184 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
power of the Purrow. It is of great antiquity, 
coming to the west coast of Africa from Egypt/’ 
That it puts out of the way, by assassination, 
objectionable chiefs and head-men there is no 
doubt, — sometimes by a party of men going out 
and murdering outright, or by administering 
poison through persons who are regarded as 
fast friends of the party to be disposed of. 
It is, in short, a powerful organization, 
and one which, like slavery and polygamy, will 
require time to destroy. It stole one of our first 
converts, and carried him away and concealed 
him, at two different times, and the last time, by 
force, made him a Purrow-man, and put him 
through a severe drill. He finally saw a way of 
escape, and left the Purrow-ground, a dense 
thicket, and came back to the mission, where he 
still remains. 
I 
DEDICATION OF A CHAPEL AT BOMPHETOOK. 
Brother Plickinger dedicated the first house of 
prayer in this, one of the strongest citadels of the 
devil, within one hundred yards of the great Pur- 
yow-bush, last Sunday, the 28 th of March. It was 
a most interesting and refreshing occasion. The 
congregation was unusually large. All the benches 
were filled, and others had to be. brought in from 
the neighboring huts. The text was, My house 
