Robert Moffat | Page 7

about
a year, visiting Mr. Roby once or twice each week. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
were a pious and worthy couple, and their house was a house of call for
ministers. They were always ready for every good work whether at
home or abroad.
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths," is
one of the maxims of Holy Writ that should be engraven upon the heart
and mind of every youth and maiden. Robert Moffat's desire was for
the glory of God and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and
God was not only opening the way for His servant, but was preparing a
faithful and devoted helpmate for him in his various spheres of labour
through life.
Robert's employer had an only daughter, named Mary, beautiful of
countenance, but more beautiful in heart. She had been educated at the
Moravian school at Fairfield, and was distinguished for fervent piety
and deep sympathy with the missionary cause. The two young folks
were thrown together, mutual esteem deepened into love, and the
maiden, possessed with so large a missionary spirit, was prepared to
share the lot of the young herald of the Cross. For a time, however, it
was ordained that Robert should pursue his course alone.
After being at Dukinfield nearly a year, the Directors resolved to accept
the services of Robert Moffat. He left Mr. Smith's employment and
removed to Manchester, so that he might be close to Mr. Roby, to
receive such superintendence as was possible in his studies. This period
extended to but a few months, so that of college training and
opportunities Robert had little experience.

The time rapidly drew near for his departure abroad. A hurried visit
was paid to the parents whom he never expected to see again, and then
he awaited his call to the mission field.
On the 13th of September, 1816, after bidding farewell to Mr. Roby,
whose "kindness, like that of a father," wrote Moffat, "will not be
easily obliterated from my mind," he started for London. While in the
Metropolis he visited the Museum at the Rooms of the London
Missionary Society, and the following extract from a letter to his
parents, in connection with this visit, shows the spirit which actuated
the youthful missionary at this time:--
"I spent some time in viewing the Museum, which contains a great
number of curiosities from China, Africa, the South Seas, and the 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! how fallen are 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."
With such enthusiasm he prepared to enter upon the work that lay
before him.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]

CHAPTER III.
DEPARTURE FOR THE CAPE.
The valedictory service was held at Surrey Chapel on the 30th of

September. Nine missionaries were set apart; four for the South Seas,
one of whom was John Williams, the martyr of Erromanga, and five for
South Africa. At first it had been intended that Robert Moffat should
accompany John Williams, but this was subsequently altered.
The missionaries for Africa embarked at Gravesend on the 18th of
October in the Alacrity, and after a prosperous voyage reached Cape
Town on the 13th of January, 1817.
Two of the party were appointed to stations within the colony; Moffat
and Kitchingman were destined for Namaqualand. Before they could
proceed on their journey, however, permission had to be obtained from
the Government, and this was at first refused.
While detained in the colony, Moffat lodged with a Dutch farmer, at a
village thirty-six miles from Cape Town, named Stellenbosch. Here he
learnt Dutch, an acquisition of great advantage to him in after life, as it
enabled him to preach to the Boers, and to as many of their native
servants as understood that language. He also accompanied the Rev.
George Thorn, of the Dutch Reformed Church, on an evangelistic tour.
It occupied six weeks, during which time they rode a distance of about
seven hundred miles.
After a further sojourn at Stellenbosch, Moffat visited Cape Town, and
busied himself in gaining such practical knowledge as came within his
reach. He also visited the military hospital there. Many of the soldiers
were Scotch, and he had a warm heart for soldiers, his brother
Alexander having gone to India in the ranks