To this latter amount was added a sum sufficient for sending forth a full corps of missionaries to that locality, and recent reports warrant the hope that they have already reached their destination.
Perhaps no more striking illustration of the parallelisms we have suggested has been exhibited, than the one recently brought to our knowledge by the report of Mr. Stanley’s explorations, and the doings of the Baptist Missionary Society of London.
Last May, this Society received a letter, stating, “There is a part of Africa on which I have long had my eye. It is the Congo country. There is not much knowledge of the Christian religion in the Congo. Only three or four of its inhabitants can read and write. The language of the coast is the original African. The old king has strongly expressed his hopes that some white men would come to them. It is, therefore, a great satisfaction, and a high and sacred favor to me, to offer £1,000 if the Baptist Missionary Society will undertake to teach these interesting people the words of eternal life. By and by, possibly, we may be able to extend the mission eastward, and carry the Gospel, as the way may open, as far as Nyangwe.”
While this letter was being penned, Mr. Stanley was pushing his way from Nyangwe, through a vast unexplored region, to the mouth of the Congo, having overcome the obstacles which had baffled Dr. Livingstone and Commander Cameron, who attempted the same explorations, from the same point of departure.
It is to be remembered, also, that there have been other forces affecting Africa, parallel to these gifts, and explorations and missions. Fervent prayers of faith have been offered for its redemption, and many things indicate that these are being speedily answered.
“I go,” said Dr. Livingstone, in his last public utterance, before leaving England, “to open the door to Central Africa. It is probable I may die there; but, brethren, I pray you see to it that the door is never again closed.”
It requires no great reach of faith to apprehend that the time has fully come when the words of the risen Saviour may become our assurance respecting tropical Africa—“Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”
LIFE OF EDWARD NORRIS KIRK, D. D.
The appearance of this biography renews our remembrance of the honored man whose life and work is chronicled so well by his former pupil and friend, Rev. David O. Mears. As the President of the American Missionary Association for nearly ten years—from 1865 until death sundered the relation—it is fitting that there should be a notice of this published record of his career in the organ of the Association.