34 Gaboon :-Visit of Messrs. Walker and Preston to the River Nazareth. FEB. their hats, and make their salams. Before leaving Sangatanga, the King gave his people particular charge to reverence the Ombwiri." The Nazareth higher up. Pressing forward in a direction that gradually changed from south-south-east to east, our missionary brethren came at sunset to the first town which they had seen since their departure from Sangatanga, consisting of three small houses! And this was about fifty miles from the mouth of the Nazareth. "The mangroves are all passed," Mr. Walker says; "but the country is low and level. The river is skirted by a long rush,with a thick head of some two feet in diameter, of very singular appearance. By moonlight these rushes assume the appearance of a solid wall, nine feet high; and the illusion is perfect. Here are the haunts of innumerable hippopotami. Few are seen below this point, but myriads are found above." towns were left behind them, with a large river running south-west, their course now changing from east by south to due east. Thus far the Nazareth had increased in volume of water; and here it was supposed to attain to its largest dimensions. Above this point, for a few miles, shoals abounded; other channels, however, might be found having fewer obstructions of this sort. Passing a large stream that came from the east, as also the Island of Slaves, they arrived at the hippopotami towns. "These animals are the terror of the boatmen in the night." Only a few of them were seen, however, in the water. Most were feeding on the shore; "but had we approached too near," Mr. Walker says, 66 we might not have escaped unharmed from the rush of a herd of them into the river" Between eight and nine in the evening, our friends stopped at a town, the King of which bears the ambitious name of "Tornado calling the Elephant." The Ascent arrested. Next morning, Messrs. Walker and Preston discovered among their men the signs of an increas Passing three small towns at Nganda, because of a good breeze which our friends could not afford to lose, they came about an hour later to a creek, where they landed in the dominions of Pědio Ozunga (Despised Savior.) They found his subjects as rude as the Bakělěs, and yet speak-ing reluctance to make further explorations. ing Mpongwe better than the natives at Cape Lopez. "The moon was shining brightly," Mr. Walker writes, "and the people were drumming and dancing; but when it was announced that white men had come, there was some rather emphatic talking, with screaming and running to and fro; and after there had been noise and confusion enough to raise a nation, they raised a torch light, and conducted us to the King's house. There we explained the object of our visit; and, of course, received a long, loud and hearty welcome. Had we come with a boat full of rum for buying slaves, we should have had a much more cordial reception. They are a simple, harmless people, and apparently happy. But we know that they live in fear on every side. Wars are almost constant; and witchcraft is an ever present scourge of scorpions, from which there is no hiding but in the grave." Messrs. Walker and Preston started at sunrise on the 6th of September; and, after proceeding on their way about two hours, they came to an island, called "Grassy Mound of the Doctor." Hitherto the channel which they had followed, had been " pretty regular," curving gradually to the east. They found it free from shoals, moreover, except at the mouth. But at this point the shoals commence; and the river in some places expands to the width of two miles or more. Leaving another island behind them at one o'clock, they found the river narrowed for eight miles to the width of half a mile. Two hours later they passed three towns, each of which has its king; and again at five o'clock, three other but "From many things which we have overheard in the boat," Mr. Walker says, "it has been evident that they intended at the outset to turn back, as soon as they could find a pretext for so doing. They saw King Tornado before we did, and laid their plans. There were many objections. The guide had never been farther, and could not presume to risk the lives of white men in places to him unknown. This we knew to be false; how could we dispute it. We must go to Orove, and see the great King Mali, and get his consent and assistance. Thither we proceeded, therefore, some miles distant by water, through a channel which connects the two main streams of the river at this place, (for we were on an island.) This channel is called Akalua, (“it turns.") And, sure enough, it did turn, running almost parallel with the main stream of the river, but in an opposite direction, and with the strongest current which we had stemmed." Mr. Walker continues his narrative as follows: "Coming near to Orove, we saw men running to and fro with guns, and scouting along the bank of the river in the tall grass. They kept up these hostile appearances, indeed, until we reached the landing. But as our boatmen did not show signs of fear, we concluded that there was no danger. We landed, and asked them what they meant by such hostile demonstrations. They replied that they had war' up the river, and supposed that we were coming with the intention of attacking them." "We walked to the town. King Mal spent half an hour in putting on his robes of state, hoping to produce a decided sensation. There was greatness in every look and gesture; | channels, and each channel a river. And in the and he was just as wise, and just as positive, as rainy season all these islands are submerged in other men are when they are drunk. We need water, with but here and there a dry spot. This not weary you with the worthiness of his pedi- accounts for the fact that there are only ten small gree, which he spent half an hour in rehearsing. villages to the place from which we turned back; His final conclusion was, that we must not pass and five of these are at considerable distances, through the dominions of so great a man, until and out of sight, from the channel of the river. we had first returned to Sangatanga, and obtain-At Ndambo, a town where we slept on our reed the word of Father Nkinda, with a suitable present for himself. As to the word of King Passall, we already had it; but it was worthless, for he had sent another message by our guide. And as to the dash' for himself, we had cloth enough in a small chest to buy out great King Mali's dominions, including his majesty himself; for a man in these places costs only a few yards of Manchester cotton. But we saw that it was useless to contend." Orove is said to be two days' journey from Sangatanga by land, "most of the way being prairie." Mr. Walker supposes the distance to be about fifty miles. Our friends returned to Ngumbi about noon, having seen an island further up the river, called Esimbi-a-kita, ("he stops traders.") This was the end of their explorations in that direction. There were no highlands in the distance. "Opposite Ngumbi is a long island, Odembe, where King Passall once pitched his encampment, and 'talked' with the people, turn, we walked more than a fourth of a mile on ground which seemed like a vast bed of gum elastic, the surface only being hard enough to sustain a person; and for six months of the year, the water reaches the foot of the street, and the people take their canoes up into the town. The marks on the trees, of the rise of the water, are unmistakable at ten feet above its present level. Our impression is that the river would be navigable to Enenga, about two hundred miles from the ocean, during six months of the year, by steamboats." Messrs. Walker and Preston arrived at Sangatanga on the 9th of September. There they spent the Sabbath. On the following day they set out for Baraka in the mission boat; which place they reached in safety, thankful that they "bad seen so much, and suffered so little." Results. or rather with as many as he could catch of them.ent to commence missionary operations on the Messrs. Walker and Preston deem it inexpedi But he could not hold a parley with the rains and Nazareth, at any point which they visited. They floods, which inundate Odembe; and so he re-suppose that there are not more than five hundred turned to the coast, after having taught the Ogovi inhabitants in all the towns which they saw. people, for eight months, a lesson which they have not yet forgotten. And now the word of Father Nkinda is law in Ogovi." "At Ngumbi," says Mr. Walker, "we saw the only rock or stone on the river; and there we took the specimens of crystalized quartz, which we send to the museum of the Missionary House." The Return. "The navigation by boats is tedious." "From Neither can our brethren recommend Sangatanga as a place to be occupied by the Board "in the present state of things." "The slave trade," Mr. Walker says, "is still carried on between that place and St. Thomas; although the With the deepest regret, our missionary breth-King showed us a very rigid treaty which he and ren turned away from this "region of wonders." his chiefs had entered into with the British govThey had ascended the Nazareth about one hun-ernment for the entire suppression of the traffic dred miles, following the course of the river in his dominions. He is also making war on his Another one hundred miles would have taken would not be at all favorable to the quiet settlebrother; and there is a state of feeling which them to Enenga, where the stream is said to be larger than at Ngumbi. "A little beyond En-ment of a missionary or a teacher. There is enga," Mr. Walker writes, "is a cataract, it may be of twenty feet, it may be of one hundred feet descent. Beyond the cataract is a stream navigable with canoes, to what distance we cannot tell, but far toward the Indian Ocean, if reports be true. The people never tire in rehearsing the wonders of that terra incognita. We can believe what we see. Certainly a vast body of water pours down from those regions. The valley of the river, as far as we explored it, must be from ten to twenty miles wide, filled with islands and nothing but the fear of the English cruisers which prevents the establishment of half a dozen Spanish or Portuguese slave factories any day." Upon this point, however, we may hear from the writer of the present communication at some future day. JOURNAL OF MR. BUSHNELL. MR. BUSHNELL has sent to the Missionary House a number of extracts from his journal, commencing in June, and extending to September, of the present year. Some of these will be read | preaching the Word as presented themselves, our with pleasure by all who are interested in the missionary brother passed over the river to a evangelization of Africa. Mr. Bushnell was at Shěkani town, where he secured the services of a Baraka prior to July 6; afterwards he resided at young man for a visit to the Pangwe country. He Něngenĕnge. subsequently ascended a branch of Olombompolo about eighteen miles, and spent the night of June 26 at a Bakělě town. The head man forbade the expedition; but on the following day Mr. Bushnell succeeded in propitiating his favor, and proceeded to Nteke's town. Schools. The success of the mission in their educational efforts will appear in part from the following paragraphs: June 22. In the morning I finished As I stepped on shore, two or three translating the eighteenth Psalm, and Pangwes appeared in the path with afterwards attended the examination of spears in their hands; and, seeing me, the school at Baraka. Since the decease they raised the cry, "A white man has of the teacher, Mr. Edwards, it has been come," "a white man has come." By under the supervision of Dr. Ford, as- the time I reached the town, a crowd sisted by one of the former pupils. The was running in all directions with spears number of scholars during the present in their hands. At the entrance of the quarter has been smaller than usual, town, in the middle of the street, was a having averaged only about twenty-five; large shed, with open sides and ends, but their proficiency in their studies is used as a place of concourse. I went quite satisfactory. Several of the larger into it, and the multitudes assembled. boys read and spelled in English and My interpreter informed me that the Mpongwe, exhibited specimens of Eng- King was not in town; but he pointed to lish composition, and seemed quite fa- three men who, he said, stood next to the miliar with geography and arithmetic. King. These took their station near Six or eight little native girls, who have me; and one of them brought me a stool, been instructed separately, were exam- and covered it with a clean plantain leaf, ined; and four of them read quite well and wished me to be seated. in the Testament. As soon as he could still the tumult, 23. Accompanied by two of the la- so as to be able to hear me, I told him dies, I went up to Nomba, and exam- who I was, and what was the object of ined the school in that place. Several my visit; and I requested him to cause of the larger boys have left the school, the people to be seated, while I talked and are engaged in trading. Conse- to them. He succeeded in allaying the quently the number of pupils is small; excitement; and I proceeded to give and it is made up principally of small them an account of the simple truths of children. There were but ten or twelve revelation. I then sang a hymn in the present. Though all but two or three Mpongwe language. This interested were beginners, they had made so much progress as to encourage us. This school is taught by a young man, who is a native of Cape Palmas, and who was employed by us formerly as a bookbinder. Visit to the Pangwes. On the following day, Mr. Bushnell went up the Gaboon on a preaching tour. Leaving Baraka at one o'clock in the afternoon, he arrived at the landing of King George's town, distant some thirty miles, at the end of eight hours. Next morning he paid his respects to this African prince. "I found the King waiting to receive me," he says, "dressed in quite a civilized costume. He gave me a cordial welcome; and as be was quite sociable, I commenced conversing with him on religious subjects. His questions and remarks evinced much more of thought and reasoning than I supposed he possessed." Having availed himself of such opportunities for them very much. I then told them that if they would kneel down, I would pray to God; but they must be very still. During the prayer, they were quiet; and afterwards my interpreter told them what I had said to God. Never before had the voice of prayer and praise been heard in that town. Indeed, they had never seen a white man before. I expressed a desire to see the town; and one of the men volunteered to go with me. We started; and the multitude followed us, some shouting, and others imitating my singing. The town was one long street, gradually ascending as we went back from the river. counted seven or eight palaver houses at about equal distances. We walked the whole length of the street, about half a mile, and at the further extremity I stopped at a palaver house. I entered; and it was soon filled, while many were standing outside. I sat down, and again sang a hymn, and addressed them on but now residing in one of the towns near us. About four years since, when a member of the school at King George's town, he became hopefully pious; and for a time he gave evidence of having been born again. But after leaving the school, he fell into bad company, and gradually relapsed into his former state of heathenism. Last Sabbath he was present at the communion season, and was much impressed with what he saw and heard. Now he desires to return and seek the Lord. He wept freely, the subject of death and a future state. Returning by the way we come to the house whence I started, I then talked and sang again. Several of the youth came near, and repeated after me the letters of the alphabet, with the name of God, &c. They were much delighted with seeing my watch, and hearing it tick. My penknife was handed round among them; and I forgot to recall it. But after I returned to the boat, a man came and brought it to me. Such a specimen of honesty is quite uncommon and seemed penitent, and promised not among more civilized heathen. to rest till he should find peace in a Mr. Bushnell was desirous of visiting other with God. I felt particularly interested sense of forgiveness and acceptance towns in the vicinity; but his boatmen were in this case; and I doubt not there are timid, and desired to return to their homes. Hav- several others who are in the same ing stopped at several places on his way, he condition, but have not moral courage arrived at Baraka on the 29th of July. In clos-enough to break away from their heathen ing his account of this tour, he says: "I am friends. more than ever impressed with the importance of our labors among the Mpongwes; for in nearly every town that I have visited, I found Mpongwes engaged in trade. They are not a numerous tribe; but they are scattered among all the surrounding tribes for purposes of traffic, and carry with them an influence for good or for evil." Baptisms-A Wanderer. The subjoined extracts indicate the presence of the Spirit in his converting power. Will not the friends of missions remember these brethren, as also "those few sheep in the wilderness" which the Good Shepherd has committed to their care? Removal to Nengenĕnge. On the 5th of July, Mr. Bushnell accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Herrick to Něngenenge. That place is to be occupied hereafter by two families. Mrs. Bushnell proceeded thither about two weeks later. 6. We landed at Nengenenge before daylight, and took possession of our bamboo cottage, which is still in an unfinished state. Mrs. Herrick soon had her furniture arranged in the only finished room, and seemed quite at home. In the evening we had worship for the first time in our house, which we trust will be a Bethel for years to come. It July 2. The three individuals who were was delightful to unite our voices in examined yesterday, were baptized and prayer and praise in this place, so rereceived into the church. For the first cently reclaimed from its native state, time they joined with us in commemora- and to indulge the hope that from it ting the dying love of that Savior, whom the knowledge of Christ and his salvanow they intend to serve while they live. tion will reach multitudes in this dark It was truly an encouraging and refresh-region. ing scene! In the evening I attended 7. Many people have called with the monthly concert of prayer for the plantains, fowls, &c. to sell; but all are conversion of the world. We consider anxious to see the "white woman," the this meeting one of the most important, first who has ever been here. Mrs. as it is the most cheering, of all in the Herrick is an object of great curiosity. month. At such times we forget that In the evening we had a Mpongwe we are a little band, on the dark shores service, at which several persons were of Africa; and we mingle our songs present who understand that language. and supplicatious with those of the peo- 30. After breakfast, I ascended the ple of God throughout the world. In Nkâmâ about three miles to the highanswer perhaps to their prayers, our est Bakele town on the river, where I faith revives; and we resume our labors preached to a small number of people. with courage, rejoicing that we are per- They seemed amazed when I told them mitted to be the messengers of salvation of the nature and capacities of the soul, and of its future destiny, evidently hav4. I received a call from a young ing never obtained any correct ideas man, formerly of King George's town, respecting the soul, or a future state. to the heathen. of the present year. Some of these will be read | preaching the Word as presented themselves, our with pleasure by all who are interested in the missionary brother passed over the river to a evangelization of Africa. Mr. Bushnell was at Shěkani town, where he secured the services of a Baraka prior to July 6; afterwards he resided at young man for a visit to the Pangwe country. He Něngeněnge. subsequently ascended a branch of Olombompolo about eighteen miles, and spent the night of June 26 at a Bakělě town. The head man forbade the expedition; but on the following day Mr. Bushnell succeeded in propitiating his favor, and proceeded to Ntěke's town. Schools. The success of the mission in their educational efforts will appear in part from the following paragraphs: June 22. In the morning I finished translating the eighteenth Psalm, and afterwards attended the examination of the school at Baraka. Since the decease of the teacher, Mr. Edwards, it has been under the supervision of Dr. Ford, as sisted by one of the former pupils. The number of scholars during the present quarter has been smaller than usual, having averaged only about twenty-five; but their proficiency in their studies is quite satisfactory. Several of the larger boys read and spelled in English and Mpongwe, exhibited specimens of English composition, and seemed quite familiar with geography and arithmetic. Six or eight little native girls, who have been instructed separately, were examined; and four of them read quite well in the Testament. As I stepped on shore, two or three Pangwes appeared in the path with spears in their hands; and, seeing me, they raised the cry, “A white man has come," "a white man has come.' By the time I reached the town, a crowd was running in all directions with spears in their hands. At the entrance of the town, in the middle of the street, was a large shed, with open sides and ends, used as a place of concourse. I went into it, and the multitudes assembled. My interpreter informed me that the King was not in town; but he pointed to three men who, he said, stood next to the King. These took their station near me; and one of them brought me a stool, and covered it with a clean plantain leaf, and wished me to be seated. As soon as he could still the tumult, 23. Accompanied by two of the la- so as to be able to hear me, I told him dies, I went up to Nomba, and exam- who I was, and what was the object of ined the school in that place. Several my visit; and I requested him to cause of the larger boys have left the school, the people to be seated, while I talked and are engaged in trading. Conse to them. He succeeded in allaying the quently the number of pupils is small; excitement; and I proceeded to give and it is made up principally of small them an account of the simple truths of children. There were but ten or twelve revelation. I then sang a hymn in the present. Though all but two or three Mpongwe language. This interested were beginners, they had made so much progress as to encourage us. This school is taught by a young man, who is a native of Cape Palmas, and who was employed by us formerly as a bookbinder. Visit to the Pangwes. them very much. I then told them that if they would kneel down, I would pray to God; but they must be very still. During the prayer, they were quiet; and afterwards my interpreter told them what I had said to God. Never before had the voice of prayer and praise been heard in that town. Indeed, they had never seen a white man before. On the following day, Mr. Bushnell went up the Gaboon on a preaching tour. Leaving Baraka at one o'clock in the afternoon, he arrived at the landing of King George's town, distant some thirty miles, at the end of eight hours. Next morning he paid his respects to this African prince. “I found the King waiting to receive as we went back from the river. me," he says, "dressed in quite a civilized costume. He gave me a cordial welcome; and as he was quite sociable, I commenced conversing with him on religious subjects. His questions and remarks evinced much more of thought and reasoning than I supposed he possessed." I expressed a desire to see the town; and one of the men volunteered to go with me. We started; and the multitude followed us, some shouting, and others imitating my singing. The town was one long street, gradually ascending Having availed himself of such opportunities for counted seven or eight palaver houses at about equal distances. We walked the whole length of the street, about half a mile, and at the further extremity I stopped at a palaver house. I entered; and it was soon filled, while many were standing outside. I sat down, and again H 4 |