I was up at three A. M. on the 7th to help receive Mr. Kemp, who arrived from Good Hope Station at that hour. Later we visited the school together, examined the pupils in their various branches, and gave them a little talk, which they seemed to enjoy. Some of them were honored by such names as Wm. E. Gladstone and M. E. Strieby. Their appearance and behavior were very gratifying. The prayer meeting in the evening was fully attended, and indicated a marked degree of earnestness, the leader having some difficulty to bring it to a close. If hand-shaking is a means of grace, we enjoyed special privileges at the end of this meeting.
I found oysters growing on trees (April 8th), and plucked a large branch. Bread and butter also grow on trees in this strange land. I had occasion to turn doctor to-day, and prescribed some fearful doses, right and left, with marked results, due probably to faith.
After the ordination exercises at Good Hope (April 10th), a number of the ministerial brethren of the council went in a boat-load to attend service at the out-station of Debia, and although a severe tornado threatened to break up the meeting, we enjoyed an interesting and precious season together. The work at this point is full of encouragement, but greater facilities are needed to carry it on.
The painful news has just been received through Rev. O. H. White, D.D., of London, of the death of Rev. Kelly M. Kemp at Good Hope Station, Mendi Mission. Thus one more bright name has been added to the long list of missionary heroes and martyrs whose dust hallows the soil of Africa. No particulars have been received, and we cannot speak confidently as to the cause of his death. Those who have read the recent accounts of his ordination and reception at Good Hope need not be reminded of the high hopes that were entertained in regard to the work upon which he had but just entered with so much zeal. Mr. Kemp’s earnest consecration and varied experience and sweet Christian character had not only endeared him to all who knew him, but had given rich promise also of great good to the people among whom he had counted it all joy to labor.
AFRICAN NOTES.
—The Sultan of Zanzibar is about to study the organization of the French navy. He was expected at Marseilles in July for that purpose.
—Dr. Stacker is attempting to explore Lake Tsana in Abyssinia. If he succeeds in accomplishing this he purposes to push on to Ghera.
—M. Viard, who has already explored the Niger and the Bénvé, in company with the Count of Semellé, is just attempting a new expedition for penetrating into the interior, and establishing there commercial stations.