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A BECHUANA PARLIAMENT. ·

It is

ANY large assembly of the natives of South Africa convened for public business, is called a Pitsho, or, as Mr. Campbell spells the word, Peetso. It is a national council, and corresponds with what we term a parliament. It consists of all the principal men, especially the wariors, belonging to a district. generally held on a large spot of ground, enclosed with a fence, at a short distance from the town or village where the king or chief resides. The men come to it armed with their spears and shields, and on going to it usually amuse themselves in singing war-songs, engaging in mock-fights, and making as many fantastic gestures as their lively imaginations can invent.

The business, however, is generally carried on in a very orderly manner, though the scene presents, especially to a foreigner, a very grotesque character. The speakers address the meeting in rotation, and express their opinion in a very free and fearless manner-not hesitating to censure and condemn the conduct of the chiefs, if they think right to do so. They are not usually either cheered or hissed during speaking, but deliver their minds and then sit down. This perfect freedom of speech is very remarkable amidst a people where so much despotism prevails ou the part of the chiefs. The audience sit on the ground, each man having his spear and shield before him, a quiver of poisoned arrows hanging over his shoulder, and a battle-axe in his right hand. The people adorn themselves with tiger skins and tails, and frequently with plumes of feathers in their heads. A space is left in the centre of the meeting for speakers and privileged classes, namely, those who have slain an enemy in battle. On rising to

speak, they spring to this central spot, dance about, and sing, and shout, and exhibit as many violent gestures and odd grimaces as they can, much to the amusement of the audience. The latter applaud most vociferously if they are pleased. After silence is obtained, the speaker delivers his oration. war-song is then usually sung, and the exhibition of postures and dancing occurs again, and so on, alternately speaking and dancing, to the end of the meeting.

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At the conclusion, the air is rent with shouts and vociferations; the whole assembly unites in a dance, and the excitement lasts, perhaps an hour or two. All then rush forth to their respective abodes, and in a few moments perfect stillness is restored.

The engraving represents one of these Pitshos, drawn on the spot, and given by Mr. Moffat. Mothibi, late chief of the Batlapis, is represented as dancing about with his spear, just before beginning to speak.

MOTHIBI, the chief referred to at the close of the preceding article, was publicly baptized in 1841, when he expressed an ardent desire" to live and die at the feet of the Saviour." The missionary, Mr. Helmore, of Lekatlong, visited him during his illness, and was delighted with his calm, patient, and thankful spirit. On the Sabbath before his death, he called his nephew, who had very kindly attended on him, and said to him, "My son, remember God, He is Almighty. Christ is Almighty, He is able to save sinners. I am dying, but God has placed me on His right hand." To his family he said, "I am in the hand of God. I see His love. He is about to remove me from this world; but I rejoice in death. Farewell to-day and the days that follow. I shall depart

in the night. Life is short, but God has long preserved me. To-day my life is in heaven. Christ clothes me in garments of righteousness. I have no sorrow in death, my life is in heaven. My spirit waits for Jehovah; my soul sings, as in the hymn,

'We've no abiding city here.'

I seek a city in heaven, where Jesus is." Being placed in a sitting posture, he leaned his head on his nephew's bosom and said, "My spirit is in heaven, I am no longer here." After a moment's silence, during which there was neither sigh nor motion, the nephew put his hand on his heart; it had ceased to beat-his spirit had fled to be with Christ in heaven.

The Child's Happy Death, related in the Dec. No., repeated in verse.

Hear! hear, O earth! an infant's cry,

With her expiring breath;

Ye angels hear, that dwell on high,

A child's triumphant faith.

"Have mercy on my soul, dear Lamb!
O! hear my feeble. prayer-
Consign me not to hell's dark flame,

Where souls in torment are.

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Yet, Jesus! Thou did'st bleed,

Did'st bleed for sin, but not Thine own,

This blood, O Lord! I plead.

"O! come, my mother, mother dear,
To Jesus, meek and mild;

And lift an humble, fervent prayer,
For your dear dying child.

"God's people's prayer availeth much,
I in God's Word can see;
Then, mother, go, and ask of such,
To lift a prayer for me."

"O, yes, my child, true prayer from saints
Is always heard by God;
He hears and eases their complaints,
And washes them in blood.

"He will their weakness turn to might,
And make the feeble strong;
He will thy darkness turn to light,
Thy mourning to a song.

"He'll wipe away thy burning tears,

And heal thy broken heart;

He'll make thy foes, thy doubts, and fears,
And Satan's host, depart.

"Have you a hope, my child, my love,

That your poor prayers are heard;
That you will dwell in realms above,
With Jesus Christ, the Lord ?"

"Ah! mother dear, this heart of mine,
And Satan, me 'will tell,
That Jesus will be never mine,

That I shall sink to hell.

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