1887.] Stay in Garenganze. 
207 
SEND OFF MORE LETTERS — MEDITATION. 
To-day I had an opportunity of sending letters to the coast. 
As can well be understood, it is easier to send letters from a place 
like this than to receive them. All native traders go to the coast, 
but few from the coast come here ; and those who do are often 
uncertain as to their destination when leaving their homes. My 
mind naturally follows Cinyama and the little party, and some- 
times I ponder the result of his journey with a measure of 
anxiety. 
When I left Natal alone five years ago I never for a moment 
dreamt that it would be for so long a time as this, yet in looking 
back it does seem very short indeed; and considering the 
wonderful goodness of the Lord to me, I have little reason to 
doubt as to the future. If Cinyama returns alone it will be well. 
If an EngHsh fellow-labourer should come with him I shall be 
very thankful. Meanwhile the Lord wonderfully makes up to me 
for all I lose in being without the immediate fellowship of brethren 
in Christ. My days are spent, I may say, in unbroken quietness 
of mind and peace within. Although I have joy, yet I do not 
say I am always rejoicing. There is much to depress me in such 
a field as this. Heathendom in all its nakedness, cruelty, and 
depravity is far from being exhilarating in its effect ; but yet, in 
comparison, the condition of these people is happy when placed 
alongside the state of the unsaved in home lands. How dark and 
hideous is the ignorance around one here ! but how guilty the 
ignorance of British sinners who close and harden their hearts 
against the light, and strengthen themselves with false hopes ! 
Here also they are never at rest, seeking after vain hopes and 
refuges of lies. 
CHARMS FOR SAFE JOURNEY OF CARAVAN. 
On behalf of a caravan about to start for Bihe, Msidi and his 
fetish priests have been at work a whole month, preparing charms, 
etc. The process in such a case is first to divine as to the 
dangers that await them ; then to propitiate with the appointed 
sacrifices to forefathers (in this case two goats were killed) ; 
afterwards to prepare the charms necessary, either as antidotes 
against evil or to secure good. The noma or fetish spear to be 
carried in front of the caravan, with charms secured to it, was 
