The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-24
MISSIONARY WORK IN AFRICA
Interesting Lecture Last Night by Rev
W. H. Sheppard

Interesting Lecture Last Night by Rev
w. III. Sheppard.
Last night the Presbyterian Church
was filled with large and attentive
audience who listened with pleasure to
the lecture delivered by the colored
missionary, Rev. w. II. Sheppard, ma
tive OF Augusta county, of whom m.n-
ton has been made before in these col
umns. Three years ago he went as mis-
slonary to Africa in company with Rev.
Samuel Lapsley, son of the distinguished
Judge Lapsley, of Alabama. They
started together on their errand of de-
votion and danger, and strong attach
ment, sympathy and confidence sprang
up between them, broken only when
young Lapsley yielded up his sainted
life in that far benighted land.
They went first by steamer some five
hundred miles up the Congo river to Tho
village OF Kwamouth, and, after labor.
ing there for many months, determined
TO penetrate farther, and assembled the
Kai Sal eight hundred miles to Luebo,
where the Southern Presbyterian
Church has established a mission
station. Here they met with several
bands OF traders from the Bacuba
country carrying ivory to the coast.
These were very different people
from any thus far seen-tall and finely
formed, of lighter complexion, wear.
ing boards and giving evidence of a
nearer approach to civilization. Young
Lapsley, recognizing that such a people
must offer centre of more far reaching
influence than the inferior tribes, re-
solved to reach them. But here seem
ingly lnsurmountable difficulty pre-
scented itself. The king of Bacubas,
I.lkpnTQ hy n
most virulent type. Foreigners were
forbidden to enter his country under
pain OF death, and his death penalties
were always peremptorily executed
10 add to the diff culties of the des-
perate ondeavor there were no highways
or clearly discernible roads leading in to
the Bacuba country, but the resolute
young Lapsley was infexible in bis pur.
pose, and leaving Sheppard at Luebo,
ne returned to the station of Matadi to
make the necessary preparations for the
expedition. While thus engaged he
wrote many letters to Sheppard urging
him TO acquaint himsel with the Bacub a
language which the latter did. Then
came the dire and overwhelming tidings
Of the death Of Lapsley at Matadi.
In the heart of his devoted friend
then and there arose deathless resolu-
ton to carry out the purpose of his
dead associate which was done after
almost super human efforts, and as told
by Rev. Mr.. Sheppard is thrilling
narrative OF succession of hazardous
adventures. When Sheppard was within
fifty miles of King Lakenga's capital
he was captured by armed soldiers and
carried before the monarch, who hear
ing him speak in the Bacuba tongue
changed his manner towards him and
treated him with consideration and re-
spect, believing him to be the spirit of
dead ancestor. and after lengthy
stay would only permit him to leave
upon obtaining promise that he would
return. Mr.. Sheppard will return next
February.
The speaker illustrated his narrative
by references to a canvass map Of the
Congo free slate, and by the exhibition
OF numerous mementos Of his soiourn
in the Bacuba country. He exhibited
also specimens OF Indian corn similar to
that raised in this country. Altogether
the lecture was most entertaining and