1852-53-] FROM THE CAPE TO LINYANTI. 151 



men instead. Here is the record of his last Sunday at 



Linyanti : — 



" 6th Nov. 1853. — Large audience. Kuruman people don't attend. 

 If it is a fashion to be church-going, many are drawn into its observ- 

 ance. But placed in other circumstances, the true character comes 

 out. This is the case with many Scotchmen. May God so imbue 

 my mind with the spirit of Christianity that in all circumstances I 

 may show my Christian character ! Had a long conversation with 

 Motlube, chiefly on a charm for defending the town or for gun medi- 

 cine. They think I know it but will not impart the secret to them. I 

 used every form of expression to undeceive him, but to little purpose. 

 Their belief in medicine which will enable them to shoot well is very 

 strong, and simple trust in an unseen Saviour to defend them against 

 such enemies as the Matebele is too simple for them. I asked if a 

 little charcoal sewed up in a bag were a more feasible protector than 

 He who made all things, and told them that one day they would laugh 

 heartily at their own follies in bothering me so much for gun medi- 

 cine. A man who has never had to do with a raw heathen tribe has 

 yet to learn the Missionary A B C." 



On the 8th he writes : — 



" Our intentions are to go up the Leeba till we reach the falls, 

 then send back the canoe and proceed in the country beyond as best 

 we can. Matiamvo is far beyond, but the Cassantse (probably 

 Cassange) live on the west of the river. May God in mercy permit me 

 to do something for the cause of Christ in these dark places of the 

 earth ! May He accept my children for His service, and sanctify them 

 for it ! My blessing on my wife. May God comfort her ! If my 

 watch comes back after I am cut off, it belongs to Agnes. If my 

 sextant, it is Robert's. The Paris medal to Thomas. Double-barrelled 

 gun to Zouga. Be a Father to the fatherless, and a Husband to the 

 widow, for Jesus' sake." 



The probability of his falling was full in his view. 

 But the thought was ever in his mind, and ever finding 

 expression in letters both to the Missionary and the 

 Geographical Societies, and to all his friends, — " Can the 

 love of Christ not carry the missionary where the slave- 

 trade carries the trader V His wagon and goods were 

 left with Sekel^tu, and also the Journal from which these 

 extracts are taken. 1 It was well for him that his con- 



1 This Journal is mentioned in the Missionary Travels as having been lost 

 (p. 229). It was afterwards recovered. It contains, among other things, some 

 important notes on Natural History. 



