“Most truly and most admirably argued, Swinton,” replied Alexander.  “The Almighty, as if to prove how insignificant in his sight is all human power, has often made use of the meanest instruments to accomplish the greatest ends.  Who knows but that even our keeping holy the Sabbath-day in the desert may be productive of some good, and be the humble means of advancing the Divine cause?  We must ever bear in mind the counsel, ’In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.’”

“Surely so,” replied Swinton; “the natives consider us as a superior race; they see our worship, and they are led to think that must be right which they perceive is done by those to whom they look up as their superiors.  It may induce them to inquire and to receive information—­eventually to be enrolled among the followers of our Saviour.  It is, however, not to be denied that in some few instances persons have been chosen for the office of missionaries who have proved themselves unworthy; but that must and will ever be the case where human agents are employed.  But it argues no more against the general respectability and utility of the missionaries as a body, than the admission of the traitor Judas among the apostles.  To the efficacy of their works, and their zeal in the cause, I myself, having visited the station, have no hesitation in bearing testimony.  Indeed I can not but admire the exemplary fortitude, the wonderful patience and perseverance, which the missionaries have displayed.

“These devoted men are to be found in the remotest deserts, accompanying the wild and wandering savages from place to place, suffering from hunger and from thirst, destitute of almost every comfort, and at times without even the necessaries of life.  Some of them have without murmuring spent their whole lives in such service; and yet their zeal is set down as fanaticism by those who remain at home, and assert that the money raised for their equipment is thrown away.  Happily, they have not looked for their reward in this world, but have built their hopes upon that which is to come.”

“That the people who joined the Mission stations have become more civilized, and that they are very superior to their countrymen, is certain,” observed the Major; “but have you seen any proof of Christianity having produced any remarkably good effect among the natives?—­I mean one that might be brought forward as convincing evidence to those who have shown themselves inimical or lukewarm in the cause.”

“Yes,” replied Swinton, “the history of Africaner is one; and there are others, although not so prominent as that of the party to whom I refer.”

“Well, Swinton, you must now be again taxed.  You must give us the history of Africaner.”