212 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 



sire the gospel, because they know nothing about either it or 

 its benefits ; but there is no impediment in the way of instruc- 

 tion. Every head man would be proud of a European visitor 

 or resident in his territory, and there is perfect security for life 

 and property all over the interior country. The great barriers 

 which have kept Africa shut are the unhealthiness of the coast, 

 and the exclusive, illiberal disposition of the border tribes. It 

 has not within the historic period been cut into by deep arms 

 of the sea, and only a small fringe of its population have come 

 into contact with the rest of mankind. Race has much to do 

 in the present circumstances of nations ; yet it is probable that 

 the unhealthy coast-climate has reacted on the people, and aided 

 both in perpetuating their own degradation and preventing 

 those more inland from having intercourse with the rest of the 

 world." 



May we not hope that the growing interest in this vast de- 

 graded continent will overcome such barriers, and establish such 

 communication with the various tribes of the interior as will 

 make the most abundant labors for their conversion not only 

 possible but attractive? It is only just to the missionary, that 

 we remember, in the history of the explorer, that Dr. Living- 

 stone was not spending his life in idle, aimless wanderings, 

 through any love of adventure or devotion only to science, but 

 that he might open a highway to the interior of Africa, in order 

 that he might establish a mission station there on a permanent 

 basis. 



In pursuance of the idea which had affected somewhat his 

 action in returning directly from Loanda to Linyanti, he now 

 decided to follow the Zambesi to the eastern coast, and was 

 particularly encouraged to do this, as there was a good prospect 

 of water facilities all the way. In the midst of the prepara- 

 tions for this new journey, Livingstone found abundant employ- 

 ment instructing the people and healing their sick, and seeking 

 to reform their ideas according to the Christian standard as far 

 as could be. But his labor was very discouraging, but still was 

 not entirely without effect. Sometimes he was greatly per- 

 plexed, but at last could only remember the darkness and dead- 

 ness of the unregenerate soul, and remember the heathen 

 gloom. The greatness of the undertaking argued its importance, 



