Witbooi, Job * ?, ? † . [16.03.1844] Saturday, 16th. About sunset this evening we reached 'Amas, another of the outposts of the mission. Here Job Witbooi, the native assistant, has charge of the people, and receives' a slight remuneration for maintaining the services and exercising a general supervision during the absence of the missionary. Here, too, we have a school on week-days conducted by one of the natives. One of my first duties on arrival was to pay the allowance granted to these agents. Payment it cannot be called, as articles of clothing, to the value of three pounds, are all the assistant receives, whilst the schoolmaster receives articles of much less value than that. What is given is scarcely more than a mere acknowledgment for services rendered, and would not be sufficient to retain them at their posts were it not that the grace of God influences their hearts, and makes them willing to do good for the satisfaction it affords; in addition to which, the fact of their position being regarded as an honourable one, both by themselves and their countrymen, may have some weight in attaching them to the service of the mission. During the course of the evening we held service, upwards of one hundred being present, this being, with the exception of a few young children, and those who were obliged to remain to take care of them, the whole population of the village. We soon after retired to rest in our waggon amidst the roar of mighty thunders, and the glare of the most extraordinary lightnings I ever witnessed. 17th, Sabbath. Some of the natives from surrounding parts, having had messages sent on the previous day to inform them of our arrival, came early this morning to enjoy the services, so that we had a considerable congregation. Mr. Haddy preached in the morning ; in the afternoon I met the members of society, and afterwards preached. The people were deeply attentive, and some were much affected at both services, as well as in the class meeting. Many of the countenances bore a look of bright intelligence, that contrasted very favourably with the appearance of afternoon congregations in some parts of our own country. To the people it appeared to be a season of perfect jubilation ; they seemed greatly delighted at the presence of three missionaries, a sight upon which they had never before looked. And to ourselves it was a day of great " refreshing from the presence of the Lord."1 If joy over repenting sinners is a proof of vital piety, then we had many proofs of its vital character amongst our own people, and this was especially the case with our native teachers. As an illustration of this remark, I may state that Job Witbooi, one of them, residing at an outpost about seventy miles distant, visited Nisbett Bath just at this time, and amongst other things he mentioned the case of a young man who had at one time been a member of the society, but had fallen into sin, and been put out of the church. Soon after he became dangerously ill, and during his illness was brought to a sense of his guilt. Alarmed for his spiritual state, he became truly penitent, and resolved, if spared, to dedicate himself afresh to the service of God. God heard his prayers, his health was restored, and he only waited the return of the day on which the class was held to join it again. The native teacher was delighted, and, though a poor man, resolved to mark his return to God and His people in some signal way. And in relating the case he said, " I wish to ask you, Sir, if I have done right." "Well, how did you proceed?" I said. " I had a sheep killed that morning," said he, " and at the appointed time the horn was blown to summon the people together, and when they were assembled beneath the shade of a tree, the young man clothed in new attire stood in our midst. T gave out a hymn, which we all sang. I then knelt down with the people and prayed, and praised God for His mercy in sparing the young man and healing him in body and soul. After this we all sat down and ate together. I had read," he added, " of the prodigal, and of the father's joy on his return, and how it was said, 'Let us eat and be merry ; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." Here, I thought, was a simple and beautiful illustration of religious mirth. Here were no noisy outbursts, no boisterous expressions of worldly joy. All was serious, and sanctified by the Word of God, by prayer and praise. They " ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart."2 But there was no possibility of resting long, for another journey to the northern outposts was immediately in prospect. Five days sufficed to look a little into the affairs of the station 'one Sabbath's services were held at home, the station was once more committed to the care of our excellent schoolmaster, and before the fourteenth of April closed, our oxen were put to the yoke, and we were once more traversing the wilderness on our great work of evangelising the heathen. On reaching 'Amas, about seventy-five miles from home, messengers were despatched by Job Witbooi, the native assistant, to all surrounding parts, to inform the people of the missionary's arrival Next day, a large number came, when, as usual, public services were held, and the members met: and during our stay marriages were celebrated, baptisms performed, and everything appertaining to the society matters investigated. One thing struck me very much during this visit. Each morning while it was yet dark, and all the stars were glistening in the vault of heaven, the monotonous sound of the antelope's horn, beginning in a low tone, and gradually waxing louder and louder, roused me from my slumbers, as it did all the sleepers of the village; when, by-and by, the low and imploring voice of prayer was heard, first from one side and then from another, till it seemed as if all the village was sending up its prayers to God. At the sound of the trumpet, blown by Jantje April, a rich man, upon whom a marvellous spirit of quickening had been shed forth, one and another left his hut and stole away to the rocks or bushes, until the voice of prayer resounded from all sides, and broke the reigning silence long before the first streak of day was seen in the orient. The plan had been proposed some time before by our native teacher; the members on the place had gladly acceded to it, and at the solemn-sounding summons all who had the spirit of prayer rose and cried unto the Lord. The effect of the monotonous summons, the imploring voices striking on the ear in the darkness and silence, was to myself awe-inspiring. It thrilled the soul through and through : it seemed to bring God and man, earth and heaven, intimately near. Indeed, I can never advert to it, even now, without realising something of the peculiar emotion I then felt What a glorious illustration of David's words ! "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, Lord ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." (Psalm v. 3.)3 This morning, the 10th, we reached 'Amas, an outpost that is regularly visited ; but as I intend remaining here a day or two on the return journey, we only rested two or three hours to refresh ourselves and our oxen. Soon after we reached the place, Job Witbooi, our native teacher, arrived from a village to which he had gone to hold services with a number of Fransman's people, who are located temporarily at about fifteen miles' distance. In this way our native teachers may be said to go " everywhere preaching the Word," sowing the seed of the kingdom, and exercising by their simple ministrations, and by the piety of their example, a powerful and very salutary influence upon the people, and that far beyond the range of the outposts which form their special charge.4 Married: Children: Education: Other family members connected to RMS: Auf der 7. Ordentlichen Synod in Otjimbingwe vom 27.09.-01.10.1976 berichtet der Präses, dass Pastor Sidney Witbooi sein Amt als Pastor niedergelegt hat und auch nicht von der Kirchenleitung zu einem anderen Beschluss umgestimmt werden konnte. Ihm wird angeboten, jederzeit bei seiner Rückkehr wieder in den Dienst der ELK aufgenommen zu werden.5 Mission Stations: History with the RMS: 1 Ridsdale 1883:128-129. 2 Ridsdale 1883:159-160. 3 Ridsdale 1883:191-192. 4 Ridsdale 1883:230-231. 5 AELCRN "Synodes 1976, 1978, 1979" n.N. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------