When she walked through the town she saw many idols which we all
worshipped, and she pitied us very much. Seeing that the people
were sitting in darkness she asked for a dwelling-place. The
town's chiefs gave her a very nice little hill in the middle of
the town. And from the first day all the people were astonished
very much at her wisdom, gentleness, and love, because they had
never seen a white person like her before. And amazement fell
upon every one in the town concerning all that she told them
about God, and pleasure filled their hearts because she lived
amongst them. Before she came the people hated one another, and
did not sit in love and peace, but when she came to us her good
influence and love becalmed us. Though she was an old woman she
had to work like a very powerful big man. The Ibibio people
wondered and wondered about her in gladness, she was so full of
love to every one, and working hard every day for their good. So
by all her kind and compassionate work she came to be called
_Adiaha Makara_, meaning the eldest daughter of all Europeans,
and _Ma Akamba_, meaning great madam.

At last God answered Ma's prayers. Three things happened.

First, the Church in Scotland, which was now called the United Free
Church, resolved to follow her into the wilderness and made Itu into a
regular station with a doctor in charge. A hospital, called the Mary
Slessor Mission Hospital, was added, and a launch was sent out for the
Creek work. "It is just like a fairy-tale," said Ma. "I am so glad for
the people."

Next a man missionary was sent to Arochuku, and came back with such a
glowing story of the numbers of people living there, and their longing
for the right way, that he was sent up at once to open a station.

Then the Church told Ma that they would place two ladies at Akpap, and
she need not return, but remain in the wilds and be a pioneer.

The sky of her life, which had been so dark before, now became clear and
blue and filled with sunshine.

One afternoon a Government officer visited her and said:

"Ma, what are we going to do?"

The same question was always being put to her. Everybody, from the
British officials down to runaway slaves, came to her for counsel and
help; few did anything in that part of the country without first talking
to her about it.

"What is it now?" she asked.

"We want a magistrate for this big and important dist