804 MISSIONARY EFFORTS. 



tributed very greatly to the success of all those great enterprises 

 which have engaged the minds of men. Christianity has been 

 the real, though sometimes unrecognized, champion of humanity 

 in all its experiences. A distinguished author, in connection 

 with the suppression of the slave-trade, has ventured the asser- 

 tion that " Religious institutions have effected little or nothing 

 in the cause of humanity." Possibly he may have distinguished 

 in his own mind between the organization, as such, and the 

 individual representing in his life the spirit presumed to be in- 

 corporated in the organization. But the statement savors much 

 of the disposition to detract from the glory of Christianity 

 which inheres with human nature. This writer could surely 

 not have been ignorant of the tremendous influence being exerted 

 by Dr. Livingstone, at the very time of his writing, against the 

 identical evil of which he was speaking ; and he could hardly 

 have been ignorant of the fact that the religion of Jesus Christ 

 was the ruling power in his heart; and he ought to have known 

 also that in coming to Africa he did the bidding of a religious 

 institution. Indeed it may be confidently asserted that Christi- 

 anity, more than anything else, is moving the mighty forces 

 which are to deliver that lonar degraded land from its chains 

 and ignorance. Where is the simple servant of science or 

 government who has laid his life entirely and absolutely on the 

 altar for Africa? 



And Christianity will not fail to take advantage of the pro- 

 gress. The western and southern coasts have been the scene of 

 very successful missionary efforts in the past; and already there 

 are settlements being made at different points in the interior so 

 recently explored. On the Nile there have been misfortunes, as 

 there were on the Zambesi and the Shire, but even Sir Samuel 

 Baker, who could not embrace the missionary work in his 

 theories for the elevation of Africa, proclaims in his recent work 

 the assurance that there will now be no difficulty on the Upper 

 Nile, nothing to interfere with them. Various nations are 

 represented in the societies which are engaged in this good 

 work. Among them all Dr. Livingstone was pleased to say 

 that "Americans make superior missionaries." We have in- 

 deed noble representatives there and in other lands, and their 

 labors are richly rewarded. And we will watch eagerly the 



