The Mission; or Scenes in AfricaMarryat, Frederick
General
The Mission; or Scenes in Africa
Marryat, Frederick
Adventure stories; Africa -- Fiction
"It certainly is the most difficult point gained,--to command their
attention, I mean," replied Mr S; "after that, time and patience, with
the assistance of God, will effect the rest."
"Do you think that there are many who, if I may use the term, feel their
religion?"
"Yes, many; and prove it by travelling about and sowing the seed. There
are many who not only are qualified so to do, but are incessantly
labouring to bring their countrymen to God."
"That must be very satisfactory to you."
"It is; but what am I, and the few who labour with me, to the thousands
and thousands who are here in darkness, and require our aid? There are
now but three missions in all Caffre-land; and there is full employment
for two hundred, if they could be established. But you must excuse me,
I have to catechise the children, who are my most promising pupils. We
will meet again in the evening, for I have to preach at a neighbouring
village. Strange to say, many who doubt and waver will listen to me
there; but they appear to think that there is some witchcraft in the
Mission church, or else are afraid to acknowledge to their companions
that they have been inside of it."
The missionary then left them, and Alexander observed--
"I don't know how you feel, but I assure you it has been a great
pleasure to me to have found myself in this humble church, and hearing
Divine service in this wild country."
Both Swinton and Major Henderson expressed the same opinion.
"I am not afraid of being laughed at," continued Alexander, "when I tell
you that I think it most important, wherever we may be during our
travels, to keep the Sabbath holy, by rest and reading the service."
"With pleasure, as far as I am concerned, and I thank you for the
proposal," replied Swinton.
"And I am equally pleased that you have proposed it, Wilmot," said Major
Henderson; "even we may be of service to the good cause, if, as we pass
through the land, the natives perceive that we respect the Sabbath as
the missionary has requested them to do. We are white men, and
considered by them as superior; our example, therefore, may do good."
The evening was passed away very agreeably with Mr S, who was
inexhaustible in his anecdotes of the Caffres. He informed them that
Hinza intended to call the next morning to receive his presents, and
that he would be interpreter for them if they wished it.
Alexander, having thanked the missionary, said, "I think you mentioned,
sir, that some of your brother missionaries have their wives with them.
Since you have told us so much of the precarious tenure by which you
hold your ground here, and I may add your lives, I think that the wives
of the missionaries must have even more to encounter than their
husbands."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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