January 22

On the last day of September 1816, Robert Moffat sailed from London for South Africa. Proceeding to Namaqualand on the west coast, he there acquired the Dutch language. While residing with a Boer farmer, he was asked to conduct a “service” in the house. Moffat requested that the master call his servants. “Do you mean the Hottentots?” replied the Boer with a sneer. “We may as well call in the dogs.” Moffat made no answer, but, after prayer, opened his Bible and read the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman, taking as his text her words to the Savior, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the master’s table” (Mt 15:27). Before he had gone further, the farmer gave orders to bring in the servants, and admitted that the reproof had reached its mark. He would never again object to them hearing the gospel. How good to remember that all who were Gentiles were but dogs who have been welcomed to His Table. Let us learn to value everyone for Christ.