36 SUPERSTITION OF THE CAFFERS. 



blessings of Christianity amongst these uncivilized 

 tribes, he founded the station at Wesleyville which 

 auspicious beginning has led to the formation of 

 many other similar stations amongst a people despe- 

 rately ferocious in their character and habits, whose 

 merciless barbarity had, up to this period, deterred 

 the spirit of enterprise from penetrating into their 

 country. 



The advantages which have accrued from Mr. 

 Shaw's indefatigable perseverance in his benevolent 

 labours are already visible in a line of these im- 

 portant establishments, extending along the eastern 

 coast to the frontiers of the Zoolah territory, and 

 affording to the traveller, whether in his mercantile 

 or scientific pursuits, a facility of visiting this inte- 

 resting country, and with a degree of security pre- 

 viously unknown : thus confirming the remark of Mr. 

 Wilberforce, " that if the interior of Africa was 

 ever explored, we should be indebted for our dis- 

 coveries to the aid of Missionaries." " We do not 

 undervalue mere geographical or scientific discovery, 

 (says an able writer) when we affirm that the esta- 

 blishment of a Missionary Station, with its know- 

 ledge, its morality, its religion, and its schools, 

 amidst a tribe of men before unknown, is beyond 

 comparison the best key for unlocking the mysteries 

 of Africa, the most important conquests that can be 

 made within its immense boundaries." 



Although the Missionaries in this country are un- 

 opposed by those obstacles which present so fornri- 



