them the conception
of an omnipotent spiritual power outside natural objects and above man,
and to make them regard this power as the source of moral ideas and the
author of moral commands. To do this has been a difficult task.

Besides this constructive work, which was less needed in some other more
advanced heathen races, the missionaries had also a destructive work to
do. Though the Kafirs had no religion, they had a multitude of
superstitious rites and usages closely intertwined with the whole of
their life and with what one may call their political system. These
usages were so repugnant to Christian morality, and often to common
decency, that it became necessary to attack them and to require the
convert to renounce them altogether. Renunciation, however, meant a
severance from the life of the tribe, contempt and displeasure from the
tribesmen, and possibly the loss of tribal rights. These were evils
which it required courage and conviction to face, nor had the missionary
any temporal benefits to offer by way of compensation. There was,
however, very little direct persecution, because there were no gods who
would be incensed, and the witch-doctors were less formidable opponents
than a regular priesthood would have been. The chiefs were often
friendly, for they recognized the value of missionary knowledge and
counsel. Even the ferocious Mosilikatze showed kindness to Robert
Moffat, and Livingstone complained far more of the Boers than he ever
did of Kafir enemies. Lo Bengula protected the missionaries: Gungunhana
listened, and made his chiefs listen, to their discourses, though his
nearest approach to conversion was his expression of detestation for
Judas Iscariot. But it rarely befell that a chief himself accepted
Christianity, which would have meant, among other things, the departure
of all his wives but one, and possibly the loss of his hold upon his
tribe. All these things being considered, it need excite no surprise
that the Gospel should have made comparatively little progress among the
wild or tribal Kafirs.

It has been preached to them for nearly a century, by German (chiefly, I
think, Moravian) and French, as well as by English, Scottish, and
American missionaries. At present there are not a few British societies
and denominations in the field. The French Protestants have done some
excellent work, especially in Basutoland, and have also stations near
the east coast and on the Upper Zambesi. There are also