joyed the labors of at least two
missionaries,--four sermons, two prayer-meetings, infant
schools, adult schools, sewing schools, classes, books, etc.,
and the amount of visible success is very gratifying, a
remarkable change indeed from the former state of these
people. Yet the dregs of heathenism still cleave fast to the
minds of the majority. They have settled deep down into their
souls, and one century will not be sufficient to elevate them
to the rank of Christians in Britain. The double influence of
the spirit of commerce and the gospel of Christ has given an
impulse to the civilization of men. The circulation of ideas
and commodities over the face of the earth, and the discovery
of the gold regions, have given enhanced rapidity to commerce
in other countries, and the diffusion of knowledge. But what
for Africa? God will do something else for it; something just
as wonderful and unexpected as the discovery of gold."

It needs not to be said that his thoughts were very often with his wife
and children. A tender letter to the four little ones shows that though
some of them might be beginning to forget him, their names were written
imperishably on his heart:

"_Sekeletu's Town, Linyanti, 2d October_.--MY DEAR ROBERT,
AGNES, AND THOMAS AND OSWELL,--Here is another little letter
for you all. I should like to see you much more than write to
you, and speak with my tongue rather than with my pen; but we
are far from each other--very, very far. Here are Seipone,
and Meriye and others who saw you as the first white children
they ever looked at. Meriye came the other day and brought a
round basket for Nannie. She made it of the leaves of the
palmyra. Others put me in mind of you all by calling me
Rananee, and Rarobert, and there is a little Thomas in the
town, and when I think of you I remember, though I am far
off, Jesus, our good and gracious Jesus, is ever near both
you and me, and then I pray to Him to bless you and make
you good.

"He is ever near. Remember this if you feel angry or naughty.
Jesus is near you, and sees you, and He is so good and kind.
When He was among men, those who heard Him speak said, 'Never
man spake like this man,' and we now say, 'Never did man love
like Him.' You see little Zouga is carried on mamma's bosom.
You are tak