136 
Seven Years in Central Africa. 
[Sept. 
have to wait a whole month talking over and settling a matter 
which could be disposed of with half-an-hour's common-sense, is 
in itself trying; but if the Lord, my Master, my Saviour, bade 
me wait a month, then surely it would only be blessing and profit 
that He had portioned out for me. 
It is well at such times to garrison ourselves against the possi- 
bility of being carried away with a feeling of restlessness which 
so much waiting and disappointment produces. I found great 
help in portioning out my days, and by giving the best part — 
the morning and early forenoon — to the prayerful study of the 
Scriptures, I felt refreshed and strengthened to occupy the 
remaining hours with other studies and duties. 
My joy, more and more, in turning to the Scriptures, is that I 
find Jesus there, and His company is more blessed among these 
wild hills and in these solitary forest camps than tongue can tell. 
No matter what the arch-enemy may say, I can never believe 
that God will lightly forsake one whom He has bought so dearly. 
Were He to do so, it would not be setting me at a discount — for 
/ count for nothing — but it would be a disparagement to the 
precious blood of Christ. 
LABOURS OF AMERICANS IN AFRICA. 
The American missionaries at Bailundu have had a Vocabulary 
of Umbundu^ and Observations on Grammatical Construction, 
published in America ; the latter work, though small, is full of 
valuable information. Having with me some of the best works 
on African languages, and having a pretty fair knowledge of two 
dialects, with a daily increasing knowledge of Umbundu, I ex- 
pect to be able, without much delay, to pick up the dialect of 
any of the Bantu tribes. 
Bishop Taylor's party are reported to be still at Loando, and 
they will probably give up their first project and go up to the 
Congo j there seems to be a deal of sickness amongst them ; 
hence the delay. 
THE BIHE CHIEF GIVES ME "THE ROAD." 
The chief here, in a favourable interview, has given me, accord- 
ing to native custom, ^' the road'' to the Garenganze, and I got off 
very cheaply in only having to pay, as tribute, about one hundred 
