Their Fierce and Barbarous Nature—Courage of Early Missionaries in Visiting Them—Miraculous Transformation of Barbarian Hearts
By ROSS C. PORTER
ELDER PORTER, who is now general superintendent of our work in eastern Asia, with headquarters at Shanghai, was for a number of years in charge of the work in Africa. This is the first of three articles, each complete in itself, in which he tells of some of his most interesting observations and experiences in the "Dark Continent."
IN opening mission work in Africa, we had a much easier time than Livingstone, Moffat, and other pioneers. They found nearly every tribe hostile to their coming with the gospel message. But assured that they were laboring under a divine commission, they penetrated the very heart of the interior.
Not only did they meet difficulties from hostile natives and dangers from wild beasts, but there was little response to their gospel instruction. To break through the darkness and superstition in which heathenism had for centuries enshrouded these ignorant people, was a slow work.
AFRICANER
Pushing into the very darkest recesses of heathenism, Livingstone bore the torch of truth where for centuries its light had been extinguished. He planted the gospel banner in lands uncivilized, and its standard became at length the connecting link between the native and civilization, as well as his measuring rod of faith and practise in preparation for the Judgment.
AFRICANER, A FIERCE SAVAGE
One hundred years ago, Africaner, a Hottentot chief, was the scourge of South Africa. He being an outlaw, the colony had offered $500 for his head. Under his father, the old chief Africaner, his people had roamed peacefully over hill and dale within one hundred miles of Cape Town; but the Dutch settlers had repeatedly forced them to move farther inland, to make room for new settlers.
These forced moves created resentment toward the Dutch, which finally ended in an open rupture between the young chief Africaner and his friends, and their Dutch neighbors; and one of the leading men of the Dutch community was shot and killed. After this, Africaner, with his people, fled across the Orange River to Great Namaqualand. The Dutch, with a tribe of bastard Hottentots whom they bribed to accompany them, pursued, and under the leadership of the chief, Berend Berend, they had a series of bitter conflicts. As these encounters ended disastrously for the Dutch, they soon turned back, leaving Africaner in possession of that territory.
HE RAIDED THE COUNTRY
Embittered by his experiences with the Dutch, who had, when they were on friendly terms with him, taught him to steal herds of the Bushmen's cattle, which they appropriated as their own, he now began raiding the country in the same manner for himself. He became the terror of the entire region.
A Namaqua chief long afterward said to Robert Moffat, "I have fled with my people, our wives, and our babes, to a mountain glen or the wilderness, and spent nights among beasts of prey rather than fall into his hands." His character at this time is well illustrated by his treatment of some natives whom he had robbed. They sent to him asking if he would not restore a few of their cows, as their children were starving. To this he agreed on condition that they would come and get them. When they came for the cows, he ordered some of the men shot, and tying others to trees, he had their tongues cut out and their limbs hacked and mutilated.
ROBERT MOFFAT
MARY MOFFAT
SHOT THE COW INSTEAD OF EACH OTHER
Berend Berend, the chief who was brought against Africaner by the Dutch, remained his bitterest enemy, and they continued the old hostilities as they met from time to time. Once each sought for hours to capture a herd of cattle. Being on opposite sides of the drove, and protected by the bushes, they kept out of sight of each other, while the cattle were captured and recaptured. At length, by a sudden break in the herd, the enemies were brought face to face across the herd. Each instantly raised his rifle, and taking deadly aim, pulled the trigger. At that instant a cow, running between them, received both balls in her body, and fell dead.
This providential happening deeply impressed both young men. They could never avoid the feeling that they had been spared death that they might make their peace with God, and prepare for a home where a just God reigns, and character rather than color is the basis of respect.
In 1806, a little band of missionaries under the leadership of Christian and Albrecht halted, in their wearisome journey, near Africaner's place. Learning that they had been sent out by the London Missionary Society, he met them with the assurance that they had nothing to fear from him. He said: "As you are sent by the English, I welcome you to the country. Though I hate the Dutch, who oppressed me, I love the English. I have always heard that they are friends of the poor black man."
MOFFAT WARNED OF THE DANGER
On January 26, 1818, Moffat reached Africaner's district. Although the chief was reported to have been converted under the labors of a Mr. Ebner, the report of his conversion was discredited; and when Moffat was invited by Africaner to preach in his kraal, he was warned not to go. One said that Africaner would "set him up for a mark for his boys to shoot at"; another, "that he would strip off his skin and make a drum of it to dance to"; while still another warned him that "Africaner would make a drinking cup of his skull." One kind, motherly woman said: "Had you been an old man, it would have been nothing, for you would have soon died, whether or no; but you are young, and going to become a prey to that monster."
CONVERSION OF TWO BANDIT CHIEFS
Moffat had come to preach a saving gospel to sinners; and on receiving an invitation to visit Africaner's kraal, he accepted the invitation. A half hour after his arrival, Titus Africaner, who still hated missionaries, had an altercation with Mr. Ebner, under whose labors the chief had professed conversion. This resulted in Mr. Ebner's leaving the place. It was under these circumstances that the youthful Moffat began his labors with this partially converted chief. Much patient labor was required before he fully yielded his heart to God and became a child of the kingdom. His conversion proved to be genuine. He would sit for days poring over the word of God. He was a transformed man, and instead of spreading strife and discord as an outlaw, was now a peacemaker.685At a religious gathering he again met his old enemy, the Hottentot chief, Berend Berend, who also had experienced conversion since they had shot at each other and were providentially saved. In place of seeking each other's lives, they reverently bowed together at the same altar of prayer, and as Christian brothers, poured forth their heartfelt praises for the transforming power of the gospel. The native people were profoundly impressed. They said that a gospel that could change such deadly enemies into friends, and such bandits into law-abiding citizens, was a good and powerful gospel.
The conversion of Africaner and his enemy Berend Berend was the signal for the first great religious awakening in Namaqualand. Having been notorious outlaws, their conversion became as famous as their brigandage had been notorious.
When Africaner afterward accompanied Moffat to Cape Town, the Cape government, on seeing the change Christianity had made in his character, turned over to him the $500 previously offered for his capture, to be used by him in providing better equipment for making an honest livelihood as a transformed man. This incident illustrates the infinite sources at God's command in support of His work.
The days of miracles have not passed. A greater miracle than changing desperadoes into children of faith is not recorded in apostolic times. It is the climax of all miracles. We devoutly thank God for such forerunners as were the faithful pioneers who blazed the trail in Africa. Now their successors, in comparative safety, reap the harvest, the seed for which was sown in sacrifice during the pioneer days of mission work.
