MATABELELAND AND COUNTRIES NORTH.
By S. N. H.
In some respects this portion of South Africa has an interest which no other portion has at the present time. It is now fairly opened to direct missionary effort by Seventh-day Adventists. It is an entirely new country. The natives who occupy the territory were once among the fiercest of the tribes in South Africa. They knew but little, if anything, of God. They were cruel in their habits, and had given themselves up to war and robbing the Mashonas of their cattle. The plea for subduing them was their inroads upon the Mashonas, who were under the protection of the English. Two considerations have led the British to take active steps to secure the northern territory up to the Zambesi. First, when some of the European powers developed colonial aspirations, and proceeded to partition Africa, Britain began to realize the importance of securing, before it was too late, a portion of the regions which these other countries were rapidly appropriating. Second, it was soon ascertained that there were mines in this country, and for the gold the territory was secured, and the Charter Company was organized. It was in 1883 a treaty of peace was entered into with Lobengula, the king of Matabeleland, which treaty, it is claimed, he violated in several ways, which finally caused his overthrow. In 1889 and 1890 a pioneer expedition of about two hundred Europeans and one hundred and fifty native laborers, went to Mashonaland. They reached the objective point, a high eminence on the plateau, which was named Mount Hamden. These were accompanied by about five hundred mounted police, equipped with arms, mountain guns, electric lights, and other appliances of modern civilization. After a march of 1,000 miles, fording streams, cutting their path through bush and forest, on the 12th of September, 1890, they reached their destination, where now is the town of Salisbury, the capital of Mashonaland. There was not a single shot fired, or the loss of a single life. This country is well watered and timbered and a greater portion of it adapted for colonization. It lies at an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. For two-thirds of the year the climate is said to be invigorating and the temperature ranging from thirty-six to eighty-six degrees. The native inhabitants, chiefly belonging to the tribes named Makalakas and Bunyai, but generally known as Mashonas, proved a peaceable and tractable people. It soon had a population of about five hundred European persons, and hotels and stores were erected. A newspaper, the Rhodesia Herald, is published weekly, and communication by telegraph is open to all the world. At the time of the Matabele subjection, many left Salisbury and went to Matabele, thinking the country more healthy. On the east coast route there is a Beria railroad of two feet gauge about seventy-five miles through the “fly country,” to a point where a good transport road leads to Salisbury. The total extent of territory within the domain of the South African Company, south and north of the Zambesi, is estimated at about seven hundred and fifty thousand square miles, an area equal to that of France, Germany, and Italy combined. At present friendly relations are established with the different tribes, and several valuable concessions in trading and mineral rights, as well as considerable tracts of land, have been secured. Missionaries of various denominations, including representatives of the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church, the Wesleyans, Dutch Reformed Church, and the Salvation Army, have established themselves at Salisbury and other places. Much has been said and written upon the relics found in this country, which is said to be conclusive evidence, and not without reason, that from this section of country the gold of Ophir was brought in ancient days. It would require too much space to give the argument, or even the substance of it, here. But it is founded on the relics, identifying them with ancient people who once inhabited this country before the present races of natives. Enough has already been said to show that importance attaches to the mission now established in that country. A few words might be said respecting the country northwest of Matabeleland. There is a belt of country, that will be seen on some of the maps, known as the “fever belt.” It is supposed to be impossible for a European to live in it. But natives live there, and there is a French mission in it. It will also be noticed by the map that this belt separates the country where our brethren now are from the Kongo state. So, sooner or later, there will be a connection of the truth through the northwest to the Kongo and to the west coast. At the present time all of South Africa is virtually open to the truth of God. There never was a time in the history of the world that open doors were so extensive for the heralds of the cross of Christ as at the present. The sound of the truths which have made Seventh-day Adventists so separate in the United States of America, has gone into fields where there are open doors, which, if entered and developed, would herald its light to the world. It lies before us; the doors are open; the fields are white and ready for the harvest. There is now peace in the lands far off from the home field. Shall these fields be entered and golden grain be gathered for the Master? There is a corruption of the Christian religion manifest among many of these tribes. Circumcision is practiced among many of them. There are also customs which show that sometime in the past the people have been acquainted with the Christian religion. Sabbath observance is not of so very recent date with them. We can only say, as we look at this northern field, Surely the Lord has gone before us and opened doors for his people to let their light shine both at home and abroad. “The field is the world.” And now for the heralds of the cross of Christ to enter these fields is a solemn problem that should engage every heart looking for the soon-coming Redeemer. We have said nothing of Bulawayo, the capital of Matabeleland. This is becoming a great center at present. It is an English city, and is on a “boom.” It rises and falls according to the season of the year and the prospects of gold and crops. It must be admitted that it is the gold that is the great attraction to these countries. That moves more12people than a love for souls. But who can not see that all of these moves are bringing to these places a class of men whom the Lord would have hear the truth? Who can not also see that a mixture of this class of people, notwithstanding the reckless character of many who go to these fields, opens doors for the truth of God?