52 
Central Africa, 
M'tesa had greatly improved since the time when Speke 
and Grant had seen him, for he had left off many barbarous 
customs and savage traits, and had adopted Moham- 
medanism. An Arab mollah, or priest, had visited M'tesa, 
and had secured his outward adhesion, at least, to the 
Mohammedan faith. As the result, M'tesa had given up 
drinking, observed the Moslem Sabbath, and adopted many 
civilized customs. Stanley so admired M'tesa that he 
resolved to attempt his conversion to Christianity, and with 
that view proceeded to instruct the king daily in the prin- 
ciples of the Christian religion. Captivated with the notion 
of being powerful and honoured, like Englishmen, M'tesa 
applied himself heartily to the work of learning ; and, as far 
as head knowledge went, soon reached a very creditable 
stage. He then commanded his people to observe two 
Sabbaths, weekly, — the Moslem, and Christian, — wrote out 
the Ten Commandments on a board for daily reference, 
and after reading the Bible with " Stamlee," — as he called 
the explorer, — ordered his Waganda writers to copy out an 
abridgment of the Bible. Finally, he summoned a council 
of his chiefs and people, and after asking their opinion, 
declared his intention of adopting the Christian faith as the 
national faith of Uganda. It seems likely that his adoption 
of Christianity, was more a matter of policy, and form, than 
the adhesion of the heart. It is a fact, however, that he 
expressed his desire for the presence and instruction of 
Christian teachers j and missionary effort has been put forth 
among his people by the Church Missionary Society, in 
response to his appeal. Of that mission and its work, we 
shall have more to say further on. 
Leaving Uganda, Stanley pressed forward to explore the 
Muta Nzige, but his Waganda warriors deserted him, and 
he was forced to return. But he discovered a new branch 
