Fourth Journey to Mosilikatse

In 1 85 7 the translation of the Old Testament was finished, and the whole Bible was in the hands of the Bechwanas in their own language. To the translator the labour had been simply herculean. His work had been carried on in the face of countless interruptions as already described by himself. These may have saved him from a concentration on study resulting in serious consequences, but it required indomitable energy and strength of will to overcome them. The distance of other stations, and the absence of means for speedy intercourse, prevented his fellow-labourers, with the exception of Mr. Ashton, from taking any important part in the work. At the time it was going on they were also, for the most part, at work on comparatively new stations, and fully absorbed in overcoming the difficulties incident to such undertakings. The New Testament, which with the Psalms had been printed in 1840, on the occasion of Moffat’s visit to England, was already in full circulation. It is worthy of remark, and is a tribute to the character of the translation, that the identical text is still in use after more than forty years. No one would be so foolish as to say that it cannot be improved, but as yet the improvement has not been made.

Before the last sheets of the Old Testament had passed through the press Moffat was laying his plans for further action. He felt great concern for the many tribes comparatively within reach to the north-east, who for some years had enjoyed the presence of missionaries, and were now again left to themselves. Especially was his mind exercised for Sechele, chief of the Bakwena, who united with a forwardness to receive the gospel and its accompanying civilization quite unusual an erratic waywardness of disposition, which caused grief and fear to his best friends. So

2i6 EXTENSIVE PLANS FOR NEW MISSIONS.

MofTat had made up his mind to visit Sechele and his neighbours, and to strengthen the hands of one or two native teachers who still held their ground.

Meanwhile Livingstone, after disappearing at Loanda on the west coast, had reappeared at Quillimane on the east, and had made his way to London. The supporters of the London Missionary Society had come to take a strong interest in the Makololo, who under their chief, Sekeletu, had shown such confidence in the missionary, and such capacity for enterprise; and steps were taken for the establishment of a mission among them. There was one condition necessary, that the Makololo should leave the marshy network of rivers about the Chobe where they were living, or rather slowly dying, and should remove to the high country about the Kafue, on the north bank of the Zambezi, and opposite to the Matebele, on the south bank. But the two tribes had a long-standing feud, and the Makololo distrusted their southern neighbours, whose love of plunder would sooner or later assert itself and lead to a renewal of the attacks which had formerly caused the Makololo to abandon that region and betake themselves westward to the shelter of the marshes and rivers. So a great plan took shape, which, like a good many other plans of man’s making, after costing a deal of money and life, came to nothing. It was thought that if a mission could be established simultaneously among the Makololo and Matebele, the two tribes could be got to live in peace. The outcome of all this, so far as Moffat was concerned, was a letter from the Directors proposing that he should go for a twelvemonth to the Matebele, taking with him two younger men, and plant a new mission.

There were many things to be considered. He was sixty-two years old, of which forty-one had been spent in hard work for the Society; but that consideration did not weigh for a moment. Though he might be fit for such an undertaking, his wife was not. She was still active and energetic, but she only kept herself in working order by extreme care and method, such as could be secured on an old and well-estabhshed station like Kuruman. It would be necessary for her to remain behind. True, the Bechwana Mission, already almost abandoned, would be more completely bereft by the so long absence of the one man whom his two or three companions would readily acknowledge to count for a host in himself. Ashton would be left at Kuruman, Frdoux at Motito, Ross at Taung to the eastward, and Hughes at Griqua Town. Helmore was away on furlough. But Moffat felt that if he went forward it was for the Directors to look to it that the hands of those in the Bechwana field were strengthened.

A still more serious consideration was as to how such a move would be regarded by Mosilikatse and his people. Had it rested solely with Moffat at this time he would not have advised an immediate commencement of a mission to the Matebele. But he felt that the action of the Directors was in part the result of what he himself had written home, and he was too chivalrous to draw back at such a moment. In two days his mind was made up. “I will go,” he said, “but I must start at once and first prepare the minds of Mosilikatse and his people for the coming among them of missionaries, and explain to him the whole plan.” So in a few days more he was off, ploughing the sandy plains to the north-east, with seven hundred miles thither and seven hundred miles back again of travelling in the slow but trusty ox waggon.

On his way he made use of the opportunity to visit the Bechwana tribes along his line of route. He found himself face to face with a grave question at vSechele’s. Three missionaries had arrived — a Mr. Schroeder, with two companions, belonging to a Hanoverian Society under the direction of Pastor Harms, of Hermannsburg. Curiously enough they had come through the Boers, and in some measure by their aid, in answer to an appeal from Sechele, who had begun to despair of further attention from the London missionaries. At this time Pretorius was in power at Potchefstroom. He was a man of mild disposition, and sought to pursue a more peaceful pohcy towards the native tribes. The Boers were harassed by dissensions among themselves, and a certain party of them were cultivating the friendship of the border chiefs, particularly of Sechele.

When the worthy Schroeder arrived in the town of the Bakwena, accompanied by a Boer functionary from the Marico District, the chief began to realize the true significance of the step he had taken. His people, not actuated by his intense desire for a missionary, were quick at catching up an objection to these men. They had come with and from the Boers, their coming meant no good. If the Boers wished the Bakwena to have the word of God, why had they driven away Ngakb (Livingstone), burnt his house, and pillaged his property?

When Moffat appeared on the scene his own mind was full of somewhat similar thoughts. But he had not been long in the company of the new-comers before he was reassured. He found them good and worthy men, whose connection with the Boers was merely accidental. They had come that way from Natal because they did not know how else to get there, and when they had found that the Bakwena were under the care of the London Missionary Society, and had among them a native teacher, they had,

2i8 HANOVERIANS AND THE MISSION.

through their own Superintendent in Natal, taken steps to communicate with the Directors of that Society; and hearing that Moffat was expected from Kuruman, they meanwhile awaited his arrival. Still the position was perplexing. Here was a case of intrusion, and a departure from the rule of courtesy and convenience which the Evangelical Societies observe towards each other. A word would have been enough. Schroeder would have withdrawn instantly if he had been asked to do so, and Sechele was only wanting Moffat’s word for it, which he earnestly desired, when he found, to his mortification, that in receiving his new friends he was parting company with his old ones. But Moffat felt that he could not say the word. If these missionaries left, Sechele could then justly claim to be supplied with at least one European agent by his old Society. And this was just what Moffat could not promise. So the Hanoverians remained. They have done and are doing good work within the Transvaal, where they have many stations. Their nationality, and their concessions to the Boers on some points, give them a footing where English missionaries would be shut out; but it is open to question whether it would not have been better for the Kalahari tribes outside of the Transvaal to have had their wants supplied entirely by the Society which had first commenced work there.

Moffat arranged that Paul, the native teacher, should remain to assist the new missionaries for a time, and successfully combated the prejudices of the Bakwena. It was decided that the mission should be transferred to the Hanoverians, and so it remained for some years, when they withdrew, and their place was again supplied by the London Society. Moffat went his way, and in due time arrived at the headquarters of Mosilikatse. The task in hand was not so simple and easy as it might seem at this distance of time. The failure of attempts in former years to establish missions among his people had not left a good impression on the mind of Mosilikatse. Yes; he was willing to have missionaries, but my friend Ramary must come himself. “These new men, I do not know them. All men are not alike.” Then he and his people shared in a deep conviction that the opening of the country to white men to come and settle would be the beginning of the end. They were not far wrong there.

However, all these difficulties were overcome by patient effort, and the way seemed clear. Again and again was the chief reminded that the new-comers would come with their wives to make their homes there, and would not be merely visitors as Moffat had been, and that their great work would be to teach and to preach the gospel. It was obvious even then that the chief’s mind was full of other things. Pie thought of certain temporal advantages which in his mind would be connected with their advent and residence in the country.

To the north-east of the Bakwena, on the road to the Matebele, lay the Bamangwato, a large tribe ruled by Sekhomi. The legal chief, by name Macheng, had been taken prisoner by the Matebele when a boy, about twenty years before. On his former journey to Mosilikatse Moffat had been importuned by Sechele and others to bring back Macheng, if possible, out of captivity. He had declined to do so, because it seemed to him to be trenching to an undesirable extent upon the region of politics. But on this occasion his objections had been overcome, especially when Sekhomi declared his willingness to abdicate his power in favour of Macheng, whose rights he never attempted to dispute.

Accordingly, when the main object of Moffat’s journey was accomplished, he sought and obtained the release of Macheng. It was not a small matter to set free a captive, and even to forego such ransom as might have been expected in his case as the chief of a large tribe; but consent seems to have been readily given, and towards the end of the year Moffat turned his face homewards, accompanied by Macheng. On his arrival at Shoshong, the town of the Bamangwato, there was, of course, much excitement, and Macheng was welcomed back; but Moffat refused to give him over to any one but Sechele, in whose keeping he was when captured by the Matebele, and in accordance with whose request Moffat had obtained his liberation. On the arrival of the travellers at Lithubaruba, an immense concourse of Bechwanas, representing eight different tribes, were assembled, and in their presence Macheng was handed over, and shortly escorted back to his own people. The transaction was not attended with the best results. Sekhomi gave way, but never ceased to plot and agitate. After several revolutions and countless wars, which nearly led to the dismemberment of the tribe, Macheng and Sekhomi both died in exile, and the tribe is now ruled by Khame, the son of the latter, a man of more than ordinary character and enlightenment, and a decided Christian

Mary Moffat to one of her Children,

“July 13, 1857.” AH pens have been going except mine, and I feel a sort of hankering after it too, though I dare not write much or it would so far stupefy me, as to cause me to forget some part of the provision necessary for your father’s long journey. You can hardly conceive of the variety of things which go to equip a person on such an expedition, into a country totally uncivihzed. The importance to the mission of Bessie’s having come out was never more evident than now. Your fathel

would hardly have seen it his duty to leave me now had she not been

here. As it is, all is comparatively easy. The poor heart will ache

in anticipation of all these separations, and the life of privation and

hardship which seems destined for so many loved members of my

family. I cannot help contemplating what is before the Livingstones

and yourself, as well as your father at his advanced age. Thus my

sympathy is excessively excited — I say excessively, but this I ascribe

to my physical debility, for what I would have faced courageously

(when once convinced of my duty) seems now very formidable to me.

I can, however, call to mind how we have been sustained and

strengthened for the last forty years, and our lives preserved, till we

have seen the whole of the precious volume in print in this language.

Thus I take courage for you all, and doubt not you may be honoured

to see greater things than these in this poor benighted country. The

tribes in this part do not duly appreciate their privileges, and it may

be that they will value them more when they see teachers passing

them by; and then they will have to fall back on the written word

like the Malagasy — and we have seen how quick and powerful has

been the sword of the Spirit there. Conceive, then, our joy on the

completion of such a work, and we feel that we owe much to the

cause in which we are engaged as a proof of our gratitude for such an

honour put upon us.”

On his return from his journey to Mosilikatse, Moffat found the news awaiting him that the Livingstones were starting for the Zambezi, and were to call at the Cape on their way; and that a large party of new missionaries had been appointed to commence the new Interior Missions. Mary Moffat had a strong conviction that if her daughter once went to the Zambezi she would not return, and here was the chance for a last meeting. Moffat himself saw an opportunity of meeting and conferring with the Doctor, who, though no longer in the service of the London Missionary Society, was expected to be an important auxiliary to operations among the Makololo. The path of duty seemed to be clear, and the Moffats started for the Cape, using the utmost expedition, travelling over the northern wastes of the Colony and through the Karroo for the first time in their lives in a horse waggon. In due time the Government expedition arrived, and after a short stay at the Cape went on its way; and Livingstone said good-bye for the last time to his wife’s parents. She had suffered so much on the voyage that it was thought better for her to accompany the missionary party overland, with the view of meeting her husband on the Zambezi. It was some time before all arrived; and it was August before a start was made for the interior. Helmore was to go to the Makololo with Mackenzie and Price; Moffat to the Matebele with Sykes and Thomas. Moffat’s younger son was to accompany the latter party, sustained in the capacity of a missionary out of Livingstone’s private resources. The latter, in giving up official connection with direct missionary work, felt a desire to have a sort of deputy to take his place, and devoted more than a fourth of his Government salary to this object.

During his stay in Cape Town, Moffat met with many proofs of goodwill. Old and faithful friends, whose friendship dated from days of darkness and evil report, welcomed him as warmly as ever after an absence of fifteen years. Beyond the limits of this circle there was a strong and widespread interest in the new undertakings, which at that time seemed to promise such great things for Tropical South Africa. Sir George Grey was then Governor, and showed an unusual and practical determination to forward the objects of the party.

Whilst there was much to encourage, there were also great difficulties to be overcome. One of those severe droughts, unhappily so common in the history of South Africa, made the long journey from Cape Town to the Orange River one continuous struggle. When the various parties reached the northern limit of the Colony, it was after a much more tedious journey than usual and at a ruinous cost in oxen. It was while struggling through the Karroo that sad news met the Moffats from Kuruman. The Batlaping, the southernmost of the Bechwana tribes, had hitherto managed to avoid collision with the Boers. Their country was in itself not so attractive as the well-wooded slopes and fruitful vales of the Bahurutse and Bakhatla, further to the north-east. Unfortunately, along the lower Vaal River there were people, mostly Korannas, in scattered bands, who recognized no chief and were guilty of occasional lawless acts. Some of the more turbulent spirits among the Batlaping, notably one or two of the young chiefs, followed their evil example, crossed the river into the Orange Free State in their company, and put to death the men oi a Boer homestead, bringing away two of the women as captives. These, it may be said, were not ill-treated, and were eventually restored by the intervention of Edward Chapman, a trader. These infatuated freebooters brought upon themselves and upon their tribe severe chastisement. A Boer expedition crossed the Vaal River, attacked the Batlaping, whose principal chief, Gasebonwe, fell with many of his people. A large booty in cattle and other property was taken, and the force retired, promising to return shortly and to complete what they had begun, and to go on to the missionary station of Kuruman, which lay farther to the westward.

When the missionary party began to muster here towards the end of the year 1858, so far from an extension of work in the interioi, it seemed doubtful whether Kuruman itself would be spared.

The Free State people, having carried out what appeared to them just reprisals, had nothing more to say; but the Transvaal Boers were strongly disposed to carry matters farther, and as the year 1859 wore on it became evident that mischief was brewing, and an expedition was on foot to attack Kuruman and to root out the mission there. At the same time a document was received from certain local ofificials on the north-western border of the Transvaal, mformmg Moffat that his intention to accompany a party of missionaries to the Zambezi would not be allowed, and that in case of his going he would be stopped by force. On these matters coming to the ears of Sir George Grey, he, as High Commissioner, caused it to be made known to the Boers that such things could not be tolerated; and the result of this was that the malcontents in the Transvaal found themselves bereft of support among their own people, and were fain to drop their intention.

Several months were, however, lost, owing to the delay and uncertainty involved in these matters and in the extended preparations of such a large party of missionaries going to such a distance into the interior. The time was occupied by Moffat in attending to the wants of the station, and in pushing through the press an additional hymn-book. His wonderful energy seemed irrepressible, and to grow at a time of life when other men would have been feeling inclined to take a little rest.