s mercy in preserving us
from dangers, from strange tribes and sicknesses. We had
another service in the afternoon. They gave us two fine oxen
to slaughter, and the women have supplied us abundantly with
milk and meal. This is all gratuitous, and I feel ashamed
that I can make no return. My men explain the whole
expenditure on the way hither, and they remark gratefully:
'It does not matter, you have opened a path for us, and we
shall have sleep.' Strangers from a distance come flocking to
see me, and seldom come empty-handed. I distribute all
presents among my men."

Several of the poor fellows on reaching home found domestic trouble--a
wife had proved inconstant and married another man. As the men had
generally more wives than one, Livingstone comforted them by saying that
they still had as many as he.

Amid the anxieties and sicknesses of the journey, and multiplied
subjects of thought and inquiry, Livingstone was as earnest as ever for
the spiritual benefit of the people. Some extracts from his Journal will
illustrate his efforts in this cause, and the flickerings of hope that
would spring out of them, dimmed, however, by many fears:

_August 5, 1855_.--A large audience listened attentively to
my address this morning, but it is impossible to indulge any
hopes of such feeble efforts. God is merciful, and will deal
with them in justice and kindness. This constitutes a ground
of hope. Poor degraded Africa! A permanent station among them
might effect something in time, but a Considerable time is
necessary. Surely some will pray to their merciful Father in
their extremity, who never would have thought of Him but for
our visit."

"_August 12_.--A very good and attentive audience. Surely all
will not be forgotten. How small their opportunity compared
to ours who have been carefully instructed in the knowledge
of divine truth from our earliest infancy! The Judge is just
and merciful. He will deal fairly and kindly with all."

"_October 15_.--We had a good and very attentive audience
yesterday, and I expatiated with great freedom on the love of
Christ in dying, from his parting address in John xvi. It
cannot be these precious truths will fall to the ground; but
it is perplexing to observe no effects. They assent to the
truth, but 'we don't know,' or 'you speak truly,' is