ENGL A ND'S DUTY TO A FRIG A . 873 



Christianity would spread through the land, and that from the north to the 

 south of the continent they would have Christian missions, as the great 

 Livingstone had prophesied they would. They owed a debt of gratitude to 

 the great traveller who had spoken that evening, and who had done such 

 wonders with such little suffering. To England was committed the duty of 

 civilising the land, and if she did not do it, to other hands would be entrusted 

 the privilege of performing the great work. He quite agreed that their object 

 was to Christianise the country, but from the centrifugal forces of society 

 they could not fail to carry civilisation with them also, and wherever a coun- 

 try like this had been opened up English people would be sure to follow and 

 occupy it in part. What was the Church going to do in this matter ? He 

 appealed to the clergy to do all they could to advance the work. He trusted 

 the little nation of England, which had fulfilled such great destinies in this 

 world, might rise to the occasion, and add to her former achievements the 

 great work of civilising Central Africa. 



The Rev. D. Elsdale said it was to be hoped that those present would aid 

 the movement in every way, some of them even by going to Africa and taking 

 part in the great work. The Divine omnipresence was among the natives 

 of Africa ; and he hoped that, when the priests and laymen who had been 

 doing missionary work there came back impaired in body and mind, that 

 they would not be taunted with being from the missionary cause ; but, on the 

 contrary, he hoped some offices might be found for them where they might 

 employ themselves in new spheres of usefulness. 



The Ven. Archdeacon Badnall said that he knew Southern Africa when 

 there were but thirteen priests working in it. Now there were half as many 

 bishops, and he fully believed that any missionaries who might be sent out 

 would wisely, faithfully, and conscientiously discharge their duties. 



This closed the meeting, which was throughout crowded and enthusiastic. 



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