Northern Watchman

From the Missionary Herald.

MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA.
GENERAL LETTER OF THE MISSIONARIES, CONCLUDED.

On Thursday, Mr. Venable left Umgunghlovu, and the day following Mr. Halley returned. Mr. Owen immediately applied to Dingaan for permission to leave the country. He asked the reasons for making the request; was Mr. Owen fretting about the boors? or was he afraid for his own safety? however he might go. Mr. Owen gave his reasons, and Dingaan was civil enough; but when the interview closed, said he would see him next morning.

Next morning, on going to the town, Mr. Owen found Dingaan sitting with some of his induna by him. Dingaan commenced by telling the induna that Mr. Owen wished to leave the country; but why he knew not. He then began with a history of Capt. Gardner's first visit, saying that he never wished to have teachers in his country, and he had consented only through shame, when his refusal would not be taken. To foreigners visiting him, or to their trading in his country, he did not object; but to their building houses and becoming residents, he did object, and he was determined to allow it no longer. As to Mr. Owen's leaving, he said, had not the application been made, he would have sent him out of the country; because instead of trusting in his word, he learned from the girls in his family that Mr. Owen was ever speaking of him as a liar and a murderer, and was praying to God for deliverance. To substantiate this charge, the girls were sent for, and testified accordingly. Dingaan asked of Mr. Owen one of his two wagons, and took a considerable amount of other property, but on his departure, bid him a most friendly farewell

Dingaan's remarks in reference to the teachers coming into the country, were general, although he did not particularly mention any of us. He seemed to expect, as a matter of course, that we would all leave the country. So soon as Mr. Owen left, he sent to Mr. Champion, to know if he was going to leave, as Mr. Owen had done, and we of Hlangezoa were going to do, and if so, he would go with his permission and his "hamba kahle," friendly adieu.

On the 16th of February, Mr. Owen, on his way out of the country, reached Umhlatusi. The brethren there thought it expedient to make immediate application to leave also. Dingaan's treatment of Mr. Owen, the evident expectation that we would all go, the disturbed state of the country, and the prospect of intercourse with Natal being likely to be closed, combined to forbid delay. Accordingly, the next morning, Doct. Wilson set off to see Dingaan, to obtain permission to leave. He was received by Dingaan in a most friendly manner. When he stated his business, the king told him that Mr. Champion had sent him word that he intended to remain until Dingaan should drive him away, This was not Mr. Champion's message; he only sent word that he was still remaining in the country, and as Dingaan had not ordered him away he did not see cause for leaving. For some reason, perhaps to keep on terms with the people of Natal, Dingaan, at the time of Doct. Wilson's visit, seemed desirous to have those of us who were in the country, remain. He asked, if Mr. Champion remained in the country, would we of Hlangezoa go away?- Doct. Wilson, seeing he was disposed to have us remain, thought it a favorable opportunity to press the subject of instructing the people. Dingaan blamed Mungo and Mahlebe, induna of Hlangezoa, for prohibiting the attendance of the people. He said however, that the country now being disturbed, the men could not attend to our instructions, On being asked if the women and children could not, he said they should, and sent an order to that effect. Doct. Wilson then consented to our remaining, believing that Mr. Champion was not disposed to go, and having a promise of the removal of the restrictions on the people, with respect to receiving our instructions. Doct. Wilson returned to Umhlatusi, on the 22d of February, and Mr. Owen, who had been waiting there proceeded on his journey. With the prospect of a protracted war in the country, and believing that all communication with Natal must soon cease, Mr. Venable did not see that it was his duty to keep his family longer, where they were the subjects of constant suspicion, and exposed to the violence of a treacherous and cruel despot. As the most prudent course, he resolved to visit Ginani and confer with Mr. Champion, with the view of visiting Dingaan together, and again requesting permission to retire. After Mr. Owen left the capital, no communication passed between Ginani and Umhlatusi.

Leaving Mr. Owen's party on the afternoon of the 24th, accompanied by Joseph Kirkman, an interpreter, Mr. Venable proceeded to Ginani, which he reached at ten o'clock at night. The houses were all shut up, and to repeated calls no answer was given from within. Mr. Venable and his companions, wearied by a walk of thirty miles, threw themselves on some bundles of thatch lying under the verandah of the house, to find rest, and await what disclosures the light of morning might make.

Entering the house early, a few lines addressed to Mr. Owen showed that Mr. Champion had an opportunity afforded to get away, some persons from Natal having brought a boat to the Umtogela, he had gone. Some people gave information that Mr. Champion started the day before, and was probably yet at the river. Mr. Venable went to the river, and finding Mr. Champion gone, and the boat on the Natal side, returned to where Mr. Owen was spending the Sabbath, and next day reached Umhlatusi. The day following, Doct. Wilson set off to see Dingaan, Mr. Venable being lame and worn down by the trip to Ginani.

Doct. Wilson was again received by Dingaan with great civility, and our request to leave the country was readily granted. A servant was sent to accompany us to the Umtogela. Dingaan dictated a letter to the king across the waters, which he requested Doct. Wilson to write. In this he gave reasons for killing the boors, and expressed a desire for continuing friendly relations with the English.

The brethren from Umhlatusi reached the Umtogela on the 5th of March, where they found waiting for them, Mr. Owen, who had got his wagon across a few days before, and Klaas Prince, who had assisted Mr. Champion, and then returned to help them. The river was full, and the current strong. The boat being small, it was necessary to unload the wagons, and take them through by swimming the cattle. In attempting this, Mr. Venable's wagon was carried down the stream, until some of the oxen were drowned, and it was necessary to cut the remainder loose, and leave the wagon in the stream. Doct. Wilson's wagon was saved, and the contents of both were brought across in the boat.

At the river, we learned that the people of Natal were preparing to invade Dingaan's country. On the evening of March 9th, the brethren from Umhlatusi reached Umlazi, and next day Mr. Lindley and family arrived from the Ilovo. Thus, through the unfailing mercies of God, we were brought to see each other again on earth. Others had fallen by the hand of violence, but we were safe.

By a kind Providence, the schooner Mary was lying in Natal Bay, and would be ready to sail in a few days. The state of the country appeared to require us to avail ourselves of the opportunity to go by sea to the colony, to remove our families beyond the disturbances, which might continue— we could not foresee how long. Before the vessel sailed, we deemed it important that one of our number should remain on the ground, to watch the course of events and furnish information to the rest of us. Mr. Lindley remained for that purpose, his family accompanying us. We hope to hear from him soon, and may then be able to say something more about our prospects of future usefulness in this country.

When we left Natal, the natives of that quarter seemed to be moved by that mania for plundering so characteristic of the tribes of South Africa, and which makes the most dastardly think themselves brave, while only plunder is kept in view. The same mania is likely to pervade all the tribes in reach of Dingaan's cattle. There are now likely to be wars and rumors of wars for many days to come.

Indeed, the Lord seems to be making the several portions of our rebellious race, who belong to South Africa, mutual scourges of each other.— tumults will doubtless be made to subserve the interests of our Redeemer's kingdom. We see not the end from the beginning. We would leave the event with the all-wise Sovereign of heaven and earth. Yet as accountable beings, and in the providence of God brought to this country, we have a part to act, and may He give us the wisdom and grace necessary to its performance.