4$ WESTERN AFRICA. 
by the use of the most simple language, we 
yet fail to give them clear conceptions of it. 
It is highly important that the Missionary 
learn their language,— become familiar with 
their usages,- — manner of life, — views of 
propriety,— and their secret abominations, 
in order that he may labor among them suc- 
cessfully. 
On a certain occasion 1 preached from 
the parable of the vine and branches in the 
15th chapter of the Gospel according to 
John. I showed that as the branches are in 
the vine so we must be in Christ. That the 
Christian is as dependent upon Christ for 
spiritual life as the branches are on the vine, 
and as intimately related to him as the 
branch is to the vine. I endeavored to ex- 
plain how we might become branches of the 
"true vine," and thus be saved from sin and 
hell. 
Though I was as plain as I could be, yet 
the whole sermon was lost because, as I 
afterward learned, none of my hearers (not 
even my interpreter ) knew what the word 
u vine " meant! They call vines "country 
ropes. 55 I hare referred to this to give the 
