M. REBMANN. 57 



At a conference with the secretaries of the 

 Church Missionary Society in London, Major 

 Straith and the Rev. Mr Yenn had intrusted 

 me with an open letter to their employe, dated 

 Sept. 30, 1856, giving him leave of absence in 

 case he decided to accompany the East African 

 expedition at the expense of the latter. They 

 had neglected to forward a copy, but M. E>eb- 

 mann had received a second communication, 

 which he did not before produce. His earliest im- 

 pulse was evidently to assist in carrying out the 

 plans which had been first formed by the ' Mom- 

 bas Mission,' and personally to verify the accu- 

 racy of the map, then so loudly and violently 

 criticised, now gaining credit every year. But 

 presently cool reflection came. He was not in 

 strong health ; he had, perhaps, seen enough of 

 the interior ; and, possibly, after a few conversa- 

 tions he thought that we relied too much on the 

 arms of flesh — sword and gun. The home in- 

 structions were, 'The Committee have only to 

 remark that they entirely confide in you, as one 

 of their missionaries, that wherever you go you 

 will maintain all the Christian principles by 

 which you are guided; that should you see fit 

 to go with the expedition your experience and 

 knowledge of the language may prove very valu- 



