The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-26


The COURSE of Great Britain in South
Africa has no parallel since the days OF
Pagan Rome. Without even a pretext.
as far as we can understand, they are
proceeding to annex the country of the
Beers.
In the neighboring country of the Ba-
sutos the Reformed Church of France has
fourishing mission. In 1875 the ma
tive population amounted to $4,000, OF
whom $40 were communicates, 1889
candidates for baptism, while there were
10000 hearers. There were $500 chill
dren in the schools. In 1877, says the
Rev. Mr.. Wheatcroft in the Catholic
Presbyterian this people, so lately sunk
IN barbarism, and ignorant of agricul
tural arts, had its exhibition, at which
prizes were awarded to the most success
full producers, special attention being
given to the planting of trees, so neces-
sary in country which is almost desti-
tute of any shelter from the SUM-"
The members of the church contribute
regularly to its support, each member on
the average giving As. ID; and in addi-
ton TO this the sum of 81 900, lis. Sd.
was given last year for evangelising pur
poses. AT one station, we are told, the
women work in the fields with their New
Testaments in their pockets. The Basu-
los at the diamond fields have built for
themselves two chapels, in which native
evangelists are ministering An extreme
y pious and intelligent Basuto has be-
come colporteur, and travels through
the Orange Free State, distributing Tes
taments, hymns, and tracts.
In 1868 this tribe placed themselves
under the protection of the British Grown
and accepted resident magistrates but
without any reference to Cape Colony
In the late wars the Basuto auxiliaries
were Of the greatest service, and were
frequently mentioned in the dispatches
IN terms of the highest praise. No sooner,
however, was the war over, than the
Cape Government sent peremptory
command to the Basuto chiefs to give up
all their arms. This news was received
with dismay and establishment. But Sir
Bartle Frere, despite the protestations of
Sir Garnet Wolseley, and the appeals oil
the Basutos, persisted in the disarma-
ment. The French missionaries per-
suaded the people to submit quietly.
They gave up their arms, and the result
was that their focks were ravaged by
wolves, and their owners had no means
of protecting themselves against these in
juries. Discomfort and rebellion fol-
lowed. This is the origin of the Basuto
war. Five missionaries have already
been killed in this unnatural conflict.
Mr. Wheatcroft concludes:
The fatal results Of the Cape policy NAV be
read in the daily papers. Though Letsea, the
paramount chief remains inactive, the war is
becoming daily. more serious May we not ven
ture to hope that the Home Government will in
tervene before it is too late, and by recognising
the Basutos as a nation already advanced in
order and civilization, treat with them anicably
and thus counteract the i'll advised policy of the
Colonists-a policy far too much in common with
that Of their neighbours the Beers? Mr. Glad
stones Government is at this moment engaged
IN redressing the wrongs Of the Creeks and
Eastern Christians Will it not win for itself
the gratitude of brave and intelligent people
70 whom Of in this age Of progress ali respect for
honor and treaties be not dead) England has al
ready bound itself by promises of support and
protection and cement more firmly, by bonds of
sympathy and mutual gelfrespect, the native
races Of South Africa2
few years ago, we saw the appointment oil
Sir Bartle Frere as Governor of the Cape hailed
with Joy, as being that Of the friend of missions
and the promoter and protector of scientific ex.
plorations. God grant that he and his advisers
may not have thrown more impedments in the
way of missionary work in South Africa than
lifelong devotion to the cause may be able to
remove.