Robert Moffat / The Missionary Hero of Kuruman

s had laboured without seeing any results. Now their hearts were to rejoice as they should witness the work of the Holy Spir

eople. Men, who had scorned the idea of shedding a tear, wept as their hearts were melted. The chapel became a place of weeping, and some, after gazing intently upon the preacher, fell down in hysterics. The little chapel became too small to hold the numbers who flocked to it, and with the

among the inquirers. Speaking of these converts Robert Moffat said, "It was truly gratifying to observe the simplicity of their faith, implicitly relyi

f Griquas, being present. In the evening the missionaries, the new disciples, and a Griqua, twelve in all, sat down to t

union service, we shall want it some day." Communication between the Kuruman and England was tardy then, and before an answer came to her letter the darkness increased, and the Bechwanas seemed as far from salvation as ever. On the day pre

s to be overcome, and that the relation in which the Christians stood to their heathen neighbours would expo

ouses, raising fences, and tilling the ground; now Mrs. Moffat met those who desired to learn as often as her strength would permit, and soon she had a motley group of pupils, very few of the whole party possessing either a frock or a gown. The scarcity of materials was a serious impediment to

e other was not yet finished; or others went about in duffel jackets with sleeves of cotton of various colours; gowns like

third a pattern, while a fourth brought his jacket sewed upside down, and asked why it did not fit. Fat, which before they always consider

r hands. "I seek Jesus," one would say; a second, "I am feeling after God, I have been wandering, unconscious of my danger, among beasts of prey; the day has dawned,

o leave you, but weep for your sins and your souls. With me all is well, for do not suppose that I die like a beast, or that I shall sleep for ever in the grave. No! Jesus has died for my sin

language, and were strangers to the Bechwanas. In the latter portion of 1829, two envoys were specially sent from Moselekatse, the

ted out to them; but their greatest wonder was excited when they beheld the public worship in the mission chapel. They listened to the

were afraid of the Bechwana tribes through whom they would have to pass on their return journey. This

Matabele. In places, where populous towns and villages had been, nothing remained but dilapidated walls and heaps of stones, mingled with human skulls.

t by Moselekatse may best be descri

d, holding our horses' bridles in our hands. The warriors at the gate instantly rushed in with hideous yells, and leaping from the earth with a kind of kilt round their bodies, hanging like loose tails, and their large shields, frightened our horses. They then joined the circle, falling i

e approached, though every eye was fixed upon us. Then all was silent, and Moselekatse marched out from behind the lines with an in

thout end or joint. Umbate, the head-man, who had visited the mission station, explained what he had seen in the smith's shop there. "My eyes," said he, "saw that very hand," pointing to Moffat's hand, "cut thes

all the surrounding country, his smile was life, his frown scattered horror and death. Yet even in his savage breast there were chords

eart is all white as milk; I am still wondering at the love of a stranger who never saw me. You have

I sent them from my presence to see the land of the white men, I sent my ears, my eyes, my mouth; what they heard I heard, what they saw I saw, and what they said it was Mose

ve impressed a stranger with the idea that they were more like a company of fiends than men." As he looked upon the scene, his mind was occupied in contemplating the miseries of the savage state. He spoke to the king on man's ruin and man's redemption. "Why," said the monarch, "are you so earnest that I abandon all war, and do no

g upon the Mission. Copious showers had fallen, and the fields and gardens teemed with plenty. The converts and many others, leaving their old traditions as to horticulture, imitated the example of the missionaries in leading out water to their gardens, and raised crops, not only of their native grain, pum

se of the missionary's water-trench along the side of a hill, appeared as if it ascended, therefore several of the

rogress was made in reading, and there was every reason for encourage ment. Early In 1830, after the second mission-house had been finished and occupied by Mr. Hamilton, the foundation

, and a long projected journey to the coast was undertaken by him and his wife. The journey had for its objects, to put the two elder children to scho

who had been appointed by the London Missionary Society to the Kururnan Mission. At Graham's Town, Mary Moffat remained behind to place the children at the Wesleyan scho

e were none to undertake the work. This difficulty, combined with the promise of an excellent printing press, which Dr. Philip had in his possession for the Kuruman Mission, induced Moffat to learn printing. He was joined by Mr. Edwards, who was now appointed to the Kuruman st

year, and when the time came for Robert Moffat to leave Cape Town he had to be carried on board the ship on a m

companied by Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, they went forward to the Kuruman, where they arrived in June, 1831. They carried with them the edition of the Gospel of Luke, a hymn-book pr

sheet of paper disappear for a moment and then emerge covered with letters was beyond their comprehension. After a few noisy exclamations one obtained a sheet, with wh

the baggage brought from the Cape. Materials being now at hand, and Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Baillie co-operating

inhabitants died; with them passed away one of the daughters of Robert and Mary Moffat. Towards the end of 1832 the labourers at Kuruman were cheered by a visit from Dr. Philip,

Mr. Edwards was away and Robert had been overworked. When Dr. Smith arrived, he found him suffering from an attack of intermittent fever, and hastened to render aid. Under the Doctor's skilful treatment he speedily recovered. On the 10th of March another son was added to the Moffat family, and shortl

hope of her recovery 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,

to them in their sore need, and who was always most grateful

ionary friend again. The scientific expedition had permission to travel through any part of the monarch's territories, but Moffat, the king kept as his guest. Together they visited, in the mi

church. This timber was afterwards collected by Messrs. Hamilton and Edwards-the wood-cutters having to travel to a distance of two hundred and fifty miles-and fashioned into the roof of the church; which

HING AT MOSH

eresting time was spent at a village, one hundred and fifty miles from Kuruman, where a chief named Mosheu and his people resided. Three times did the missionary preach to them on the f

e round it, some of course viewing the letters upside down. "I commenced pointing with a stick," says he, "and when I pronounced one letter, all hallooed to some purpose. When I remarked t

crowded. The tune of "Auld Lang Syne" was pitched to A B C, and soon the strains were echoed to the farthest corner of the village. Between two and three o'clock on the following morning, Moffat got permission

ge. Mosheu brought his daughter to Mrs. Moffat for instruction, and

ith the assistance of a native girl, was highly satisfactory. Civilisation advanced, some of the natives purchasing waggons, and using oxen for labour which formerly had been performed by women. Clothing was in such demand, that a merchant named Hume, an honourable trader in whom the missionaries ha

faith, much prayer, and untiring labour, had ch