on a mission without a staff of foreign attendants, implies coarse country fare, it is true; but this would be nothing to those who at home amuse themselves with vigils, fasting, etc.  A great deal of power is thus lost in the Church.  Fastings and vigils, without a special object in view, are time run to waste.  They are made to minister to a sort of self-gratification, instead of being turned to account for the good of others.  They are like groaning in sickness:  some people amuse themselves when ill with continuous moaning.  The forty days of Lent might be annually spent in visiting adjacent tribes, and bearing unavoidable hunger and thirst with a good grace.  Considering the greatness of the object to be attained, men might go without sugar, coffee, tea, as I went from September, 1866, to December, 1868, without either.”

On the subject of Missions he says, at a later period, 8th November:  “The spirit of missions is the spirit of our Master; the very genius of his religion.  A diffusive philanthropy is Christianity itself.  It requires perpetual propagation to attest its genuineness.”

Thanks to Mr. Stanley and the American Consul, who made arrangements in a way that drew Livingstone’s warmest gratitude, his escort arrived at last, consisting of fifty-seven men and boys.  Several of these had gone with Mr. Stanley from Unyanyembe to Zanzibar; among the new men were some Nassick pupils who had been sent from Bombay to join Lieutenant Dawson.  John and Jacob Wainwright were among these.  To Jacob Wainwright, who was well-educated, we owe the earliest narrative that appeared of the last eight months of Livingstone’s career.  How happy he was with the men now sent to him appears from a letter to Mr. Stanley, written very near his death:  “I am perpetually reminded that I owe a great deal to you for the men, you sent.  With one exception, the party is working like a machine.  I give my orders to Manwa Sera, and never have to repeat them.”  Would that he had had such a company before!

On the 25th August the party started.  On the 8th October they reached Tanganyika, and rested, for they were tired, and several were sick, including Livingstone, who had been ill with his bowel disorder.  The march went on slowly, and with few incidents.  As the season advanced, rain, mist, swollen streams, and swampy ground became familiar.  At the end of the year they were approaching the river Chambeze.  Christmas had its thanksgiving:  “I thank the good Lord for the good gift of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

In the second week of January they came near Bangweolo, and the reign of Neptune became incessant.  We are told of cold rainy weather; sometimes a drizzle, sometimes an incessant pour; swollen streams and increasing sponges,—­making progress a continual struggle.  Yet, as he passes through a forest, he has an eye to its flowers, which are numerous and beautiful: