PROSPECTIVE VIEW.

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rivers, in which water seldom flows, may be traced in their winding courses by acacias, the timber of which is of the poorest description. Ebony trees are also thinly scattered in the neighbourhood of the Orange River, but neither there nor in the open country is any thing like timber to be found, which would authorize commercial speculations, as a late traveller into that country recommended. Independently of the Orange River not being navigable, and the want of suitable bays on the coast, the impossibility of the country being benefited from those quarters, will be evident. I feel persuaded that the period has arrived, when we must abandon the idea of long, expensive, tiresome, and in some instances dangerous journeys, either from the promontory of the Cape, or from Algoa Bay, to remote distances in the interior. It is now quite time to look to the eastern and western coasts of the continent, and form a chain of stations, from either, or both, towards the centre; and establish Missionary Colonies on lakes, or at the sources of those rivers which fall into the ocean. The want of navigable rivers, and the dry and often desert countries to be passed in Southern Africa in order to reach our isolated stations, present grievous barriers to the work of civilization, and in some parts we have got nearly to that point, at which resources from the south will be beyond the reach of the ability, either of the missionary or his people.

CHAPTER XIII.

Mission to the Griquas-Its origin and character-Devotedness of the Missionaries-Mr. Anderson's description-Their former character-Progress in civilization-A threatened attack avertedImpolitic measure-Critical position-Mr. Anderson leavesThe Author joins Mr. Helm-Waterboer elected chief-His thirst for information-Origin of Bergenaars-Attacks on Griqua Town -Generous conduct-Missionary influence-Retributive providence - Favourable change-Successes-Waterboer's government -Missionaries government agents-How far a missionary can interfere in civil affairs-Life saved-Sir A. Stockenstrom's testimony-Treaties a wise policy-Chiefs defended-State and prospects.

Ir is an agreeable and profitable exercise to take a retrospective view of those events, whatever their character, which have led to important results; and surely, to the mind of the missionary, it must be delightful to look back along the channel, tracing through all its windings the little rill of the water of life, until it is observed oozing from beneath a mountain peak. Like an African river, it now swells, and then dwindles,—is now rapid, then slowly spreads its refreshing waters over a large surface of desert waste, now disappears, and then rises in another part of its course, in which it resumes a steady flow —affording, at all seasons, permanent fertility, to the

ITS ORIGIN AND CHARACTER.

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advantage of those who assemble on its banks, or come within the range of its influence.

The mind of the writer has been led to these reflections by a minute survey of the rise and progress of the Griqua mission, which although embracing more variety in the national character of its objects than perhaps any other in Africa, exhibits much sameness; but nevertheless, its history, extending to more than forty years, presents us with some remarkable displays of Divine power in causing missionary enterprise to triumph over no common difficulties. Its fluctuations have been very numerous, but this is not surprising, when it is remembered that it was commenced at the Zak River, on the borders of the Colony, in the year 1799, being one of the two branches of the Missionary Society's first efforts in South Africa. It was in the beginning ostensibly a mission to the Bushmen, but it had not been long founded before it included within its operation both Hottentots and Bastards. Two years had not elapsed when its efforts were chiefly devoted to the Corannas, Namaquas, and Bastards on the Orange River, the missionaries having resorted thither on the invitation of Berend Berend. From these again a select party, though a mixed multitude, finally terminated a migratory life, by settling down at Griqua Town in 1804, with Messrs. Anderson and Kramer.

Sometimes one missionary might be heard addressing the few who understood Dutch; another, a congregation of Corannas; and a third, a party of Bushmen, through interpreters. They were distinct tribes, having different languages, customs, and grades of honour, from that of the descendant of the colonial

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DEVOTEDNESS OF THE MISSIONARIES.

farmer, to the very lowest state of degradation in the Bushmen. Their government, if they had any at all, was of a mingled character, comprising the patriarchal, despotic, monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic, each party having its claims, either of birth, power, number, or hereditary right; exhibiting all the phases of a tropical thunder cloud, which rolls in wild and black confusion, till it bursts forth, scattering terror and death.

It is not the intention of the writer to be a chronicler of the events connected with the progress of this mission, or even to attempt an abridgment of the voluminous details which have been long published. His object is briefly to glance at its more prominent features and changes, and to trace the dealings of Divine providence and grace in sustaining those devoted missionaries, who taking their lives in their hands, and sallying forth far beyond the abodes of civilization, persevered, amid the rage and cupidity of a reckless rabble, in the self-denying duties of their holy calling, until they were crowned with triumphant

success.

This station required all the energies of the missionary, as may be observed from the brief sketch already given of the character of the people, and their isolated condition in a lawless country. Their circumstances, afflictions, and prospects, cannot be better described than in Mr. Anderson's own words:

"When I went among the Griquas, and for some time after, they were without the smallest marks of civilization. If I except one woman, (who had by some means got a trifling article of colonial raiment,) they had not one thread of European clothing among them and their wretched appearance and habits were such as

MR. ANDERSON'S DESCRIPTION.

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might have excited in our minds an aversion to them, had we not been actuated by principles which led us to pity them, and served to strengthen us in pursuing the object of our missionary work; they were, in many instances, little above the brutes. It is a fact, that we were among them at the hazard of our lives. This became evident from their own acknowledgments to us afterwards, they having confessed that they had frequently premeditated to take away our lives, and were prevented only from executing their purposes by what they now considered an Almighty Power. When we went among them, and some time after, they lived in the habit of plundering one another: and they saw no moral evil in this nor in any of their actions. Violent deaths were common; and I recollect many of the aged women told me their husbands had been killed in this way. Their usual way of living was truly disgusting, and they were void of shame; however, after a series of hardships, which required much faith and patience, our instructions were attended with a blessing which produced a great change. The people became honest in their dealings; they came to abhor those acts of plunder which had been so common among them; nor do I recollect a single instance, for several years prior to their late troubles, which could be considered as a stain upon their character. They entirely abandoned their former manner of life, and decency and modesty prevailed in their families. When we first settled among them, we had some Hottentots with us from the Zak River. With their assistance we began to cultivate the ground about Riet Fonteyn; but notwithstanding our exhortations, remonstrances, and example, the Griquas manifested the greatest aversion to such work, and appeared determined to continue their wandering and predatory habits. At the end of six months the Hottentots left us; and our prospects, as to the future cultivation of the ground, became very gloomy. We determined, however, to abide by them; and in wandering about with them we constantly endeavoured to impress upon their minds the superior advantages they would derive from cultivating the ground and having fixed habitations. After a considerable time had elapsed, we prevailed upon them to try the experiment, and a commencement was made. This event was preceded and followed by a great and visible improvement among them as a body. Considering the circumstances of the people, much land was cultivated at this time; and in the following years