Preparations and Departure for Africa
At last the Directors resolved to accept his services, and he left Dukinfield nursery for the purpose of being close to Mr. Roby in Manchester, to receive such superintendence as was possible in his studies; but as this period was not allowed to extend over more than a few months, whatever gifts may have been bestowed upon Robert Moffat to fit him for his work as a missionary, it certainly could not be said that they came in the form of collegiate opportunities.
The time drew near for his departure, and he paid a hurried visit to Scotland to bid farewell to his parents. He little thought of ever seeing them again, though they were both spared to welcome him on his return twenty-three years afterwards. He never saw his two sisters again. In a letter written from Manchester after his visit, he says:
“Having left Edinburgh with emotions which it is our lot to share, I arrived here at five o’clock the Sabbath morning following, very much fatigued. My bundle received no injury. I caught a slight cold. I availed myself of three hours’ sleep, and with unusual transport I accordingly went to hear our beloved pastor. Having embraced the opportunity of conversing with him, I could not learn the precise time that we were to depart, further than that letters had been received stating that we were to be in readiness, and that it was expected that we were to take partners along with us, and that in so doing it would be approved by the Directors (but more of this hereafter).”
After a description of the missionary anniversary services held in Manchester, which were marked with the enthusiasm of those early days, he goes on to say, in reference to his approaching departure and that of his companions: 17 18 EARNEST LONGINGS FOR THE WORK,
“Mr. Kitchingnian and Mr. Pratt both take wives along with them, but from particular reasons I go alone. I made it a matter of prayer to God, and from the clearest dictation of His Providence He bids me go alone; and He who appoints crosses and disappointments also imparts resignation and grace sufficient unto the day. So I am bold to adopt the language of Eli, and to say: ‘It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.’ My dear parents, such language may seem strange unto you, but its interpretation is known unto me in a measure, and what we know not now we shall know hereafter. My present feeling with respect to my undertaking, is that I long to be gone; I long to be engaged in the blessed work of saying to the heathen, ‘Behold your God I ‘Do not think that the future scenes cast me down. No! behold I go full of hope, transported at the prospect of being counted worthy of undergoing a few transient troubles for His sake, who for our sake became poor, who for our sakes was despised and rejected, was crucified and slain. No, my Redeemer! let me not sink, let me not faint. Oh I that when I die, I may die fighting in the armies of the living God!
“My colleague, Mr. Kitchingman, has earnestly requested me to remember him to you though unknown to him. I have to be grateful to God who hath appointed me such an one. He is endeared to me, and worthy of my affection. I shall be happy to spend my days with him: so what the Lord takes away on the one hand He gives on another.”
This early judgment of Mr. Kitchingman was not belied. He always remained a valued friend, though his lot was to work in another part of South Africa. He died at his post many years afterwards; one of his sons followed him in the missionary work, and is also gone to his rest; and others of the family are still entering into their labours.
The “interpretation” of one passage in the foregoing letter is to be found in a few lines addressed to the Rev. George Burder by Mr. Roby.
Manchester, Aug. 31, 1816.
Our festival is concluded, and it has been a festival indeed, at least equal to any that I have enjoyed in London. The sermons were uncommonly excellent, the meeting for business delightful, the missionary communion solemnly affecting; the collections at the severa’ services amounted to upwards of ^500....
“Poor Moffat’s amiable disposition and eminent devotedness have attracted the affectionate regards of his master’s daughter, a young lady of high piety, of polished manners, and the expectant of a considerable fortune. She possesses as truly a missionary spirit as he, and is eager to accompany him; but her parents forbid it, and both she and he therefore determine to sacrifice their ardent wishes.”
Moffat writes to his parents from London on the twenty-third of September:
“I left Manchester on Friday the 13th, at four o’clock in the afternoon. It was with no small degree of sorrow that I bid a final adieu to my present friends, who were friends indeed, who manifested their distinguished kindness towards me in an extraordinary manner. The family of Smith, with whom I served at Dukinfield, were truly kind to me, with many others whose names are written in heaven, and who shall be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. It is impossible for me to be grateful enough to God for such a friend as Mr. Roby. Truly his kindness, like that of a father, will not be easily obliterated from my mind. I have no doubt but it will follow us as long as the wheels of life continue to move.
“I visited the Rooms on Friday morning and saw Mr. Burder, secretary. I spent some time in viewing the museum, which contains a great number of curiosities from China, Africa, South Seas, and West Indies. It would be foolish for me to give you a description. Suffice it to say that the sight is truly awful, the appearance of the wild beasts is very terrific, but I am unable to describe the sensations of my mind when gazing on the objects of pagan worship. Alas I how fallen my fellow-creatures, bowing down to forms enough to frighten a Roman soldier, enough to shake the hardest heart. Oh that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies: all of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals. I have not repented in becoming a missionary, and should I die in the march, and never enter the field of battle, all will be well.
“On Saturday night I heard a minister of Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion, at Spa Fields, and on Sabbath I heard the Rev. Mr. Burder and Dr. Waugh, that worthy Scotchman, like another John Knox, To-day, which is Monday, the Committee of Directors met for examination, but there was very little said to us — from our having been examined at Manchester, I suppose. On my entering the room with the rest. Dr. Waugh, on shaking hands, said, ‘Are not you one of Ebbie Brune’s lads? ‘I said that I had heard him frequently and kne-v him well. I understand that Dr. W. was one of his father’s pupils. He speaks of them with great feeling and respect. I was almo*;t afraid of appearing before the Directors to be examined, for they turn one outside in. However, next Monday we are appointed to meet, and be publicly ordained and designated to the important work.”
On the evening of the thirtieth of September nine missionaries were set apart. The service was at Surrey Chapel. The names of Leifchild, Winter, Waugh, and John Campbell of Kingsland — household words to a past generation — appear on this occasion in connection with what was naturally a specially interesting service; though few could have formed any adequate forecast of the wide interest that would attach to the names of two who were then buckling on their armour. Four men were destined to the South Seas, of whom John Williams was to be the first martyr of Erromanga. Other five were for South Africa.
ao LEAVES ENGLAND.
During the discussions in the missionary committee as to how this band of men was to be distributed, it had first been proposed that WilHams and Moffat should both go to Polynesia; but this was overruled at the suggestion of Dr. Waugh, who deemed “thae twa lads ower young to gang tegither,” so they were separated. On these small links hang our lives.
After many delays — which intending voyagers then took as a matter of course — the party embarked at Gravesend, on the eighteenth of October, in the Alacrity, Captain Findlay. The pilot left them in the Downs on the twentieth, bringing one more affectionate letter from Robert to his parents; the shores of England faded from his view, and he was launched on the enterprise of his life.