APPENDIX. 485 



tropical Africa — it seems natural, while yet without the remotest 

 idea of support from another source, to give some of the reasons for 

 differing with those with whom I have hitherto been so happily 

 . connected. 



It remains vividly on my memory that some twenty years ago, 

 while musing how I might spend my life so as best to promote the 

 glory of the Lord Jesus, I came to the conclusion that from the 

 cumulative nature of gospel influence the outskirts even of the 

 Empire of China presented the most inviting field for evangelical 

 effort in the world. I was also much averse to being connected 

 with any Society, having a strong desire to serve Christ in circum- 

 stances which would free my service from all professional aspect. 

 But the solicitations of friends in whose judgment I had confidence 

 led to my offers of service to the London Missionary Society. The 

 " Opium War " was then adduced as a reason why that remote, 

 difficult, and untried field of labour should stand in abeyance before 

 the interior of Africa, to which, in opposition to my own judgment, 

 I was advised to proceed. I did not, however, go with any sort of 

 reluctance, for I had great respect for the honoured men by whom 

 the advice was given, and unbounded confidence in the special 

 providence of Him who has said, " Commit thy way unto the Lord, 

 etc. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy 

 steps." I was contented with the way in which I had been led, 

 and happy in the prospect of being made instrumental in winning- 

 some souls to Christ. 



The Directors wished me to endeavour to carry the gospel to the 

 tribes north of the Kuruman. Having remained at that station 

 sufficient time only to recruit my oxen, I proceeded in the direction 

 indicated, and while learning the language I visited the Bakhatla, 

 Bakwains, Bangwaketse, and Bamangwato tribes, in order to select 

 a suitable locality for a mission, in the hope of succeeding in 

 making a second Kuruman or central station, which would, by 

 God's blessing, influence a large circumference. I chose Mabotsa, 

 and no one who has seen that country since has said the choice 

 was injudicious. The late Bev. Dr. Philip alone was opposed to 

 this plan on account of solicitude for my safety, " because Mosili- 

 katse was behind the Cashan mountains thirsting for the blood' of 

 the first white man who should fall into his hands. And no man 

 would in his sober senses build his house on the crater of a 

 volcano." Having removed to the Bakwains of Sechele, I spent 



