most fervent gratulations that
subjects are permitted to exhibit in the presence of their Sovereign.
But on none of these occasions "were the gratulations of the University
more honest and true-hearted than those which were offered to Dr.
Livingstone. He came among us without any long notes of preparation,
without any pageant or eloquence to charm and captivate our senses. He
stood before us, a plain, single-minded man, somewhat attenuated by
years of toil, and with a face tinged by the sun of Africa.... While we
listened to the tale he had to tell, there arose in the hearts of all
the listeners a fervent hope that the hand of God which had so long
upheld him would uphold him still, and help him to carry out the great
work of Christian love that was still before him."

Next day, December 5th, Dr. Livingstone addressed a very crowded
audience in the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding. Referring to his own
plans, he said:

"I contend that we ought not to be ashamed of our religion,
and had we not kept this so much out of sight in India, we
should not now be in such straits in that country" [referring
to the Indian Mutiny]. "Let us appear just what we are. For
my own part, I intend to go out as a missionary, and hope
boldly, but with civility, to state the truth of
Christianity, and my belief that those who do not possess it
are in error. My object in Africa is not only the elevation
of man, but that the country might be so opened that man
might see the need of his soul's salvation. I propose in my
next expedition to visit the Zambesi, and propitiate the
different chiefs along its banks, endeavoring to induce them
to cultivate cotton, and to abolish the slave-trade: already
they trade in ivory and gold-dust, and are anxious to extend
their commercial operations. There is thus a probability of
their interests being linked with ours, and thus the
elevation of the African would be the result,

"I believe England is alive to her duty of civilizing and
Christianizing the heathen. We cannot all go out as
missionaries, it is true; but we may all do something toward
providing a substitute. Moreover, all may especially do that
which every missionary highly prizes, viz.--COMMEND THE WORK
IN THEIR PRAYERS. I HOPE THAT THOSE WHOM I NOW ADDRESS WILL
BOTH PRAY FOR AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE THEIR SUBSTITUTES."

Dr. Livin