The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-02-18
Was Paid To Christian
Missionaries.
WAS A WONDERFUL OCCASION
State Umbrellas" OF Large
and Brilliant Design In
Procession.
MERE GRATIrIED WITH VISIT

$. G.. Pinnock. Abeokuta. Africa,
writes
The kings scribe. mounted on a
wheel. came to say that his august
master would pay a visit to your
missionaries at AbeOkuta at p. m.
nave received messengers from
African royal personages quite few
different times before now, and
should not be greatly surprised at
anything il the message demanded
forth with the preachers head on a
charger. for you know that this
happened on one occasion to a great
er preacher than any living to-day.
Soon after the appointed hour
we could hear in the distance the
sound OF drums. and knew the royal
party was drawing near. There is a
long path leading up to the house in
which We are now living, and we
had a full view OF the procession as
il approached Three state umbrel-
las. large and brilliant in design.
the distin gushing feature of Afri-
can royalty. preceded the retinue.
Half dozen drummers. the one
and only musical 80 instrument OF
the country. beating with all their
might upon drums of several diff
ferent tones and sizes. follow
ed Oh. Then king on Horse
back. followed by the alake, king of
the United Egba kingdom, who was
carried by four hammock bearers.
in a sumptuously decorated chair.
Two police orderlies tianked the pro-
cession. five queens kept near to
their husband. and twenty or thirty
retainers brought up the rear. We
met his majesty at the door and in
yited him and his companion, the
king of Osheba. to walk upstairs to
the sitting room.
My wife received them at the
head OF the stairs. In a few min
utes. introductions over, we were all
comfortably seated. the two kings.
myself and the scribe on one side,
and my wife and the five queens on
the other side OF the room. The
alake, having been to England.
where he was received by the late
king. Edward VII, is quite accus-
toned to European etiquette. and
this knowledge, added to his native
courtesy made him a very gentle
manly visitor.
He is the ruler of quite a large
Independent kingdom, and this city
is the most progressive native state
in the whole of Africa. He attends
the Anglican church regularly, and
in conversation said that he was
coming TO a public meeting on Mon
day next. at which | shall be speak
ing. On one occasion he asked a
number OF questions about baptism.
and expressed the desire to see
service of this kind.
His companion, the asiele. a
king by title. has received gram
mar school education. and speaks
excellent English. He. too, is a reg
ular attendant at church. Perhaps
| may explain here that there are
really four kings in Abeokuta. and
many minor chiefs. the city having
been formed by the amalgamation
of the chiefs from towns which in
former years were destroyed by the
Dahomians.
Both these kings were keenly in
terested in all religious and educa-
tional work, and any extension of
our work along educational lines es-
pecially will receive all the help
that they can give. We were glad
to know that they were pleased with
the reception we gave them. After
light refreshments they took their
leave. We regard their Visit as the
Official recognition OF our work and
a welcome to their city