A FORGIVING KAFFIR

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 57.

A FORGIVING KAFFIR.

THAT religion is the most practical thing in the world is illustrated by a touching story related by a missionary:—

“A settler in South Africa, who lived some distance up the country, one day found a native lurking about his stable. He accused the man of trying to steal a horse. The captive reiterated his innocence, and explained that he was making home to his kraal. Despite his frantic struggles and efforts to escape, the poor Kaffir was dragged to a tree, and there, with one blow of an ax, his right hand was severed from the wrist.

“It was about three months after this tragic event that the settler found himself benighted while still far away from his home. He came to a Kaffir hut and asked admission. A tall native desired him to enter, and food was placed before him. Next morning when he rose to depart, his host confronted him, and, holding up his right arm, asked the white man if he knew it. The squatter turned pale—the hand was gone! He knew that he had been at the mercy of the man he had treated so cruelly. The Kaffir continued: “You were in my power. I could have killed you. Revenge said, ‘Kill the man who has maimed you for life,’ but I replied, ‘No; I am a Christian, and I will forgive.’”