lord, which he found to be a strong tower.

The native magicians having failed in their attempts to make rain, Gaika sent a reward of two milch cows and their calves, soliciting the Doctor to use his efforts. He replied that he could not make rain.

but could and would pray for it. His prayers were heard; rain fell abundantly, but the Doctor refused to accept the cattle; on which account Buys and others looked upon him as a fool, and declared, that though he did not like to take them, they would take good care that the king should never get them back. More than this. Buys, another Gehazi, sent word to Gaika, that the number was not sufficient for the rain, which induced the latter to send more, all of which Buys reserved for himself, unknown to Vanderkemp at the time.

It is impossible to take a review of the character of Vanderkemp under these circumstances, without admiring his devotion to his work, and without recognizing him as a pioneer of no ordinary character to all subsequent missionary operations in that country, now carried on by the London, Glasgow, and Wesleyan Missionary Societies. How insignificant have been the privations and dangers of more modern labourers, when compared with those of Vanderkemp, Kicherer, Anderson, and Albrecht, who first entered those regions of heathenism, introducing the gospel plough, and casting the seed into an ungenial soil, where, though in some instances it remained long buried, it eventually produced “an abundance of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit whereof shall shake like Lebanon!” To none is this comparison more applicable than to Dr. Vanderkemp. He came from a university to stoop to teach the alphabet to the poor naked Hottentot and Kafir — from the society of nobles, to associate with beings of the lowest grade in the scale of humanity — from stately mansions, to the filthy hovel of the greasy African — from the army to instruct the tierce savage the tactics of a heavenly warfare under the banner of the Prince of Peace — from the study of physic to become the guide to the balm in Gilead, and the Physician there — and, finally, from a life of earthly honour and ease, to be exposed to perils of waters, of robbers, of his own countrymen, of the heathen, in the city, in the wilderness. All who are acquainted with the history of our African missions, must admit these facts, and say. They, indeed, laboured, and we have entered into their labours.

Tbe following extract from Kay’s “Travels and Kesearches in Kafir-land,” cannot be read without deep interest: —

“The Mission stations in Kaffraria literally constitute folds, surrounded by evil spirits, as well as by beasts of prey; and all that rally round our standard are like so many sheep gathered together out of the wilderness. Within the last few days several have been added to our number: amongst whom is one whose case is worthy of particular notice. She is an aged Hottentot, who was baptized by the late Mr. Vanderkemp, about thirty years ago. During the short time spent by that devoted Missionary amongst the Kafir tribes, he taught her, and two or three other females, a knowledge of letters. This she afterwards improved by assiduous application, so that she was at length enabled to read the sacred Scriptures, a copy of which, presented by her venerable tutor, she still retains to this very day. Although, from that time to this she had never enjoyed the privilege of sitting under a Christian ministry, it would, nevertheless, appear that she ever retained a sense of religion, and a very strong attachment to her Bible. On hearing of the establishment of Butterworth, she anxiously strove to get her heathenish husband (Lochenberg) into the mind for removing to the Mission village, that she might once more hear the Gospel, and get her poor children instructed. But to this he would never consent, well knowing that his deeds were of such a

character as would not bear the light. The measure of his iniquity, however, being full, the hand of violence was permitted to remove him out of the way some months ago; and the shocking circumstances connected with his death, constitute a striking comment upon that passage of holy writ, ‘ Consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.’

‘‘He was one of the Dutch farmers who fled from the Colon v, about the time when Mr. Vanderkemp was endeavouring to commence his mission. Professing great regard for the latter on account of his ministerial character, these fugitives flocked around him, moved when he moved, and encamped where he encamped. They had not been with him long, however, before his faithfulness aroused determined enmity, and they secretly strove to injure him in every possible way. Although some of them had taken native wives, and all been obliged to take refuge in the territories of the natives, their deep-rooted prejudices against the latter still continued, insomuch that Mr. Vanderkemp’s preaching to them rendered him contemptible in their eyes. ‘ ‘Whenever they saw him,’ said old Saartje, ‘ go into the bush for prayer or meditation, one or other of the Christi mensche (Christians) immediately ran into his tent to steal. His chests were frequently broken open, and his money taken away, until at last he had scarcely doublejees (pence) sufficient to carry him back to the Colony.’

“It does not appear that any one of this party died a natural death. ‘ Faber,’ said my informant, who was well acquainted with all the circumstances, ‘ was afterwards hung in the Colony as a rebel. Buys wandered about amongst the tribes, murdering and plundering, until he himself was murdered, Both a was killed by the Kafirs, at the instigation of his companion. The hut in which Bezuidenhoud slept was one night fired by the natives, and he was burnt to death. The Irishman, (a deserter connected with the band,) together with one of his children, was also burnt to ashes, while asleep, by one of the native women with whom he had lived; and, as already intimated, Lochenberg himself, ‘ whom vengeance suffered not to live,’ was literally cut to pieces by the Amakwabi, about the middle of 1829.”

At the close of the year 1800, Dr. Vanderkemp, owing to a combination of circumstances, left Kahr-land, for GraafF Reinet, principally to meet the two brethren, Vanderlingen and Read, and remained a considerable time there, during a rebellion among the farmers. He visited Kafir-land again, but from the unsettled state of the frontier, was compelled to relinquish the mission and return to GraafF Reinet, where he laboured among the Hottentots. General Dundas offered means of forming a station in the Colony, ‘‘ to endeavour,” as the governor expressed it, “to ameliorate the spiritual and temporal condition of that unhappy people, whom, upon every principle of humanity and justice, government is bound to protect.”