South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoplesDavidson, Hannah Frances
History
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples
Davidson, Hannah Frances
Brethren in Christ Church -- Missions; Missions -- Rhodesia; Ndebele (African people); Tsonga (African people)
We were here on the threshold of Africa, eager to move out. We realized,
however, how meager was our knowledge of this vast continent and its
needs, so it was necessary to go slow and gain all possible information
from this vantage ground.
Cape Town is the oldest of South African cities and is the largest
seaport town, having a population of about 80,000 inhabitants. The long,
tiresome sea voyage being over, the sight of this picturesque city,
nestling so cozily at the foot of Table Mountain, is one long to be
remembered. The mountain rises abruptly 3,850 feet in the background of
the city. Its majestic flat top is two miles long, and when the weather
is clear, it stands sharply outlined against the blue sky. Frequently,
however, a white cloud, known as the "Table Cloth," comes up from the
sea from the back of the mountain and rolls down over the face, a sign
that a change of weather is imminent. It has been said, "The glory of
Table Bay is Table Mountain," and "The glory of Table Mountain is the
Table Cloth." Bay, town, and mountain combine to make the picture
beautiful and unique of its kind.
Cape Town was laid out by the Dutch, and the substantial,
antiquated-looking houses in the older parts of the city bear ample
testimony to this fact. There are also many fine, modernly-built houses.
The place is supplied with all the latest improvements, which are a
necessary part of a modern city. The population is most varied. Dutch,
English, Hottentots, Malays, and Kafirs abound. The scenes on some of
the streets at that time, especially in the evenings and on holidays,
were most varied and picturesque. There were to be seen Europeans in
civilian dress, others in soldier's uniform, Malays in their turbans and
bright, flowing robes, well-dressed blacks, and the raw native African
with only a gunny sack to cover him, for clothed he must be before he
can enter the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, together with other Christian people whom we met at
Cape Town, thought Matabeleland, the chosen field, was a good one,
especially the Matopo Hills, as there were no missionaries in that
locality. The late Cecil Rhodes, who was still powerful in Rhodesia, was
at that time living on his estate, Groot Schuur, near Cape Town, and
Bishop Engle was advised to go to him and endeavor to obtain from him a
tract of land for a mission site. This was another special season of
looking to the Lord on the part of the little company, that He might
overrule it to His glory and to the advancement of His Kingdom. Brother
Engle was received kindly by the gentleman, and his request was
favorably considered, especially the suggestion of going to the Matopo
Hills. He at once gave Brother Engle a letter to the British Charter
Company, of Rhodesia, with the recommendation that we be given 3,000
acres of land in the Matopo Hills for a mission station. He added that
"missionaries are better than policemen and cheaper."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account