MISSION INTO CONGO. 79 
rations were confined to baptism, according to the 
Romish ritual, — to exhibiting images of the virgin 
and saints, — and to distributing beads, relics, and 
Agnus Dei's, the people were amused and de- 
lighted by becoming Christians. But they never 
suspected that this profession was to interfere with 
any of their ancient habits and superstitions. 
When these were attacked, and, above all, when 
the arrangements respecting their females came 
to be discussed, a violent struggle always arose. 
Here, as in the other negro states, every man 
maintained as many wives as his means or inclina- 
tion allowed ; and as each not only provided for 
her own subsistence, but contributed to that of 
her husband, they were in every way a desirable 
possession. When the missionaries, therefore, re- 
quired the dismissal of all, except one, such a pro- 
position staggered the faith even of the most zea- 
lous converts. They agreed, indeed, after some 
consideration, to invest one with the name of 
wife, while the rest received the humbler appella- 
tion of servants or concubines ; but, as the change 
of name produced no change in the connexion, 
and the children even were all treated in the very 
same manner, the missionaries could not listen to 
such a compromise. Indeed, though their con- 
duct in this affair may not always have been per- 
fectly temperate or judicious, they seem to have 
acted upon strictly conscientious motives ; and 
2.^ 
