126 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION E. 



Methodism." It is a valuable contribution to the literature of 

 this chapter in South African history in its special relation to 

 the Wesleyan Methodist Church. His summary of the part 

 played by the missionaries in the advancement of the Natives 

 is worthy of a place here, and so, taking our courage in both 

 nands, we quote : — 



We may state that the first plough seen east of the Kei River was used 

 by a missionary at the Wesleyville Mission Station, the first store 

 opened in Kaffraria was at Wesleyville, the first cotton grown in South 

 Africa was on the Morley Station, the first Kaffir Grammar was wricten 

 by a Wesleyan missionary at the Buntingville Station, the first waggon 

 that the natives saw in the heart of Kaffraria was the one which 

 brought the missionary's family, the first European type of house that 

 was seen in the country was erected by the missionary and his helpers, 

 the hrsc tilled lands and gardens that native eyes looked upon in 

 Kafifraria were those about the mission station. The first direct waggon 

 road from Grahamstown over the Keiskamma and through the Fish 

 River Bush into Kaffraria, which was cut and opened under the direction 

 of the Rev. William Shaw, was symbolical of the opening of the way 



tor the advance of civilisation into a dark heathen region 



'^^t is said that for every £i that goes over the Kei for missions £ioo 

 comes back to beneht commerce. 70 per cent, of the trade done by 

 the three principal Border towns. East London, Queenstown, and 

 ■Cingwilliamstown, is done with the native territories.* 



In further support of the view here expressed we would 

 appea' to the authoritative judgment expressed in the Report oi 

 the South African Native AfTairs Commission, 1903-05, sections 

 288 dud 289 :— 



To the churches engaged in mission work must be given the 

 greater measure of credit for placing systematically before the natives 

 those higher standards of belief and conduct .... the weight of 

 evidence is in favour of the improved morality of the Christian section 

 of the community .... It does not seem practicable to propose any 

 measure of material support or aid to the purely spiritual side of 

 missionary enterprise, but the Commission recommends full recognition 

 of the utility of the work of the churches which have undertaken the 

 duty of evangelising the heathen, and has adopted the following 

 resolutions : — 



" (a) The Commission is satisfied that one great element for the 

 civilisation of the natives is to be found in Christianity. 



" (b) The Commission is of opinion that regular moral and religious 

 instruction should be given in all native schools." 



But it must not be thought that the influence of missions 

 is the only factor in the situation. The Commission quite rightly 

 points out that Christianity is one great element for the civilisation 

 of the Natives, and we must now turn our attention to other 

 elements, in order to gain an all-round view; in doing so, 

 however, we would point out that here, at least, is. the fons et 

 Gfigo of the w' nie great movement in the direction of progress. 



2. The Wise Restrictions of Christian Government. 



We have already indicated the significant fact that the first 

 agent of the Government resident in Kafifirland was a missionary. 



* Rev. Wm. Eveleigh in " The Settlers of 1820 and Methodism." 



