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Page 14
As arranged, the deputation, accompanied by Robert Moffat, left Cape
Town on their tour of inspection of the stations in the eastern part of
the Colony and in Kafirland. This journey necessitated an absence of
twelve months, during which time Robert expected his bride to arrive.
This was a trial of faith, as it seemed hard that she should be obliged
to land in a strange country, and find none of her own to welcome her.
But with Moffat even love followed after duty.
It so happened, however, that after visiting the line of stations
through the eastern districts as far as Bethelsdorp, the party, at that
place, found their progress effectually barred through war with the
Kafirs. They were therefore obliged to return to Cape Town, thus giving
Moffat the opportunity and great joy of receiving his affianced wife
upon her landing from the vessel. She reached Cape Town in safety, and
on the 27th of December, 1819, the happy couple were united. They
received each other as from the Lord, and for more than fifty years,
during cloud and sunshine, their union was a true and blessed one.
Robert Moffat had been appointed to the Bechwana station at Lattakoo, or
Kuruman, as it was afterwards called; and for that place the missionary
party, which consisted of the Rev. John Campbell and the Moffats, set
out early in the year 1820.
A feeble attempt to establish a mission to the Bechwanas had been made,
by the Dutch Missionary Society in Cape Town, as early as A.D. 1800, and
two missionaries, named Edwards and Kok, had been despatched. They were
directed by the chief to settle on the banks of the Kuruman River, at a
distance from the natives, and the effort degenerated into a mere
trading concern. In 1805, the Bechwanas were visited by the celebrated
traveller Dr. Lichtenstein, and, in 1812, by Dr. Burchell, but it was
not until the visit of the Rev. J. Campbell, a little later, that any
real negotiations were entertained for the settlement of missionaries
with this people. The chief, Mothibi, then said to Mr. Campbell, "send
missionaries, and I will be a father to them."
In response to this invitation Messrs. Evans and Hamilton left England
in 1815, and, full of hope, reached Lattakoo on the 17th of February in
the following year. Instead of being received as they anticipated, they
were repulsed, and directed to settle at the Kuruman River, thirty miles
distant. Disappointed and despondent they returned to Griqua Town. Mr.
Evans relinquished the mission, but a further attempt was made
afterwards by Messrs. Read and Hamilton, and this time permission was
obtained for them to dwell with the chief and his people. Thus the
Bechwana Mission obtained its first real footing.
In June, 1817, the tribe, under Mothibi, removed from the position where
the missionaries first found it, and settled by the Kuruman River. When
the Rev. J. Campbell returned, to the Colony, Mr. Read accompanied him;
thus, pending the arrival of Robert Moffat, Mr. Hamilton was left alone
in charge of the mission.
The journey as far as Griqua Town was accomplished without any special
incident. At first the route lay through fertile valleys and lovely
mountain scenery, but soon this changed, and for hundreds of miles the
travellers had to pass through the desolate region of the Karroo desert.
When about half-way through this sterile district, they came to the site
upon which was to be built the village of Beaufort West, where they were
most kindly entertained by a Scotchman named Mr. Baird, the newly
appointed magistrate.
The Orange River, so frequently an insurmountable obstacle to progress,
was passed in safety, the water being very low, and two or three days
later Griqua Town was reached. Here a halt was made. Lattakoo lay one
hundred miles beyond.
At this time some uncertainty existed as to whether the Moffats would be
allowed by the Colonial Government to settle at Lattakoo; thus far
consent had been withheld. They had advanced trusting that the way would
be opened, and after a short rest at Griqua Town, the party continued
their journey, and reached Lattakoo five days after leaving the Griqua
station. It was intended that Robert Moffat should take the place of Mr.
Read, as an associate with Mr. Hamilton in the work of the mission.
The new arrivals were introduced to Mothibi, and were soon visited by a
retinue of chiefs. The manner, appearance, and dress of these natives
much interested Mary Moffat. The whole missionary party stayed together
for three weeks, settling the affairs of the mission; then the Rev. J.
Campbell and Mr. Read started on a journey to visit the Bahurutsi, a
tribe who dwelt nearly two hundred miles to the north-east of Lattakoo.
Moffat and his wife remained with Mr. Hamilton, so that the new
missionary might win the affections of the Bechwana chief and his
people.
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