MARY MOFFAT
South Africa
11 June, 2016
One of the noble Christian women who wholeheartedly supported their husbands was Mary Moffat, wife of Robert Moffat, the great Scottish missionary to Africa. Both were born in 1795, the year in which the London Missionary Society (LMS) was founded. It was a time of tremendous spiritual vitality. God was calling missionaries to almost every continent, and both Robert and Mary longed to heed His call. They first met when Robert came to Manchester to seek the commendation of a godly friend, William Roby. Roby secured him a job with James Smith, a pious Scotsman who owned a nursery, for Moffat had been trained as a gardener. While there, Robert fell in love with Smith’s lovely and only daughter, Mary.
When the London Missionary Society (LMS) appointed him as their missionary to Namaqualand he desired to take Mary with him, but her parents did not allow it. As William Roby said: “Poor Moffat ‘s amiable disposition and eminent devotedness have attracted the affectionate regard of his master’s daughter , a young lady of high piety, of polished manners, and the expectant of a considerable fortune. She possesses as truly a missionary spirit as he, and is eager to accompany him ; but her parents forbid it, and both she and he therefore determine to sacrifice their ardent wishes. “
Mary sadly urged Moffat to marry someone else, but he could not agree. On October 18, 1816, he sailed off alone, writing from Namaqualand to his parents: “I have many difficulties to encounter being alone…” But God was working His purposes out. He spoke to her parents, and little later Mary wrote to the elder Moffats: ”After two years and a half of the most painful anxiety, I have , through the tender mercy of God obtained permission of my dear parents to proceed some time next spring to join your dear son in his arduous work. This is what I by no means expected a week ago, but God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts… He has the hearts of all men in His hand.. . So He has done with regard to my dear parents… They both yesterday calmly resigned me into the hands of the Lord, declaring they durst no longer withhold me. “
On December 27, 1819, Mary and Robert Moffat were married in St George’s Church, Cape Town. It was the beginning of over 50 years of lovingly shared mission. A month later they set out for Lattakoo and then for Kuruman. Mary’s willingness to endure hardship, her joyful spirit, her wise counsel and her devoted care greatly strengthened her husband. Though she lived in a mud hut, she sent home happy letters. Though their corn was seized by the natives, though their sheep were stolen, their food, tools, and household effects carried off, she worked with confidenceĀ and faith.
At first the spiritual work was discouraging, and even after five years, Mary had to admit: ” We have no prosperity in the work, not the least sign of good being done. The Botswanas seem more careless than ever, and seldom enter the church. We have to continually mourn over them. “
In Natal Shaka Zulu had established himself as the undisputed ruler of the Nguni people. He unleashed a series of internecine wars, the Mfekane (or Lifaqane), in which, by a kind of domino effect vast areas of Southern Africa were depopulated. Even Kuruman was not safe. Twice the Moffats had to flee and seek refuge in Griqua Town.
In 1829 the desired awakening came. The natives began attending services in great numbers. The schools flourished, and gradually believers were admitted to baptism. In the same year, Mzilikazi, chief of the Matabele, who had fled from Shaka and later settled in what became Rhodesia, sent messengers to enquire into the manner and teaching of the white men at Kuruman. Moffat responded, and this led to a long relationship of respect between them.
Robert Moffat was the first missionary to translate the Bible into an African language (Sechwana). He also translated “Pilgrim’s Progress” and published Hymn and school books. In 1840 he returned to England and had a highly successful furlough. He met David Livingstone who was so inspired by God’s glorious deeds that he followed the Moffats to Africa.
Mary bore Moffat ten children. Her best known daughter was her namesake, Mary, who married Dr Livingstone and shared his arduous missionary life. Her son, John Smith Moffat, became an LMS missionary and later took over the Kuruman mission. Her grandson, Howard Unwin Moffat, became a future prime minister of Southern Rhodesia.
Mary Moffat passed away in England at new year 1871. Her biographer, John Telford, writes: ”A nobler, truer helpmeet no missionary could have had, ” and Robert Moffat added: “She often sent me away from house and home for months, for evangelizing purposes, and in my absence managed the station as well or better than I could have done it myself. “
For generations, Robert and Mary Moffat contributed to the peace, freedom and civilization of Africa, and the blessings of their work are still to be seen. Soli Deo Gloria.
