Page images
PDF
EPUB

closing a basin about ten miles wide. The whole of this was covered with a fine and comparatively short grass, such as I had often seen in the great pasture lands of the south. There was but little bush, except along the course of the ravines. The large spreading mimosa, growing in its usual fashion, here a solitary tree, there a clump of half-a-dozen, gave to the open parts of the basin quite a park-like appearance. As this lovely scene was viewed from the height which we had attained, I could not help saying to my South African servant, 'Oh, that I had a wagon and a span of oxen now, and a proper African whip.' As might be expected, when we descended into the Kitange basin, considerable flocks and herds began to appear. But what was most interesting to me, from a missionary point of view (although to men with empty stomachs and good appetites the appearance of flocks and herds was by no means uninteresting), was the sight of the villages with which the whole of this great basin was dotted over. Look wherever I would, I could not fail to discover several of these, often within rifle-shot of one another. Up the sides of the great

mountains, on both sides of the Kitange gorge, as far as the eye could reach-east, west, north, and souththey were to be seen. The villages are mostly of the Tembe kind. This mode of building seems necessary in this part of the country, where they have none of the protection afforded by the thickets nearer the coast. One of the saddest features of the state of things in East Africa is the constant fear which the people have of being attacked. It is a rare thing to see a male above the age of twelve to fifteen, by day or by night, in the town or out of it, without arms of some kind.

"I need not say that this is another very important and inviting missionary sphere. If there is anywhere a country so near the Equator where Europeans could live and enjoy health, Kitange is such. Kitange combines pastoral and agricultural advantages, although, in the latter respect, it is not equal to the Nguru district. The population of Kitange consists principally of Wakaguru, although there are a few people from other tribes there. Even the Masai are represented there. (The people of Kitange get much iron ore in the KaguruUsagara mountains.)”

3. MPWAPWA.

MPWAPWA, the limit of the present journey, was reached on Wednesday, July 5th, the twenty-sixth day from Sadáni. Of these twenty-six, nineteen were marching days, and included stages of varying duration. On the whole, the time occupied was somewhat under the average.

"Mpwapwa is decidedly dry, high and dry, and therefore healthy; and this is saying a good deal of a place in equatorial Africa. There is nothing like a swamp, or anything that would generate malaria anywhere near, so far as I could see or hear. In fact I could not conceive the place to be otherwise than healthy for Europeans. The district seems to be productive

enough of everything that can afford to wait for the rain, which, I am told, never fails to come in the proper time. Native food is abundant.

"There is a considerable population at Mpwapwa; but it is of a very mixed and nondescript character. The most numerously represented people are, I think, the Wasagara. Then come the Wakaguru. There are

also villages of the Wagogo. The allpervading Wanyamwezi are there too in considerable numbers. There are also numbers of coast Arabs there, or people who call themselves Arabs, but whose pedigree is probably as uncertain as well can be.

"Like Shoshong in South Africa, Mpwapwa is not just the place one would choose to live at. But like Shoshong, Mpwapwa is a kind of gateway to vast regions beyond. At Mpwapwa meet all the roads from the coast to the lake regions, from Dara Salaam, from Bagamoyo, from Whinde, and from Sadáni; and it forms a fresh starting-point for caravans after all their trouble and hard labour in the maritime and mountainous regions. Like Shoshong again, it is a most important position to occupy, both as a mission and trading station. The population of Mpwapwa itself is sufficiently large to justify the establishment of a mission there. Then there is Tubugwe with a considerable

population. It, too, might be visited from Mpwapwa. But the occupation of Mpwapwa is all important in view of the establishment of missions in the far interior, and should not be deferred.

"As a trading station, the importance of Mpwapwa cannot be overrated. All the produce of Tanganyika, and a great deal from the direction of Nyanza, and, of course, of all the countries this side, comes through Mpwapwa; from there it branches off to the different ports on the coast. A few men, or a company, with a moderate amount of capital, and who would not be afraid to lay it out in the first instance upon the establishment of a thorough communication, by bullock wagon, or any better mode, between the coast and Mpwapwa, could not fail in a short time to intercept a great proportion of the produce of the interior, which now goes to the coast."

4. MEETING WITH THE MASAI.

On the return journey to the coast, and when about to enter upon the uninhabited prairie, the travellers were on the move at a very early hour. While breakfasting at Brack River Port they were visited by a number of Wakamba a nomadic, flesh-eating people, inhabiting the northern parts of the Kaguru mountains. They are a portion of the ubiquitous Masai, who are the dread of the whole country-a feeling which the following incident serves to illustrate. Mr. Price writes:

"We had been joined in our morning's march by two natives from Tubugwe. They wanted to go to Kitange, and joined us for protection in crossing the prairie. I hired the one to carry water for me, and the other to carry my Zulu cook's bundle, as I feared he would knock up on the long tramp, and the donkey was already engaged. All the vessels being filled with water, we made a

caravan

fair start, I leading the according to promise. When we had gone about two miles we came upon a fine lot of ostriches feeding not far from the road. The temptation was too great. I left the road and went to try and get a shot at them. They quietly moved off in their fashion, always managing to keep out of range, yet tempting me on. I did not, however, lose sight of the caravan. Whe

caravans.

I had followed these birds for some time, and was about to give them up, I happened to cast my eye forward across the hollow of the Brack River which now lay before me, and I saw in the distance a long black line of natives coming in our direction. I could see at a glance that they were not an ordinary caravan by the absence of the usual white bundles of up What could they be? I bent my course towards the path, still watching them and wondering what they could be. Then I looked round to see whether my own men were observing the black line in front of us. At that moment they halted, and the next thing I saw was the two men I had just hired putting their loads down and bolting as hard as they could back along the road. I then went up to the caravan and found the men in a state of considerable consternation. That black line coming towards us were the Masai, and no mistake about it. What was to be done? We decided to cross the ravine and halt on a bit of a knoll on the other side until they should get nearer, for they were still a good way off. The loads were put down and the animals driven into the midst of us, and there we stood to see what was to come next. That they were not ordinary caravan natives was becoming more and more evident as they approached. But what else should bring such a large number of them (about seventy) to that place? I breathed a prayer that all danger might be averted, and that there might not be the necessity for us to act even on the defensive. I thought, however, it would be prudent to follow still further the spirit of the advice which it is said Cromwell was wont to give to his soldiers. I had not hitherto been in the habit of carrying the powder-flask and balls, as the two

loaded barrels were generally all I found use for at a time. Now, however, I thought I might as well put a few spare balls in my pocket, and take over the powder flask from Hassan. I can scarcely venture to describe my feelings as I stood on that little knoll in the midst of my comparatively unarmed little army, except that I had no inclination to follow the example of the two Washensi and bolt. But afterwards when the supposed danger was past, and we exchanged jambos (good morning) with the long line of swarthy, naked, savage-looking fellows, each one of whom was armed to the teeth with ugly bows and arrows and spears, I remember distinctly feeling particularly brave and jocose.

They

were the veritable Wakamba Masai. But as they drew nearer, the practised eye of Zaidi, the carrier of my medicine chest, and an old caravan goer, discovered that they were all laden with meat. So to do away with the appearance of our having been frightened, he shouted out nyama, nyama (meat, meat-or they are carrying meat). Haia (go a-head), and all said haia; and so like brave men we moved on to meet our phantom of a foe. The Wakamba crossed the ravine, and followed its course down to join their friends who had visited us at breakfast time. They were all heavily laden with the meat and skins of game which they had killed with their bows and arrows.

Thus peacefully ended the battle of Brack River Port. And possibly many an East African battle, which ends in cruel bloodshed, might end equally peacefully, if people would but have the patience and humanity to wait and see whether the supposed foe carried meat or not."

IV. Ebangelical Alliance.

THE following topics are suggested as suitable for exhortation and intercession on the successive days of meeting:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7th.

Sermons-Christian fellowship. 1 John i. 7.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8th.

Thanksgiving and Confession,-in the review of the past year.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9th.

Prayer:-For the Holy Spirit on the Universal Church, Joel ii. 28:-for its deliverance from error and corruption and its increase of faith, activity, holiness, and Christian charity.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10th.

Prayer:-For Families :-for the unconverted; for sons and daughters at school and college, and for those abroad; for any in sickness, trouble, or temptation; and for those who have been recently "added to the Church."

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11th.

Prayer-For Nations:-for rulers, magistrates, and statesmen; for philanthropic and benevolent institutions; for a pure literature, the spread of sound education among the people, and the maintenance of peace.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12th.

Prayer: For Christian Missions to the Jews and Gentiles, Luke xxiv. 47; for Sunday-schools; and for the conversion of the World to Christ.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13th.

Prayer:-For the observance of the Christian Sabbath; for the promotion of temperance; and for the safety of those "who go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters."

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14th.

Sermons :—One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and Father of all. Ephes. iv. 5, 6.

V-Notes of the Month, and Extracts.

1. DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

The Rev. W. WYATT GILL, B.A., Mrs. Gill, and three children, returning to the HERVEY ISLANDS, South Pacific, embarked for Melbourne, per Sobraon, October 4th.

Mrs. HUTTON, wife of the Rev. D. HUTTON, returning to BENARES, North India; and Miss RONALD, embarked for Calcutta, per steamer Viceroy, October 16th.

The Rev. J. DALGLIESH and Mrs. Dalgliesh, returning to NEW AMSTERDAM, Berbice; and the Rev. JOHN CURRIE, proceeding as Pastor to the Church at GEORGE TOWN, Demerara, with Mrs. Currie and two sons, embarked at Southampton, per steamer Tasmania, October 17th.

2. ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.

The Rev. E. R. BARRETT, B.A., from SoocHow, China, per French Packet, October 10th.

3. ORDINATION OF A MISSIONARY TO INDIA.

At Great Yarmouth, on Tuesday, the 12th September, Mr. H. J. GOFFIN late student of New College, London, received ordination on his appointment as a missionary to the Society's station at VIZAGAPATAM, South India. The Rev. H. de Vere Gookey, missionary from Vizagapatam, described the field of labour. The questions were asked by the Rev. W. Griffiths, M.A.; the Rev. W. Tritton offered the ordination prayer; and the charge was delivered by the Rev. A. Redford, M.A., LL.B., Professor of Theology at New College.

4. SOUTH SEAS.-VALUE ATTACHED TO THE BIBLE. The Rev. G. A. HARRIS, of the island of MANGAIA, South Pacific, in his last report writes as follows:-"Respecting the sale of Bibles and hymn-books the year has been a very successful one. I have just sent off four hundred and seventy gallons of cocoa-nut oil, which will realize two hundred and thirty-five dollars. I have also in hand two or three hundred dollars in cash awaiting an opportunity to be remitted to the Bible Society. I have sold in all eight cases. Mangaia is now a land of Bibles. I think I am right in saying that not only the heads of every household are in possession of a copy but nearly every child upon the land has one. During the sale of these Bibles I met with very many pleasing things. My own heart was often made happy by those who came and bought them. In nearly every instance there was an expression given utterance to, of the merits and glory of the good old book. It was food, raiment, a treasure, and everything that was good and glorious. It was very interesting also to learn the means they employed to obtain a copy or two without debt. Good old Sadaraka, with whose name you are all familiar, although being in relation to the land a poor man, was indefatigable in his endeavours to secure a copy for each member of his household. He first brought me all the money he had, then he tried to make up with cocoa-nut oil, and lastly, rather than fall short, he sold the only young cow he had to pay for them. He went on his way rejoicing with thirteen Bibles, three of which alone cost him 368."

« PreviousContinue »