Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-30
CHAPTER Ix.-THE CRISIS.

Now, day by day, for something over a
month Owen preached the gospel before the
King, his Councillors, and hundreds OF the
head men of the nation. They listened to
him attentively, debating the new doctrine
point by point; for although they were sava-
ges, these people were very keen witted and
subtle. Very patiently did owen SOW, and
at length to his infinite Joy he also gathered
in his first fruit. One night as he sat in his
hut laboring as usual at his work of transla-
ton, wherein he was assisted by John, whom
he had taught to read and write, the Prince
Nodwengo entered and greeted him. For a
| while he sat silent, watching the white man
at work, then he said;
Messenger, ] have a boon to ask of you.
Can you teach me to understand those signs
which you set upon the paper, and to make
| them also as your servant does?'
Certainly, answered owen; 'if you will
come to me at noon tomorrow we VIII
begin"
The Prince thanked him, but he did not
go away. Indeed, from his manner, owen
guessed that he had something more upon
his mind, At length it came out.
Messenger" he said, you have told us
of baptism whereby We are admitted into
the army of your King; say, have you the
power of this rite?"
And is your servant here baptized?"
"He is"
Then II he who Is a common man can
be baptized. why may not l who am a
primer"
SIN baptism" answered owen, there is
no distinction between the highest and the
lowest; but II you believe, then the door
Is open and through it you can join the
company of Heaven
Messenger. l do believe" answered the
prince humbly.
Then Owen was very joyful, and that same
night, with John for a witness, he baptized
the prince. giving him the new name Of
Constantine, after the first Christian En-
peror.
On the following day Nodwengo, in the
presence of owen, who on this point would
suffer no concealment, announced to the
King that he had become a Christian. UNI
suka heard. and for awhile sat silent. Then
he said in a troubled voice:
Truly, Messenger, in the words OF that
Book from which you read to us, l fear
that you have come hither ito bring not
| doctors and the priests of Fire learn of this,
that he whom | have chosen to succeed me
has become the servant of another faith,
they will stir up the soldiers and there viii
be civil war. i pray you therefore,, Keep
the matter secret, at any rate for a while,
seeing that the lives of many are at stake"
"In this. my father" answered the prince,
II must do as the Messenger bids me; but
II you desire it, take from me the right OF
succession and call back my brother from
the northern mountains
THAT by poison or the spear he may put
all of us to death. Nodwengo! Be not
afraid, ere long, when he learns all that is
happening here, your brother, Hafela, will
! come from the northern mountains, and the
spears of his impis shall be countless as the
| stars OF the sky. Messenger, you desire to
draw us to the arms OF your God, and
myself. / am at times minded to follow the
path OF my son, Nodwengn. and seek a
| refuge there; but say, will they be strong
| enough to protect us from Hafela and the
warriors of the north? Already he gathers
his clans, and already my Captains desert
TO him BY and by, in the springtime-
may ] be dead before the day-he will roll
down upon us like a food Of water"
ITO fall back like waters from a wall OF
heart be troubled for my Master can pro-
teet His servants. and lie will protect you.