28 
Seven Years in Central Africa. [June, 
however charged with sand, than one charged with malaria from 
the reeds. I thought a short account of my first effort at "village 
work " in the interior would interest you, so will tell you some- 
what about it. At home in eight days one could accomplish a 
good deal, but not so here, the distances being very great. A 
meeting is called for this afternoon, at which I am expected to 
speak ; it will be my first attempt. I am very doubtful as to how 
I shall make myself understood. Tinka asked me last night to 
have meetings all along the river, as the people understand 
Sechuana, which he thinks I speak well enough; it will depend 
upon how I get on this afternoon. Nothing would be a greater 
pleasure to me, as many of the people in these towns have never 
heard the gospel. 
Sunday Evening. — This evening, round three fires, we met for 
prayer and reading. I got on pretty well, and most seemed to 
understand me. Tinka and the Bamangwato understood every 
word. All listened with eyes and mouth wide open \ so I am 
much encouraged, and shall have meetings at all the little towns 
we come to. To pray in another tongue seems very strange to 
me, more so than speaking in it to the people. I can scarcely 
describe the sense of relief felt, after straining to understand the 
language for four months, to find that I am able in a measure to 
tell the story I had come to make known. God has helped me 
much more than my heart will acknowledge. 
On Monday I got a young Christian from Shoshong, named 
Ramosi, to accompany me. Like most native Christians, he can 
read and preach the gospel pretty well. We intended visiting 
three villages. 
The first we went to was Makoako, and to reach it we had 
a long, tiresome walk, first through deep sand, and then for some 
miles through reeds by a narrow winding path, in which there 
was scarcely room for one to walk. Arriving at Makoaka about 
mid-day, we found nearly all the inhabitants asleep. Taking our 
seats in the kotla (the place of public meeting), we awaited 
our audience. Those near awoke the others, and soon they 
all came trooping out of their little huts. They listened closely. 
The faces of most, however, showed that they were more occupied 
with criticising than assenting ; still, it is ours to sow, and God's 
to give the increase. 
