Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-05-15
CENTRAL AFRICA.

ed an interesting volume giving an ac-
count of missionary labors in the coun-
tries of Central Africa, from which we
make some extracts. The following
striking insance of the simple honesty of
the natives is not surpassed by any of
the stories told of Arab integrity:
"The country west of Aibo was bead
tiful and well cultivated. Seeing small
parcels of fruit and other little articles
living beside the road, l asked Sam what
itmeant. de put da for self. sWen,
where are the owners ? Dunno, sab
in the farm some wha.' Don't travellers !
stea these thing? I inquired. No,
sa; de can't steal um.' In some places
l saw few cowries left by purchasers,
and was so pleased with this novel mar
ket that / became purchaser myself,
leaving some cowries, which Sam, who
knew the signs, declared to be the price"
A visit to Illorrin, large Mahometan
city, where no foreigner had previously
been, is thus narrated by Mr.. Bowen:
about sunset I stopped at one of the
numerous villages which lie around Ill
orrin. The venerable old Mahometan
priest or religious teacher Of the village
came to see me with present of eggs.
After he retired some of the villagers
told me that he was accustomed to say,
: 1t is not the Mahometan or the heathen
who will be saved, but the man who
serves God in his heart / was not pre-
pared to hear such doctrine in subur-
ban village of Illorrin. The people list
ened to the gospel attentively, and raised
no objections.
"On arriving at Illorrin, next mern-
ing, rode through the first and seccnd
gates without ceremony, and alighted n-
der tree. Why did he come in ? ex-
claimed one of the gate-keepers. Stop
there; put his loads down outside The
carriers put down my loads as directed
and / waited a short time to see what
would follow. After a little while I walk
: ed good naturedly into the gate house and
asked for water, which was brought by &
timid girl. Why didn't you send mes
u senger to let the King know you were
J coming? inquired the old captain Of thu
gate. Because l am a messenger my
y SELF replied. A little conversation pu
{ him in better humor, and he sent mel
{ to inform the King of my arrival
Z Mr.. Bowen describes an interview
: which he had with the king as follows:
Is He asked my name and age, tn
e name of my mother, whether l were a
- Englishman; the name of our kins
III whether / were a Mussulman, (Mahon
ie etan,) and what was my object in comm
'e to Ilorrin. 1 answered each question q
u it was propounded, and they gave m
, ample time to express myself fully
When I replied God is our king 1 fe
d" as no man can feel who acknowledges a
earthly monarch. King Suta aPpeart
to be impressed with the declaration, Fl
- he answered God is enough When
said that / was not a Mahometan, the
inquired whether ] knew Mahomet?
told them yes, had two KoranS.
you serve Moses? !? they continued. n
Moses wrote the truth, but he was 4
fellow servant, not my master. We d
- ny allegiance to all creatures, even
= angels Chances and smiles of approx
- ton told that this speech had produced t
intended effect. At last, when the Ki
"a demanded my object in coming TO Ilorr
| was just in frame of mind to spe
- freely Of salvation through Christ. Th
:. listened attentively and offered no obj
tions. When / had finished the Ki
told me to return to Nasamu; and we
them to discuss my proposition to co
and live in Ilorrin. | was informed d
the King and most of the mobiles VI
- much pleased with our interview.
-. A few days after my first audience
King sent for me to have a private int
that view, and requested me to bring the d
gila, or New Testament. This time
raised the curtain and had me sit u
one to him. Only one man was present
In The King examined the Bible whic
the had brought, and requested me to rea'
ooa him. | read and translated Luke's
;ent count of the conception. We then
vide the following conversation Why do
,cl,s wish to live in IIorrin? To preach
tber gospel What do you say when
lille preach? / gave him brief dist
rom outline Of the Christian religion.
brae are Mahometans here know you
: Of Mahometans, and that is the reaso
$ in want to live among you and teach
Sand the whole word Of God! | am al