During the persecution to which the Moravian missionaries in South
Africa were exposed some years ago, a woman, living about an hour's
walk from the mission house, had a daughter who attended the school,
and had become a Christian. One day this girl returned home in terror,
bringing her little sister. Her mother inquired the reason; she
replied: "We and our teachers are all to be shot dead, and I have
brought my sister back, that you may at least keep one child; but as
for me, I will return to my teachers and suffer with them."
"What!" said her mother, "do you mean to go and be killed?"
"Yes," replied the poor girl; "for it is written in the Bible, 'Whoever
will lose his life for my sake, shall find it.'"
Her mother was much affected, and taking up her younger daughter, said,
"My child, where you are there will I be."
The party then set off for Bavian's Kloof, weeping all the way. When
they had arrived at the top of the hill which commanded a view of the
settlement, they saw a number of the natives approaching it, as if to
attack the missionaries. The Hottentot woman and her children fell upon
their knees and cried fervently to God, beseeching Him to prevent the
enemy from hurting their beloved teachers. When they again looked up,
they saw the men going towards another plantation, at some distance
from the mission. The woman and children went to Bavian's Kloof, and
found the Hottentots there all in tears, some kneeling, some prostrate
on their faces, crying to God, and their most urgent prayers seemed to
be, "Preserve the teachers whom Thou hast sent us."