(Continued from p. 51.)
DAVID, her husband, maintained his family by working for the farmers around and cutting reeds; but as his employment was somewhat uncertain, they were occasionally brought very low, and yet He taketh care of sparrows and feedeth the meanest insect. He has made it appear for them in every time of need, and Jejana can bring her attestation to the faithfulness of Him who declared that those who seek first the Kingdom of God shall want no good thing. Once, when she knew not how to supply the next meal for her children, she went to a farmer in the neighbourhood, his mother arrived, and seeing Jejana going away, she begged the servant to call her, asked her if she feared God, and said, “God has sent you this (giving her a sealed packet), to buy bread for you and your little ones; I dreamt of you and your distress last night, and God has sent me to relieve you.”
Another instance of God’s watchful care over His children succeeded this. David and Jejana had lived three years in this mud hovel, and they loved their humble dwelling, for they had many proofs that God was there to bless and keep them; but now it was given away, and whither should they go? Jejana sighed deeply as she saw the surveyor (Mr Melville) appear, accompanied by the person to whom the land had been given, and as she stood with tearful eyes to watch their progress, the farmer noticed her sorrow, and begged her to be comforted, for he would never turn her out. With an expression of pious resignation she thanked him, but said—”My trust is not in an arm of flesh, but in God.” The words, and the manner in which they were uttered arrested the attention of the benevolent surveyor, for he was a man of God and loved his
fellow-creatures, one of the noble few who would barter all selfish interests for the delight of doing good, and desire the exchange the greatest luxury of life. He went to Jejana’s cottage, heard her story, and left her with a promise soon to return; he did so, and gladdened the poor family by informing them of his success on their behalf; the Erf upon which they now lived was measured and secured to them.
Prosperity now smiled upon them. Jejana’s children were of an age to be useful, and they had been trained to virtuous and industrious habits, and were of great value to their parents. A hut was soon erected and a garden planted. The sterility of the soil for many long years disappointed their hopes, though at length it yielded to patient and persevering labour, which gave abundant returns. An ox was added to their store, and then another, till they called a span their own, and then the reeds and the produce of their garden could be taken to the best market, and their little wealth increased till their present substantial and comfortable dwelling was erected, and God has blessed their wealth. Her house has been the house of prayer to all around, and there the missionary loves to meet the little flock, for it has often proved to him the gate of heaven.
Jejana cannot read, but her knowledge of the Word of God might shame many a lettered Christian—it is written on her heart, and is a fountain of living waters perpetually rising up, to refresh her own soul, and the souls of those who approach her; but though destitute of the key of knowledge herself, she has not only taken care that her family (all daughters) should possess that invaluable blessing, but has taught them to use it aright. After the hard labour of the day, those excellent young women devote the evening to the instruction of their poor neighbours, nor do they ever separate till their pious mother has directed them to the widow’s God, and drawn them around the mercy-seat to implore for them the blessing of salvation. Jejana’s heart is full of those kind and gentle charities that Christianity inspires; her love to God her Saviour, and zeal for His glory will never suffer her to let open impiety pass without severe rebuke; and the following instance is recorded to show that such a practice may prove as beneficial to the sinner as it is consistent in the Christian. Once, while Jejana was keeping the oxen in the Downs during a dreadful thunderstorm, two English gentlemen rode up, and with oaths and curses demanded to be shown the road, which they had lost.
Jejana sharply rebuking them, advised them to take shelter till the storm was over; but in language still more awful they defied the storm and Him that rode thereon. She bade them go, but said, the God whom they blasphemed would stop them in their mad career. They left her with horrid imprecations, but one of them was struck down by lightning, and carried into a house as dead; he, however, recovered, and years after sought her out to thank her for her reproof, which he declared had reached his heart, and had been the means of bringing him to the Saviour’s feet.
Jejana still [1836] lives a monument of what divine grace can effect for a Hottentot; a mother in Israel, warning and exhorting the ungodly, comforting and encouraging the penitent, visiting the beds of the sick and dying. Time has shed its snows on her honoured head, and her frail tenement must soon descend to the house appointed for all living, but with faith and patience she awaits the summons that is to bid her rise to the bright regions of purity and peace, there to join the song of the blessed: “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Reader! the first sermon the subject of the preceding narrative ever heard reached her heart, and produced results that will extend to all eternity. How solemn is the thought that the light of thousands around us has gone out in utter darkness, who might have believed and been saved, had Christians in this country been worthy of the holy name by which they are called! Surely this affecting thought ought to arouse all our energies to assist in circulating the joyful sound amidst Africa’s degraded, unhappy children.
Christianity never intended that its sons and daughters should sit down in their selfishness, and draw around them this world’s comforts and refinements, content with now and then giving a little of their substance to the poor. No; it demands the same mind that was in Christ, and consecration of time, talents, energies, and substance to God, who has made it our highest happiness, as well as duty, to become fellow-workers with Him.
The ambition, then, of hoarding up treasure, and adding field to field, cannot be the ambition of a Christian. No; his takes a nobler flight, and seeks for glory and honour, and immortality, not for himself alone, but for the commonwealth of Israel.—From the “South African Recorder” (October 1836), and reprinted in the “Scottish Christian Herald.”