.MISSION TO LAKE TANGANYIKA. 827 



room, and sleeping compartment. Before we were able to accomplish our 

 object — that is, the placing of this mission on the shores of this lake — the trouble 

 in taking the steamer over the Murchison Cataracts was very painful. No road 

 was visible, there being nothing but a mingled mass of jungle, and through this 

 -we had to wend our way the best we could, tearing our clothes, scratching our 

 skin, and enduring man}- other discomforts and inconveniences. We were all the 

 time exposed to a burning tropical sun ; however, the work is done, and that is 

 sufficient reward for the trials we have borne." 



As one result of the recent visits paid by travellers to Central Africa, and 

 of the deep interest now felt by Christian Englishmen in the welfare of its 

 people, Mr. Robert Arthington, of Leeds, generously offered, in the Spring of 

 1876, the sum of £5,000 to the Directors of the London Missionary Society, 

 towards the establishment of a mission on Lake Tanganyika. In his letter, 

 making the offer, Mr. Arthington thus wrote : — 



" It is much in my heart to take with you a courageous and faithful step 

 in the moral conquest of Africa ; whilst we shall, if God be with us, be instru- 

 mental in His hand in gathering out to Christ's glory and our joy many of 

 His elect people in that continent. 



" You know that the Presbyterians of Scotland have taken in hand the 

 Nyassa, and that the Church Missionary Society is likely to take in hand the 

 Victoria Xyanza, that is the inhabitants of their shores, for evangelisation. I 

 propose we should take in hand Lake Tanganyika. 



•' I have the happiness, therefore, of offering £5,000 towards the pur- 

 chase of a suitable steamer, and the establishment of a missionary station 

 at some eligible place on one of the shores of that lake. I learn on good 

 authority that the way is quite open in a direct line (which is very direct), 

 from Zanzibar to Ujiji on Tanganyika; that the Sultan's pass is available and 

 valid all the way, and is recognised and held in respect at Ujiji. Ujiji belongs 

 to the Arabs, and the Sultan's influence is considerable and great. He would 

 doubtless give his countenance, and we shall have the sheltering wing of Great 

 Britain. Ere long, in all probability, a British Consul would be appointed 

 to Ujiji. I have no doubt that the Christian church, in sufficient strength of 

 its members every way, would at once support the mission, and that it would 

 grow and prosper." 



The London Missionary Society has long had an efficient mission in South 

 Africa; and the victories which it has won, both within and beyond the Cape 

 Colony and Kaffirland, in defending the liberties of the native races, are 

 amongst its proudest trophies. A long line of able and faithful men have 

 rendered the Society great service there; have maintained numerous stations; 

 have founded churches ; and have stamped the impress of the word and work 

 of the Gospel deep upon the life and public opinion of the Colony. Many 

 Missionary Societies have joined them in this work ; and so effectively has it 



