200 COMMENCEMENT OF THE 
tioned. In the spring of the year, at the time of 
its first sounding in the morning, the mountain 
mists are just descending, and resting upon the 
valleys beneath ; the stillness of nature has pre- 
viously been broken in upon by the lowing of 
oxen, the bleating of sheep, the singing of birds, 
and the rustling of the rising wind ; — then follows 
the murmur of approaching voices, as the wor- 
shippers are drawing toward the House of God ; 
then the flag, on which is emblazoned the cross 
of Clirist, with a dove bearing an olive-branch 
and the words ‘‘ Kongo Pai'\ or The Gospel, 
begins to unfold itself, and to display its colours 
to the freshening breeze : again, the notes of the 
bell strike upon the ear, and proclaim the hour 
of worship, the glad and holy hour of Christian 
worship in a heathen land — the hour when Jesus, 
by his ambassadors, proclaims the blessings of 
His Gospel, causes “ the wilderness and the soli- 
tary place to be glad for them, and the desert to 
rejoice and blossom as the rose'' ; and so waters 
the garden which He has planted, and the seeds 
of grace which He has caused to be sown, that 
the earth brings forth, and buds, giving seed to 
the sower, and bre^d to the eater"; and instead 
of the thorn, comes up the fir-tree ; and instead 
of the briar, comes up the myrtle-tree ; which is 
to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign, 
that shall not be cut off. 
