In due time the marriage was solemnized, and Livingstone brought his wife to Mabotsa.  Here they went vigorously to work, Mrs. Livingstone with her infant-school, and her husband with all the varied agencies, medical, educational, and pastoral, which his active spirit could bring to bear upon the people.  They were a very superstitious race, and, among other things, had great faith in rain-making.  Livingstone had a famous encounter with one of their rain-makers, the effect of which, was that the pretender was wholly nonplused; but instead of being convinced of the absurdity of their belief, the people were rather disposed to think that the missionaries did not want them to get rain.  Some of them were workers in iron, who carried their superstitious notions into that department of life, too, believing that the iron could be smelted only by the power of medicines, and that those who had not the proper medicine need not attempt the work.  In the hope of breaking down these absurdities, Livingstone planned a course of popular lectures on the works of God in creation and providence, to be carried out in the following way: 

“I intend to commence with the goodness-of God in giving iron ore, by giving, if I can, a general knowledge of the simplicity of the substance, and endeavoring to disabuse their minds of the idea which prevents them, in general, from reaping the benefit of that mineral which abounds in their country.  I intend, also, to pay more attention to the children of the few believers we have with us as a class, for whom, as baptized ones, we are bound especially to care.  May the Lord enable me to fulfill my resolutions!  I have now the happy prospect before me of real missionary work.  All that has preceded has been preparatory.”

All this time Livingstone had been cherishing his plan of a training seminary for native agents.  He had written a paper and brought the matter before the missionaries, but without success.  Some opposed the scheme fairly, as being premature, while some insinuated that his object was to stand well with the Directors, and get himself made Professor.  This last objection induced him to withdraw his proposal.  He saw that in his mode of prosecuting the matter he had not been very knowing; it would have been better to get some of the older brethren to adopt it.  He feared that his zeal had injured the cause he desired to benefit, and in writing to his friend Watt, he said that for months he felt bitter grief, and could never think of the subject without a pang[23].

[Footnote 23:  Dr. Moffat favored the scheme of a training seminary, and when he came home afterward, helped to raise a large sum of money for the purpose.  He was strongly of opinion that the institution should be built at Sechele’s; but, contrary to his view, and that of Livingstone, it has been placed at Kuruman.]