Robert Moffat | Page 3

the Hottentots of the colony with rare
self-devotedness, often in great straits and many perils, but with
frequent manifestations of the Divine blessing upon the work carried on.
Finally, the Hottentot mission was transferred to Bethelsdorp, where
steady progress was made. The scholars readily learned to read and
write, and their facility in acquiring religious knowledge was
astonishing, considering the peculiar apathy, stupidity, and aversion to
any exertion, mental or corporeal, which characterised the natives. Dr.
Vanderkemp died in 1811, after breathing out the Christian assurance,
"All is well."
While Dr. Vanderkemp bent his steps towards Kafirland, three other
missionaries, by name Kitcherer, Kramer, and Edwards, proceeded to
the Zak River, between four hundred and five hundred miles north-east
of Cape Town. Here a mission was established to the Bushmen, which,
although unsuccessful in its original intention, became the finger-post
to the Namaquas, Corannas, Griquas, and Bechwanas, for by means of
that mission these tribes and their condition became known to the
Christian world. After moving from their original location to the
Orange River, at the invitation of a Griqua chief, Berend Berend by
name, the mission was carried on among the Corannas, Namaquas, and
Bastards (mixed races), finally removing in 1804 to Griqua Town,
where it developed into the Griqua Mission, under Messrs. Anderson
and Kramer, and became a powerful influence for good; continuing in
existence for many years.
Mr. Anderson thus describes the condition of the Griquas when he first

settled in their midst, and for some time afterwards:--
"They were without the smallest marks of civilisation. If I except one
woman, they had not one thread of European clothing among them; and
their wretched appearance and habits were such as might have excited
in our minds an aversion to them, had we not been actuated by
principles which led us to pity them, and served to strengthen us in
pursuing the object of our missionary work; they were, in many
instances, little above the brutes. It is a fact that we were present with
them at the hazard of our lives. When we went among them they lived
in the habit of plundering one another; and they saw no moral evil in
this, nor in any of their actions. Violent deaths were common. Their
usual manner of living was truly disgusting, and they were void of
shame."
By missionary effort these unpromising materials yielded such fruit,
that, in 1809, the congregation at Griqua Town consisted of 800
persons, who resided at or near the station during the whole or the
greater part of the year. Besides their stated congregations the
missionaries were surrounded by numerous hordes of Corannas and
Bushmen, among whom they laboured. The land was brought under
cultivation, and fields waving with corn and barley met the eye where
all had been desolation and barrenness. In 1810 a threatened attack
from a marauding horde of Kafirs was averted in answer to prayer. Mr.
Janz, the only missionary then on the place, with the people, set apart a
day for special supplication; they sent a pacific message and present to
the Kafirs, who immediately retired. In place of war there was peace,
and the blessings of civilisation followed the preaching of the Gospel.
A mission had also been commenced by the London Missionary
Society in Great Namaqualand, north of the Orange River, on the
western coast of Africa; a country of which the following description
was given by an individual who had spent many years there: "Sir, you
will find plenty of sand and stones, a thinly scattered population,
always suffering from want of water, on plains and hills roasted like a
burnt leaf, under the scorching rays of a cloudless sun."
The missionaries, after a journey of great difficulty and suffering,

reached the land of the Namaquas, and halted for a time at a place
which they named "Silent Hope," and then at "Happy Deliverance;"
finally they settled at a spot, about one hundred miles westward of
Africaner's kraal, called Warm Bath. Here, for a time, their prospects
continued cheering. They were instant in season and out of season to
advance the temporal and spiritual interests of the natives; though
labouring in a debilitating climate; and in want of the common
necessaries of life. Their congregation was increased by the desperado
Jager, afterwards Christian Africaner, a Hottentot outlaw, who, with
part of his people, occasionally attended to the instructions of the
missionaries; and they visited the kraal of this robber chieftain in return.
It was here that he first heard the Gospel, and, referring afterwards to
his condition at this time, he said that he saw "men as trees walking."
Terrible trials soon came upon these devoted missionaries. Abraham
Albrecht, one of their number died, and Africaner, becoming enraged,
threatened an attack upon the station. The situation