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SOUTH AFRICA.

SECOND JOURNEY OF THE REV. DAVID LIVINGSTON TO THE NEWLY DISCOVERED INLAND LAKE.

In the summer of 1849 our enterprising missionary, Mr. Livingston, accompanied by Messrs. Murray and Oswell, undertook a journey to explore the unknown regions extending north-west from Mr. L.'s station at Kolobeng, and more especially with a view to ascertain the existence of a large interior Lake, reported by natives to be situated at a distance of several hundred miles in that direction. Of the signal success that crowned the undertaking, in the discovery not only of the Lake, but also of several considerable rivers flowing from north to south, full details were given in our number for March, in last year.

Encouraged by the events of the former journey, and desirous to make a more minute investigation of the Lake Region, and of its practical capabilities, with a view to the extension of missionary enterprise, Mr. Livingston resolved to avail himself of an opportunity, when his people, being for the most part engrossed by their field labours, would be prevented from giving regular attendance on the services of the station, for the prosecution of a second journey to the interior.

On this occasion, Mr. Livingston was accompanied by Mrs. Livingston (who, as most of our readers are probably aware, is a daughter of the Rev. Robert Moffat), and their children, and also by Sechele the chief, and Mebaloe, the native teacher of the Kolobeng Station. Proceeding from Kolobeng, in April of last year, the travellers, instructed by Mr. L.'s for mer experience, met with comparatively few obstructions on their route, and suffered little inconvenience from want of water or other privations incident to a progress through wild and inhospitable regions. After visiting the Bakurutse tribe, who live at the lower end of the Zouga, the travellers crossed that river and ascended its northern bank, intending to follow the course of the Tamunakle until they reached the residence of the friendly chief Sebitaone; but when near the junction of the two rivers they were informed by a Bakhoba chief, named Palane, that the fly called "tsetse" abounded on the Tamunakle. As the bite of this formidable insect was known to be fatal to oxen, horses, and dogs, though not to man, and the party were in possession of no more oxen than were barely sufficient to draw the waggons, Mr. Livingston resolved to prosecute his enterprise alone; but Mrs. L. preferring to pass the interval among the Bataoana, while awaiting her husband's return, the party re-crossed the Zouga, and proceeded onwards to the Lake. Sechulathebe, the chief, engaged to furnish Mr. Livingston with guides for his expedition, and also to make provision for his family during his absence. These pre

liminary arrangements being made, and everything appearing favourable, Mr. L. was on the eve of starting on his journey, when his driver and leader were laid up by fever; and subsequently two of his children, and others of the party were attacked. As the malaria seemed to exist in a more concentrated form near the Lake than in any other part, and had already proved fatal in two instances, the travellers considered it prudent to retreat, after passing two Sundays with the Bataoana; and as the time at Mr. Livingston's command was nearly expended, he was reluctantly compelled, through the serious obstacles interposed by the prevalence of the fever and the fly, to return to his station at Kolobeng, deferring the accomplishment of his ulterior objects for a more favourable opportunity. The sickness with which the party were attacked, is stated to be marsh fever, generated from the lake and river, at that period of the year when evaporation has proceeded so far as to expose the banks of vegetable matter to the action of the sun. In the natives the effects of the poison imbibed into the system appear most frequently in the form of bilious fever, and they generally recover after being copiously relieved of bile; but as the result of his observation and inquiry, Mr. Livingston has been led to doubt whether this disease may not form a serious barrier to the introduction of European civilization and the formation of missionary establishments in the vicinity of the Lake district. As, however, the Teoge, a river which falls into the Lake at its north-west extremity, is reported to flow southward with great rapidity, the region beyond must have a considerable elevation; and hopes are consequently entertained that localities may be found in that direction unexceptionable on the score of health. With a view to the solution of this interesting and important problem, Mr. Livingston proposes to undertake another journey at the first opportunity; and Mrs. L. so fully partakes of the enterprising spirit of her husband, and so cordially sympathises in his object, that she has consented to his leaving her during the period, more or less protracted, that an undertaking embracing such objects must necessarily occupy.

Although, therefore, the anticipations that had been held out by the results of the first journey to the Lake region, of an early introduction of the gospel among new and populous tribes, have been somewhat overcast by the unexpected obstacles encountered by Mr. Livingston and his party on the second journey, we still encourage the hope, that, in the good providence of God, these obstacles may not prove insuperable, and that a way may yet be opened for the access of the word of Life, and the blessings which follow in its train, among tribes and nations which have for ages been consigned to unmitigated barbarism.

KNAPP'S HOPE.

THE Missionary work in Caffreland having been of slow growth, and attended with few positive results, as compared with the cordial reception given to the gospel by other of the African tribes, we hail with peculiar satisfaction any tidings of conversions from amongst a people who have been found so difficult to reclaim from their wild and nomadic habits. The following communication from the Rev. F. G. Kayser, under date the 30th September, ult., will furnish gratifying proof, that they, in common with the rest of the human family, are fully capable of being made the subjects of a divine and gracious influence :

"Since reporting the state of our affairs in May last, I have to add the following pleasing facts. A woman, who had formerly been ill-treated by her husband, on account of her having given up the custom of painting her body, had, through her patience and forbearance, succeeded in winning him over to a better state of mind. This man came one day with his wife to the station, saying,

I have followed my wife to the school. I am indeed blind, and know nothing of the word of God; but it is my desire to reside where my wife wishes to be. Give me garden-ground, that I may plant with her. I submit myself to the rules of the station.' His wife is now amongst the inquirers, and both are conducting themselves well. Another woman has also, by her kind and exemplary deportment, obtained a salutary influence over her husband, so that he has agreed to her going to the school as oft as she likes. Another individual, a young man, has left the kraals, and come amongst the inquirers. Two young persons, also, from the station, have come forward to join them; so that there are now seven persons who are, with apparent sincerity and carnestness, seeking rest for their souls.

"It gives me also great pleasure to add that our two younger sons have cast in their lot with the Lord's people. John, the youngest, has been received into the Institution at Hankey, and Maximilian has joined the church at this station. He who is faithful and true will assuredly keep and nurse these young plants, to the praise and glory of His great name.

"Since writing the above, another inquirer has come forward, and three more are expected to follow their example.

"The population at the station as of late considerably increased, and on account of this accession of numbers we have been extending the course of the water-ditch, so that the new comers are now able to sow their lands; and, indeed, but for the water-course, we could not this year have sowed our lands, for the rain of heaven has been withheld, and none of the people at the kraals have been able to sow their seeds in their gardens far and wide round about us. Two months ago the Caffres began to hasten with their presents to the rainmakers, in order to obtain rain from them; but the almighty and merciful Ruler of heaven and earth has shown them their folly, and has now made these rainmakers confess to the people, saying, 'We have no rain.' Praised be the Lord for so ordering the events of his providence, as to astonish the heathen, to glorify his great name, and to establish his truth, to the saving of these poor, blinded heathen, who were told by the rainmakers not to go to the schools on Sundays-they would hinder the rain. As this word was told to one of our inquirers at the kraal where she lives, she ran off in the middle of the night, and came here to her mother, who had not long been at the station. When I asked her why she had done so, she replied that she began to fear the people at the kraal might confine her, to prevent her coming here. But after showing her that there was no danger of being restrained, she returned, and has since continued to come and go without hindrance, and is now making good progress in the knowledge of the Gospel, the love of Christ, and the joy of faith."

NEW YEAR'S OFFERING TO THE NECESSITOUS

WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF MISSIONARIES.

THE Directors present their grateful acknowledgments to those pasters, officers, and members of Christian Churches who have already given a kind and generous response to their recent Appeal on behalf of the widows and orphans of deceased missionaries. The amount received has been liberal in proportion to the number of the Churches whose united contributions it comprises; and the Directors indulge the strong hope that many other Churches, both in the Metropolis and throughout the country, that have been unavoidably prevented from making their sacramental offerings within the period first named, will gladly avail themselves of an extension of the time for testifying their sympathy in an object so truly Christian.

With a view to meet the convenience of such of their esteemed friends who had not the opportunity of contributing to the fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of missionaries, on the first Sabbath of the year, the Directors beg to intimate that the period for closing the subscription list will be extended to the 15th of February, and that any contributions made on the first Lord's day of that month will be most gratefully received.

ARRIVAL OF THE REV. J. J. FREEMAN.

WE have much pleasure in announcing the safe arrival of the Rev. J. J. FREEMAN, on the 20th ult.. in the steamer "Ripon," from Alexandria,

MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

From the 13th December, 1850, to the 15th January, 1851, inclusive.

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