Wormtn has been, elevaifd, and the ordinance of Chriglian
marriage introduced among Ihe Kaffirs. The condition of
woman in the country has already been described. Who _
ever thought of interitiring on her behalf! c
any rights and privileges for herl No one, until t
Missionary did. A custom existed in the land in relation
to a certain class of females of the moat oppressive and *
demoralizing tendency. The Rev. W. Shaw appealed to
the Chief, over whom he had obtained considerable influence,
urging the propriety of its abandonment. A council was
summoned. The subject was discussed. It was resolved
that the advice of the Missionary shoidd be adopted, and
that the practice should be abrogated throughout the
tribe. What a triumph of principle ! What a boon to
the hapless females of Kaffraria ! It was felt to be such,
and Mr. Shaw received the honourable appellation of
KakalabafiKi, or " the shield of women." Since that _
period woman has been gradually rising to her prope
dignity and station. She begins to see that it i) '
her to be sold t« a man for a few head of cattle ;
parents too begin to see that it is dishonourable in theBl'^
to sell their daughters. The Chief TTmhala sent to an
individual residing on the Mount-Coke station, to demand
his daughter in marriage, promising at the same time to
give for her a considerable number of cattle. The fathe
who was a Christian, sent a message in reply, saying, " T"
Bible teaches me to honour the King; but it also teaches
me to fear God. Therefore, though I respect the Chie^ I
cannot sell him my daughter ; for that would be to commit
a sin: he must therefore ask me no more." The Chief was
angry, but he could not succeed, and afterwards the
daughter was married as a Christian to a Christian man.
