AR DISCOVERY OF NATAL. IN THE HANDS OF THE DUTCH. BOARD OF EDUCATION. DR COLENSO. INDALENI. POLYGAMY. CONTROVERSY CONCERNING NATIVE MARRIAGES. INFLUENCE OF THE MIS IT'S IMPORTANCE TO COLONISTS. FELLOW A RECLAIMED SOLDIER. LABOURERS. REV. C. SPENCELY. REV. J. GASKIN. A SEVERE TRIAL. N the 25th of December 1497, the squadron of the celebrated Portuguese voyager Vasco di Gama, having passed the Cape of Storms, made the discovery, on the eastern coast, of a beautiful indentation or bay; and, in gratitude to that Providence which had guided and preserved them, they called the country Terra di Natalis—the land of the nativity. Such was the origin of the name Natal, as applied to a territory now in possession of the British Crown. That territory is situated between the 27th and the 30th degrees of south latitude, and is bounded on the N.E. by the Tugela, on the W. by the Drakenberg or Kahlamba mountains, on the S.W. by the Umzimkulu river, and on the E. by the Indian Ocean. It comprises an area of 13,000,000 acres, and has a seaboard of 150 miles. Everywhere it is covered with the richest vegetation, and, consisting as it does of several terraces, the highest of which is 3000 feet above the level of the sea, it enjoys a variety both of soil and climate, and is capable of producing cotton, sugar, wheat, maize, arrow-root, and indigo, together with tea and coffee, gardenfruits of various kinds, including figs, oranges, grapes, and bananas, and many species of timber-trees of considerable value. It is adapted also for the breeding of sheep and cattle; its climate, though trying, in summer, to the European constitution, is, on the whole, healthy and congenial; and thus it presents to the emigrant a most inviting field, second only to Australia in some respects, and in others even surpassing that very popular colony. Within the colony of Natal, there is a native population of not less than 180,000 Zulus, who, from time to time, have taken refuge in the land from the oppressive rule of their chiefs Dingaan and Panda. The country was for some time in the possession of a number of Dutch Boers, who, having become dissatisfied with British rule in the Cape and Albany colonies, went thither with a view to the establishment of an independent government. The A NEW SPHERE. 209 kind of government they set up was of such a nature, that it was deemed necessary by the Governor of the Cape Colony to send a detachment of troops overland, to put down the disorder that prevailed, and to take possession of the land. The Rev. J. Archbell, who had laboured as a Wesleyan missionary for many years amongst the Bechuanas, accompanied this detachment for the purpose of commencing a mission in the country; but, in consequence of the little war that raged for a time between the British troops and the Boers, he was compelled to get on board a vessel, in which he went to Delagoa Bay. Peace being restored, he returned, and soon entered upon his work, and became the pastor both of the Dutch and English population. Other labourers succeeded him ; and, in the course of a few years, missions were established at Durban, Maritzburg, Verulam, and Indaleni, which, together with Palmerton, in the territory of Faku, were formed into a separate mission district. Of this district Mr Pearse was appointed, first the deputy-chairman (the Rev. W. Shaw still retaining the oversight), and afterwards the General Superintendent, with considerable discretionary power. It was an onerous and responsible office, and the more so as it was entered on at a time when peculiar difficulties had arisen in the management of the mission, and when a firm hand was required to strengthen and consolidate the work. Well, then, might he feel, as we have seen he did, on his arrival in the country; and well might he repair to the great source of light for the wisdom profitable to direct. In the lovely village or town of Durban, which lies on the eastern bank of the magnificent bay of Natal, in the midst of foliage which is always green, he remained but for a little time, and then pursued his way to Maritzburg, the capital, which was now to be his home. His home, yet not his home; for, as we shall hereafter see, he was a frequent wanderer over almost every part of the land, deeming no journey too hazardous, and no toil too great, if he could in any way be of service in his Master's cause. The journey occupied three days, at the termination of which he and his family arrived at Maritzburg, and were cordially welcomed by his old friend and fellow-traveller, the Rev. W. J. Davis. This town was then called Pieter-Maritzburg, having been founded by one, Pieter Maritz; but the former part of the name has been for some time dropped, and it is now called, in the colony, simply Maritzburg. It is situated about fifty miles to the N.W. of Durban, in the midst of a magnificent country, part of the scenery of which is described by many as somewhat grand and imposing. Already it was worthy of being called a town; now it bears the name of a city. Here, then, Mr Pearse found himself in the heart of a considerable population; but a population as mixed as any he had seen in Africa. Here were numbers of Dutch and English settlers; and here were thousands MARITZBURG. 2II of the barbarous Zulus, the vast tribe of which lay eastward of the colony. For some years the Wesleyan missionary was almost the only English minister in Maritzburg, and the Rev. J. Richards, who resided there in 1846, wrote to a friend at that time, and said, 'My Sunday congregation in the Dutch church is about as good as, with our present population, it well can be. All officials, as you are aware, reside here, and attend my services with great regularity. I have Governor, Secretary, Judge, Surveyor-General, Captains, and the like; so that, in reality, as you will perceive, I am Court Preacher. However, I pursue my course of endeavouring to adapt evangelical truth to my hearers for their edification; and thankful shall I be if I can but secure the approbation of my Lord.' Mr Davis, too, who succeeded Mr Richards, occupied for some time a similar position; but with the arrival of numerous emigrants from England, and the growth and extension of the colony, other churches entered the field, and other sanctuaries were erected, both in Maritzburg and elsewhere. Mr Pearse, however, found that he had enough to do, that a wide field of usefulness was before him, and that all his energies, physical and mental, would be called into active play ; and, far from regretting that other labourers were at work, he rejoiced in the fact, and soon became the familiar friend of several of his coadjutors in mission toil. The native congregation already numbered four |