APPOINTMENT OF A NATIVE TEACHER. 65 



known that he had renounced his wives on account of the Gospel, a general 

 consternation seized both old and young — the town was as quiet as if it had 

 been Sunday — not a single woman was seen going to her garden — pichos 

 (or councils) were held during the night, in order to intimidate him from his 

 purpose ; but, after seeing him tried in various ways for a period of two months, 

 we proceeded to administer to him the ordinance of baptism. Many of the 

 spectators were in tears, but these were in general only tears of sorrow for the 

 loss of their rain-maker, or the severance of ties of relationship. We commend 

 this new disciple to your prayerful sympathies ; and to the great God, our 

 Saviour Jesus Christ, through the power of whose spirit alone we hope for 

 success, be the undivided glory of his salvation I" 

 The report goes on to say that : — 



" The infant-school, under the care of Mrs. Livingstone, containing about 

 70 children, has made encouraging progress during the year, though the 

 attendance of the children has been somewhat interrupted, in consequence of 

 a partial failure of the crops compelling many of them to spend their time in 

 wandering about the country in search of food. 



"Mr. Livingstone has employed a portion of the year in superintending and 

 assisting the erection of mission-premises, and also in opening an out-station, and 

 settling the native teacher, Paul, among the people of the chief Mokhatla." 



In this year Livingstone sent a letter to the Secretary of the Missionary 

 Society, giving details of his discoveries and experiences. This was not, we 

 presume, supposed to deal with matters having any interest for subscribers to 

 the society. It was handed over to the Geographical Society, and was pub- 

 lished in its journal. A copy of it will be found inserted in its proper place 

 in the next chapter. 



In the report for 1850, the difficulties resulting from the hostility of the 

 Boers during 1849 are alluded to : — 



" The prospects of this Station were in the early part of last year con- 

 siderably overcast by the prevalence of excessive drought, and the consequent 

 total failure of the crops. The men being frequently absent on hunting 

 excursions, and the women and children also away in search of roots and locusts, 

 the meetings for Divine Worship, and the schools, were comparatively 

 deserted. In their eagerness to procure that which would satisfy the wants 

 of the body, the people evinced little disposition to attend to the unfelt wants 

 of the soul. 



" A tribe called the Bakaa, who had suffered considerably by the repeated 

 attacks of the Bamangwato, lately came a distance of 150 miles, to join the 

 Bakwains. Having no sense of security in their own country, they were 

 attracted to this station by the report that the chief Sechele had embraced 

 the ' word of peace.' They came, as they said, in order ' to enjoy sleep, as 

 they had none at home.' They number about 1,000 ; and, while thankful for 

 s 



