Gospel Work Among the Kafirs of South Africa by I. B. BURTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Gospel Work Among the Kafirs of South Africa

By I. B. BURTON

(Concluded)

I. B. BURTON

From that time [the death of Reverend Williams] to the present, a period of ninety-six years, native missions have been conducted in Kafirland. The people in the homeland, surrounded by every comfort of life, can hardly appreciate the great sacrifice and privations that the early missionaries to this people underwent. They were always upon the altar, and were always ready to give their lives that souls might be rescued from the darkness of heathenism.

There is a tendency on the part of many to see the romantic side of mission life, while the reality is overlooked. With some it has an attraction from this standpoint, but not so with those who really have the love of souls at heart. It is well for those who are expecting to labor in the future in this dark corner of the earth to prove themselves before they enter the field. When one really confronts mission life in a heathen land, it does not take him very long to realize that the bringing of the heathen to the light of Christianity is serious, solemn work. Nothing but hard work, and the life that is filled by the Holy Spirit, will win in this conflict.

The foundation of native education was laid at Necera, on the nineteenth day of December, 1823; and since that time the Bible has been translated into their language, and many books, hymns, and tracts, as well as newspapers, have been published. One hundred native teachers and ministers are now in the field who have been educated at the large institutions, and there are hundreds in the schools at the present time who will carry on the work of the gospel among their own people.

The Kafirs are a simple, but very superstitious

people; and until very recently the witch doctors held great influence over them, and even yet work secretly among them. The native as a rule is very social and fond of ease. His wealth consists of sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and fowls. He is an early riser, and goes the first thing to his cattle kraals to see that all is right there. He then sits by his fire and smokes, and later goes for a hunt or visits his neighbor; or, if it is harvest time, he will go to the field early, and perhaps help a little in the harvest, although the most of the work falls to the women. The work of construction, and the hoeing of the land, the carrying of wood and water and all heavy loads, are given to them. The cooking and looking after the various household duties also fall to their lot. They are practically slaves. The natives do not like this term, but really this is the true condition of many of the native African women. The husband purchases his wife with so many head of cattle. She is his, and he feels he has a right to her, body, soul, and spirit, and that she must do exactly as he directs in everything.

As a rule the husband's word is law in his home, and he has fairly good control over his children. The next of kin also have unquestioned right in the correction of the children. It is sometimes a little strange to see the children quarreling all around the parents, who take no notice of it, while an uncle, aunt, or other relative comes over to stop the trouble.

The natives do not care for work. In the past some did a little smelting of iron, and worked it up into knives, spears, etc. Others make and dress skin rugs, or work a little garden and plant some tobacco. In former years many of the natives became quite proficient in the making of spears, bows, arrows, shields, baskets, and pottery. To some extent the manufacture of these articles is still an art among the tribes, but gradually as civilization comes to them they are losing these native arts, and are adopting the implements and ways of the white man.

The heathen natives are very superstitious and have a great dread of being bewitched, and to prevent this they resort to the use of various remedies that are supplied by the native witch doctors. If a hut has been struck by lightning, the wood and grass must not be used, and many will not touch it. To ward off disease of all kinds, a witch doctor plants his medicine in the kraals and at the entrance of the same, and also in the various paths leading to the village. This is to keep away evil spirits from both the people and the cattle.

In one native village a poor woman was taken very ill, and called in a native doctor. He went to the kraal, selected the best beast that he could find, had it killed, went through many ceremonies, and finally gave the poor woman some abominable mixture that he had prepared, to work a recovery. She became worse rather than better, but he had gone, leading with him two fine goats and taking a liberal supply of meat besides. Under more rational treatment the woman was soon restored to strength and health. This opened her eyes with reference to the value of the services of the witch doctor, and today she is rejoicing in the glorious light of the gospel. When the power of God reaches the hearts of these people, the fake doctors have no more influence over them.

Among this people we have been working for a number of years, and we find the gospel wagon a very efficient means of laboring. We go among them with our stereopticon; and hanging up our sheet outside the wagon, we call them around us, show them pictures, of which they are very fond, and then tell them of the Saviour's love and of their relation to God. The Holy Spirit, we are glad to say, is working upon their hearts, and we trust that in the future many of these benighted souls may be brought to a knowledge of Christ.

We have much to encourage us; and while the work is attended with privations and difficulties, we are glad to have a part in it for the love of those for whom Christ has died.