416 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. xx. 



was the case as observed on the Zambesi and Shire, and 

 taking the different times for the sun's passage north of 

 the equator, it explained the inundations of the Nile. 



Such notices show that in his love of nature, and in 

 his careful observation of all her agencies and processes, 

 Livingstone, in his last journeys, was the same as ever. 

 He looked reverently on all plants and animals, and on 

 the solid earth in all its aspects and forms, as the creatures 

 of that same God whose love in Christ it was his heart's 

 delight to proclaim. His whole life, so varied in its out- 

 ward employments, yet so simple and transparent in its 

 one great object, was ruled by the conviction that the 

 God of nature and the God of revelation were one. 

 While thoroughly enjoying his work as a naturalist, 

 Professor Owen frankly admits that it was but a second- 

 ary object of his life. " Of his primary work the record 

 is on high, and its imperishable fruits remain on earth. 

 The seeds of the Word of Life implanted lovingly, with 

 pains and labour, and above all with faith ; — the out-door 

 scenes of the simple Sabbath service ; the testimony 

 of Him to whom the worship was paid, given in terms of 

 such simplicity as were fitted to the comprehension of 

 the dark-skinned listeners, — these seeds will not have 

 been scattered by him in vain. Nor have they been sown 

 in words alone, but in deeds, of which some part of the 

 honour will redound to his successors. The teaching by 

 forgiveness of injuries, — by trust, however unworthy the 

 trusted, — by that confidence which imputed his own 

 noble nature to those whom he would win, — by the 

 practical enforcement of the fact that a man might promise 

 and perform — might say the thing he meant, — of this 

 teaching by good deeds, as well as by the words of truth 

 and love, the successor who treads in the steps of Living- 

 stone, and accomplishes the discovery he aimed at, and 

 pointed the way to, will assuredly reap the benefit." 1 



1 Quarterly Review, April 1S75, pp. 498, 499. 



