MISSION TO TEE BAKHATLA. 61 



knowledge of it, but suppose that some of their ancestors must have been 

 called by these names. They have reached the extreme of degradation. 

 When we compare the Bakhatla with the inhabitants round Lattakoo, the 

 latter appear quite civilized ; and their present state of partial enlightenment 

 shows that the introduction of the Gospel into a country has a mighty 

 influence even over those by whom it is either not known or rejected. I am 

 not now to be understood as speaking of the converts, nor of the new phases 

 of character, the transforming power of the Gospel has developed among 

 them, but I allude to the unconverted, and to those other than saving 

 influences of Christianity, which so materially modify the social system at 

 home. On many these influences have operated for years, and they have not 

 operated in vain. Hence, the mass of the population in the Kuruman district 

 are not now in that state the Gospel found them, and in which the poor 

 Bakhatla now are. There the existence of Deity is tacitly admitted by nearly 

 all ; those who form the exceptions to this rule, denying it rather on account 

 of attachment to their lusts than in sober seriousness ; and I believe the 

 number is but small who have not the idea floating in their minds that this 

 life is but the beginning of our existence and death, but one event in a life 

 which is everlasting. 



" But the Bakhatla have no thoughts on the subject: their mind is darkness 

 itself, and no influences have ever operated on it, but those which must leave 

 it supremely selfish. It is only now that Christians have begun to endeavour 

 to stop the stream which has swept them generation after generation into 

 darkness. And oh, ' may the Holy Spirit aid our endeavours, for without his 

 mighty power all human efforts will be but labour in vain.' That power 

 excited over Bechuanas — raising them from the extreme of degradation and 

 transforming them into worshippers of the living God — constitutes the wonder 

 and the cause for gratitude in the Bechuana Mission." 



The report goes on to state that : — 



"Around Mabotsa, there are about twelve villages of considerable size 

 and population, which Messrs. Livingstone and Edwards regularly visit, and 

 several of which — those near Kurrechane — have been placed under the 

 immediate charge of Mebalwe, the native evangelist. This worthy man is 

 of great service in the Mission by the amount of manual labour which he 

 cheerfully renders, and by the affectionate addresses he frequently delivers to 

 his countrymen on the work of Christ and the way of salvation. There is 

 reason to hope that he will prove an eminent blessing to many among the 

 native tribes, and to the cause of Christ generally, in this part of the Bechuana 

 country." 



In the Society's report for 1846 we find the following: — 



"Mr. Livingstone has removed to Chonuane, about forty or fifty miles N.E. 

 of Mabotsa, the residence of Sechele, the interesting and rather intelligent 



