Seven Years in Central Africa, 
[Oct. 
and then a twelve miles' walk will bring me to the boats. After 
that the journey will be mostly by water. 
READINESS OF THE PEOPLE TO HEAR. 
From what I have written, you will doubtless agree with me 
in believing that there is really an open door for the gospel here. 
I could not, in fact, with any comfort, now leave to return home. 
All the mass of people along the river represent many tribes, 
formerly conquered by the Makololo, a Basuto tribe from the 
south, whose language is almost identical with that of the 
Bechuana. These conquered tribes, being all together, required 
one language, and, of course, they all learnt the Sekololo.* 
Twelve years ago or so the Barotse, one of the conquered tribes, 
rose up and killed all the Makololo men (leaving only the women 
alive), but they retained the language of the Makololo, so that 
amongst these many tribes and peoples I can with comparative 
ease talk a little of the things of God, seeing that the Sechuana, 
which I have learned, is almost identical with their tongue. 
When last up the river large companies listened attentively to 
the reading of Scripture, and asked many questions. They 
have heard of " teachers " living among other tribes, and have a 
slight idea of one or two of the outward effects of the gospel, 
but of the gospel itself, or of God, they are thoroughly ignorant. 
They do speak of a god they call "Nambi," who lives among 
the stars, and they acknowledge his power over life and death ; 
but further than that I can say nothing. Otherwise, the depth 
of their heathenism seems unfathomable ; secret bloodshed, super- 
stition, and enchantments everywhere prevail. How we should 
rejoice and praise the Lord that even the ears of those who have 
for ages been in such a state should be opened to hear God's 
Word ! I do greatly thank the Lord for giving me such a 
privilege as to read and seek to make them understand it ; but 
the trying part of the work will not, 1 am sure, be forgotten in 
your prayers. Oh the patience that is needed, seeing how bitter 
and deadly is the opposition of the medicine men and doctors, 
* The manner of distinguishing the languages of these nations is different 
from ours. We alter the last syllable — Eng/and, Englis/i ; but they change 
the Jirst syllable. Thus the language of the Bechuana is called Sechuana, 
and that of the Makololo, Sekololo. 
