87 
EFFECTS OP MISSIONARY EFFORTS. 
£ 0 1 over this tendency. I was onco present when a mis- 
jionary attempted to sing among a wild heathen tnbo of 
Bechuanas. who had no music in their composition : the 
effect on tho risiblo faculties of tho audience was such that 
the tears actually ran down their chcoks. Nearly all their 
thoughts are directed to tho supply of their bodily wants; 
and this has been tho case with tho race for ages. If asked, 
then, what effect tho preaching of tho gospel has at the com- 
mencement on such individuals, I am unablo to tell, oxcopt 
that some havo confessed long afterward that they then first 
began to pray in secret. Of tho effects of a long-continued 
course of instruction there can bo no reasonable doubt, as 
mere nominal belief has never been considered sufficient 
proof of conversion by any body of missionaries ; and, aftor 
the change which has been brought about by this agency, 
wo havo good reason to hope well for the future : those I 
havo myself witnessed behaving in tho manner described, 
when kindly treated in sickness, often utter imploring 
words to Jesus, and, I bolievo, sometimes really do pray to. 
him in their afflictions. As that groat Redeemer of the 
guilty seeks to savo all ho can, wo may hope that they 
find mercy through his blood, though little able to appre- 
ciate tho sacrifice ho made. 
Leaving Motlatsa on tho 8th of February, 1853, we 
passed down tho Mokoko, which, in tho memory of per- 
sons now living, was a flowing stream. 
At Nchokotsa, tho rainy season having this year been 
dolayod beyond tho usual time, wo found during the day 
tho thermometer stand at 96° in the coolest possible 
shade. 
Wo dug out several wells; and, as we had on each occa- 
sion to wait till tho water flowed ir. again, and thon allow 
our cattle to feed a day or two and slake their thirst 
thoroughly, as far as that could be done, beforo starting, 
our progress was but slow. At Koobo thero was such a 
mass of mud in tho pond, worked up by tho wallowing 
rhinoceros to the consistency of moitar, that only by great 
