The congregation continued to increase and new members were added to the church, but sorrows tempered the joy of this happy time.  Small-pox entered the country, and many of the inhabitants died; with them passed away one of the daughters of Robert and Mary Moffat.  Towards the end of 1832 the labourers at Kuruman were cheered by a visit from Dr. Philip, who arranged that the two French missionaries, Rolland and Lemue, should commence a mission station at Motito, a place nearly forty miles distant, in a north-easterly direction.

In January, 1835, a scientific expedition under Dr. Andrew Smith, arrived at Moffat’s station.  This visit appeared as though ordered by an over-ruling Providence for the especial benefit of himself and his devoted wife.  It found them in sore trouble, and it brought help and a friend in time of need.  Mr. Edwards was away and Robert had been overworked.  When Dr. Smith arrived, he found him suffering from an attack of intermittent fever, and hastened to render aid.  Under the Doctor’s skilful treatment he speedily recovered.  On the 10th of March another son was added to the Moffat family, and shortly afterwards Mary was suddenly taken seriously ill, and became so weak, that for many days her recovery seemed hopeless.  The Doctor was at that time away surveying, but upon receiving information of the position of affairs at Kuruman, he immediately hastened to render all the assistance in his power.

Speaking of this friend, raised up so unexpectedly, Robert Moffat writes in his book:  “His tender sympathy and unremitting attention in that trying season, during which all hope of her recovery had fled, can never be erased from our grateful recollection, for in the midst of his active and laborious engagements at the head of the expedition, he watched for several successive nights, with fraternal sympathy, what appeared to be the dying pillow of my beloved partner, nor did he leave before she was out of danger.”

A life-long friendship was cherished for the one who had come to them in their sore need, and who was always most gratefully remembered by the African missionary and his exemplary wife.

Shortly after these events, at the request of Dr. Smith, Robert Moffat accompanied the expedition on a visit to Moselekatse and the Matabele country.  Moselekatse was delighted to see his missionary friend again.  The scientific expedition had permission to travel through any part of the monarch’s territories, but Moffat, the king kept as his guest.  Together they visited, in the missionary’s waggon, several of the Matabele towns, and many conversations were held, in which the importance of religion, and the evil effects of the king’s policy were faithfully pointed out.

By this journey, which occupied three months, a way was paved for some American missionaries to reside with Moselekatse, and the country was surveyed to find timber suitable for the roof of the new Kuruman church.  This timber was afterwards collected by Messrs. Hamilton and Edwards—­the wood-cutters having to travel to a distance of two hundred and fifty miles—­and fashioned into the roof of the church; which stands at this day a monument of the united labours of Hamilton, Moffat, and Edwards; and a wonder to beholders as to how such an achievement could have been performed with the slender means then at hand.