t^x<xty of Clw Cheolocjical ^kmiwxxy
PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY
PRESENTED BY
Miss Helen Titus
of the
Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
February 6, 1998
BV 3542 .N28 N3 1909
Nassau, Robert Hamill, 1835
1921. '
The path she trod
THE
PATH
SHE
TROD
A MEMORIAL
or
MARY BRUNETTE (FOSTER) NASSAU
BY
HER HUSBAND
PHILADELPHIA
Press or Allen, Lane A Scott
1211-1213 aover 8tr««t
1909
CONTENTS.
¥ —
Chapter I.
1849, At Towanda, Pa 9
Chapter II.
1856, At Milford, Pa 11
Chapter III.
1860, Towanda Again 12
Chapter IV,
1865, At Freehold, N.J ^ 15
Chapter V.
1868, At Holmanville, N.J 17
Chapter VI.
1878, At Barnegat, N. J 18
Chapter VII.
1873, The Missionary Thought 22
Chapter VIII.
1880, Kismet 28
Chapter IX.
June, 188rf, Turning of the Ways 34
Chapter X.
October, 1881, To Africa 43
Chapter XI.
1882, At K&ngwe 79
Chapter XII.
July, 1882. Camp-Life 100
Chapter XIII.
1883, At Talaguga rr. 110
Chapter XIV.
1884, Motherhood 150
Chapter XV.
Afterwards 178
(3)
FOSTER GENEALOGY.
FOSTER GENEALOGY.
The following data are taken from the genealogical record com-
piled by the late Capt. Zera Luther Tanner, U. S. N., assisted by
Prof. Floyd J. Bartlett, of Auburn, X. Y. The first ancestor in
America of whom there is record is: —
A.
CHRISTOPHER FOSTER, of Long Island, X. Y.
Born about 1730. Married Phoebe Hildreth, March 20th, 1756.
They had five sons of whom there is record : —
1. Obadiah.
Born April 14th. 1761.
Married Phoebe Ludlow, April 26th, 1799.
2. Jabez.
Born April 27th, 1763.
3. Julius.
Born February 5th, 1765.
Married Elizabeth Hedges.
4. Paul.
Born February 17th, 1767.
Married Hannah Ludlow.
5. Luther.
B.
LUTHER FOSTER.
Born at Southampton, L. I., September 10th, 1770.
Married Ruth Hedges, of East Hampton, March 9th, 1791.
Both died in Warsaw, X. Y. ; the former, Xovember 16th, 1846;
the latter, March 7th, 1860. They had thirteen children:—^
1. Ruth Hedges.
Died in infancy.
2. Silas Howell.
Bom July 28th, 1793.
Married Fanny Smith, April 30th, 1818.
3. Josiah Hedges.
Born July 8th, 1795.
Married,
1. May 26th, 1821, H. M. Barbara Greiner, at
Montague, X. J.
2. February 22d. 1832, Sarah Skeer, at Wilkes-
barre, Pa.
6 THE PATH SHE TROD.
4. Elizabeth Mary.
Horn September 25th, 1795.
Married Ira Gilniore, December 29th, 1816.
5. Hetty.
liorii February 10th, 1800.
Married, in Warsaw, Robert Bamett, October
9th, 1837.
6. .Jabez.
Unmarried.
7. A son.
Died in infancy.
8. A son.
Died in infancy.
9. Julius.
C.
REV. JULIUS FOSTEI?.
Born December 26th, 1805.
Married,
1. In Towanda, Pa.. October 19th, 1840, Priscilla Brunette
Fox. Xo issue.
2. October lOtli. 1844. Mary Ann Sayres.
3. April oth, 1860. Mrs. S. M. A'andeman. No issue.
Children of the second marriage : —
1. Julius.
Born in Towanda, Pa., August 4th, 1845.
Married,
1. May 23d. 1876. Harriet C. Stamford.
2. September 29th, 1884, Joanna S. VanNote.
2. Mary Brunette.
D.
MARY BRUNETTE FOSTER.
Born in Towanda, Pa., June 19th, 1849.
Married, at Lakewood, N. J., Rev. R. H. Nassau, M. D., October
10th, 1881.
Died in Africa, August 8th, 1884.
Leaving one child, Mary Brunette Foster Nassau.
FOREWORD.
fF the chief object in penning this Memorial of Mrs. Nassau were
as a tribute to herself, it should have been written twenty years
ago. With that object in view, there would have been larger
reference to what she did, in acknowledgment of her work and use-
fulness. That story would then have been of a being whom to
admire and praise.
But I anqi free to acknowledge that the chief incentive in under-
taking this Memorial was to bring to the view of her daughter the
inner character of the mother, whom it was her pathetic fate never to
know. I have therefore endeavored less to describe what I and
others saw and knew of her work and outside life, but rather from
her own diaries, letters, and other writings, to catch her own thoughts,
feelings, aspirations, and consecrations, and thus to make, for the
daughter, a picture of her mother. This story is therefore of a being
whom to revere and love.
R. H. N.
^.
(7)
1849, AT TO WAND A, PA. 9
CHAPTER I.
1849, At Towanda, Pa.
Mary Brunette Foster was born June 10th, 1849, at Towanda,
Pa., while her father was pastor of the Presbyterian Chureh of that
place.
Of those who were acriuainted with the Foster household of that
day, there remain but few who can tell me much of the Foster home
or incidents in little Mary's childhood days.
. Mr. Foster is remembered as a clerjiyman who majjnified the
sanctity of his ministerial callinp^^carryinf; its di*;nity and solemnity
not only into the pulpit, but under his own roof and into the society
of all with whom he came in contact. Lookijip: at his portrait, one
would not think him capable of levity. .\nd yet there was nothinp:
austere or severe either in his words or maimer.
As a lad of ten or twelve, I remember havinp; seen him once as a
puest in my father's house, at Kaston, Pa., where he was attending a
Presbyterial meeting;. Though seen but that one day, I recall the
urbanity that softened the dignity and the courteous smile that
])revented my childish fear of the visitor.
A fellow-i)resbyter writes of him: — "Rev. .1. Foster was a lovely
man, scholarly, timid, and not self-assertive enough to receive the
salary or recognition he deserved, yet regarde<l most highly by all
who do not admire a hrmrn face. He preached the pure gospel in
Towanda from about 18.30 or 1837 to about 180.3." In his own
family, though he was not demonstrative, his two children so felt
the love that was behind the quiet demeanor that he had not only
their filial reverence, but their affection so strong that his death was
felt by them as the greatest of losses in their youth. Years did not
wipe out its memory. All their life they gave, if not a public recog-
nition,'at least a heart reference to the anniversary of. his death.
Mary's brother Julius was four years older than she. Young as he
was, he remembers the welcome he gave her. His father had a
strawberry bed in the little back-yard garden. Mr. Foster gathered
a few of these berries as a delicacy for his wife; and he gave to young
Julius the special honor of carrying the saucer to the sickroom. For
his successful accomplishment of that mission he was rewarded with
a new privilege of being allowed to hold his baby sister in his arms.
Mrs. Foster had skill with her pencil. One day the little boy^
instead of seeking his play in the street, remained at home to watch
10 THE PATH SHE TROD.
the toddling baby durinj; his mother's temporary absence. When
she returned home she rewarded him by painting for him a rose so
finely that he treasured it as a work of art for many years.
Mrs, Foster was in delicate health for a long time after her little
girl's birth, and had need to attend the Water Cure at Elmira, N. Y.
During such absence of the mother the two children had the privilege
of visiting their maternal aunt, wife of the Rev. Isaac Todd, pastor
of the Presl)yteria?i Church of Troy, Pa.
WheJi Mary was about four years of age she and her brother
strolled one day, fishing along the bank of Towanda Creek (a small
afl^hient of the Sus(|uehainia). The child slipped from the bank
down into the water and probably would have been drowned had
her brother done as most boys would have done, i. c, run away to
call for help. Instead of that^ himself promptly reached down to
the water and seized his sister, whom he was not strong enough to
drag out: but. holding her al)o^■e the water, his shouts for help were
heard at his own home, from which they had not wandered far.
.\nd both children were soon rescued.
A i)art of the Summer of 1S,')4, Mary being then five years of age,
was spent in Milford. Pa., with a maternal uncle, Mr. George Sayre.
There is also a memory, of about that date, of a visit by the chil-
dren to their Aunt liabcock, of Utica, X. Y. There was no direct
railroad communication at that time. The journey was made by
carriage via Milford, X. Y., and Richfield Springs; and most of the
Summer was spent in Utica. Among her nieces, Mrs. Babcock re-
garded Mary as a favorite.
Her mother died in February. 1S,56, Mary being then in her seventh
year. In the meantime, the Uncle Todd had removed from Troy
to Milford, Pa. Mrs. Foster, in her long decline of health, when she
felt death approaching, had asked the Aunt Todd to take charge of
the two children. So they grew up in the Milford home, happy with
their cousins. Frank and Harriet; but, though separated from their
father, never forgetting him. Their Aunt Todd well supplied the
lack of their own mother, but they always looked with the greatest
pleasure for the periodical visits of their father.
1856, AT MILFORD, PA. 11
CHAPTER II.
1856, At Milford, Pa.
Mary spent about four years in Milford, her aunt and her cousin
Hattie becoming so attached to her that they felt almost to the
point of opposition her subsequent removal by her father. She
was a loving, clinging, almost dependent child. The self-reliance
that marked her later years was developed by the necessities of
her school-teaching life. Of Mary's life, while still a child at Milford
with her Aunt Todd, there are remembered incidents illustrating her
seriousness and her early religious impressions. In her Uncle Totld's
library was a book, "Sermons to the Young," by the celebrated
evangelist, Rev. Dr. Daniel Baker. She got possession of the book,
read it, was impressed by it, and, not satisfied with its lines of thought,
added to them some of her own, as she actually expounded them
at very serious play-preaching services which she held, standing by
a little table as pulpit, and with Bible and hymn-book (my inform-
ant does not remember whether there was prayer), her audience
being her brother and her two Todd cousins. One of these cousins
remembered her, in one of those little sermonettes, speaking, even
at that early date, of herself as a prospective missionary and the
possibility of a foreign grave for herself.
12 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER III.
1860, At Towanda Again.
In ISGO, when ^fary was about eleven years of age, her father
married a widow, Mrs, A. M. Vandeman; and Mary and her brother
returiHvl to Towanda.
The child grew up under some deprivations that had a far-reaching
influence in after life, not only on her health, but in the limitations
of privilege and pleasure enforced by painful economy. On his
niarriage with his first wife the salary of Rev. .Julius Foster was only
S400. .\t his second marriage it was increased to S()00. In the account
of the family exi)enses there wero, of course, medicines for the invalid
mother and her treatmeiit at a sanatorium, with the increasing wants
of the two growing children. Calculation had to be made with pitiful
closeness as to the table expenses, or how far a pound of beef could
be made to go.
In it all. the children never felt that the father was at fault, or,
indeed, that any one was at fault. They not only revered, but deeply
loved that father. Mrs. Nassau herself has told me how they, as part
of the family, accepted loyally the line of self-sacrifice that the father
had chosen for his ministerial work. Feeling that some meat was
essential to his successfully going through the pulpit Sabbath works,
it was placed on only his plate regularly on that day. Mrs. Nassau
has told me that she looked at it with a hungry longing, but, unself-
ishly, never thought of complaining.
Without being })ersonal towards the Towanda Church of sixty
years ago, and certainly not to the prosperous and liberal Towanda
Church of to-day, this is an illustration of how .some churches of the
past, unintentionally and even unconsciously, allowed their minister
to suffer* Certainly, there was no lack of reverence for their able
and faithful pastor. Nor was there, at heart, a lack of kudness;
for. those same people, who had limited the family of four tc a sup-
port of S600, later lovingly gave their hours as night-watchers over
the sick-bed of the fatherless daughter. Perhaps, also, in the judg-
ment of such a case it is fair to say that Mr. Foster mis-read his duty
in thinking that he ought, without a protest, to accept such treatment.
If his humility did not claim more for himself personally, his office
certainly should have demanded more in a just business transaction.
He erred, I think, also in consenting to be collector of his own salary,
1S60, AT TOW AN DA AGAIN. 13
reccivinf; on account anythiii;:, as the case might bo, e. g., a bushel
of potatoes or a baj; of flour. This the congregation itself recog-
nized when his successor came as assistant. This young man, before
he entered the ministry, had been a bank clerk. He properly appre-
ciated the money value of his services and was at once given, though
assistant. S800, and, when he assumed the full pastorate, after Mr.
Foster's death, $1000.
The conscience of church communities is often dormant about
this entire subject of church beneficence. That region of country
was not singular in that respect. Xor was Towanda church the only
one whose conscience needed to be aroused. In an adjoining church
the minister's salary was S300. The church deacon, in his round with
the subscription list, came to one of the members, a physician. The
deacon proposed to the doctor that the latter should put to his name
$50 of the $300, remarking that the doctor could take it out in bills
for medical attendance on the pastor and his family! The doctor
refused to be a party to the arrangement.
The two children attended school at the Towanda Institute for
the space of four years. During the first of those years there w^ere
two gentlemen, brothers, the Messrs. Dean, who were teachers.
Their influence is esjjecially remembered, in their bringing the sub-
ject of personal religion in a wise and tender manner to the thoughts
of the two Foster children. (Both of these gentlemen subsequently
entered the ministry.)
In the latter of those four years the Rev. James McWilliam is
remembered as the teacher.
Among the members of her father's congregation were ladies and
gentlemen who took a permanent interest in the young girl, some of
them following her with their sympathetic letters to the end of her
life. Prominent among them was Mrs. X. X. Betts. As I write, there
lie before me letters written by Mrs. Betts to Mrs. Nassau, in our
African home on the Ogowe River.
In 1S63 the two children were allowed by their father to make
anothef visit by carriage to their Aunt Babcock in Utica, N. Y.
It shows the estimate their father had of their capability, though
so young, to take that long drive alone. It shows also the self-reliance
which the young man and young girl had developed, that they them-
selves felt competent for the adventure.
After this trip to Utica, Mary kept on at school in the Towanda
Institute until the death of her father, which occurred in January,
1865. Her work as a student was not marked by what a teacher would
call brilliance. Faithfulness was her keynote, a steady persistence
at any assigned task. Its performance was looked upon as a duty
14 THE PATH SHE TROD.
to 1)0 acroniplishod, not to be slighted or given up under any feeling
of woarinoss. That same spirit of duty ran through all her life.
Mary must have been in good and vigorous health; for, I remember
her telling me of her ambitious eontests with her brother in running.
One day they were raring home from school, the prize in the rare
being as to which should first touch the door of their home. He was
slightly in advance, and was stopping to hastily unbar the front gate.
She availed herself of his delay to lightly leap over the fence and gain
the door with a "touch-down."
In a letter written from Afriea on December 2.5th, 18S2. to my
son William in Princeton University, in speaking of skating and
other physical amusements, Mrs. Nassau said: "When a girl, there
was no amusement I enjoyed more than skating. As a little girl I
did e(|ually enjoy 'riding down' hill, until my big brother forbade
me. The truth is, all those out-door sports had great attractions for
me, much to the disgust of that same brother, who wished his sister
to be more (piiet and orderly; not to indulge in such rudeness as
climbing fences, running races, ttc."
After her father's death Mary continued in school six months
longer, her home still being in the Towanda "Parsonage" building,
which her brother had bought.
But in that summer of ISO.'i she had a five or six weeks' long sick-
ness, made dangerous by a variety of complications. It is remem-
bered that during all those weeks the brother and widowed step-
mother were not left alone in the necessary watching over the invalid.
Every night a detail of two from their kind-hearted neighbors and
members of their father's congregation, in succession, came to the
house to relieve them.
The Rev. William Harris, who. a year before the father's death,
had been called by the church as his assistant, was especially named
to me by Mrs. Nassau, in her remembrance of his faithful and sym-
pathetic visits to her bedside. In her delicate state, the noise of
passing wagons or shouts of passersby hurt her. Mr. Harris thought-
fully had»the street roped off.
After Miss Foster's recovery, in the summer of 1865, the same
Aunt Todd, who had mothered her at Milford after Mary's own
mother's death, and who in the meantime had removed to New
Jersey, where Mr. Todd was pastor of the Holmanville Church (near
Lakewood), in the cranberry region, came and took her to her "Wil-
low Grange" home near Whitesville. Her brother Julius, with the
widowed step-mother, remained at Towanda; he part of the time
alone, while the latter was Nisitlng with her relatives in Indianapolis.
1865, AT FREEHOLD, N. J. 15
CHAPTER IV.
1865, At Freehold, N. J.
ly the winter of 1865-06 Miss Foster entered the Female Seminary
at Freehold, X. J., under its princij)al, Elder A. B. Richardson. In
childhood, her taste for music had been recognized by placinfj her at
a piano when she was only eight years of age. But she had never
shown any aptitude for singing until at Freehold. There her voice
was cultivated as a second soprano.- But after leaving the seminary
her voice was prominently heard in the Holmanville and neighbor-
ing church choirs as a leader.
She was honored by, and enjoyed association with, all her school
companions. At that Freehold Seminary she was accorded a promi-
nent place in her classes, as evidenced by her being appointed to
make the Address of Welcome at a certain Christmas celebration.
There lies before me the penciled draft of that address. It is with-
out date, probably in 1866 or 1867. As an introduction, it opens'
with a salute to "Friends and Companions," passes on to "Kind
Friends" of the audience, and closes with a "Welcome" to the Rev.
Dr. F. Chandler, who. to his pastorate of the Presbyterian Church
of Freehold, added teaching of a few classes in the seminary.
Miss Foster graduated at Freehold, with honor, in a class of eight,
on July 24th, 1867.
A catalogue of the "Freehold Young Ladies' Seminary " for 1869
contains a list of the graduates for each year since its establishment
in 1853. The class of 1867 is the second largest on the list, with its
eight names. Those same names appear on the programme of the
graduating exercises of July 24th, 1867, with the subjects of the
"originiai compositions" read by them that day: —
Anna L. Conover, Freehold: "Geolog>', and the First of Genesis."
Sarah I. Wetherell, Freehold: "Life, and the Sea."
Catharine E. Herbert, Marlboro: "Progress."
Margaret T. Smalley, Freehold: "History, a Conservative."
Harriet M. Richardson, North Marlboro, Mass.: "The Sovereigns
of the Animal, Mineral, and Vegetable Kingdoms."
Emma C. Hill, Knoxville, Tenn.: "The Use of Useless Things."
Laura M. Perrine, Freehold: "Conflict and Victory."
Mary B. Foster, Towanda, Pa.: "Thought and its Manifestations.
16 THE PATH SHE TROD.
The siibso(|iirnt names and addresses of Miss Foster's classmates,
as far as I am able to discover, are: —
Miss Conover, Freehold, X. J,
Miss Wetherell (Mrs. Hoffman), Hackensack, X. J.
Miss Herbert (Mrs. W. H. Denise), deceased.
Miss Smalley (Mrs. Benjamin Smith), Brooklyn, X. Y.
Miss Richardson (Mrs. Dr. Turner), Chicago, 111.
Miss Hill (Mrs. ), Maryville, Tenn.
Miss Perrine (Mrs. William Stoever), Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia,
Pa.
Miss H. M. Richardson, daughter of a cousin of the principal who
made the commencement address, and Miss Laura Richardson, daugh-
ter of the principal, were sj)ecial friends of Miss Foster. Miss Harriet
Richardson afterwards became the wife of Dr. Turner, surgeon in the
United States Army, at Standing Rock. Dakota, and continued her
friendshij) in letters to Mrs. Xassau in Africa. Among the members
of the junior classes, also. Miss Foster had loving friends. The
photograph of one of them. Miss Helen Parker, daughter of Ex-
(lovernor Parker, of Freehold, she carried to Africa and kept promi-
nent among her treasures. Miss Parker, though Miss Foster's senior
in years, was her junior at the seminary, graduating in 1870 and
dying ten years later, a year before Miss Foster sailed to Africa. In
this school-friendship with the daughter was laid the basis of the
subse(|uent close relationship which grew up between the mother,
Mrs. Parker, as president, and Miss Foster, as secretary, of the Mon-
mouth Presbytery W. F. M. S.
After her graduation Miss Foster went back to Towanda. She
and her brother had never been separated all their lives except during
those two years of 1S65-67.
In the Spring of 1868, with the step-mother, she came back to
New Jersey to join her brother, who had followed his Uncle Todd,
and who had bought a home among the cranberry pines of the Hol-
manville district. It proved too large for their needs, and he then
took<..a smaller one. She joined him in this their new home, which
she named "Gover Nook."
1868, AT HOLMANVILLE, N. J. 17
CHAPTER V.
1868, At Holmanville, N. J.
Miss Foster began her work as a teacher in 1868-69 in the Hol-
manville district school; in 1870 at Burrsville, in a district school
within convenient walking distance of her boarding house. Later
she taught in other adjacent districts, viz.: Whitesville, 1871-72
and 1873-74; Midwood, 1874-75; especially in Lakewood in 187.5-
76-77 (at that time known as " Bricksburg ") ; and at her Holman-
ville home. At the Burrsville School she sought not only the intel-
lectual advancement of her pupils in the school-room, but also,
everywhere, their spiritual growth. With nothing ascetic in her
character, she lived, in her own heart, and for all with whom she
came in contact, in a spiritual world. As a result an extensive
religious interest spread through her school, which extended to the
Baptist Church (the only church in the place), developing into a
large revival. She worked with voice and heart and hand, among
the most active human agents in that in-gathering. When the
communion Sabbath came, and many of her pupils were among the
baptized, in her joy she did not think of any denominational bar,
but, hearing the usual invitation to "members of sister churches,"
she joined them at the Lord's Table. Subsequently, one of the
deacons warned her that her action was not permissible in the Baptist
denomination; that "sister churches" meant sister Baptists. She
complied. But Mrs. Nassau has told me how pained she felt that
she could no longer sit at Christ's Table with those whom she had led
to that Christ.
18 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CPIAPTER VI.
1S7S, At Barnegat, N. J.
After tcnrliiiip: in the Lakewood rcg;ion for some six or eight
years, Miss Foster hesnii a larger work, in 1878, at Barnegat. Rev.
A. H. Brown, the zealous and indefatigable Presbyterial missionary
of the New Jersey Synod, desired to develop Presbyterian interest
in the two small churches of Barnegat and Forked River. At the
former jilace was a little gathering of not a dozen pious women, who
had a jiray^r-meeting. Miss Foster commenced a girl's day and
boarding school, lender Mr. Brown, she led the prayer-meeting
and. as a "female elder," made regular reports to him at his monthlj-
visits to that nucleus of the liarnegat Church, which as yet had not
a single male member.
Her pupils at all her schools were devoted to her. Some of them,
in the district schools, were farmers' sons, stout young men. She
influenced them, softening them to a sense of chivalry by her own
rare womanliness, elevating their thoughts into spirituality, bringing
out their dormant musical abilities, and so inspiring them with her
own gentle strength of character that, as men now out in various
businesses of life, they reverence her memory.
Mrs. Nassau carried to Africa in 1882, as a valued testimony to
the affection of her Whitcsville pupils, a souvenir quilt given her ten
years before, in 1872, while teaching in that district. It bore, on
the pieces of which it was composed, the names of the donors, which
I find Ml one of her little booklets of that date, some of whom are
now dead, and many of them married: —
George Chambers, Margaret Chambers, Louise H. Dunham, Jane
Grove, if^ophia Grover, Mary E. F. Hankins, Alirha Hankins, George
H. Holman, Charity Holman, Amy Holman, James D. Holman,
Lewis W. Holman, Clara Lilybridge, Clara Phifer, Rosa Reynolds,
Harry Reynolds, George H. White, Anna A. White, Catherine White,
Joanna White, Abram White. Of the "Bricksburg" (now Lake-
wood) School, in 1875-76-77, I find a list of forty-six of her pupils
of the Fall of 1877, including the family names of Aker, Ashley,
Berry, Bishop, Crane, Crowell, Davidson, Dickinson, Dix, Ellis,
Grant, Hankins, Hoft, Johnson, Jones, Kelsey, Killam, Loveland,
Miller, Murphy, Xelson, Xorcross, O'Leary, Pulsifer, Rhome, Riley,
Rogers, Sherman, Starr, Taylor, Trimble, Westhali.
1878, AT BARNEGAT, N. J. 19
Then of her Barnegnt Young Lndies' Seminary, for the three
years, 1878-79, 1870-80, 1880-81, I find a list of fifty pupils, under
the family names of Alston, Applegate, Bennett, Birdsall, Blake,
Bodine, Bowen, Brown (3), Cox (2), Conklin, Conrad (2), Cranmer,
Dilks, Errickson, Edwards, French, Goldsmith, Gulick (2), Holmes,
Inman (2), James, Jones, King, Neill (3), Pharo, Predmore (4),
Prout, Reeves, Robinson, Scott, Soper, Stephenson (2), Storms,
Townsend (2), Van Cleaf, Van Note, Woodman.
I find a written prayer. It is without date. From internal
evidence is was written after her profession of faith in Christ; the
paper is of the kind we used in Africa (she may also have used that
same kind before coming to Africa.) I do not understand the refer-
ence to a wish to be "alone;" for, opportunities of being alone were
there too painfully frequent; and -a prayer made in Africa would
scarcely be without some reference to the heathen world or mission-
ary work. Who were the "us" she refers to? If written in Amer-
ica, they were probably her school girls. If in Africa, her associates
of the Mission Station, possibly of 1882: —
"0! Heavenly Father, I come to Thee in this way, because there
is no place where I may go and be alone, save out doors, where is
dampness. I know that our Master often went in the desert alone,
and was there long in darkness and damp. Sleepiness is coming
over me, even while writing, notwithstanding I have just read Christ's
warning to watch and pray; and His words to Peter, 'What! could
you not watch one hour?' Graciously accept this as an act of Wor-
ship.
"This is Thy holy day. I supplicate Thee for Thy Holy Spirit.
Christ said, ' If ye being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask Him.' Lord God, I ask Thee, Saviour, our
elder Brother-Friend, say to us, as Thou didst to Thy disciples of old,
'Receive ye the Holy Ghost.' This is Thy promise to us, yes, us,
who live at this late day. ' I will pray the Father, and He shall give
you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever, even
the Spirit of truth.'
"I acknowledge my sins. Known are they to Thee from the
earliest days to the present. Lord, I repent. If I am not sincere
in this, teach me. Give me a truly repentant, humble, mourning
heart. Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief. I find written,
'Repent, and be baptised' (This has been done in Thy name) 'and
he shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' Verify Thy promise,
to-day; for it is to 'as many as the Lord our God shall call.' 01
Father! I thank Thee that Thou hast called us. Not unto us be the
20 THE PATH SHE TROD.
glory, not because of any merit, only because of Thy own infinite
love and mercy. Thou hast called us, having provided a way for
our coming. We hasten to come in the name of the Way, the Truth,
the Life. Holy SjMrit, 'testify of Jesus to us all to-day, to all Thy
paints who wait upon Thee; reprove us of our sin; and also those who
to-day siiall hear the word, but whose hearts are still under the
bondage of sin, convince them 'of sin, of judgment,' cause them to
be born again."
Another i)rayer, at Barnegat, November 14th, 1879, early in
the morning: "I ask in the name of the Son of God, that the
Father may be glorified in Him by the conversion of every one of
rt\y j)upils.
"I ask in His name for the Comforter to teach me all things.
"I ask for peace.
" I ask that I may serve God in every act, word, and look."
A special prayer for direction: "I ask in the name of the Only
Begotten Son, that these girls may have given them obedient and
loving hearts; that disobedience and impudence may be driven
away by Thy Spirit, by my influence; and may I obey God in every
lUtlc way that the Enemy coming against me may never prevail.
"Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, O! God, I use the
words of divine truth when I pray Thee to give me the spiritual
weapons which shall cast down imaginations and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God in the hearts of my
pupils, and that every thought may be brought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ. Amen."
" I pray Thee, show me the path of duty. May I be a foreign
missionary? Am I fit to serve Thee there? Dost Thou wish me to
go? If so, hedge in my way, so that I shall know Thy will, and be
obliged to do it."
Among other documents of this period, I find a printed "Catalogue
and Circular" of her "Barnegat Young Ladies' Seminary" for 1878-79,
with herself as principal, sustained by an "Examining Committee"
consisting of Rev. A. H. Brown, of Camden; Rev. R. S. Harris, of
Barnegat; and Rev. J. M. Denton, of Forked River; and endorsed
by a Board of Trustees, consisting of Hon. H. C. Gulick, E. Bennett,
M. D., and Captains A. M. Cox, W. Predmore, and C. Soper. In its
roll of pupils are listed members of families of Barnegat and adjacent
towns.
At the same time that Miss Foster was so active in her Missionary
Society secretaryship and busy daily with her interesting and grow-
ingly successful school, she was the leader of the little band of eleven
women who were forming the nucleus of the Barnegat Church, at
1878, AT BARNEGAT, N. J. 21
first under the guidance of Rev. A. H. Brown, and later under care of
Rev. J. M. Denton.
8he was sought also by men in the active affairs of business life.
The home of Hon. H. C. Gulick, a political leader, was always open
to her; and Mrs. Gulick was her fidus Achates and trusted companion
in the prayer meeting.
She interested herself also in public affairs, as shown by the follow-
ing letter of publisher S. C. Jennings, diated December 13th, 1880,
at the office of the New Jersey Courier, of Toms River. The gentle-
man who had been the Courier's Barnegat correspondent having dis-
continued, Mr. Jennings wrote to Miss Foster: "I know of no one
more capable than yourself, and would esteem it a favor if you could
see your way clear to send such items of Barnegat news as in your
judgment would be of interest, to our readers."
22 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER VII.
IS73, The Missionary Thought.
Of tlie rise of the foroigii missionary thoup;lit in Mary Foster's
mind I have the history in certain reasons, penned by herself. They
arc two separate sheets of different kinds of paper, without date
(but at least one of them evidently in the Spring of 1S80, the other
later), and apparently, from the ditTerenee in chirography, written
at some interval of time. They contain much the same facts, but
dilTer in fullness of detail. I combine the two documents as follows:
"History of some causes bearing upon the origin and growth of my
purpose to i)e a foreign missionary. I remember, in my childhood's
home, among the hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in the humble
sitting-room of the country parsonage [in Towanda], the mother
[her step-mother] asked me, 'Would I not like to be a missionary?'
The tlio't was very very unpleasant to me, repulsive; and for no
accountable reason, excej^t that my heart was at enmity with (lod
and the interests of His Church. Anger arose in my mind that such
an idea should be presented to me. Farther back than this, while
sitting [at Milford] under the preaching of a most devout and earnest
man of God, an active christian minister, and a highly honored and
esteemed relative, Rev. Isaac Todd, and listening to his appeals
to the unconverted, and his earnest assertion of the fearful guilt
they were incurring by continued rebellion, a desire arose within me
that 'I could have been born in heathen lands, then this responsi-
bility I would not have to bear.' The wish was never expressed in
words until my purpose to be a missionary had become pretty well
formed, but it was keenly felt at the time. It showed how surely
my heart was at variance with God, and how ignorant I was. This
was the tho't which the desire to shirk known responsibility pressed
upon me, 'I wish I were a heathen.' It is due to me to say, this was
when I was too young to appreciate the horrors of the heathen home,
or the degradation of heathen womanhood.
"But I think I always had a sensitive conscience, and, from
earliest remembrance, a prayerful spirit. When in trouble of any
kind, small or great, when in want of aid; when eagerly and earn-
estly desiring any special object, from the smallest toy to the most
important thing in life, my natural habit was to pray for help or for
the thing desired. I cannot trace in this a special love for God;
rather, a keen appreciation of His power, and a child-like trespassing
upon His forbearance.
1S73, THE MISSIOXARY THOUGHT 23
"After I experienced saving faith and believed in Christ, for
eijEcht years, the subject was not forcibly presented to me. This duty
due to Foreign Missions was dimly appreciated, and as poorly per-
formed, as were most of my christian duties. I was only just awake;
or, rather, but feebly, very feebly, alive to the responsibilities of a
christian life. The Bible was little read; not strange, then, that ray
heart was not growing in spiritual life and knowledge, when I would
not allow the Spirit to work, thro' the Word, upon my heart.
"But even fluring those years, there was the desire to be used
in God's service, felt in the heart, expressed in the prayers; but
still I clung to sin, and was not free from its bondage. Yet during
school-life, and upon beginning to teach, I devoted the Tenth to God.
And, during all this time, there was a very dim and very slowly
growing wonder, whether, should the opportunity come to me to
go, would I consent.
"The fact that I had a cousin, ojic who was held in the highest
esteem in our family circle, and of whom I always tho't with the
greatest reverence, who was a missionary [Mrs. Scott of India] made
the subject more homelike, and bro't it more constantly before me.
But, from the time when angry because approached upon the t:abject,
and to the present writing, I cannot trace, in the growth of my desire,
the influence of a single indi\idual. I do see a powerful influence
exerted by attendance upon public meetings, and by reading of mis-
sionary items and appeals, and by personal labors in this field. [The
Revival in her School and in the Baptist Church, at Burrsville, in
1870. had a very deeiiening effect on her life-purpose.]
"In the Spring of 1S72, in the Holmanville Presbyterian Church,
Mr. Todd told us he had received from the ladies of Mt. Holly and
Burlington churches an invitation to send two delegates, at the
time of the Spring Meeting of Monmouth Presbytery, to a Meeting,
the object of which was to form a Presbyterial Society, and to incite
zeal in individual churches, thro' organization of Auxiliaries. Mr.
Holman [Elder Charles Holman] asked why I did not go? I was
teaching in that district. He said he would see that I should be
excused from school duties. I decided to go. [I was at that meet-
ing in Burlington, being in the United States on my first furlough,
and having been invited to be present and make a missionary address.
But I do not remember seeing or being presented to Miss Foster.]
This was the first thorough awakening to the needs of the work, and
my duty and pri\nlege. I came home full of enthusiasm; and we
formed a Missionary Society, in our little feeble scattered church,
that Spring. Then was first realized the delight of such labors. About
this time there arose a strong feeling in respect to the choosing of
24 THE PATH SHE TROD.
a hus})and. I did not dare to accept any, unless by so doing I should
take upon mo the duties of a Minister's wife. Also, the impression
or kuoiclcdgc was then realized that, if I should give myself heartily
to the work, the result would be my own going.
"At the Meeting of our Presbyterial 8ociet)', at Cranbury, in
Fall of 1S77, I was bro't out by Mrs. R. T. Haines as one who was
thinking, or was willing, to go; and by Miss Loring, at the Meet-
ing in riiiladrli^hia, in the Spring of 1S7S; and, by Mrs. Schenk, was
made satisfied as to (the then) present duty.
"In the Spring of 1S78 our Presbyterial Secretary, Mrs. Hodge
[wife of Rev. E. B. Hodge, D. D., of Burlington], died; and in 1870
I was appointed Secretary, and attended the Philadelphia Meeting.
I set about the work with all my might. I made my first Report to
the Mreting at Allentown, in ISSO.
"At the Meeting in Salem, X. J., in the Fall of 1880, read a Re-
port. Miss Morton's words, 'I tho't you were just the one to go.'
Confidential talk with Mrs. Turner [Mrs. C. P. Turner, of the Philadel-
phia Society]. For the first time addressed J. on the subject [her
brother Julius]. Received from Mrs. T. the reciuirements needful for
the unmarried lady upon entering the work.
"Within the last year, the Summer of 1880, I can thank my
cousin Hattie Scott for her words of encouragement, the first received;
that assured me I could be made use of, and suggested Africa as the
most needy field. And I feel I \\ould be willing to go, if only as an
assistant for Mrs. Bushnell, in her labors of love. As this tho't is
more and more develo})ed, I thank God that it is so, for I can haye
my hope, that God has called me to the work, strengthened."
From a report of the meeting at Jamesburg, in 1881: "Some
time during this period, alone, and during prayers, I gave myself to
(iod and this special work, should He call me to it.
"Mrs. Turner advised me to write to Mrs. Perkins [Secretary Mrs.
S. C. Perkins] and offer myself. I have done so, and am waiting a
reply. ,
"I attribute my growth in desire after more knowledge, more
zeal, more faith, and a growth in strength and love, to increased
study of and a love for God's Word."
She also refers to her decision for Africa in June, 1881, and her
marriage in October, 1881.
The Rev. B. S. Everitt, D. D., of Jamesburg, X. J., adds the
following data, written by him to me in a letter of date February
18th, 1885, in response to one of mine of October, 1884: "She seemed
80 near to us all. When the W. F. M. S. of Monmouth Presbytery
met in Freehold, April 8th, 1879, it was to mourn the death of their
1873, THE MISSIONARY THOUGHT. 25
first Secretary, greatly beloved indeed, Mrs. E. B. Hodge, and to hear
the Seventh Annual Report from Miss Mary C. Taylor, Secretary pro
tern. At that mectinp; Mrs. Everitt, Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Davis
were the committee to nominate officers, who reported for secretary
Miss M. B. Foster, and the report was adopted. Mrs. Everitt took
S|)eeial interest in the matter, but it is fair to say that Miss Foster had,
by her interest, efficiency, and devotion in the society and the cause,
won such a place as made her name the only one thought of.
"The next meeting was at Allentown, April 13th, ISSO. In the
light of subseciuent events, two sentences in her admirable report are
]>roi)hctic. Speaking of the death of her friend Helen Parker, 'who
will one day mingle their voices with her's in ascribing blessing and
honor and glory and power unto Him who sitteth on the throne, and
unto the Lamb;' at the close, 'We have given our money, we have
given our prayers. But, the work in Foreign lands needs, Oh! how
urgently, mm and women. The Israelites gave not only the best of
the flock, the first fruits of the land but the first horn, to their God.
Who of us will answer, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth," and
thus hearing the call to this work, cheerfully and promptly obey?*
Evidently her mind was then deeply, solemnly and carefully consid-
ering her personal duty.
"The next meeting was at Jamesburg, April, 1881. And how much
we enjoyed having her as our guest! Truly, her heart was full of it!
The admirable report she then gave was printed. Truly, as I read
it I find near the close a description of the effect of mission work on
the women engaged in it that is eloquent and touching. It begins,
'Aye! well may we desire them to be thus engaged.'
"Besides her well-stored mind and loving heart, she was divinely
trained for the work. The Lord led her to desire it, and then en-
dowed her for it."
Miss Foster's relative, Miss Hannah More Johnson, in a short
sketch of her life, wrote of this period: "A scene in April, 1879,
probabUv marks the time when the subject of this sketch finally
decided on her life work. The Woman's Foreign Miss'y Soc'y of the
Presbyterian Church was holding its Annual Meeting in Philadelphia :
and she, with other friends from New Jersey, was present. As mis-
sionary' addresses were the order of the session, an invitation was given
to all who were, who had been, or who ever expected to be mission-
aries, to come to the front that morning, and take seats together.
"Miss Foster, sitting at the furthest end of a seat full of ladies,
heard the call in silence; but some minutes afterward, when all
who had been named had taken their seats on or near the platforra,
she arose, and with heightened color and trembling voice asked to be
26 THE PATH SHE TROD.
allowed to pass out into the aisle. In response to an inquiring look,
she bent low, and whispered, 'I must po; I don't belong here.' Then,
making her way out, she joined the little group to which, as we now
know, she truly belonged."
As a souvenir of one of those missionary meetings, I find among
Mrs. Nassau's papers a typewritten copy of "Beulah Land" in imi-
tation of script and endorsed in pencil: "Sejit. 1, 1879: printed
from the i)ress of Mrs. R. T. Haines." Before me are two little
booklets, one labeled. "Mission Items, begun, Clover-Xook, Aug.,
IS70." It also contains her answers to test questions "in a Bible
Corrrsjmndencc School;" the other containing notes and memo-
randa of the order of exercises and addresses and remarks made by the
speakers at the New Jersey Synodical W. F. M. S., held at vSalem,
X. J., October 7th, ISSO. The former contains materials; sugges-
tions for plans of work; advice for organizations, &c., in penciled
reports of letters or addresses of prominent W. F. M. 8. leaders;
c. g:, "Mrs. Haines, July. 70," "This for Spring of '80." "Mrs.
Haines, Aug., '70." "Mrs. Turner, '79." "Query: Has Monmouth
Presbytery ever sent out a missionary to foreign fields?" Also, a
comj^ilation of the statistics contained in the annual reports of the
Momnouth Presbytery W. F. M. 8., from its first report, in 1873, to
its seventh, in 1S70. Also among "Thoughts for Use," the very
first is from Mrs. A. Van R. Hodge (her secretarial predecessor).
"It is as strong a command to give of our means to support Christ's
Church as it is to profess his name."
Of Miss Foster's spiritual conflicts in that period, I find memo-
randa of thoughts she had copied from books and magazines that
had assisted her.
Under date of Barnegat, May 9th, 1878, copied from The Presby-
terian, is the following: —
"When the child says, 'Mamma, give,' or, 'May I eat this apple?'
and the mother rej)lies, 'No, my child,' she has answered the petition
as truly and kindly as when she says, 'Yes, my darling.'"
And under tlate of May 9th, 1880, a poem from the Rocky Moun-
tain Presbyterian, by C. P. Treat, of Dayton, Ohio, entitled, "My
Yoke." "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." Math. 11 : 29;
the lines beginning: —
"No. Lord, I cannot, cannot wear this yoke
Thou ofT'rest me; 'tis rest I seek of Thee,"
and closing,
"Now light
From His fair face, as side by side we go."
1873, THE MISSIONARY THOUGHT. 27
Evidently something; in Mary Foster's religious experience at that
time found a response to the thoughts of that poem. Tied in the
same little package with the preceding is a booklet, "How to enter
into Rest," endorsed "Lakewood, Nov., 1880; from Mrs. Hovey."
Without date, but, from the chirography and other internal
evidence, written before 1880, I find the following part of a note for
one of her pupils. It shows that she herself had already decided on
the Master's call :—
"'The Master has come, and calleth for thee.'
Henceforth, then, it matters not
If storm or sunshine be my earthly lot,
Bitter or sweet my cup.
I only pray, ' Clod make me holy,
And arm mo for the stern hour of strife.'
">Iay you, my dear Loie, be so taught of God that this prayer will
be your loving answer to the Master, wherever He calls you to labor
for Him.
"With much love
"Your teacher
" Mary B. Foster."
Among her Barnegat pupils I find the name of Miss Lois Robin-
son. Probably the recipient of the note was Miss Lois Dickinson,
one of her former Lakewood pupils of 1877.
Among other cherished papers, poems, or elevated thoughts that
Miss Foster had found helpful at times in her spiritual life, I find
Miss Havergal's "Yes, He knows the way is dreary," as a Httle
tract, " Be not Weary," with a penciled endorsement, " J. E. Haviland,
Asbury Park, Aug. 0, 1881;" and. Miss Havergal's "Sit down
beneath His shadow," in a similar little tract, "Under His Shadow,"
doubtlei^s of that same date, and with the penciled endorsement of
"J. E. Haviland," "Mr. Carter." "Mrs. Dodd, Boonton, N. J."
In one of Miss Foster's small blank books, under date of Barnegat,
January 26th, 1881, there are entries of extracts, from various sources,
of facts in foreign missionary information, evidently used for her
own education in The Cause, or as material for use in her missionary
talks with others. These memoranda cover mission work in (fol-
lowing ^liss Foster's own order) "Turkey, Italy, Burmah, Siam,
China, Madagascar, India, Japan, Africa, Sandwich Islands, Egypt,
France."
28 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER VIII.
18S0, Kismet.
Ix Miss Foster's notes in her booklet of the Salem meeting, my
name is mentioned as the speaker of the evening. It is permissible,
thfM-efore, chronologieally, that I should mention myself, as it was
at this period of her expericnee that I appeared in her life.
Taking a furlough from Africa, partly for health, but more dis-
tinctly with the intention to break my long widower-hood of ten
years, I had arrived in the United States in May, ISSO. As usual,
I was invited to address churches and societies, and I met many
parlor and church entertainments and receptions. I was seeking
a wife. But I resented that the knowledge of that fact seemed to
have preceded me everywhere. I could not think of an alliance of
convenience. In a five months' search I had not found what I wanted.
Mrs. Ware wrote, inviting me to make the evening address at Salem.
I knew no one there except the pastor. Rev. Dr. Batmard, and my
relative, Mr. Crayen, at whose house I was to be entertained. I
knew nothing of the afternoon programme.
At the tea hour, wheii my cousin, Mrs. Anna Sweeney, of Wheel-
ing. Va., returned to Mr. Craven's from the ladies' meeting, she was
enthusiastic iti praise of a certain Miss Foster. On my infjuiring
who the lady was, Mrs. Sweeney said she was a new missionary des-
tined for service in South America with Miss Kuhl (who was on fur-
lough and present at that Salem meeting). My cousin's enthusi-
astic descrii)tions interested me in Miss Foster as a fellow missionary.
I had no thought of trying to rob South America. I asked to be
presented to her and Miss Kuhl at the close of the evening service.
Miss Foster was frigid, turned away with my cousin, and left me
to escort Miss Kuhl. Her frigidity was perfectly justifiable. But
I did not learn its cause until very long afterward. During the after-
noon meeting, and actually before my arrival in Salem, would-be
witty female tongues had already begun to twit her about the mis-
sionary who was seeking a wife.
My cousin, writing of that evening, says: "I shall never forget
my little talk with her in Salem, N. J., and the very enjoyable walk
we had together as we left the church that night. She was a very
beautiful woman, and looked particularly pretty that night. She
had a headache which flushed her face and brightened her eyes."
At the evening reception in Mrs. Hall's home, our hostess dis-
posed Miss Kuhl and myself in separate corners with a surrounding
ISSO, KISMET. 29
of interested listeners to our talcs of South America and Africa. I
saw that Miss Foster also was the center of an animated proup of
yoiin?: people. I soon learned from Miss Kuhl that Miss Foster was
not poing with her. Presently I invaded Miss Foster's group. The
next morning I was with those who escorted her to her train.
At the meeting of New Jersey Synod, at Bridgeton, October 19th
to 21st, I made confidants of my friends Rev. E. J. Pierce and Rev.
Frank Chandler (who were also intimates of Miss Foster). They
were sympathetic, and referred me to Miss Foster's spiritual "father,"
Rev. A. H. Brown. I asked him, as Presbyterial missionary, to
give me an appointment to preach at Barnegat. He evidently did
not like the idea of losing Miss Foster, but he gave me the first two
Sabl)aths of January, ISSl. Did he know that Miss Foster would
be absent at that time on her vacation? I went to Barnegat in
frightfully cold weather, remained there nine days, and occupied
the two Sabbaths. Though, properly, I said little about Miss Foster,
I found that every man, woman and child I met was sounding her
praises.
The opening page of one of her booklets has an entry, as if it was
intended to be a diary: "Lakewood, X. J., Jan'y Sth, 1.S81 : — Bought
of Mr. Henry Simons. Uncle Joel Sayre withme. Detained two weeks
at home, longer than I expected, from going to Barnegat. Ther-
mometer Jan. 1, 20° below zero. Snow three feet deep. Miss
Ella Kuhl comes to L. I do not meet her, on account'of scarlet fever
[at Clover Nook] and bad roads. Hattie, Frank and Jimmy Scott
arrive, and return to Phila. Dr. Nassau goes to Barnegat. I do not."
Miss Foster's extreme conscientiousness made the progress of
my suit a slow one. First, because I asked that her reply should be
delayed until it could be an assent. Then, another delay, because,
with commendable pride, she wished to claim among her friends that
her going as a foreign missionary was in virtue of an appointment
by the church, and not simply because of a man's invitation to be his
wife. A third delay was caused by the action of the Woman's Board
in answering her application for service by suddenly appointing her
to Persia. In her extreme loyalty to the church, she held that this
appointment had over her greater authority than any claim of love.
The Board in New York, however, relieved this situation by
officially informing her that their acceptance of her had not yet been
followed by any appointment, and that the action of the Philadelphia
officers was premature. Then, a final delay arose from an honorable
feeling that her own heart had not responded to mine in an equal
degree, and that it was not just to me to accept mine the while she
offered (what she called) less.
30
THE PATH SHE TROD.
Miss Foster's extremely conseicntious devotion to whatever she
exalted as duty had in it the making of a martyr. Notwithstanding
her acknowledged willingness for marriage, she was ready to sacrifice
her love for me or any other man on that altar of duty.
She had a copy of Miss Havengal's "Royal Bounty," given her
on April 20th, 1881, by her friend Miss S. B. Cleaver, of Delaware.
On its pages I find certain pencilings. These, with the explanations
I add, show the conflict that was going on between the woman and
the martyr during the Spring of 1881.
1881.
April 20. Received.
" 22. Expecting Dr. N.
Dr. N. did not come.
23. Home from Freehold.
Saw Dr. N. a moment.
Saw Dr. Freeman.
She had gone to Freehold to
consult Mrs. Parker about going
to Wheeling, W. Va., W. F. M. S.
anniversary meeting. I had gone
that Saturday to Freehold to
preach for Dr. Chandler on the
following Sabbath, and alighted
from the train, in arriving, just
as she got on to leave. I jumped
on the train again, while Chandler
had the conductor detain it a few
seconds, followed her to her seat,
saluted, and dropped off again.
I suppose that she consulted
Dr. F. as to the state of her health
for foreign service.
24. 1 wan* to go to Wheel-
ing, W. Va., but I
must believe God's
providence teaches I
need the discipline
of Barnegat.
Not going to Wheeling was a
very sharp trial to her; but, she
put her duty to her little semi-
nary first. She afterwards told
me that, had she gone to Wheel-
ing in her then stage of feeling
toward me, she would in all
probability have been influenced
to give me up and assent to Mrs.
Perkins' wish for her to go to
Persia.
1880, KISMET.
31
Apra25. Wrote to Dr. Ellin-
wood, offering my-
self as a Foreign
Missionary.
May 15. These are my desires;
especially as I have
decided to give my
life for Africa.
See page
Bounty."
74 of "Royal
16. Dr. N. versus Tem-
perance Lodge.
22. Received General
Assembly Journal.
Received New Tes-
ment, Revised Ver-
sion.
G. T. Cranmer; Rev.
A. H.
preaches.
Brown,
A question of duty: Whether
to encourage a temperance meet-
ing by her presence, or enjoy the
company of a lover. She de-
clined to go to the meeting in
order to be at home to receive
me. Long aften\ards she told
me that she entered the parlor
that evening, ready to announce
her acceptance of my suit, but
that some wilful feeling made
her continue the delay.
I sent the Journal from Buffalo.
Her friend, subsequently a
New Jersey State Senator.
24. Letter from Dr. Low-
rie, saying I had
been accepted as
one of their mis-
sionaries.
25. Letter from Mrs. Per-
kins saying I had
been appointed to
Persia.
32
THE PATH SHE TROD.
May 20. Mr. Liman ordained
Elder. Ella, Mr. G.
and May, not brought
in.
30. Sewing; Society
Mrs. Atkinson's.
Went.
at
June 2. Looking for a letter
that does not come.
Spoke to of
my desires for God's
Spirit to rest upon
heart. God
jirant me the privi-
lejre of fiiving to
enrich others, of
this "God-given
treasure."
" 3. Morning. Letter from
Mrs. Perkins asking
for a decision.
P. M. Letter from
Dr. X. First since
his departure.
" 7. Letter received from
Batavia. Urgent.
IP. Sabbath. Mr. Inman
in School-room.
Mr. G. T. Cranmer a
little while in sit-
ting-room.
My last birthday in
this country.
Mr. Liman was the only male
member of the little Barnegat
church.
For Mr. H. C. Gulick and his
younger daughter, May, Miss
Foster had been very anxious.
Miss Ella Bodine was one of her
pupils.
The month is not named; it
may have been in April.
A continuance of the conflict
between the woman and the
martjT The former was look-
ing for a letter which the latter
had forbidden me to write. I
have no idea to whom, or of
whom, this refers.
My last visit to Miss Foster
had been on May 16th, just be-
fore going to Buffalo for General
Assembly.
I wrote from Batavia, X. Y.,
the home of my brother-in-law,
Rev. WilHam Swan, on my way
back from Assembly.
1880, KISMET.
33
June 20. Rehearsal in Barne-
Sat.
28.
Dr. N. and all, at
Uncle's.
Julv 8.
9.
Read Memoir of Mrs.
R. H. Nassau,
"Crowned in Palm-
land."
Rode to Mrs. Van
Hise.
Moonlight, delightful.
I suppose of her school closing
exercises.
Visiting at the "Willow
Grange" home of Miss Foster's
uncle, Rev. Isaac Todd. Rev.
A. H. Brown was there also a
part of the time, with her broth-
er's family.
When Miss Foster assured me
that my being a widower had
not been one of the causes of
her attitude towards me, I pre-
sented her step-mother with a
a copy of the book.
Oct.
9.
Last Sabbath in Hol-
manville.
1881.
Oct.
10.
Married, in Lakewood.
((
11.
Jersey City.
K
12.
Sailed from PhiJa.,
str. "Ohio."
<(
25.
Arrived in Liverpool.
<<
29.
Started for Africa,
S. S. "Corisco."
Nov.
, 28.
S. S. "Corisco."
Dec. 4. Elobi, West Africa.
" 25. Arrival at AndSnde.
Meeting of W. F. M. S. on Mrs.
Nassau's way to Philadelphia.
I had spent part of the evening
on deck singing with my guitar
for Mrs. Nassau. It was the
seventh weekly observance of
our marriage.
Christmas.
34
THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER IX.
June, 1S80, Turning of the Ways.
That wondrrful conscientiousness carried on its conflict until
the lltii of June, 1881. Among Miss Foster's papers of that same
date is a draft of a letter of refusal, written in ink, with reasons for
Persia as against Africa. But at the foot of the page is a space,
and then in lead-pencil the words, "She didn't." On the next page
a pen draft of acceptance and on the last page a weighing of reasons
for Africa as against Persia.
Persia.
The unmarried woman careth
for the things of the Lord, that
she may be holy both in body
and s|)irit.
Africa.
She that is married careth for
the things of the world, how she
may please her husband.
He that standeth steadfast in
his heart doeth well.
Let him do what he will, he
sinneth not ; let them marry.
He that giveth her not in
marriage doeth better.
He that giveth her in mar-
riage doeth well.
Mrs. Perkins, decision.
Word already gone to Persia,
and Mr. Barrett.
Africa.
Language easy.
S^Tnpathy.
Household -duties.
Dr. N's love.
Persia.
Language difficult.
Loneliness.
Undivided time.
The Spartan bravery that would have sacrificed her love on the
altar of a supposed duty vindicated itself. But love triumphed and
proved tliat it was not really in conflict with duty.
A letter of Miss Foster, under date of June 29th, 1881, in response
to my sister Isabella's note of welcome, is characteristic, and reveals
her heart attitude at that time: "Please accept from me my sin-
cerest thanks for your words of Christian love and greeting, as an
honored worker in Christ's vineyard.
JUNE, 1S80, TURNING OF THE WAYS. 35
"My corner has been very small, and my consecration to God
and His cause neither as pure nor as entire as must have character-
ized the labors of her who so kindly welcomes me to the circle of
Missionaries.
"My personal interest in mission-labor has not been of the long-
continued growth which you speak of in regard to yourself. Tho'
at a later day, the call has been recognized by me, I trust our Heav-
enly Father will so endue me with His Spirit that I shall be enabled
and made willing to do successfully the entire work that Father has
for me to do.
" My dear ]\Iiss Nassau, you touch me more than 1 can express by
your tender reference to the memory of your sainted Parents. In-
deed, true it is, that the 'truest, holiest heritage' a child can receive,
is the memory of the devoted consecrated life of the sainted Father
and Mother. The sorrow of my life is expressed in one word, father-
less. For sixteen years has this been written, and I have urged the
full and rich promises of God to such.
"And, if I may enter upon the blessing of those whose lives, in
their Christ-like loveliness, were not unknown even to me, a stranger,
these whom you knew and loved as Parents, my heritage will indeed
be a double one. I look forward to entrance upon the twofold
duties of my future life, most acutely sensible of my insufficiency.
May God give grace!"
Mv sister, Miss I. A. Nassau, writing in September, 1881, to Mrs.
Reading at Kangwe, on the Ogowe River, Southwest Africa, says:
" I am sure you will love and admire the noble woman who consented
to leave another Mission to become the wife of my brother Hamill,
and to go to our Africa. Mrs. Perkins says, 'I wanted her for Per-
sia, but am glad Africa has won her.'"
It proved true, Mrs. Reading did "love and admire the noble
woman." Mrs. Nassau had no truer, more loving, more apprecia-
tive, and more devoted friend in her life in Africa than Mrs. Reading.
Writing later, in October, 1881, to Mrs. Reading, Miss Nassau
adds: "A new joy is indeed before you, in the arrival of my brother
Hamill's wife. She is a rare and lovely woman; and we are all more
thankful than we can find language to express, that the Saviour has
provided such a companion for his lonely and pioneer life on the Ogowe
river." ,
After the 11th of June, 1881, came four months of preparation
crowded with the closing of her Barnegat Seminary, good-bye visits
to relatives in Utica, Warsaw, and other homes of her family, or of
her childhood in New York, and to friends in New Jersey, at Lake-
wood, Clayton, and other places.
36 THE PATH SHP: TROD.
The ni:\i(l(Mily dipiity, that had so loiifj kept itsolf in polite roscrvo,
relaxed and revealed to me a part of Miss Foster's nature that before
had been known only to her intimates. With them she eould be
humorous and even assist in jokes, praetieal, but never unkind. I
hail been visit in*; my sister, Mrs. Lowrie, of Warrior's Mark, Pa.
Findiiifr in her orchard a very fine variety of apple, I sent to Miss
Foster a few in a paper box. That box had eontained corsets of the
"Adjustable Duplex" kind; and, unfortunately, that !iame was
jiiainly visible on it. From my sister's I visited Miss Foster at her
Holmanville home, in .Vupust, ISSl, carrying a number of those apples
in my smnmer overcoat pockets. I hung the overcoat in the hall.
Next morning I found the pockets empty. There was a good deal
of laughing between Miss Foster and her cousin, Miss Hattie Todd,
with fret|Uent references, in our conversation, to "apples." I did
not "l(>t on." I^ut I wrote Miss Foster an acrostic on her full name,
referring in "occult rhyme" to her as the "fair culprit." She made
no acknowledgment, and the joke was carried on. She rode with
me to Lakewood for my train, and on the way stopped at the post
office, from which she emerged with the following letter, of date .August
8th, seahnl and stamped for the occasion: "Understanditig you to
be ]>artial to apples. I venture to recommend a new variety, grown
on the fair hills of I'eima., and possessed of all the rare and delightful
(jualities which make up this most delicious fruit in its most j)erfect
stat4\ Do not. pray, be startled by the name; but, I have it from
its native home; therefore, there can be no mistake. If I can tempt
you to try this fruit, intjuire among the Pemisylvanians, for the
'Adjustable Duplex'
Other names 'occult in rhyme' are furnished only to special appli-
cants, and at such times when the Muses grant their generous aid."
There were four days, .\ugust Sth to 11th. spent at Asbury Park,
attending jiarticularly the missionary meetings, in connection with
the "Seaside Sabbath-school Assembly" of August 2d to 12th, 1S81,
held under the auspices of the Synod of New .Jersey.
During Septeml>er there were Wsits to Philadelphia by Miss Foster
for purchases for Africa. She deeply appreciated the generous re-
ception of her by Mrs. Malone, wife of Rev. Joseph S. Malone, and a
cousin of my first wife.
Miss* Foster had dreaded to hear the name "step-mother."" But,
though she knew that my two sons would continue as they had been,
in the care of their aunts, and that there would be no occasion for her
to assume any charge over them, she recognized that the relation
she was soon to sustain to me would legally (and might actually) de-
volve some responsibility. This, she loyally was ready to accept.
JUNE, ISSO, TURNING OF THE WAYS. 37
And sho was pleased with the boys' rourteous acknowledgment of the
situation.
There was a visit at Clayton, X. J., to attend the meeting of the
local W. F. M. S., on September 28th. How Miss Foster valued her
friends! Here are lists in an address book of all the family relatives,
coimections, and friends, very carefully revi.sed and added to, lest,
accidentally, any one with even the remotest claim should be over-
looked in sendin^j our weddinjr cards and invitations and parting:;
photofjraphs. Cards, "than which," as the Philadelphia engraver,
with pn)f«>ssional pride, wrote in rendering his bill, "nothing more
tasteful had gone out from either New York or Philadelphia."
And how the relatives arid friends and former pupils responded
with their felicitations during July, August, and September, and their
acknowl(Mlgment in OctolxTl These loving letters were not de-
stroyed. Th(\v were taken to Africa as treasures. Here they lie
before me. scores of them!
As the time for the dej)arturc to Africa approached, the days
wiTe crowded with plans and letters and notifications to a long list
of relatives aiid friends, aiid confusions by changes of dates, and shop-
ping for purchases for the coming African life.
To hu?idreds of friends were sent the following "Announcements."
" If(rf [)(i<in. To Miss Mary li. Foster, under the direction of Mrs.
Joel Parker, on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 0th, at Freehold,
N. J., in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Frank Chandler, Pastor.
"Farrirrll. To Rev. R. H. Nassau, M. D., on the evening of
Sabbath. ^)(t. 0th. at Philadelphia, in the North-western Presbyter-
ian Church, corner of lOth and Master, Rev. J. S. Malone, Pastor.
*'Mnrnagr. At Lakewood, N. J., Monday, Oct. 10th, at 7.30
P.M.
" Mi.tsionanj Addrcfmcfi. In the Lakewood Presbyterian Church,
Monday, Oct. 10th, from 8 to 0 P. M.
" Dfpnr(t(rc. On the American Line steamship 'Ohio,' from
Philadelj)hia, at noon of Wed'y, Oct. 12th."
The place of the reception was changed, it being preferred to hold
it in the j)arlor of Mr. Richardson's Female Seminary, where Miss
Foster had graduated in 1807. There were met many mutual friends
of Miss Foster and myself. With graceful addresses there was made
to her the presentation of an organ, as one of her wedding gifts, by her
associates in the Monmouth Presbytery, W. F. >L S.
In the departure, one of the last bonds to be severed wa.s Miss
Foster's secretaryship in that society. I find two .scraps of paper
(without date, but evidently written in 1881) on which is a penciled
draft of a resignation of that secretarv-ship. Apparently that letter
38 THE PATH SHE TROD.
was not coniiilrtod nor sent, or, if sent, not accepted ; for her final
resifination was written later (j)robably in .January, 18S2), after her
arrival in Africa: "The jiath of life has not been without pleasant
surprises and accepted gifts. But there was one honor given by
friends, than which none others exceeded in deep joy of receiving
and unmitigated satisfaction ajid profit in holding. That honor I
must now resign. More than two years ago a letter was placed in
my hand, which told me of the action of the Ladies of Monmouth
I'resbyterial Society, and offered to me the Secretaryship of that
Society. I could only express my appreciation of this honor by
falling on my knees before God, telling Him, as was possible to none
other, the joy of that hour. I accepted the position, and accepted it
as a call from God, a permission from Him to more earnestly, more
entirely, devote my time and tho'ts to this grand work. And so,
as under His eye, have I imperfectly, yet prayerfully and earnestly,
endeavored to perform the duties of this position.
"It is more than sad to know of the little CJod has permitted me
to do for the furtherance of this cause in our midst. But I bow in
hmiible gratitude before the knowledge of what God has, by His
Spirit, done for your unworthy Secretary, in jiermitting her to devote
herself still more entirely to this work, and in prejiaring the way for
her to go to those distant parts which you may not be able to reach
by personal labor. You Avill find in your constitution, as one of the
objects to be reached by the Society, this: The sending of our num-
ber to the foreign field. When I read it. my heart leaped; and the
question came to me. Self-convicted. I asked, 'Why not go yourself?'
" I did not then know of the earnest prayers of friends, dear friends
of FreehoM. too. who. perhaps at that time, were asking God to pre-
pare some one for this especial work. Your prayers are being an-
swered. (Jod grant the continuance of those answers, till there be
no lack of workers for Foreign Missions."
Perhai>s this was intended to be presented at the annual meeting
of the Monmouth Society, held at Jamesburg. April 13th, ISSl.
There lies before me Miss Foster's penciled draft of the ninth aimual
report to that meeting.
With a courtesy so graceful that Miss Foster could not resist,
citizens of Lakewood. led bv the family of Rev. A. H. Dashiell, D. D.,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, insisted, as a demonstration of
the affection and respect entertained for her by that community, on
taking the arrangements for her marriage out of the hands of her
family: and they arranged for a public ceremony in the Lakewood
Presbyterian Church, starting thither from the Dashiell home, as if
it was her own home.
JUNE, 18S0, TURNING OF THE WAYS, 39
This arrangement was also a favor to the famiUes of both parties,
some of whom came a long distance; and there were not in Lakewood,
at that time, ample livery facilities for a five-mile ride out into the
country to "Clover Xook," the Foster home.
The Merrimans and other Lakewood citizens took to their homes,
as their own guests, such of the invited visitors to the marriage as
could not conveniently leave on a railroad train after the 10 P. M.
reception at Mrs. Dashiell's.
The Rev. Messrs. Dashiell and Brown, and Dr. Merriman stood at
the railroad station to receive and locate the guests. Lieut. Cranmer,
of Barnegat, and Mr. Harrison, of Lakewood, acted as ushers at the
church. Miss Foster was escorted by her brother. The four attend-
ants were her cousins, Miss Hetty Scott, of India, Miss Linnie Bart-
Ictt and her brother Mr. Floyd J. Bartlctt, of Warsaw, X. Y., and my
cousin. Mr. Samuel McC. Hamill, Jr., of Lawrenceville, X. J. The
church was crowded.
The following account of the marriage appeared in the Lakewood
local newspaper; I do not know \\-lio was the writer: —
"^^arried, In Lakewood, on October 10th, by the Rev. Isaac Todd
(the uncle of the bride), assisted by Rev. A. H. Dashiell, D. D., and
Rev. Allen H. Brown, Rev. R. Hamill Xassau, M. D., Missionary of
the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions on the west coast of Africa,
to Mary Brunette, daughter of the late Rev. Julius Foster of Towanda,
Penn'a. The marriage of Miss Foster to Dr. Xassau, which was
solemnized at the Presbyterian Church, on Monday evening, awak-
ened an unusual intercut, not only from the fact that she had conse-
crated her life to the work of carrying the gospel to the 'Dark Con-
tinent,' but chiefly because she had endeared herself to so many, as a
teacher and friend. The church was fittingly decorated with flowers
and evergreens: and when the hour arrived for the marriage, the
building was filled to its utmost capacity, and many stood without,
unable to secure seats.
"Soon the bridal company entered, to the music of the 'Wedding
March,* Dr. Xassau leading the venerable mother of the bride, and
the bride supported by her brother, Mr. Julius Foster, followed by
the bridesmaids and best men, all cousins of the bridal couple.
"The Ceremony began with an introductory Address by Dr.
DashieH; and then the venerable uncle of the bride pronounced the
marriage Covenant; and was followed by Mr. Brown in an earnest
prayer for the heavenly 'benediction; after which they were pro-
claimed to be husband and wife. The pastor of the church then offered
the Congratulations of the community, in which Miss Foster was so
well known and loved; and was followed by Rev. A. Gosman, D. D.,
40 THE PATH SHE TROD.
of Lawrenrovillo, X. J., a brother-in-law of Dr. Xassau, who spoke
of the joy and blessechiess of the work of carryinj; the j];osj)el to the
heathen. Rev. Frank Cliandler, of Freehold, an old friend of both
the bride and groom, then pave a most touehinj; and appropriate
Address; and referring; to the homesickness of Dr. Xassau for the
sight of a white face, which led him on one occasion to take a journey
of something less than a hundred miles, merely to look upon a white
face, congratulated him on the fact that he could henceforth always
look ujK)!! a white and beautiful face without ever going away from
home. Mr. Chandler was followed by the Rev. B. S. Kveritt of
Jamcsburg, who assured the married couple of the interest and pray-
ers which would follow them from the churches in the Presbytery of
Moimiouth. Rev. Allen H. Brown then spoke in behalf of the
l>eople and Semi?iary at Barnegat, the scene of Miss Foster's recent
labors, a large number of her former pupils and friends from that
j)lace being ])resent, and in their name presented the bride with a
beautiful Photograph Album, and assured her of their lasting grati-
tude and love. As the clergy had so largely spoken, Mr. Edward
Wells, a lawyer from Peekskill, and brother-in-law of Dr. Nassau,
fitly closed with an address representing the laity. It would be im-
possible to give an idea of the force and beauty of these addresses,
breathing the very spirit of love for those dear friends, and of exalted
estimatioji of the cause of Missions, to which they had devoted their
lives. The Missionary Hynm was next sung with fervor by the
whole congregation.
"The exercises at the church were closed with prayer by Rev.
George L. Hovey, of Lakewood, and the benediction bv Rev. Mr.
Todd.
".After this, the friends of Dr. and Mrs. Nassau were invited to
the residence of the Pastor, which was thronged by strangers and
citizens. A bountiful collation was provided by the ladies of the
Holmanville and Lakewood churches, and numerous and elegant gifts
attested the affection of many friends of the bride. After Dr. and
Mrs. Nassau had received the congratulations of their friends, an
original poem in honor of the bride was read by Mr. Ralston of Cam-
den. N. J., and a very felicitous Address given by the Rev. Frank
Todd of Manassas, Virginia, to which Dr. Nassau happily responded.
Despite the long distance and lengthened absence of the married pair
which were in prospect, no feeling of gloom pervaded the assembly.
It was a joyous occasion, — everyone was happy.
"Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the ushers, Mr. Will
Harrison, formerly of Lakewood, and Mr. George Cranmer of Barne-
gat, for their admirable management."
JUNE, 1S80, TURNING OF THE WAYS. 41
At Mrs. Nassau's sujrpicstion, and without being aware that the
newspaper was publishing: an account of the ceremony, I sent to it
the following: card of thanks: —
"I wish to say, as far as weak words are able to express them, my
heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Lakewood and vicinity, for the
touchinjrly kind manner in which they feathered about my joy on the
cveninjr of the 10th of October, and for the enthusiasm of their ex-
pressed interest in the Missionary Cause then represented.
" I know very well that Miss Mary B. Foster was the map;net which
drew toward the event your heartiest interest.
*'Comi)aratively a stranger to most of you, I nevertheless felt
yesterday, by the strength of the hand-grip, by the hearty word, and
by the tearful eye, that not alone for the sake of the woman of women,
whom you claimed as your cherished friend, but for my own sake
also, you had adopted me in your affections. In the decorations of
the church, the arrajigements of the collation, the selection of speeches,
the consecutive order of the exercises, the administration of the
ushers, the rendition of the jwem, the display of gifts, the extension
of hospitality, the lingering good-bye, and the sincere God-speed, I
find only cause for honest pride, and fail, in the array of words, to be
able to utter all that is meant by Thanks.
"The memory of them all will be a long happy bridge over which
I will often travel to you from my African forests."
Of that ceremony a friend of Mrs. Nassau, Mrs. Oscar Robinson,
of Freehold, wrote, four years later, in her letter of symjjathy to me:
" I thought of you on Oct. 10th, your Anniversary. Last year, I wrote
Mary on that day; and, within a week, heard of her death. I wrote
her on that day, each year. The recollections of that evening are
as fresh in my mind, as though it were but yesterday. I can see dear
Mary, as we were arranging her in her bridal robes, with her hands
clasped, and her eyes raised to Heaven, as if imploring God's blessing
upon all. Ah! if I had only some of her christian spirit and resig-
nation! Then, a little later, I can hear her voice mingling with the
rest in that missionary hymn, 'From Greenland's icy mountains:'
and then, at Mr. Dashiell's residence, going about in the crowd of
friends, saying a pleasant word to each one. And, when some one
said to her they feared her health would not be preserved to her to
return to America again, she replied, 'O! well! it will only be a nearer
way home.' That reply I shall never forget. Then, the next morning,
came the final good-bye ; although I did not think so then. She
said to me that when she came back, I must be prepared to see her
much changed, as she knew the climate would change her, if nothing
else. I replied, 'Yes, but Mary, you will have the same heart.' I
42 THE PATH SHE TROD.
know that some of hor fripiuls did not think she would ever return;
but, I was not of that number."
The vein of humor which ran under the current of ^liss Foster's
serious Hfe purpose occasionally found a little eddy, in the way of
a joke (as already mentioned about my apples). This welled up,
even on the bridal evening, in a little wave of amusement, probably
as a safe reaction from the extreme solemnity of the marriage serv-
ices. At Mrs. Dashiell's the reception had been held. And then a
collation. Then we were to return to the parlor for further ceremonies.
I left Mrs. Nassau, to re-sign, in another room, some legal documents
which marriage had made invalid. The bride being thus deserted,
joyous companions of hers proposed that I should be punished; and
some man was put forward in my place. I do not know who he was.
But, to the amusement of the company and to both his and my con-
fusion, he was promptly displaced when I overtook the procession
returning to the parlor.
Of the guests, most had left on an early morning train of the
next day, October 11th. Among the few remaining ones was Mrs.
Joel Parker, with whom Mrs. Nassau and I went to Jersey City for a
meeting of the New Jersey Synodical W. F. M. S. The afternoon
exercises were conducted by Mrs. Harris; Mrs. James led in prayer;
an address by Mrs. Parker; and I was called on for a short address,
in which I thanked them for the wife I was taking from among
their officers. Leaving on the train for Philadelphia, Mrs. Parker
alighted at Trenton, while Mrs. Nassau and I went on.
I had engaged rooms at the Girard House, and, on my notification,
friends were to gather there to receive us in the evening. But at the
last hour, Mrs. Nassau so appreciated the delicacy of the courtesy
of Rev. and Mrs. Malone that, in accepting their invitation to make
their house our home for the night, she was willing to disappoint
the company that awaited us at the hotel.
So beautifully had Mrs. Nassau appeared in her bridal dress that
many of her friends insisted on a photograph. It was not her intention
to take the dress to Africa; she left it with some of her relatives.
I promised that a photograph should be taken during the morning
of the 12th, if Mr. Crane should appear in time with the dress. With
three of her relatives we went to a photographer's by appointment,
but the dress had not arrived. It followed us by the next steamer,
and a full length photograph was taken in Liverpool.
^mmmmmm.
!«i!PfP«mpi«nHP«vni
mmmmmmm^ '
n";--
)
..*^--^
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 43
CHAPTER X.
October, 1881, To Africa.
A VERY loving company of (by count) seventy of our relatives
and friends were S'^thered on the deck of the "Ohio," to say good-bye
at noon of the 12th of October. Mrs. Nassau's coming particularly
from Holmanville, Camden, Palmyra, Caldwell, Barnegat, Free-
hold. Burlington, Farmingdale, 8alem, Warsaw, X. Y., and Phila-
delphia, Pa.
As the steamer slowly drew out of tiic dock, Mrs. Nassau stood
on the deck by my side, watching our friends crowded on the end of
the pier. Soon rain drove us below into the saloon. It was the last
sight of her American loved ones.
We took account of our fellow passengers, among whom were
three new fellow missionaries. Rev.' and Mrs. William C. Gault and
Rev. W. H. Robinson. Of the days on the voyage I have little dis-
tinct record. It was a stormy and seasick passage.
When the weather was clear it was cold. Mrs. Nassau and I
would sit wrapped in coats, shawls, and rugs, and study French for
our residence in a French territory. But there were successive days
when, by continuous gales, we were shut in from the deck, sitting
in the companion-way; for, the saloon air was too close for breath- '
ing, and its motions too rough for writing.
One day, three sails that had been sprejid to steady the vessel
were torn away, and two boats were injured on their davits.
For several hours, one day, the steamer "lay to," and part of the
time it was going southeast rather than east, to escape the direction
of the waves.
As one of our amusements, while confined below deck, we five
missionaries and one other passetiger spent two days in preparing
anagrams. Separately, we made lists of words possible to be con-
structed from the letters of a given word. One of them was "emi-
grant." From it, when we finally compared our lists, no one had
less than 117 words, and the combined list made more than 140.
The captain, being a Roman Catholic, paid us Protestant mis-
sionaries but little attention. On the fii.4 Sabbath the purser pro-
posed having religious services, which I, as 'he senior clergyman, was
requested to conduct. But on the second l^abbath no opportunity
was given. This was so unsatisfactory to Mrs. Nassau's devout wishes
that in the evening she took the piano, and, with our fellow mission-
44 THE PATH SHE TROD.
•arics, sanp; hymns, whirh drew into our company others of the pas-
senjiers. Just as we closed our singinjx at 10 P. M. the vessel suddenly
slowed and. its fofi whistle blew. We were approaching the Fastnet
lifrhthousc.
On anchoring the next day in Queenstown harbor, the first news
from the shore was that during the ])receding week a hurricane,
greater than had been kjiown for years, had ravaired the British
coasts. Then we understood, with gratitude, why we had been de-
layed out in mid-ocean from reaching land sooner. We had been
prevented from ruiniing into the severest of the storm. The captain
then called us up on to the bridge to have a more extensive view of
the roughness of the sea. On the next day, Tuesday. October 2oth,
we landed at Liverpool, closing a thirteen days' voyage.
The date for our sailing had been largely governed by uncertainty
as to the schedule time of the Liverpool steamers to Africa (less
regular than they now are). I had planned for an interval between
the two voyages, in which to gratify Mrs. Nassau with some of the
sights of Loiid(Mi. But on laliding on October 2.3th. we were in-
formed that our African steamer "Corisco" was due to start on the
2nth. We took our missionary companions that evening to a sub-
scription concert of the London Philharmonic Society. The music
was fine and the audience fashionable.
The intervening four days gave us time only to make some pur-
chases, to refit our baggage, to take Mrs. Nassau's bridal photograph,
> to fulfil the Board's commission to in(|uire estimates for a proposed
mission steamer (instead of our slow sailing vessel, the "Hudson"),
and to s]iend a day at the okl city of Chester, an outing giveii us by
our three associates in return for the concert.
Fricjids in the United States had immediately followed us with
loving letters. These were found at the Board's Liverpool agent's.
I handed them to Mrs. Nassau on the ferry from Liverpool to Birk-
enhead, on our way to Chester. They affected her very much, as
they were from her dear Barnegat pupils.
We boarded the "Corisco" on the afternoon of Saturday, Octo-
ber 2!Hh. In every respect affairs were more agreeable than on the
"Ohio." Captain Hamilton, a fatherly man. gave Mrs. Nassau the
seat^ of honor at the table, on his right hand. Among the passen-
gers, besides our missionary company of five, there were seven clergy-
men. Rev. Messrs. Williamson and Marshall, a Scotch U. P. delega-
tion going out to inspect their mission .in the Old Calabar, and five
English Wesleyan Methodists, returning to their posts in the Gambia,
at Sierra Leone, and at Lagos. Besides these congenial ministers,
there were two Government surgeons, Dr. Hart, of Sierra Leone, and
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 45
Dr. O'Reilly, of Bonny; a French lady, Madame Pecqueur, of
(Jaboon ; and Miss Macauley, a grand-daughter of Bishop Crowther.
All my life in Africa I kept a diary, entering memoranda almost
daily. Occasionally I missed on a boat journey or in the confusion
of mission meetings or long sickness. Mrs. Nassau began such
entries in a diary the day we left Liverpool ; later on there are gaps.
But between her and my books I can account for almost every day
of our three Ogowe years.
Mrs. Nassau's Diary.
"Sabbath, Oct. 30th, I was the first of our party in ladies cabin
to arise. Mr. Robinson walked with me before breakfast. Rev.
Messrs. Williamson and Marshall were on deck. Services were held
at 10.30 A. M. Rev. Mr. Elliott, a Wesleyan Minister, read Episcopal
Service; Mr. Marshall the hymn. Dr. Nassau gave the address; text,
'For the remission of sins.' Mr. Hamilton, our Captain, is very
kind; more attentive than Capt. Morrison of the 'Ohio,' to us, and
to every one. After a very fine dmner, walked for some time; then,
came to the saloon to write, but find my head and hand too unsteady
to proceed.
"Wed'}' Nov. 2d. The wind not so high; but the very frequent
showers make any long stay on the deck impossible. An after-lunch
attempt to creep under one of the boats, and, with protection of
umbrella, shawl and coat, to brave the rain, proved a failure; and
we were driven in. Have read considerable in 'David Copperfield ;'
Dr. Nassau, more properly, read to me. / guess I have written
enough, or I will show my home-sickness."
[That "I guess" is a response to my twitting her of her almost
constant use of it as a reply, instead of "Yes" or some other form
of assent.]
" Nov. 3d. Thursda}'. Were on deck most of the day. Read
'David Copperfield.' Began Mpong^^e. After dinner, the Wes-
leyan missionaries. Rev. Messrs. Pullen, Williams, Elliott, Lowe and
Baxter, and our Scotch Presbyterian Ministers, Rev. Messrs. William-
son and Marshall, and our o^ti party, spent two hours singing on
the poop-deck.
"Friday, Nov. 4th; 6th day. After lunch, at 1 P.M., went to
the deck, but were soon sent in by rain. Wrote to Mr. [Rev. A. H.]
Brown, a ten-paged letter. . . . Enjoyed the dinner very
much. . . . Dr. Hart, a surgeon at Sierra Leone, gave me
some English chestnuts, very large; the first I had ever seen. . . .
4G THK PATH SHE TUOI).
For tlio first timo, all passengers were on time for dinner, even the
stranger from Dr. Hart's room. Spent the evening writing in saloon
with many others of our company. News came of our nearing Ma-
deira, when, in a letter to cousin Hattie [Todd] I made reference to
certain kinds of flowers growing on Madeira, and to plans for weal
or woe laid there. Read the sentence to Dr. Nassau, who did not
understand; and I, teasingly, would not explain until we went on
deck. And, I did not go there, until all others had deserted, and
the bells for midnight had rung. We found the moonlight struggling
thro' (juite heavy clouds, but, the dim outlines of Porto Santo were
faintly seen; and, the light from the lighthouses of Madeira glim-
niered before us."
[When I was at Madeira, on my way from Africa, in April. 1880,
I had bought a wreath of artificial camellias and orange blossoms,
saying to myself that with them I would crown the lady who should
take compassion on me in my search for a wife, I had given those
flowers to Miss Foster in July, ^1881. But, stupidly, I failed to un-
derstand her reference to flowers "growing" on Madeira. And I
had not yet become familiar with a new phase of her usually serious
character, i. r.. ability to carry a joke to the point of teasing. The
steamer came to anchor during the night, with some alarming sounds
from the engine, the vessel almost colliding with hghters and other
small craft anchored in the bay.]
"Sat'y, Xov. .5th: 7th day. Madeira, Funchal. I was uneasy
to be above: but, the partial darkness came between me and the
operation of dressing. When this was sufficiently dispersed, I called
for the toilet case, and began the labor in the berth. Soon I climbed
do\m, and in earnest continued to hasten the completion of dressing.
Before accomplished. Dr. Nassau called several times for me to come,
that I might see the sun-rise. Very hastily throwing on wraps. I
answered his call; and, as the beautiful scene appeared to me above
the railing of the stair of the poop-deck, and was opened fully up
in the lights and shades of the early morning, I tho't I never had
beheld a more fairy-like expanse of mountain-side and village. We
lay^in Funchal Bay, oi)posite a town of the same name; the blue
waves placing about our stern, giving proof of the great depth of
water, were a most beautiful foreground to the picture. To the
right, the land sloped gradually to the sea. To the left, an almost
perpendicularly broken rock faced the sea. Near, but isolated from
land, is the Loo Rock, with its fortress standing high and boldly
defying waves and winds; the', we were told, said waves did in
OCTOBER. 1881, TO AFRICA. 47
storms sweep over its highest point. Directly before us, lies the
antiquated town; and behind it rises the rugged, deep-chasmed,
shadow-covered hill-side."
[Mrs. Nassau quotes from a book of travel: "In fellowship with
the rose, the myrtle, the laurel and cypress, such as flourish in south-
ern European latitudes, there bloom the magnolias, pomegranate,
mango, besides the banana, coffee and the sugar-cane."]
"Sabbath, Nov. 0th. Teneriffe. 8th day. Saw, for the first
time [full-grown], palm-trees. Palma, Gomera, Ferno, Grand-Canarj',
form this group of Canary Islands. One writer, Whitford, says,
'Teneriffe is about the most ragged, jagged collection of sharp peaks
ever jerked above the surface by volcanoes or earthquake.' We
arrived about 3 P. M. For hours, we had been watching the grand
peak, whose outlines were ever changing as the white clouds floated
by and over them. At last, it grandly came to view; and, a more
ruggedly picturesque collection of rocks, chasms, and jagged peaks
and columns, I never have before seen. As we turned around the
adjacent X. E. point of the island, the town of Santa Cruz appeared.
Thro' our glass, we could see the road cut in the hill-side, and a party
of men and women were seen walking along the water-side, while
heavily-laden camels and mules plodded slowly up and down the
uneven path. Here a little steam tug or launch towed the flat-boat
containing the coal to and from the steamer and coal-depot. It
was interesting to watch the signals, as the Captain spoke for
coal, with the amount, and the answering signals from the fort on
the hill-top.
"Monday, Xov. 7th. Grand Canary. 9th day. This is the
last port where white faces will greet us. Thus the gradual breaking
of every tie and associations of home and country.
"Tuesday, Xov. 8th; 10th day. I am sitting on quarter-deck
on port-side, the unclouded sun at our backs; and the far extended
unbroken line, where meet the hazy sky and restless ocean, rises
and falls upon my \iew, as the vessel slowly rolls from port to star-
board. [Here Mrs. Xassau gives a minute personal description of
our dozen fellow-passengers. I resume from her journal.] Evening;
spent much time in vainly looking for the north-star, which the
captain finally pointed out to us. Sat some time on deck, enjoying
the beautiful moonlight on the water. Never have I seen such warm
bright light, such fullness of splendor from the goddess of the evening.
4S THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Wed'y.. .Nov. 0th, 11th day. Read in 'David C Read aloud
to I>r. Hamill a cliajiter in Benp;a New Testament. A great excite-
ment for us was occasioned by our going thro' a large school of 'skip-
jacks.' They leap thro' and above the water like porpoises. As far
as eye could reach, before, to the right, and left, and far back, were
the sprays, formed by their leaps, seen. A steamer was seen crossing
our bows, or more to the westward; and Capt. Hamilton tells us its
Captain is the Wilkins who conimanded the S. S. 'Ambriz' that
carried Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Bushnell and Miss Cameron [Mrs. Marling]
to the sad ending at Sierra Leone. We were in shallow water
to-day, 40 fathoms; and not more than 40 miles west of Cape
Blanco.
"Thursday, Nov. 10th, 12th day. Ten years ago to-day, Stanley
discovered Livingstone at Ujiji on Tatiganyika. We saw, for the first
on this journey, many flying fish. Also, a little canary came on
board; and many of 'Mother Carey's chickens' (stormy petrels)
followed in our wake.
"Friday, Nov. 11th; 13th day. This afternoon spent two hours
on the bridge with Capt. Hamilton, watching the entrance up the
Gambia. The low lines of white sand gradually developed into the
palm: while the glitterings of Bathurst's white houses were visible;
but, not until the last bell for dinner rang were we at anchorage,
too late, as we sujiposed, for the landing of any of our passengers.
While still at dinner, Rev. Robert Dixon, of Wesleyan Mission, came
to greet his fellows, and took to shore Rev. Messrs. Pullen, Baxter,
Lowe, and Williams. The friends of Miss Macauley, two young men,
came for her also; and our two gentlemen of France also left for
Bat hurst. Comparatively a small company left behind. Recited
Mpongwe. Finished 'David Cop-' and read some 'JMacLeod of
Dare.'
"Saturday, Nov. 12th; 14th day; Bathurst, St. Mary's island.
Surely we are in the tropics, 84° in the shade! So very warm in our
ladies saloon! Slept with the port-hole open, tho' it does crowd me
in the berth by so doing. Awoke in time to close it, before the wash-
ing of decks began. Did not go to room [last night] until late. Arose
at G. Harry bro't us our cocoa. At 7, I was ready in my new pink
lawn, to go ashore. In the pocket of my dress, I found a pocket-
handkerchief marked 'H. E. Scott.' Messrs. Pullen, Baxter and
Williams did not arrive until late; nearly or quite 8, before we were
handed into the boat by the dusky hands of Africa. By the side of
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 49
the boat, in one much smaller, sat a lad, his only covering, save a
narrow strip of dirty white cloth around his waist, was the shining
ebony of his skin. The whites of his eyes and the pearly teeth, like
gleams of light across the dark clouds of night, were startling in
their vividness. . . . The stalwart blacks made no play of our
boat-ride; and, in a few minutes, our keel scraped upon the sands
of the shore. Then the carriers, Mohammedans, with their blue
over-dress, waded to the boat, and, one by one, picked up the pas-
sengers, and dropped them upon dry land; a most peculiar sensation
it was. Several wharves jutted into the water; and on all sat in
lazy ease the blue shirts, or actively labored, those who were receiv-
ing the freight; while a genuine car rushed down veritable tracks
laid on one of the wharves.
"The shore proved sandy indeed; and we waded thro' the native
and wet grass, which reminded me of our New Jersey sand-wastes.
But, the black faces; bright-eyed, pleasant faces of the little ones,
many or most of them entirely nude, save a narrow strip of cloth
around waist and between limbs, and a string, with or without beads,
answered every purpose.
"Many heads were closely shaven; others, with hair in little knots
around the pate, in diamonds and squares. Girls with loose gown,
with holes for head and arms. Women with strips of cloth around
loins reach to ankle; others around breast; many entirely covered;
and a few European dresses.
"]\Iany men with ]\Iohammedan under-dress and blue flowing
robe, ^len with loose drawers, and cloth over shoulder; strong
muscular fellows; feeble miserable ones; English-dressed young men
and old. Two-storied houses of stone, plastered and white-washed;
enclosed porticos. Streets wide, over-grown with grass, and with
open sewer in the middle. Palm trees, coco-, and fan-palms; beau-
tiful oleanders 12 ft. high in full bloom and luxuriance. Parasite
on walls. Guava, banana, papaya, silk-cotton (Ceiba) trees, large
trees, buttressed trunks. . . . Lime trees in garden, tomatoes.
. . . Mr. Baxter our leader. Welcomed to the Mission-house by
^Ir. Lowe. Stone steps to entrance; high cool rooms, most com-
fortable; finely furnished Chapel. Long sing in school-room; bach-
elors* arrangement; our inexperienced waiters. Breakfast at 10
A. M. Lunch at 2 P. M."
[At my request, our hosts had sent for native owners of Man-
dingo ponies for sale. I selected one from one of the native Chris-
tians, as a late marriage gift to Mrs. Nassau. The pony was to be
paid for on delivery that day on the steamer.]
50 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"The bnrgain was closed; have the best of the lot, we think.
Haste to pet off. A Mohammedan with gold rings, 1 pound (English).
On road to ship, the market, walled; barrels with cane covers; women
with 'pickaninnies' strapped to the back; little handfuls of articles
exposed for sale; ground nuts, boiled sweet-potatoes; little tomatoes
in little gourds; slices of pumpkin, masses of black dried meat, rice;
long cucumbers; dried fish (whew! ! !) ; ground-nuts boiled, tasting
like beans; bitter kola; sticks in girls' ear; large black bracelet on
arm of man; thin tooth-pick and brush; Mohammedan 'greegrees.'
Trees graceful, the coco-palm. Tall ]\Iandingoes, women of burden;
JolotTs; ground-nuts in enormous quantities exported. Our haste
away; good-nights to the Wesleyans. (Mr. Pullen was not among
tiiem. but with Dr. Nassau, seeing about the pony.) Lifted with
trembling into the boat."
[I was buying fodder for the pony's voyage, and arrariging with a
certain I^nglish trader to send it and the horse to the steamer, ex-
pressly re(iuesting it to be done before Sunday,]
"t^abbath. Nov. 1.3th; l.lth day. Still in harbor of Bathurst. At
early dawn, the lighters and boats were by our side, and the noise of
the engines, whistles, the clanking of chains, the uproar of boatmen;
the natives. m«Mi and women, loud jabbering; the loading of freight;
the peculiar odor, the different garbs, the entire absence of the Sab-
bath. The loss of the horse: the delay in getting off: detaining
Messrs. Tullen and Lowe until after their church time; the seeming
necessity of business talks, made this morning one of the most trying
coiueival)le. The cool breeze tempered the heat and made it very
comfortable.
"Services this afternoon. Mr. Williamson preached from 'our
conversation is in heaven.' By his allusions to home, it made one
somewhat lonely. ... I found the husband, after search,
almost hidden by the darkness, at the stern. Expect to walk and
talk, still."
[In the lowering of the horse by a sling at the shore wharf, into
the lighter, on Sunday morning, the sling had parted and the horse
had ^fallen headlong and broken his neck. There was an uncom-
fortable uncertainty as to who was responsible. Paying for a dead
horse proved to be a necessary Sabbath transaction. But the cir-
cumstances sickened me for the remainder of the day.]
"Monday, Nov. 14th; 16th day. The native women on board
are very quiet; at least, they do not trouble us; being kept far in
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 51
forward deck. Yesterday, we had quite a number at Services, and
they seemed more conversant with the Prayer-book than our own
people. There are a few Mohammedan men, but principally women,
who are ffoinjr to Sierra Leone to trade in kola-nuts. These are said
to satisfy hunjrer for a lonjj time, a handful keeping a man's life
for a week; very expensive.
'"Tuesday, Nov. 1.5th; 17th day. Arrived in Sierra Leone [Free-
town harl)or] at about 4.30 A. M. Soon we saw the American flap,
and were greeted by Capt. Lewis [American Consul] expecting Rev.
Henry Highland Garnett, D. D., U. S. Minister to Liberia [who did
not come]. Consul took us to his house; Mr. Yates' store. . . .
We visit [Wesleyan] High School. Mr. May [negro] principal; sing-
ing. Stone building; school-house; base-ball playing; little boy's
speech; go back to Mr. Lewis. After dinner . . . Messrs.
Lewis. Yates, Nassau and self go to Madam Burton's [Annie Walsh
Memorial] Young Ladies Seminary; beautiful grounds; frangipanni
trees; pleasant tea; contrast in women's and men's house-keeping
[two negro teachers, one Miss Quaker]; her singing and playing [on
piano]. Messrs. Lewis and Yates go home; we remain; [evening]
prayers [of the School]; pleasant room; effects of harmattan [wind].
"Mr. Burton formerly of Mendi Mission near the Sherbro. On
road to Mrs. B., I rode in [bath-chair] carriage drawn by two boys;
go thro' the streets; crowded; lighted, oil lamps; this the great trad-
ing town of this coast; peopk come in from long distances. Mrs.
liurton motherly; very kind; visited her dining-room; told me how
she prepared her early lunch, 'sun-rise breakfast.'
"Wednesday, Nov. IGth; 18th day. Up rather late at >[rs.
Burton's; jelly, eggs, crackers, tea for breakfast in room. Mrs.
Burton came in for a little \isit; so kind. Advised me to 'wear
flannel always, do not get weary, lie down often.' We hurried off by
promise to be in Consul Lewis' office by 8 A. M. Both rode in car-
riages [bath-chairs] strange horses (?), people, things, trees. Wanted
tuUc. Mrs. Burton had sent her boy to inquire if such could be found.
Met by the boy; hurried to the store, went up stairs; nice sitting;
woman hurried in; took the yellow tulle for trimming; reached Capt.
Lewis."
[There we met a native named "White," who claimed to be a
recaptive Fang from our Ogowe region, which he called the "Minwe."]
"Thursday, Nov. 17th; 19th day. Arrived in Monrovia about
1 P. >L This is the first place reached 'q which we are not met by
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 53
with rock-hound shores, apcaiiist which the waves dash angrily. This
island was once the biiryin<;-place of the Kroo people. But, the
Liberian authorities forl)ade its use, as the corpses were exposed upon
the bare rocks; and health of the living was not in this way advanced.
"One of the chapels of this Mission was where Dr. Nassau preached
his first sermon in Africa in 1801.
"Here we took in our last instalment of Kroo-men. They seemed
larj;cr and stronger than the others. The dress was as various as the
people or men were numerous; but painfully simple, (lenerally, the
suit, consisted of a necklace and a smile (Mark Twain). A piece of
cloth around the loins; and quite universally a hat or cap of some
kind. The most fortunate wore an old style fur hat; and I saw
several swords slung around the shoulders. These hats were very
carefully handled; some closely covered with newspaper for pro-
tection. A man with a wooden limb reminded us of the Hospital;
and, more forcibly, of the presence of sharks. The long slim canoes
were most dextrously handled; still, one was over-turned, and the
men scrambled in, in the water. ... It was odd, to see the
umbrellas thrown into the bottom of the canoe; and the query came
up, why needed?
"At the bow of most of the canoes^ you would see cords bound
around the extreme point, fetishes.
"The dancing canoes, the black shiny forms, the swelling muscles,
the {ileaming teeth, the rolling eye-balls, the odd head-dress, the
queerly-cut woolly hair, the climbing up the ropes, the confusion of
the legs and arms and heads on deck, made a strange picture, and
the confusion of tonjrues made it wearisome in the extreme.
"Dr. Nassau took me to the bridge to see the mass of bodies in
the forward part of the vessel; and then the Captain gave us per-
mission to go to the bf»w, to see the anchor taken up. We went, and
were not chalked. [The Captain's permit prevented the sailor's usual
fine for a passenger's trespassing on the foreca,stle. Just at 6 P. M.
we were off again on our way into the Gulf of Guinea.]
"Sabbath, Xov. 20th. At 'Half Jack,' and on the Ivory Coast
of Guinea. All the morning, we have been skirting the 'golden' shores
of this Coast. Back from the sands are the low 'bush;' and, farther
back, the trees of the mainland. A narrow strip of low-land often
bounds the coast, forming lagoons, or, are the delta (if land of this
form may be so termed) of rivers.
"We see no European houses, only the low huts of the natives
enclosed with thatched fences, and the numerous coco-nut palms.
Those palms are the sure sign of a native \'illage . . . palm-oil
54 THE PATH SHE TROD.
in In rpje barrels; this is our first sight of that article. The sonp; of
the Kroo-men, five on each side, with their paddles, and in time with
their vifjorous strokes, is a delip;htful contrast to the hideous hubbub
of the londinp;s of blacks before. The helms-man in the stern, with
an oar, guides the boat, and in a hijjh tone gives his commands; the
others, in perfect and pleasing harmony, respond. It is strikingly
attractive. Then, their perfectly formed, muscular arms and backs,
bending together to their work, form a pleasing sight, as well as their
gleamijig paddles rising and falling to the rhythm of their song.
They are not singing now; they give a hissing noise, as they bend to
the stroke.
"AVhen they become partially civilized, and put on the dirty
shirts, the beauty is much si)()ilcd. One company particularly was
joyous in their song; and, one fellow in the sterji, who gloried in a
hat, waved it in time to the oars, giving his own body peculiar ser-
pentine movements. Others saw me watching them; and their
comma!i(KM-, standing in the stern, went at them with fist and arms
(not in reality) but in figures, to bring them to time.
"Kev. y\. Jas. Elliott preached well this morning, from Ps. 107:9,
'He satisfieth the longing soul,' well given. Captain Hamilton was
pn>sent, with his own Prayer-book.
"Still the boats come, and our favorite one; the passengers are
trying to learn its song, ])ut in vain. The oarsmen sit on the gun-
wale of the boat, bracing themselves against its sides; and, when it
is empty, their stroke is very deep, and they look, with their earnest-
ness and speed, as if they were eagerly spearing the fish; but, when
the boat's bow is directly opjiositc our view, they seem to describe
a circle with their paddles, and at intervals come out in unison and
with stentorian voice in chorus of several syllables. The religion
of these Kroo-men is Fetishism. They sacrifice goats, chickens; or,
oftenest, cooked meat is placed on the graves of the dead, to pro-
pitia^te the spirit they so much fear. They pray very seldom; not
oftener than once a month, during new moon. The charms they
wear around the neck, marks on faces, rags on canoes, all are in
acknowledgment of their fear of and desire to placate the spirit or
power they recognize as in the world. With all their ignorance, they
know more than some enlightened ones. They know there is a God.
"As we approached the place properly called Lahu, we could see,
as distinctly marked as was the shore-line, the line where brownish
green waters met the blue of our deep sea. It was noticeable, as far
as eye could reach ; and we found it to be the waters of a small river,
which must come with much force into its mother ocean. A pas-
senger said that waters of the Kongo, distinct from the sea, could be
OCTOBER, 18S1, TO AFRICA. 55
seen tinging its waters for over 300 miles from its mouth. One
could scarcely imagine the force of the river which prevents its waters
from mingling with those of the ocean for such a length of time.
"We spent the evening on deck, singing; Messrs. Robinson,
Williamson, Marshall, Baxter, Elliott, Mrs. Gault, husband and self.
A dark cloud overspread the sky, and bright lightning opened to us
the outlines of a near vessel. We did not leave until 2 o'clock Mon-
day morning. The rain fell steadily all the evening.
">\Ionday, Nov. 21st. We stopped this morning about 8 o'clock,
at Grand Bassam. . . . There natives and Kroo-men seem
very timid, and will not go to the proper place to load. The officer
angrily raised a club to them; they then jumped into the water.
One young fellow was quietly sitting in another boat, when I was
startled by seeing him fall backward into the water. Soon he came
up, shook himself, like a dog, and smilingly greeted us.
"It has becji very very warm. Changed dress three times. Heavy
rain before dinner. Mr. Caiman, Dr. Nassau and self on settee
during rain.
"Tuesday, Nov. 22d. Arrived at Axim at 7 A. M. The paddles
of our visitors differ at almost every i)lace; canoes also. At first,
around Cape Palmas, the canoes were long, narrow, and quite grace-
ful. The oars or (more properly) paddles, long, narrow, and sharper.
The paddles now are short and shield-shaped. No rain to-day.
Every day, we hear the noise and confusion of the counting [keeping
tally of the nuniber of bales, &c., received or discharged] of the Kroo-
men. Just now, we are about opposite the mouth of the river Prah.
We have been studyitig French. Mr. Elliott showed me an illus-
trated map of the Ashantee War. ^ly husband has gone below. I
am alone on the deck. We arrived at Elmina about 6 P. M. . . .
Capt. Hamilton, with his accustomed care for his passengers, let
down a'protection of canvas around the deck, as a prevention against
cold to those who tho't of staying on deck all night.
"Wed'y, Nov. 23d. We started from Elmina early this morn-
ing; and before breakfast anchored at Cape Coast Castle. . . .
C. C. Castle is the prettiest place we have seen since we left Madeira.
Here the forts and castles that have played such important parts in
the wars between the European powers and native tribes. It was
here Gen.. Wolseley landed his forces in the Ashantee war of 1878.
The forts, at Elmina and C. Coast Castle, have alternately been in
the hands of Portuguese, Dutch, and English, and are over 200 years
56 THE PATH SHE TROD.
old. [While in the possession of the Dutch, one of those forts was
called Fort Nassau.]
"The Weslcyan Mission-house is a cool, commodious appearing
house, with trees in profusion around it. The light-house covers
one hill; and an old, very old, fort another, to the left. A rocky
island fronts the town; and on these rocks the waves break with
much force. Behind them, the boats landed our friends; Mr. Elliott
left us for his work, and went ashore. . . . We did not.
"In the morning, it was extremely hot, but Dr. Hamill and self
look over the trunks. . . . Dr. Nassau put new strings on the
guitar, and sang for me.
"There were several women j)ut on board to-day. One, seem-
ingly ia belle.' dressed in green loose gown, white stockings, slip-
shod siioes. a long strip of cloth thrown around the shoulders, a
bandanna on head, revealing in shape (I thought) the peculiar horn-
like cut of the hair, peculiar to the Fantee I judge. This is the coast
of the Fantee, which tribe the English so constantly aid in their
troubles ^\^th the Ashantee. The Fantee are the brokers of the
country. As most of products come from the interior Ashantee,
the latter indignantly resent the impositions which 'the brokers'
would put upon the producers. The Ashantee are the stronger,
and would have long ago wiped out the Fantee, were it not for the
succor of the English. Mr. Elliott, last Spring, was on the steamer
that carried the golden hatchet which was given by the Ashantee
King, in token of promise to keep the peace and abolish cruelties;
the ofTering of human sacrifices was particularly referred to by English
party. According to the report, to-day received, at that very time,
the King was putting to death 200 of his maidens. The window
of a house, which commemorated the burial-place of the King's
father, had fallen. It could not be repaired without human sacri-
fices; and the mortar must be mixed with human blood. Tho' these
Bacrif^es do not reach#the thousands of former times, they are much
too atrocious for these days. These Ashantee are said to be far
beyond other natives in the arts, and in courage. The kings and
chiefs dress in most handsomely woven and materialed costumes;
and their houses are furnished with, or, have in them, the most
elegant furniture, presents from Europeans; and purchases, also.
"I did not speak of the 'bustle' with which these women adorn
themselves. . . . Mr. Baxter said there are but four white men
in C. C. Castle.
. "Thursday, Nov. 24th. This is Thanksgiving day at home;
the first of my being absent, since we came to New Jersey. Last
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 57
year, Uncle Joel was with us, and I wont home, unexpectedly; and
it was the first time of seeing home friends after I had decided to go as
a missionary.
"My husband handed to me a letter of sympathy and love, in the
absence of homo-friends and pleasures.
"We saw in the waters, as we left C. C. Castle, very many fishing
canoes. Capt. Hamilton, last evening, had the company of two
Captains. One was Capt. Monroe, of S. S. 'Gaboon.' He was very
jolly over his large cargo ... he had GOOO bags of coffee on
board, estimated as worth 2 pounds per bag.
"Opposite Accra. The morning has been comfortable, owing to
the cool wind. The hazy atmosphere hangs over us, and the shore
has the appearance of being in quite dense smoke. Accra extends
over a longer stretch of land than the other towns. We do not now
SCO 'the l)ush' and forests that covered our former shores. The
English flag floats above the fort. Near us is lying at anchor H. M.
S. iS. ' Mallard.' My head aches; and I am worthless. About 2 P. M.,
Mr. Robinson, husbajid and self, stopped into one of these freight
boats, and were rowed to shore. I sat in a wicker chair, jvith feet on
a box, and in constant dread of being wot. The boat was leaking;
there wore many boxes in it ; little room for jiassengers. Just Iw-
fore we landed, husband tried to wraj) a shawl around me. The
Kroomen watched their opportunity, and wore lifted on shore by the
waves; then oiit of the. boat, and calling to take me in arms to land.
I yielded myself to two follows; one, in the excitement, .so wrapped
his head in my shawl that he was not uncovered until he put me
down. I also secured severe glances from one on whose bare toes I
stepped. None of our crow had anything on save a narrow strip
around the loins. Our chair and shawl wore carried by a man who
had around and over his shoulder a sort of Mohammedan robe. This
fellow directed our steps to the Basle Mission Trading-House. Mr.
Rottmann, the director, mot us at the door of his large store-building,
and took us to the reception-room, where he introduced us to his
wife, a native lady. {She evidently speaks German better than
English, tho' I could understand pretty well her words. Our road to
this house was on the avenue of Accra, which had been made by the
English Gov't. It was wide, hard, of a clayey soil. The fort seemed
well-garrisoned by negro soldiers; and there were several other build-
ings of European make. And the only sign I saw was 'Retail and
Wholesale Dealer in Wines and Spirits:' many of these.
"The native huts were principally of one story, and built of mud.
Many were falling to pieces, and the roughly thatched roofs, the lean-
ing walls, gave a very dilapidated and forlorn appearance to the
5S THE I'ATH SHE TROD.
town. Tlion, add to this, the (iark, flirty vista the opeiungs of each
house presented, the narrow irrejxular streets, the accumuhited filth of
many j)eoi)le crowded in little space, the skeletons of dogs and pif^s,
the naked hoys and pirls, the almost nude men and women, and I
must confess to a shrinkinj: from contact with so much that was
ofT(Misive to ear, eye, nose, and taste, and touch. Clotl prepare mo
for what is before!
"It was not strange that, after all this walk in the hot sun, and
excitement of fretting on sea again, I was suffering from a raging
headache, which oidy sleep relieved. . . . We had no time to
visit the Ir.dustrial School at Christiansburg. . . . We were
introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt and baby Emma. Mrs. S., I
was much pleased with. Her face bespoke sadness and deep affec-
tion, also ill-he;dth; and the poor baby was suffering from sores on
head and face.
"I did not speak of the determined and confusing clamors of our
Kroo-men who took tis over, to receive more than what Dr. Nassau
was told to give for our passage over. I was almost frightened, and
ran away from their midst, to rid myself of their noise an<l odors.
Mr. Hottmaiui, Mr. Schmidt, and another, whose name I did not
hear, walkcnl back with us to the beach. We were carried and lifted
into the boat ; then, waited for the right wave, and were successfully
pushed into the ocean without being wet. I sat on my husband's
lap; and, eating no supper, but being tenderly cared for by the hus-
band, retired early.
"\\hat are our home-friends doing, I wonder! We left Accra at
10 1^. M., and, !iear that j)lace, passed the Greenwich meridian-stone.
"Friday, Nov. 2r)th. It is very, very, debilitating. I am writing
at 1 r. .M. We left .\ddah at 11 A. M. (near the mouth of the river
Volta). I feel the effects of the headache of yesterday; and, tho'
weak and heated yet, seem to really need food. I had bread and tea
at 0.30 A. M., breakfast at 8.30, and now am ready for lunch at 1.00
P. M., and will have tea and toast at 4 P. M., and dinner at 6.00.
But, we all feel very restless; want energy; want appetite, tho' we
do eat.
"Last evening, a young English army officer got on board with
his two body-servants, at Accra; and is leaving atQuittah, where we
arrived at 2 P. M. He is said by the husband to be troubled with
diarrhcra of words. We are now in the midst of buying (at Jellah
Coffee) ducks, turkeys, chickens, and eschalots or small onions. We
sec very few houses here; and the coast continues low, while the
misty background tells us of a wide lagoon along the coast.
OCTOBKR, 1881, TO AFRICA. 59
"The natives arc fiffhtinp; among themselves, and this officer who
left us here is one of the officials who with the regiment of soldiers are
come to punish the natives, and stop the quarrels if possible.
"Th(^ husband has just bro't to me the first coco-nut. The milk
I do not much like. One native has just brought an alligator, which
he is carrying with a sling.
"Another, entirely naked except the loin-cloth, carries an um-
brella. Another fellow climbed up the ropes with a little monkey
fast to his side, l^ut, these blacks wait for no ladder, to get on to
the ship. They climb up anywhere a rope niAy be hanging down the
side. I have not seen the natives more, or as happy, as they are
here, laughing, singing. Particularly, these canoes of small boys.
They are paddling around the steamer, and 'acting up' very much
like English scapegraces.
"Sat y, Nov. 2r)th. We arrived at Lagos at 7.40 P. M., last night.
We cannot see the shore [because of the haze of the approaching
Dry Season]. The steamer compajiy has a steam-launch here; and
we hoped to get away by ev.ening. Hut, the steamer 'Volta,' home-
ward bound, arrived a very little time before us; so, she has the first
chance [for loading and discharging]. ... I wrote this morn-
ing to Mrs. Cox and Mrs. (Julick [of Barnegat].
"This afternoon, have beeti studying adverbs of Mpongwe, and
reading French to Madame Pecfpicur. It has been very hot and
smoky. Mr. Baxter left us this morning. Talked of Will, on deck
[my son William].
"Sabbath, Nov, 27th. Head the day's chapters in berth before
going out. . . . Mr, Marshall preached from Eph. 5: 8. 'Walk
in the light.' There were none present but those belonging to our
party. [The Captain was si(;k; and the steamer was busy discharg-
ing and loading.]
"Dr. *0'Heilly and the 'Doctor of the ship' had loo much of
bitters. Dr. O'll. gave me four oranges, in his generosity (?). Moon-
light. Started from Lagos at 2 P. M.
" Monday, Nov. 28th. Had my first bath in the bath-room to-day.
We saw a small steamer going up the river Nun, one of the mouths
of the Niger. We have just 'picked up' the first buoy of the bar of
this river Bonny, and are steaming in waters of the Niger. . . .
The rivers New Calabar and Bonny flow into one bight. . . . We
are guided by these buoys into the main channel; and, following
that, we come to our resting-place for the night. The cannon's roar,
CO THK PATH SHE TROD.
as we are at supjior (or, more properly, dinner) apprises the town of
our arri\al. By the moonUfiht, we see that we have passed several
hulks; and the lifihts from the shore twinkle not far from us. The
principal one (hulk) is that of the 'Adriatic' (formerly, one of the
[American] 'Collins Line'); and an enormous thinp it is. It once
carried [from New York] to Liverpool the larp;est freipcht ever landed
[iiichiditifr] 0000 tons of wheat. It was found to be too immense to
he handled with profit; so, it was sold to. a Mr, Bates of Liverpool,
who convertcvl it into a sailinji vessel. It finally fell into the hands
of this British and African Navigation Company. . . . Dr.
Hamill sends me a line, as we sit by the table in the saloon, that this
is the 7th hedomadal return of our day. Our Doctors continue still
unfit for society. The husband used his p;uitar on deck. Dr. O'Reilly
rncored thickbj. [I'^ven on the best of African coast steamers, every
week's advances to the Iv|uator, as the list of passengers diminishes,
the manners and Christianity of most of the remaining ones are
lessened.]
"Tuesday. Nov. 20th. The nearness of the hulk [cutting off
any breeze^] made the day oppressive. After lunch, the Capt. let
us have liis: bout, and i)r()vided a crew for Mr. Marshall, Mr. Robinson,
Dr. flaniiil and self, to go ashore. On our return, we were all tired.
I was so troubled with headache that the husband promised to write
a record for me in his diary. For the first, saw white ants."
[In fulfillment of that promise, I made an unusually extcMuled
record, as follows: "Went ashore in the Ca[)tain's gig, and a special
crew of six, and two extra bearers. Landed at Harrison's pier, a
narrow railway for transporting goods to the house of the trader;
a covered way of galvanized iron; walking playfully on track.
Passed a garden of fruit trees, bananas, plantain, papaya, bread-
fruit, Avogado pears, sour-sop. The large, dark-green, waxy, deeply
(ligitat(>d bread-fruit leaf, and the light-green j)crfect leaf of the
banana freshly expanded; white, lily-like flowers of the Amomum;
large, yellow, trumi)et-shaped flowers (Allemania). A strange musical
instrument. Mangrove swamp. Through a native village. Young
unexpanded palm-leaves, drying, with which to weave fancy baskets
and mats. Poles, for frames of houses, mud smeared on, and thatched
with palm-leaves. Corrugated iron, from abandoned hulks, utilized
on native roofs. Narrow dirty alleys; goats, small yellow native dogs,
naked babies terrified at white faces, half-clad girls, tattered women.
Old cannon from wrecked vessels. Eddo plants, with their broad
leaves (calladiuin, in American gardens). Mrs. Nassau a great curi-
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 61
osity with the women, some of whom wanted to shake hands. A
blacksmith shop, with an old cannon for anvil. Trees covced with
parasites and other air-plants; ferns; oil-palms, trees with their
trunks covered with ferns and orchids. People washing; in the man-
grove swamp. English Episcopal Mission house; oil-palm trees
and young bunch of nuts. Arch-deacon and Mrs. Crowther; native
women sewing. Little Dora; infant Johnny. Story of a third twin,
saved by its own parents (the Calabar native custom of destroying
twins). In Mr. Crowther's garden; a flower, in odor like mignonette;
pineapples; hibiscus, frangipani, ' fever '-bush ; passion-vine; sapo-
dilla, and grenadilla; cape-jessamine. Church inquirers examination-
room. Press-room. The hymn, - 'Knocking, knocking, who is
there?' Handsome dun-colored cattle. White ants. St. Stephens'
church, wooden, low-roof, crowded, special seats for chiefs. Red
lilies, pitanga bushes, and mango trees. Back, through the native
village, with a mission-school boy as a guide to the ju-ju house; a de-
serted house, with a pyramid of hundreds of human skulls, and scores
of rudely-carved idols. People stood by wondering; they had been
told by our guide that we were missionaries. Peeped into the narrow
doors of the small mud-huts. Mr. Robinson bargaining for oranges
and bananas. Clam and other shells in the path. Small native
market of yams, corn, meat, and plantains. Cool air, sun no longer
sultry, and evening dampness gathering. Small land-crabs fleeing
to their holes on the beach. Mr. Harrison's three dogs; one 'Bess,'
a black spaniel, most demonstrative to Mrs. Nassau, mistaking her
for its English mistress. Down the railway track again. Our crew
promptly awaiting us. Off to the steamer again by 6 P. M. Hearty
thanks to Capt. Hamilton, and just in time for dinner, with sharpened
appetites. A restful chat on deck, with loving memories of Lake-
wood; and conversations on native customs; and some irritating
reminders of our stroll in an African village street."]
" Wed'y, Nov. 30th. Mrs. Gault, Dr. Hamill and self went aboard
the hulk 'Adriatic' . . . About 2 P. M., we started out the
.river."
[One of the objects of the tour of inspection of the Rev. Messrs.
Williamson and Marshall was to settle some difficulties raised by one
of their missionaries, a Rev. Mr. Ross. Calabar was the end of the
journey of these two brethren, the last of the company of nine who
had started at Liverpool with us ; the others had dropped off at their
points of labor on the way. Our Gaboon company of five decided
that, whatever might be our sympathy in the controversy Mr. Ross
62 THE PATH SHE TROD.
had raised, our duty was to take no part in it by word or deed. In
tlio old Calabar rivor, a station of the Scotch U. P. Mission is at the
Dukctowii ati('horap;o, whore are crowded also the tradinjjj houses.
The mission has other stations farther up the river; one at Creektown,
where lived Rev. and Mrs. Edperly. Seventeen years previously I had
entertained them when he brought her on a bridal visit to Corisco.
Ilearinj:; now of our cominj;, he had, without our knowledge, arranged,
in connection with a reception of their U. P. Deputation, a welcome
for ^Irs. Nassau.]
"Thursday, Dec. 1st. Arrived in Old Calabar river, just above
,Duket()wn. . . . Mr. Ross and Mr. Peebles came on board.
Oh! how hot it was! Mr. Ross was promised our company, upon
invitation, after lunch.
"Immediately after lunch, the King lOyo VII, with his war-canoe
00 ft. long and crew of 3.) men; one in front carrying and brandishing
the long brush, by which (we supposed) the spirits were driven away;
another, with a drum beaten by particular strokes, indicative of the
King's presence; another standing and shaking a rattle as large as
a good-sized wash-bowl, covered with fringe made of prepared palm-
leaves. These with a flag and cannon in front (bow) and one flag
in stern composed the first royal boat crew.
"In a six-oared boat, were Rev. Mr. Edgcrly and King Evo himself.
0\er him was held a very large and highly colored umbrella. The
boat was ))rotected by a canvas shield as well. Mr. Ivlgerly came
up the steps first. Then, gazing back, })eckoned the King to come
also. He walked slowly up. Was dressed in entirely European
costume; large, with quiet and somewhat embarrassed manners.
Mr. E. saw Dr. Nassau, and greeted him most kindlv. Then, gave
a pressing invitation that we should return with him. When Mr.
Ross came, we did beg off. He allowed us to go;* and we promised
to cair in the morning. Mr. Gault and Mr. Robinson and the ship's
doctor went with Mr. Ross to his house in Duketown. We went
in the King's boat with Mr. Edgerly, to Creektown. We had a rather
poorly trained [with oars]^crew, though a 'royal' one, and soon fell
much more behind our King's [with paddles]. We rowed past the
mangrove forests; and as the tide was coming in, we had its aid in
our moving, but could not see the bare [when tide is out] roots of the
mangrove trees, though the interlacing branches and down-hanging
shoots were plainly visible. Just before we neared the wharf, Mr.
E. said, 'The King is waiting for us.' Our crew tried their rowing
more diligently, and soon we reached the King's company, and were
told, by signal, to proceed before them. Messrs. Williamson and
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 63
Marshall were with him in his larger and more highly royal canoe.
Mr. E. told us the delay was in honor of the presence of a lady I We
were all pleased and surprised. 8oon, we came to the boat-house,
where two men carried me to land.
"Then, we began our walk to the Mission-house over a road
clayey, but much washed by rains. I was, at the landing, intro-
duced to the King. His attendant carried his large royal umbrella
for him.
"Houses much better than in Bonny. Women braiding thatch-
ing-mats. Rev. Mr. (Joldie, white-haired and cordial, met us. Mr.
E.'s pleasant road to house; its plainness. Mrs. E. did not at first
recognize Dr. X. Miss E, [his sister] bright, energetic, independent,
a little sharp. Mrs. E. getitle, loving, faithful. Has just recovered
from s(«verc sickness. Mr. E. was away at beginning of illness.
King l]yo, though in the Rainy Season, went for him. Mr. Gillies,
a former trader at (laboon, and a friend, bro't, on a stretcher, the
physician, who was sick himself, and laid him at her feet to attend
to her. He remained in the house several days. The King did not
have to go as far as he feared, before he found Mr. E. King Eyo is
an Elder in the U. P. ('hurch. Mrs. E. told of her two boys in Scot-
land, of a little girl in heaven, and of ojie or two others with sister.
We were shown fine oranges and delicious rock-candy. Mr. (Joldie
took iMr. Marshall with him, we remaining at Mr. E's. Bamboo
roof, with breaks for sunlight and rain! Xo ceiling; very airy; very
open to air and noise. Miss E,, 'only a sister,' as she expressed it,
was comi)laining of headache, and made plain the fact that she is a
character of her own peculiar stamp. Mr. E. took us, after tea, to
Mr. Goldie, his associate and elder brother in the Mission. As we
went out in the evening air, the clear ringing strokes of the town-
clock sounded pleasantly on our cars.
"Mr. Goldie is quite noted for his botanical knowledge and re-
searches.* His collection of trees was varied and extensive. We
went into the garden to see a large tree three feet in diameter that
had branches resembling cacti, the emphorbia. Here Mrs. Goldie
met us. We were taken to her reception-room. This house, as was
^Irs. E's, is most comfortably furnished in all respects, lace curtains,
handsome side-boards, tables, chairs, pictures, &c. [These are prop-
erty, not of the Missionary, but of the Church.] By invitation, we
were taken to Miss Johnston's room, sister of Mrs. Goldie. Miss J.
is teacher, but now stricken with slight attack of fever. She spoke
of Miss Walker's intended marriage to Mr. Boy of Jamaica. [This
"news" was a mistake. Miss W. was just then on furlough in the
United States; she had made the acquaintance of the young man in
04 THE PATH SHE TROD.
Gaboon, and hr had rcinovod to Jamaica. Parties there wrote let-
ters of iiKjuiry in resjard to him to Mr. Goldie, who had formerly
live«l on that island.] The bell for prayer-meet injr warned us that we
must return. SjuMit a very i)leasant eve around the table of Mr. E.
A new puzzle-game from England shown. Mr. Williamson asked if
he .^should j)Ut it in his Hej>ort.
''The ladies were prei)aring clothes for their [school] boys. Mrs.
Edgcrly has thirteen boys and girls in her family. These she teaches,
clothes, and cares for. Mr. E. tells of his exjilorations, accompanied
by his wife, l^>tired early. Had a good bath before retiring. Did
not sj(>(>p until after eleven.
"Friday, Pec. 2d. Awoke as the clock struck 4 A. M., but, went
to sl(>(>p very soon. During the night heard the sounds of voices
and native drums in village: but. on the whole, quiet. Did not get
dressed in time for prayers at 7 A. M. ; Miss Edgerly met me, and
cared for me. while waiting for the others to return. Could hear the
pound of the ditTerent voices reading their Efik Bibles. Mr. Marshall
and Mr. and Mrs. (ioldie came just as the breakfast bell rang. En-
joyed their breakfast very much, only wanted oranges. (Mr. E. sent
to us. on steamer, a fine basket of them.)
"Mr. W., Mr. M., and Mr. E., went with us to the boat; by kind-
ness of the King, same boat as yesterday. This reminds me of the
pound of prayer and singing that went up, while the others were at
Prayers, from the native homes in the village beneath us. The
church is nrij nicely finished and furnished. A mite-box, three feet
long, with oiHMiing nearly a foot long. This was for the brass-rods,
which, I fiiud. is the money of the natives. A brass rod one yard in
length, doubled in middle, worth about eight cents. Also, fine brass
wire, several lengths twisted together in same shape. .
"From there to King Eyo's house. We entered a door-way that
led int(5 a court fifty feet by forty feet, on three sitles of which were
built his houses. The inside walls were elaborately painted in oils
by the royal ladies. The open doors of the rooms showed European
comforts. We were taken to veranda on second floor. Sat down
by table. The King met us in morning-robe, without shoes. We
looked around for some time, noticing particularly the native carvings
on door and posts. Then, were invited into the reception-room.
Lounge, hair-cloth furniture, chandelier, mirror, vases, images, table-
covers, rugs, matting, crowns, scepters. Bashful crowning of the
King. The King's autograph. Our departure. Printing-room.
Walk to boat. 'Driver' ants; fight of women. My fan brought to
me from Mrs. E's. Good-bye. But, before this, the native harp
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 65
played with thumbs, more musical than the one at Bonny. Car-
ried to boat by two men, one small, one larjje. Dr. Xassau carried
on shoulder astride. Wavinj; farewells to Messrs. E., M., and W.
Slow and irn\f;ular rowinj;. Hot atid close. The fofj, which had
been very dense, liftinjj. Arrival at steamer's side; Mrs. Gault pets
in. Leave letters with the [homeward bound steamer] 'Mayumba.'
Go to Mr. Ross' landing. Hot, and steep walk up to the mission-
house, yict by Mr. l\., who, right away, shows us around; his dis-
pensary, garden, flowers, trees. Introduced to his wife as she stood
above us on porch.
"Miss Sutherland's fine new house, so soon vacated for the better
one. Another pleasant home; Mrs. -Ross' kind greeting. Copy the
plan of Miss Sutherland's house [for possible use for ourselves]. Dr.
X. returns, and takes the pencil. [I had excused myself, to make a
call on another mission family, that of the aged Rev. Mr. Anderson.]
Our hurried dinner, hurried farewells [the steamer's gun had called
us]. Left Old Calabar at 2 P. M. [That river has a very rich palm-
oil trade, but its climate is exceedingly hot and its mangrove swamps
very malarious.]
"Sat y, Dec. 3d. Arrived in Fernando Po harbor about 7 A.M.
This is in beauty, next to .ALadeira. The Peak [10,000 feet high]
was visible for only a short time. Here Spain sent her merchants,
k(\, of Cuija, who were suspected of sympathizing with the Cuban
republicans. Left at 11 A. M.
•
"Sabbath. Dec. 4th. Sight of Corisco island in the distance.
As I came on fleck, we were steaming into Corisco Bay. We had a
Bible-reading this morning; the chief steward present. Mr. Robin-
son led. Cape St. John at our left hand. Elobi islands, where we
stopped (it was at the smaller one), between Corisco island and the
mainland.* The coast is much higher than it has been. We left
Elobi at 1.45. P. ^I. A letter was sent to Mrs.,DeHeer [at Bonita]
by an English trader, Mr. Xeill. As we steamed away, we retraced our
morning track. A verj' pretty picture was before us. St. John's
Cape, its two points, one dimmer than the other; the mainland ob-
scured by rain-clouds; capes and bays, making the coast of the main
Bay beautiful in its variety. The long dark shadows on the waters,
reflections from the hea\'\' clouds above. Elobi islands small, and
lesser ones at the extreme right. Soon, the mainland disappears
(just as a small fishing or sailing boat disappears in the shades of the
storm) and Corisco is before us. Rev. Mr. Ibia's place of work, Alongo,
is ^'isibIe, and, at the lower end of the island, is a tall, naked tree,
6() THE PATH SHE TROl).
the Innd-niark to thosp approaching the shore, and the site of Dr.
Nassau's former home. Confiirting emotions. The houses and build-
ings are all removed from Evangasimba. . . . At 6 P. M. we
anchored, not far from the mouth of the Gaboon river.
"Monday, Dec. 5th. Before breakfast, we were in Gaboon river,
and approaching the final destination. Dr. Nassau pointed out to
me the French 'Plateau'; and we could distinguish the white fence
and house of the two Barakas. 'Baraka' means 'slave-pen' in the
native tongue; and those mission-houses are built over the site of
former slave-pens. The view of Libreville is very attractive. Quite
elevated and beautifully green, and the French Government build-
ings are quite elaborate. Soon we saw a man in white dress open
tlu> boat-house; and then the boat was pushed olT. In due season,
the 'Miimesota' was alongside the steamer; and H. M. Bachelor,
M. D.. and Kev. G. C. Campbell, were introduced to us.
"As soon as our breakfast was over, we packed loose articles, and
were off. Before bidding good-bye, I left a little memento in stew-
ard Harry's hand for the Captain, and gave a brooch to Madame
Pecqueur. [With the "little memento," Mrs. Nassau wrote a letter
of thanks for the captain's continued courtesy to us. A gratified
and gratifying rejily lies before me, retained by Mrs. Nassau, among
the treasures of Africa, among all others' marks of kindness.]
" \\c saw Rev. Messrs. Walker and Marling on the beach. Greeted
by natives kindly, tho' Dr. Nassau was not always recognized, because
of cut beard. Stojipeil for a few minutes at the Lower Baraka;
Mrs. Campbell, and Mrs. Bachelor and the baby Otis. Then, to the
Upper Baraka, which was to be home; saw Mrs. Bushnell, and ^Irs.
Ogden. Opened some trunks and showed some pretty things to
ladies. !Mr. Marling proposed a prayer-meeting (of welcome), which
Avas actetl on. Met at Mrs. Bushnell's. Dr. Nassau led. Had a
pleasant sail in Mr. Campbell's boat, after tea. Episode of escape
from rumiing into a boat ; danger.
"Tuesday, Dee. 6th. Unpacked, this morning. Many native
women and some boys called. Attended evening prayers at 6 o'clock
in the school-house. While opening a box containing books, a cen-
tipede dropped outl Prayer-meeting at Mr. Campbell's, in evening.
Mr. Walker led. After meeting, Dr. B. and Dr. N. had flute duets.
"Wed'y, Dec. 7th. Mr. Robinson led evening prayer-meeting in
school house. After which, at Mr. Campbell's, had a social sing.
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 67
. . . Another centipede, killed in Mrs. Gault's bed. Scratch,
scratch, scratch. [Almost all new arrivals are troubled with irritable
skin.]
"Thursday, Dec. Sth. This afternoon at 3.00 o'clock, attended
a Women's Missionary Meeting at Mrs. Campbell's. A native woman
Icil. She and .Janic were the only natives present. We were hur-
ried to reach the boat which was to take us [seven missionaries; Mr.
Walker and I walked] to make our official call on the French Com-
mandant. Wharf at landing, well laid-out grounds; stone build-
ings; stopped at gate by sentry; were asked to give cards and had
none; finally admitted. Pkvasant Commandant; his wife, and little
girl, and sick manly little son. Mr. Marling talked (in French) for
us; tryifig silence. Dr. X. rode back in boat with us. Meeting at
Mrs. liushnell's; Mr. Gault led. Scratch, scratch, scratch. [The
"Janie" mentioned was the educated native Christian lady, Anye-
ntyuwe, who, seven 3'ears later, was to be the protector and gov-
erness of Mrs. Nassau's daughter.]
"Friday, Dec. 9th. Mr. Walker speaks to Dr. X. of Dr. H.'s dis-
satisfaction with Mr. Reading. Dr. X. spoke to Dr. B. of this; and,
before prayer-meeting, they had a long talk. Dr. B. told his griev-
ances [against Mr. R.] and also said his anger against Dr. X'. had not
subsided. He was away, during the social sing after prayer-meeting.
I imagine, now smoking. Mrs. Cami)bell led, and Mrs. Bachelor
prayed. Scratch, .scratch, scratch. [Thus early Mrs. Nassau met
with one of the disillusions as to the holiness of foreign missionary
life. It distressed her exceedingly. I do not know, to this day,
what was the ground of Dr. B.'s ill-will toward me. In that "long
talk," I begged him to tell me, in order that I might apologize or
make reparation if I had done him wTong. He would not tell me.
I can only imagiiie that, perhaps, because (before I visited the United
States in 18S0) I had objected to his excessively constant smoking,
especially when traveling with me; it sickened me. Perhaps, also,
because of my friendship for Mr. R. Xot withstanding Dr. B.'s
animosity, Mrs. B.'s relations with Mrs. Nassau and myself were
always most cordial.]
"Saturday, Dec. 10th. Were at Mr. Campbell's, for weighing.
I, 130 lbs; height, o ft. 5| inches. [Mine, 144 lbs; height, 5 feetr9
inches.] Whole weight of twelve missionaries, 1500 lbs. Got very
tired. Had peculiar sensation in head. In storo-room some time;
hot. Meeting at Mrs. Bushnell'a; Mr. Robinson led. Showed Mrs.
68 THE PATH SHE TROD.
Bachelor pictures. Scratch. [The store-room, in which was placed
the lii«;jraf2;n of newly-arrived missionaries, was built entirely of gal-
vanized iron, and was excessively hot.]
"Sabbath, Dec. 11th. First Sabbath in Africa. Meeting in
church, at 0 A. M. Mr. Walker conducted Mpongwe Services; and
Mr. (lault, English. Home by 10.50 A. M. Sab. Sch. at 3 P. M. I
had a class; tho' I wanted Dr. X. to take it. Meeting in Sch. -house,
at 7 P. M. Dr. Nassau spoke in English, after Mr. W. in Mpongwe.
Not a glad day. Too much of self; too little of prayer and God's
Word.
"Monday, Dec. 12th. Spent the morning in singing, and talking
with Mrs. IJ., of our expected entertainment. I made a programme,
which I fear, as always before, will jirove unsatisfactory. God help
us to live in peace and unity! Afternoon; read and translated six
verses of 12th Chap, of Matth. Hard shower, preceded by dark clouds.
Went thro' rain to Mr. Campbell's for prayer-meeting. . . . Dr.
B. led. He appointed Dr. X.; Dr. X. suggested Mr. Marling. Rev.
Mr. Ibia arrives. Still scratching. [We were awaiting the assembling
of all the missionaries for the Annual Meeting of Mission and Presbv-
tery. The mission schooner "Hudson" was daily expected from
Benita. I do not remember what is referred to by "entertainment"
and "programme."]
"Tuesday, Dec. 13th, A. M. Still no 'Hudson.' The Mission
Meeting is held this morning. I go down with Mrs. (iault to sing.
Mrs. Campbell helping her husband; and Mrs. li. bathing her baby.
. . . This morning gone with writing in this, reading, and the
above call. Dr. Xassau reports pleasant and successful IMission-
Meeting. . . . Rev. Mr. DeHeer and Mr. Menkel came toward
eveniiig. Disappointed in not seeing Mrs. DeHeer.
"Am troubled with mosquitoes, and a breaking or an eruption
on skin. I hear the drumming and songs of the native revelry. I
went to boat-house after Dr. X\ [I had been painting our boat,
"Swan."] Late for supper. Had new dish for supper; first saw
palm-nuts, from which are made palm-butter and oil. Evening.
Prayer-meeting here. Mr. Marling led; subject, the Holy Spirit.
Mrs. Sneed killed a centipede during prayer-meeting. Scratches.
"Dec. 14th, Wed'y. Spent two hours with Mrs. B. and Mrs. C.
. . . Helped Mrs. Bachelor put the machine together. Spent
afternoon in trj'ing to study Mpongwe. Evening. Mr. DeHeer
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 69
preached from Zcch. 4. 0. 'Not by mi«;ht, nor by power, but by my
Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.' After the sermon, Presbytery was
opened by prayer; and Mr, Campbell elected Moderator; Dr. Nassau
Stated Clerk. The tho'tlessness of Gaboon Station, for the rest of
the Mission, manifest. Hut, God rules, and His Spirit Avill guide and
control. Felt the need of that Spirit in learning the language.
"Thursday, Dec. loth. Mrs. Gault called me in to have prayer
with hor. It was about 9 A. M. . . . Noon, still no appoint-
ments [by the Mission Meeting]. Before tea, no, just after, the French
Commandant, wife, and officer, called; pleasant. Attended Pres-
bytery in evening. Dr. X. moved that native Licentiate Kongolo
[of the Ogowe church] be Stated Supply of Evune church. [This was
opposed, at some length by Dr. Bachelor, who, as elder of First
Ogowo Church, was also a member of Presbytery.] The motion was
carried.
"Friday, Dec. 10th. The [homeward bound] steamer 'Angola'
arrived last evening, and I hastily sent off six letters, as hastily written.
The first note to Will Nassau. Dr. Bachelor presented his resigna-
tion, and a letter of history, which he gave all liberty to read. Dr. N.
did not read; but was told it concerned himself and Mr. Murphy.
[My friend Rev. S. H. Murphy, a former missionary. I never read the
document, and do not, to this day, know its contents. I did not wish
to fjuarrel, as Dr. B. had declined my offer of reconciliation.] Pre-
paratory Lecture. Mr. Robinson led. Subject: 'Come for all
things are ready.' Foimd Roman Catholic Bishop and priest in parlor;
affable. . . . Mrs. Bachelor stayed from Presbytery to help
me mend. Other ladies went to Presbytery. [The evening session
was made uncomfortable through an attack on me by Rev. William
Walker (a Congregationalist, who, only by courtsey, was a correspond-
ing member) V)ecause of my effort to sustain legal parliamentary
l)rocedure in Presbytery.] This is all s.o trying. God help us to honor
Him! God help us to be wise, charitable, just, upright! Was much
troubled by this itching. Mr. and Mrs. Gault are to go to Mbade
[Benita] near Bolondo [Station of Rev. and Mrs. DeHeer and Mrs.
Reutlinger]; Mr. Robinson and we to Kdngwe."
[Of those days, Mrs. Nassau says, in the draft of a letter, without
date, but evidently written in February, 1882, to a W. F. M. S.:
"There were at Mrs. Campbell's, Dr. Bachelor and wife and baby
Otis (No. 1), their guests. Dr. B. had charge of K4ngwe; but has
left it in the hands of our traveling companion, Rev. W. H. Robinson.
70 THE PATH SHE TROD.
At Upper J3araka. wc meet first of all, the sad but earnest face of
dear Mrs. Bushiicll, and Mrs. Ogden of Perrinesville, X. J., who is
assisting Mrs. Bushnoll in the heavy burdens she is carrying. But,
do not forget that our party consists not only of those you know,
but of Mr. Robinson, before mentioned, and of Rev. and Mrs. Wni.
C. Gault, from Pittsburgh, Pa. Baraka is the name of the Mission
grounds; and you have found that there are two dwelling houses
upon it. . . . These two houses mark the spot where not many
years past [about forty], the chains clanked upon the limbs of the
suffering, dispairing, captive; and the cruel whips lashed the quiv-
ering flesh of the many stolen natives, huddled together like dumb
beasts into the narrow limits of their pen. Now, ujmn the same
grounds, we hear the church-bcll calling to the worship of God; and,
on week-day, the busy hum of eager school-children, happy in their
studies; and. every day, sounds of prayer and praise ascend to God,
instead of the curse of th.^ slave-holder and the moans of the slave.
They are pleasant grounds, but, their proximity to the French Roman
Catholic Mission is very often trying, particularly as the French
CJovernmcnt, the ruling power, favors the R. Catholic, tho' they are
couiicous to us.
"We had occasion to notice the power of the name 'United States
of America,' in a dispute that arose between the two Missions; and the
dear old fag fins influence here ; and we all wish our Government would
of teller send her ships to our coast, that both mtive and French may
better realize the existence of such a Power, and that 'the U. S.' will
protect her citizens. We find the presence of French officials a check
upon the cupidity and cruelty of the natives, tho' it is also true, that
as 'Americans,' we are not always as sure of protection."
[The "dispute'' referred to was: One night a torch-light procession
of Roman Catholic school-boys, with banners and mottoes, celebrating
one of their Saints' days, came on the Baraka premises with insulting
shouts. One of our missionaries went to them on our path, ordered
them off, and broke down some of their transparencies. When, the
next day, the Roman Catholic priest made complaint for destruction
of their property, the French magistrate dismissed the case, saying
that we were within our rights on our owm premises.]
"Sat'y, r>ec. 17th. Lighted lamp, last night, at midnight ; nervous.
Was not able to sleep because of mosquitoes and 'hives.' An old
man, to-day, with white hat, linen coat, cane, dressed in a cloth,
little boy with umbrella, no shoes, came into the room, held out his
hand, turned, left the house. Proved to be King 'Glass,' Dowe. An
old woman, bare-headed, bare-footed, a cloth, umbrella, anklets a
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 71
fin<;er in height, \vTy face, came in sick. Asked for two kinds of medi-
cine, of Mrs. Bushnell. She gave her worm pills. Had pictures of
entire Mission taken. All present. Went with Mrs, Bachelor and
Mrs. Gault to visit Gertrude Boughton [a native] and her baby. Mud
floor, small rooms, crowded with boxes, trunks; neighbor's chairs
bro't for us. Sophia's [the daughter's] grief at leaving Mrs. Bachelor.
Met the father Andrew [a native elder]. Mr. Walker going to the
sick; we follow; foot-paths, few houses, fires on clay-floors, no chim-
neys; baby with sixth finger cut off. Ovanga, the School Matron,
very sick, but better; heart disease; little room, mosquito net; cen-
tipede. Wind blew, like Fall; and quite cool this morning. The
rattling of the coco-nut leaves sounds like rain. To-morrow, Com-
munion.
"Sabbath, Dec. 18th. Mr. Campbell preached from I. John 3:1-3.
Afternoon, Communion. This is the first celebrated [since she ar-
rived] in Africa. Rev. Messrs. Ibia and Marling distributed the bread
and wine, thro' two native Elders, Andrew Komanandi, a Mpongwe,
also Ekitike, from Batanga of the Monaka tribe, one who, twenty
y(>ars ago would have been called 'a bushman' and not worth)' of
association by the first. [Ekitike is still living, an elder at Batanga.]
Mr. Ibia's address was very good indeed. This evening Mr. Walker
gave an Mpongwe address; ^Ir. Gault an English.
"Monday, Dec. 10th. Last evening, I was very tired, and Mr.
Walker's words and actions were before me a long time before sleep
came. This morning, felt not good; and, by 10 A. ]\I., was in a chill.
Went to dinner; but, immediately after, went to bed. Head ached,
fever high, breath short, heavy perspiration. Marked off the minutes
until Dr. X. should get thro' the Presbytery. At last, he came. I
want^l bed and clothes changed; at first he objected, but consented
at last. Slept poorly. [The excitements of the two pre\ious weeks
had their inevitable effect. To escape fever, one must be free from
worry. It was not either of the dangerous "African" fevers; it was
the usual intermittent that sooner or later seizes every new white
comer to the African Equator. The perspiration is a saving feature,
and I feared to remove the thick coverings which had become un-
comfortable.]
"Tuesday, 20th. Enjoyed Mrs. Bushnell 's soup, and Mrs. Camp-
bell's orange: Feel better; still feverish. Did not get up until
evening. [The usual intermission of a tertian fever, and the patient
72 THP] PATH SHE TROD,
thru attempts to do too nuich; usually followed by an unfavorable
reaction on the third day.]
"Wcdy, 21st. Wrote to Mrs. DeHeer, having persuaded ^Ir.
Dellcer to wait for the 'Hudson,' and not go with his own little boat.
Wrote a short letter home. After dimier, sat up. Head ached very
badly. Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Bachelor called. Prayer Meeting.
])r. X. stayed with, and playfully tried to lift mc bodily; objected.
"Thursday, 22(1. Head ached all night. Decided not to arise
to-day. After dinner, J)r. N.^ received word that the ']\Ipongwc'
would sail at 4 P. M., and we were welcome to a passage. After
consultation, decided to go. ^Irs. (lault, Mrs. Canii)bell, Mrs. Ogden,
packed and repacked for me. I dressed; rode in carriage (how rough
it was!) to the boat. Safely on 'Mpongwe.' After waiting an hour,
Cai>t. Simoiison arrived. Little cabin, just room for table, lounge
on seats, dirty cloth, poor j)rovisions on table, sleep on seats, put up
a shawl for curtain, night dress urt [with perspiration]. Mrs. Bach-
elor and baby with us, Iguwe nurse. Many natives on board.
Anchored near mouth of Gaboon river."
[The meetings had adjourned and the members were scattering
to their stations. Mrs. Nassau wished to make her own home. Th(>re
was only slight risk in a convalescent from intermittent fever travel-
ing. The "carriage" was a small springless wagon drawn by human
hands. Dr. li.'s goods were to be removed from Kangwe, in the
Ogowe; he sent his wife with young babe to make the journey and
do the work. The actual result was that Mrs. Nassau and I had to
do much of that work for his good wife, Mrs. B. being lame, with
a sore foot. Iguwi was a young Galwa girl whom Mrs. B. had
br(Tught from Kangwe.]
"Friday, Dec. 2.3d. Last sight of the ocean. [The steamer enter-
ing the Nazareth mouth of the Ogowe at 4 P. M. Prophetic words!
She never saw the ocean again.] Anchored at Angala.
Sat'y> Dec. 24th. Hastened out to fresh air. Found 'King'
Esongi [of Angala] on board [who presented a mat with a very warm
native welcome to me as a former friend]. Hot day. Captain
troubled with mate. Poor supply of food, as to quantity. Mrs.
Bachelor feels feverish. All restless. Sea turtle bo't; turtle soup
and steak; feast. At night, anchor in [papyrus] 'bush' at Avanga
OCTOBER, ISSl, TO AFRICA. 73
[Lake entrance]. Driven from dininf^-room by bujrs and mosquitoes
[attracted by the lamp]. Mrs. B. wraps up baby. I take tea, jro
out in darkness. Put out litiht. Capt. S. ol)jects, comes in, lights
lamp, finds buffs numerous, puts out lijjht, retires, sent a lonj; plank;
bed made on it in connection with seat, after table is moved; put
mos(|uito net over it; undress and p:o into the African sweat-box.
Hottest nijrht I have ever known! Sleep poorly. Jiaby Otis
well. Stranjie ('hristmas Eve! Xkami tribe.
"Sab. 2.')th. Christmas. So fjlad that this is the last day on
board! Mate in better humor. Arrived by 3. .30 P. M. at Lambarene.
Salutes from cannon [of the (lerman trading; house aiul two river
steamers "Batanp;a" and "Pioneer"] and flaps, Xo unfreifrhtinp;.
"Start in 'Swan' for Kaufrwe; then s<'t into Mr. SchifT's [(Jerman
airent] boat. Dr. Nassau and 'Swan' towed, until after we turn
around the island, when I pet into the 'Swan ' with Dr. Mr. S's Kroo
crew want 'dash' (tip). Met R, V. i)riest at wharf. Welcomed by
Mr, and Mrs. .J. H. Heading at the Mission landinjr. Stay all nipht
at th(>ir AndrMide. I^veninp prayers; and, for the first time, hear
an interpreter pive the sermon to the pef)ple. Lizzie hanps up her
stocking, and one for Otis. [A very large ishuid divided the Ogowe,
thus beginning its delta 130 miles from the sea. On the main-stream
Ride of the island, at a localitv, Lambarene, were located the French
(lovernment post, German and English trading houses, and a French
l^oman Catholic Mission. Our Kangwe station was a mile distant
around the head of the islaiul, on the mainland side of the smaller
stream. Mr. Reading had planned an elaborate and noisy reception
for us; but, it being Sabbath, confined the noise to the ringing of
the church bell. "Lizzie" was their little daughter; they all three
are living in the United States.]
" Mt)nday, Dec. 2Gih. Lizzie has many presents. Mrs. Bachelor
is to go up 'the Hill' [her former home]. Dr. Nassau wakes with a
headache, but goes with her. Comes back better, and all enjoy the
Christmas dinner; duck, fresh cucumbers and beans, nuts, &e. After
dinner. Dr. N. tells Mr. and Mrs. Reading of Mission fleeting. They
very discomposed thereby. Mrs. B. and baby go on the Hill. We
stay, and see the fire-works of Welcome to new missionaries; firing
of guns also by the natives. Dr. N. goes for the night with Mrs. B."
[KAngAve was a very steep hill some three hundred feet in height.
On it was my house of 1S78-1880 and another built by Dr. Bachelor
during 1880-1881. Mr. R's house, "AndCnde," was at the junction
74 THE PATH SHE TROD.
of Aiidfnde Creek with the Ogowe, near the Offowe river-bank, and
about half-mile from the hill-top; we thought Mrs. B. should not be
nlone there with her baby.
In a draft of a letter, written a month later, evidently for the
Spring Meeting of her W. F. M. 8., with photographs of Gaboon and
the "Mpongwe," Mrs. Xassau tells of her journey:]
"It was at Libreville that I first, and thus far, for the only time,
have sulTercd from the dreaded fever or feverishness. I was in the
bed; and, upon the fourth day, word came that the 'Mpongwe' would
start that afternoon. This was our only opportunity of reaching
Kangwe, save by a ride of two weeks in a small open hoot, traveling by
day, and sleei)ing in native villages or in the wilderness by night. There
was no alternative; and it proved to be just the needed medicine; for,
I began to improve from the start, and was well when we reached
Kaiigwe, Christmas of ISSl. A memorable Christmas! I wish I had
the dimensions of the 'Mpongwe,' but have not. The Cai)tain, mate,
and engineer were white; the crew and passengers were black, save
my husband, Mrs. Bachelor and her boy Otis, three months old, and
pclf. Dr. Xassau slei)t on upper deck, 'poop-deck' it is called. The
'ladies cabin,' diniiig-saloon, and ladies berths were in one room.
In the middle of it was our table, our berths were the seats that sur-
rounded this table, except one night, when we made our bed on the
table, in order to give both ladies the comfort of the mosquito-net,
there being but one i)etween us. That night was Christmas l']ve; and,
such a night! We were literally driven from the room by the swarm
of bugs, and took refuge, in the darkness, upon the damp crowded
deck, in the midst of j^rostrate forms of all sizes, arid were comforted
(?) by the odors of filthy and repulsive native men, women, and
children. After the lights were put out, we were able to put up our
bed and netting, and could have slept quite comfortably, had it not
been*f()r the opinrssivc heat. I think it was the most stifling night I
ever experienced. Our baby lay peacefully at our heads, its mother
resting by my side, all of us on the improvised bed. The dark space
[in the jihotograph] under the awning on the lower deck, includes the
'ladies saloon,' the captain's, mate's and engineer's cabin, and the
kitchen ('galley'), and engine-room. To the left of the cabin, at the
bow of the boat, is the deck where were crowded together men,
women, and naked babies in most delightful confusion. But, even
there, we saw the influence of Christianity, in the busy fingers of
several women who were sewing. . . . We had arrived at
Kdngwe, had been kindly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Reading ... .
had climbed the steep Hill, and, at its top, found my present home.
OCTOBER, 1881, TO AFRICA. 75
Mrs. Bachelor had come to pathcr tojicthcr her household poods,
and move them to Libreville. She expected to return on the Friday
of the same Aveek, Dec. ,30th; l)ut, the 'j\Iponp;we' was stranded on
n sand-bar, and up river, and did not return until this month. But,
the 'Pioneer,' Livinjjstone's old steamer, went to (Jaboon the follow-
ijig week; and this brave woman, with her child and {loods, left a sick
bed (she had been confined for several days on account of over-work)
and went on this old steamer, notwithstanding; it had been condemned
as not sea-worthy. And this letter will be trusted to the same steamer
for its conveyance to Libreville; and, then, I trust it will meet the
French mail in season to bring it to you and your Sprinjc: INIeeting."
[It did reach that meeting, where, while she was actually begin-
ning her African work, her American associates were barely able to
give her up from her secretarvship with themselves. In the printed
"Tenth Annual Report of the W. F. M. 8. of the Presbytery of Mon-
mouth," of April I'ith, 18S2, there are references to Mrs. Nassau,
h(T work, and her letters: "Mrs. Parker then read letters from Mrs.
Nassau, giving an interesting account of the commencement of her
missionary work in Africa. Pictures of a group of missionary work-
ers, and scenes in the African mission-field were exhibited." The
lU'V. Dr. E. B. Hodge made an address at that meeting, in which he
remarks: "The same \\'is(l()m that orders one laborer to Africa orders
other laborers to Heaven." Mrs. Parker, in her address of "Decen-
•. . . ...
nial Reminiscences," referring to the organization in 1872, said:
"The amiual Meeting of the year 1879 was held in Freehold, at which
time Miss ^lary B. Foster was elected Corresponding Secretary. I
need not tell you of Miss Foster's worth, her praise is in all the churches,
except to say that she is eminently cjualified for whatever work the
Master shall appoint her. At His call, she has gone far hence, to
teach the benighted Africans the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From that
land oT darkness, she aj^peals to us for earnest prayer in her behalf.
Her office must be filled to-da)'."
[And the Corresponding Secretary pro tern., Mrs. C. M. Davis,
reported: "No one regrets the absence of our very efficient Cor.
Sec'y, Mrs. Nassau, more than the one who is trying to perform the
duties of her office; but, though we miss her cheerful face, and earnest
and inspiring words today, have we not given her 'God-sjwed' to go
to that far-distant land, and speak a word for Jesus? With thank-
ful heart we rejoice that we have another representative in the field ;
one who has gone, as we trust, armed with such faith, love and cour-
age, as will enable her by God's grace, to overcome many difficulties,
and accomplish an important work in that dark land. . . . We
7(J THE PATH SHE TROD.
pl.idly \v('l(>()ino to our Prosbytorial Society . . . The Foster
Hniui of Bjirnegat, oriiauizod Feb'y Uth, 1SS2. ... On the 0th
of Aiijr. ISSl. at Asbury Park . . . ]\Iiss Foster spoke in tiie
('oiifcrence meetiiij; with deep emotion of tlie important work upon
which slic was about enteriiijr. . . . ^^any recall with pleasinp;
inttMr><t fJH* ' Kecejition ' of Miss Foster and Dr. Nassau, in the pariors
of the late Mr. Hichardson, in Freehold; the presentation of an Orp;an
from th<^ church(\s of Freehold, Jamesburfj, Allentown, (Yanbury 1st,
lli<:ht«;t(>wM aud Shr(>wsl)urv. and the happy addri\ss of Mrs. Parker
on that occasidu. Then eamc the Weddinj; at Lakewood, the em-
barcation at Philadelphia; and, now, after months of anxious waiting,
there comes to the Society, a characteristie letter from the far-away
friends, breathinc: a spirit of devotion and hope, and pivinjr an inter-
estinj; account of her experience atul prospects."]
Pcsuniiiit; Mrs, Nassau's Diary: —
"Tuesilay, Dec. 27th. Dr. N. comes early; buys a 'konjroniro'
[a craft, part canoe and part boat]. I ride in canoe to lower landiiii;;
walk up the hill of (IKficulty; settle a little in new quarters; take
some charge, (.o to Prayer-Meet iiijr; many take part. Chief ]?e-
nkombe and wi\es called; he had on only a soiled cloth, the handle
of an umbrella for a cane, a few brass rinj^s on ankles, and ivory ones
on wrists. Dr. li. and Mr. R. and others did not like him. Dr. N.
bo't these irrounds from him, paying S20 (in trade), and has gotten
along with him well."
[Th(^ "lower landing" was half way to the hill, at its very foot.
The hill was so steep that, to make it at all accessible, I had (in 1S7S)
cut a curved jiath out of its face. Hut Mrs. IL had found it so im-
practical>le that Mr. R. had left the hill and built Anden<le. Mrs.
Nassau "took some charge" because the hill house was to l)e her
home for pn^bably a year, and Mrs. B. was only a guest. The (lalwa
Chief Reid<ombe had treated me well, being pleased by ni}' recogni-
tion of him as a prominent chief when I bought the thirty-acre prem-
ises from him in 187().]
"Wed'y, Dec. 2Sth. Very dull in morning; sun, in afternoon.
Many women and men come; tr^'ing to nerves. In heljiing Mrs.
Bachelor, and getting own things around, was very tired; cried.
House in disorder; dirt around; strange language, seems as if I should
never learn. Co to God in prayer for help. 'They that trust in the
Lord shall be as Mt. Zion, which shall not be removed, but abideth
forever.'"
OCTOBER, 1S81, TO AFRICA. 77
[By appointment of the Mission, I was given no work or authority
nt Kangwe. I was to make a new station "not within fifty miles
of Kangi;\'e." Kangwe Station was in charge of Mr. Heading, its
finances, school, etc. The church under care of Mr. Piobinson. Mrs.
Nassau was given one of the two houses on the hill; Mr. Robinson
in the other, but boarding with her. Besides her domestic affairs
and studies, she was to teach a few girls and Mbora, a candidate
for the ministry.]
"Thursday, Dec. 20th. Mrs. Bachelor still deep in her packing,
and I in my arranging. I helped in packing dishes. We arose late;
and the first sound was that of chimpanzees barking in the forest.
Dr. IVs tame chimpanzee is very amusing in his acts, rolling over,
scratching his head, picking out the chigoes from his feet, carrying
iiis handkerchief in his loins, ttc. Much disorder, because of packing
and changes. The dirt and dust are fearful. The house (bamboo)
is very dark, and the light shining thro' the chinks makes it seem very
l)nrn-like. The wood work is perfectly plain and often worm-eaten.
The flo()r is red with the clay soil. The matting in the parlor, but
only (native) mats in the bed-room. This morning a Fang man
came with a chicken and igunm [l)oiIed cassava roots WTapjied in plan-
tain leaves]. Saw to giving out the [native rations of] food, i)lan-
tains and dried fish. ]Mrs. Rending sent us cucumbers and beans.
I have done nothing to-day towards learning the language. 'He
that gocth forth and weepcth, bearing jirecious ficcd. shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.' May God
helj) me to go forth in every word and act, in performing His will
and work! The boys are eatching fowls to-night, with hideous noise;
and jwor Mrs. Bachelor is wearied with the cries of baby-boy Otis.
Orungu (a tribe at the mouth of the river) and the Galwa tribe have
'a palaver' (quarrel), and our employes, without n white man in the
boat, are not safe on the river, and Mr. Reading finds trouble in se-
curing men to take a canoe to Angala to meet our baggage and Mr^
Robinson.
"Friday, Dec. 30th. Igu\\-i washed my bed-room floor. Mrs.
Bachelor seems very much worn. She went with Mrs. Reading to
And«?nde to dinner. I baked my first cake; not very fine. I wrote,
after dinner a little, home; then got ready for gouig to 'Mama' Read-
ing's. Akendenge and another carried me in a hammock down the
Hill. Mrs. B's foot was very painful. Enjoyed suj)per very much.
Mr. Reading and Dr. X. told of their experiences. Mr. R. told King
Esongi's history of the origin of his family: A woman, fond of gar-
7S THE PATH SHE TROD,
doMinji; raised fine squashes; lost many; watched; saw celestial
beiii^xs, captured one, a female, and retained; given as Avife to a man
in tile town: from which union sprang his family. Rode homo in
a canoe; walked up; the Hill tiresome, but very beautiful in this
moonlight. [During the two years of Mrs. Nassau's association
with Mrs. Heading, the latter was not only sisterly, but gave also
somewhat of a maternal interest unbroken until Mrs. R.'s almost
fatal illness drove her finally from Africa. The native word **Ma"
was not our I'nglish word "Mamma;" it was a title of respect,
efjuivalcMit to "Mr." or "Mrs." Mrs. Xassau was already adapting
herself to native conditions and words. Most of the lads and young
men in employ of the two Jvangwe households had begun their
civilization in my school of 1S7S-S0, and Dr. B.'s of 1880-81.]
"Sat'y, Dec, ,31st. New Year's Eve; and very warm, with mos-
quitoes and summer insects flying around the head. Last night, a
tornado scatterctl branches and dead trees around us, and so cooled
the air that Dr. X. caught cold, and has gone to bed quite sick. ^Irs.
K(>ading sent a 'palm-cabbage.' Iguwi and Mwenanga [two girls]
have just bro't us a native, or, as they call it, 'black-man's' mango-
j)lum. The boys have cleared or swept up the grounds quite nicely
around the house. I hope God will give me grace to know and per-
form every duty in all the relations of my new position. Have done
no studying to-day."
[Nothing, in all the experiences of my African life, was more dele-
terious to my health than the sudden falling of temperature just
j>receding a tornado. It would cause, not a so-called "cold," but a
malarial chill. "Palm-cabbage" was the soft heart of a palm-tree,
taken from the top, from the center of the cluster of fronds. It was
white and soft as a turnip, a slight suggestion of cabbage taste, and
the white bases of the unexpanded fronds made good chicken salad.
The wild mango had an oily kernel, from which the natives made
odika, for a rich "gravy with or without meat.]
1882, AT RANG WE. 79
CHAPTER XI.
1882. At Kangwe.
"January 1st, 1S82, Sabbath. The first Sabbath of the year '82;
first experience in Sab. Sch. teaching [mission]; first Sabbath at
Kangwe. I awoke with a headache, after the wakefuhiess of the pre-
ceding evening. Mrs. Bachelor is some feverish, and Otis fretful.
Dr. .N. better, and preaclied in Kangwe church this morning at 9.30
o'clock, with Mbora as interpreter. Mrs. Reading and husband
the on)}' other white persons, with at least 75 blacks. When coming
up hill from church, met 'Driver' ants, and their captains were out,
as they evidently had been disturbed, and we found a few as far as
the house. Sab, Sch. in afternoon in the School-room. I taught
Akcndcnge and Agaia, and was very much pleased with their knowl-
edge of the Scripture, their attention, and their prompt answers.
It has been quite comfortable in temperature, and rain has fallen all
the afternoon very gently. At 5 P. M., a light tornado came up,
which made us dose the windows, which means to shut out all the
sunlight, and have lamps lighted. The winds do not continue long,
tho' the rain falls more heavily. Attended Monthly Concert in evening.
Agaia, Xgawc, Mbora, and two others prayed, and two made short
addresses. It Avas pleasing to see and hear, even when not under-
Btanding, their promptness, earnestness, and apparent desires after
God; and, particularly, when this work was begun only in Oct. 1876.
In that Oct., the first stroke was made in the forest, with nothing
but pure unadulterated heathenism. Now, the boys seem like christian
boys, and many of them speak English. May God fill me for personal
work among them! And, if His will be such, may that work be that
of a teacher. [My first African dialect was the Benga; in it I was
fluent. Then, from 1874 to 1876, I had just acquired the Dikele at
Belambila; but abandoned it for Galwa (a dialect of MpongAve) at
KangAve, 1877 to 1880. My long absence in the United States had
made me somewhat halting in the Galwa, and for a few weeks I again
used an interpreter. It is my sorrow that her wish was not granted.
In her eight months at Kangwe, her position was only a temporary
one. And at Talaguga it was impossible. The two years there were
the life of a pioneer. A school is practicable only after a station has
become thoroughly estabhshed.]
"Monday, Jan'y 2d. Akendenge superintended the washing
quite successfully, I think. He had half a dozen little boys to assist.
80 thp: path she trod.
. . . The jiirls had to clean their kitchen, which they called 'dead;'
and they had Immmi usinp: the boys', contrary to law. The husband
went this niorninp; uj) and across the river to Incnga, three miles,
called on Kinjc Hanoki, and asked him to provide a crew, to row him
up the river to Okota and Okanda. Dr. saw six hippopotami, on
the way. . . . One of our boys is named 'Bigman.' The night
watchman, ' Hufus,' is calling, 'Watch!' around the grounds. Hamill
is writing out an order for provisions for the coming year."
[In jMU'suance of my arrangements for starting a new station,
I needed to make a journey of inspection. No white man was allowed
by the (Jalwa tribe to make an interior journey without permission
from some Galwa chief. My efforts to obtain this permit had not
been satisfactory, because I would neither pay tribute nor consent
to a fetish-making for a success-charm. I then applied to Renkombe.
He, though an inferior chief, was flattered by my application. Ilim-
Fclf was going, with his own canoes, and he promised to take me and
mine under his i)rotection.]
"Tuesday, Jan'y 3<1. Hamill went to Mr. Sinclair's [the Scotch
ngont of the English firm of Hatton & Cookson] to see about se-
nniiig of provisions for his journey. . . . The little boys were
clis(tl)(>dipnt this morning about getting fire ready for the ironing.
They were called by me to the back porch, where I took their names.
After the husband returned, they were called up in straight array
before us. It was amusing, to see their black faces and bodies bare
to the waist, their gl(>aming eyes, and long-drawn out, but most re-
spectful scntenc(\s. They were judged by the Dr., and pardoned,
with injunction that they be not disobedient hereafter. As punish-
ment, they were required to pick over my pillow of hair instead of
playing. They were called off to milk the goat. After that was done,
they came obediently back, tho' Dr. X. had not expected them. The
girls had 4)een very disobedient about cooking and eating in their
house. Mrs. 13. had kept them from School, to clean and prepare
their house. They were all the morning at work, and, when the Dr.
went to their grounds, they had not touched their house, but had
dug a level.place in the hill-side, where they had put their fire-wood
to make their food. ... I spoke to Mr. Reading about teaching
the English class; he did not seem to approve of it. Mrs. Bachelor
h.as been lounging about, very weak and feverish; had a chill be-
fore dinner. We did have a nicely cooked fowl to-day. She enjoyed;
still, was miserable. By supper time, she was too sick to come to
the table. I took her supper to her side in the parlor. ... I
dressed Otis and washed him!
18S2, AT KAXGWE. 81
"Wcd'y, Jan'y 4th. This morning, I was awakened by the cries
of Otis, and the groans of Mrs. B. I went to them, and found Mrs.
B. had suffered all night with excessive pain in her head, and high
fever. How troubled I was! I took Otis (it was 5.30 A. M). By
breakfast time, I was worn out, and left the table to wash the tears
from my eyes. All day, I felt very weak, but tried to wait on Mrs.
B. and Otis. She was in great pain all the time. I wrote a note to
Mrs. Reading, which bro't her up. She relieved me very much, and
dressed and cared for Otis; and helped greatly in caring for Mrs.
B. Her coming was a great blessing. By night, we decided Mrs.
B. must be put in our bed. Nguva [the native elder] lifted her, and
the boys flocked to assist and give sympathy. But, the two girls
[Iguwi and Mwenanga] acted very differently, unkindly disobedient,
and even impertinent. We decided to drop them altogether, but,
allow them to remain on Mrs. B.'s account. A strange boy appeared,
Mbugu, brother of Awora, whom we selected as my boy, to care for
my room, and wait on me. This he did promptly. Of course, a
new-horn. I could wish he might prove to me a boy for whom I
may work, and successfully. This has been a trying and a prayerful
day. I feel so sensibly the weight of responsibilities in regard to
Mrs. B. and Otis. We made special prayer twice to-night. Once,
as I got in bed with Otis; and, again, when I was called up during
the night. Otis and I slept together. Dr. N. on the lounge, troubled
all night with mosquitoes; and Agaia and Mburu slept on the floor
on Dr. N.'s traveling mattress. We were up, every two hours; and,
my heart was full of prayer at night when I laid do^\Tl and tried
to commit myself to God's keeping, trustingly and restfully. [This
noble woman, an accomplished teacher, was generously putting her
hand to any service, even menial, for a suffering mother, and to
soothe a weeping babe. I thought of all this, two years later, when
no woman in the Mission came to Mrs. Nassau in her motherhood;
and, four j'cars later, when the only offer, of even temporary aid to
my babe by a certain lady, was forbidden by her husband, who, once
before in a similar case, had said of another woman, "she didn't
come to Africa to take care of other people's babies;" though, sub-
sequently, he had accepted, for his own infant, devoted service from
that same woman.]
"Thursday, Jan'y 5th. Mrs. B. is better. We all are very thank-
ful. She kept her bed all day. I did not dress until after I had pre-
pared dinner. Kept on my wrapper and night-dress. Feel some
wearied. Mrs. Reading sent a bread-pudding for dinner. In my
haste, in trying to care for well and sick, I forgot it. At supper
82 THE PATH SHE TROD.
time. I was roiniiuled of it; and Mrs. B. and Hamill enjoyed it greatly.
Very thankful.
"Friday. Jan'y fith. After another night and all day caring for
baby Otis, I fcM'lpretty nearly done for. Mrs, B. got uj) this after-
noon and dressed, and wrote a long letter to her husband; after
whieh. siie is suffering most exeessively from her head again. . . .
I gave her a warm bath, after the husband had gone to Inciuiry Meet-
ing; after which she went to bed with Otis. I waited for Hamill;
and then we took her bed; I expecting to go to her bedside when-
ever the baby should cry. I awoke just before the 0 o'clock bell
rang, and went to her room; found she had slept well, and Otis too."
[We heard that the (lerman "Mpongwe," on which Mrs. B. had
expected to return to Libreville and for which I had already taken
part of her goods to their trading-house, was fast on a sand-bar in the
Xguuye river, and water receding, so there was no probability of
Mrs. B.'s being able soon to go to Libreville.]
"f>at y. Jan'y 7th. Immediately after breakfast, Hamill went
to the German Trading-house, to bring back one of Mrs. B.'s trunks,
and the goats, and to get food for his own journey.
"Mr. 8chitT had written yesterday that the 'Mpongwe' would not
go down river until March. Mrs. B. had therefore settled down at
Kangwe coiitentedly. Mr, 8. had also said he would soon go to
Libreville overland, to find what arrangements could be made. We
then had collected our letters, and Mrs. B. wrote that which cost her
so much pain. Mr. SchitT went, in the afternoon of yesterday, with-
out our letters. This was very trying to us. Mr. Reading saw his
canoe pass, and called to them to take his lett<^rs. He would not
stop; and. when in Gaboon, he will say that he had sent word to the
Mission, and they had .sent no letters.
"Work goes slowly, by boys and girls, in the morning. We wait
our diimer for Hamill until 12 o'clock. He does not come, and we
eat. -\t 1,30 P. y\. the husband arrives, with a letter from Mr. Sin-
clair, the English Agent. He urges Mrs. B. to go down on the 'Pion-
eer,' which arrived yesterday. 8he had said she would not go on
that vessel, if she waited here six months. But, after the letter, and
Dr. X.'s judgment in favor, she decided to go. It was very trying
to me. This means that I shall be alone here for weeks. And,
then. I know, if the 'Pioneer' should sink, we would be much blamed.
But, this brave woman starts to-night for Mr. Sinclair's, where she
remains all night; then goes to the aged and apparently unsafe
vessel, to face the discomforts and dangers of the 135 miles ride down
1SS2, AT KANGWE. 83
river, and 75 up tlio ocean and Gaboon river. We were busy all the
afternoon getting}; her ready. Mbora packed her traveling-bed.
Akcndenge ironed. Another made a box for her birds. We ate
supper together, and had prayers. I have been full all day, or after-
noon. At G o'clock, I followed the train which conveyed her and
her goods to the boat. She rode, down the Hill, in the hammock;
Mbora and another gladly taking the honor of bearing it. I stood in
a little canoe at Andfnde, and watched them a long time. It was a
pretty scene. I looked out upon the broad river, land and islands,
beautiful and varied foliage of rank growth, the deafening hum of
insects. But, as I saw this lady move off, I felt I was in Africa, and
lonely. Then, I asked that Christ might be nearer to me, and that
His presence might be felt by mo, not only in like seasons of trial,
but in prosperity and joy. I stood there alone (no, a black, deeply-
pocked man, with only a cloth on, and a little boy, sat picking out
chigoes from their feet, behind me) until the figures were not distinct
of the crew and friends. Then, I turned to walk up the steep Hill.
8tra?ige! how tiresome to walk up it; the muscles seem so painfully
weak. I came up much of the way by Dr. X.'s old path, instead of
Dr. 13. 's zig-zag one. And now I am writing in our parlor (?). Iguwi,
Agaia, Mburu, and several other black-faced, bright-eyed boys are
talking around the hall light. God keep Mrs. Bachelor and Otis
from all harm; and help us to know and do all His will!"
[There were three rival trading houses; the German, Woermann;
an English, Hatton & Cookson ("H. & C."); and another English, J.
Holt & Co. The latter two were invariably helpful, kind, and thought-
ful to us, and for many years refused to charge for transportation of
ourselves and our goods. The German were often disobliging, and
even unkind, and were the first to make a charge for their services.
I escorted Mrs. B. to the H. & C. house, and placed on the "Pioneer"
the good.^ I had previously left at the German for the (then) expected
"Mpongwe."]
"Sunday, Jan'y 8th. We all feel the effects of yesterday's strain.
Mr. R. and self the only white persons present this A. M. ; and but
few natives. [After my morning service, the gun of the "Pioneer"
was heard, starting its journey.] Akendenge my only scholar. Sab.
Sch. small. Meeting in evening small also. Have been in prayer
to-day; but feel that it has not been a satisfactory day. I have not
a restful strengthening trust. Mrs. R. sent us a nice dish of 'float.'
God has, during the past week, heard prayers, in restoring Mrs. B.
Now, may He keep her, and the boy, and us!"
84 THK PATH SHE TROD.
[They r(>acho(l Librevillo in entire safety. Not long afterwards
Dr. njul Mrs, B. transferred themselves to the Baptist Orissa Mission
in India, where he died.]
"Monday. Jan. 0th. Have spent oO minutes in teaching Mburu
to siMub. Isiuwi has been sick, and is acting 'the lady.' A letter
from Mrs. Hachelor tells of her good health yesterday. Thanks, our
God! My husband came from Andfnde about 5. P. M. All the
afternoon, he has spent in preparing for his journey; getting clothes,
medicine, tools, food, crockery, together. Mbora wishes me to stay
here, instead of going to AndPnde, while Hamill is away. Think I
will. . . . Mbora offered to do my ironing."
[I had no fear, going on my expected month's absence, in leaving
Mrs. Nassau with only natives on the hill. My acquaintance with
native IVantu character had given me entire confidence in their
devotion as personal friends. Moreover. Mr. Robinson was soon
expected : anil Mr. and Mrs. Reading were within reach,]
"Tuesday, ,1an'y 10th. Just three months elapse, and my hus-
band leaves me. He goes, tho', on God's errand, I believe; so, can
say ni^thing. He started at 7 o'clock this morning, for his canoe at
Andt^nde. The special native friends of Hamill came to see me.
Mbora and Agaia are ironing; little boy scouring tins. . . ,
Thatiks: that Agaia is better. P. M. Spent with Mr. and Mrs. Read-
ing. Had long talk about the unsatisfactory work among women;
and the little spiritual work done for the natives; and the ill-effect
of long-continued intercourse of whites, on the blacks; the latter be-
coming worthless, «tc., 6cc. God sent us here. His is the power.
Grant us that necessary grace for every duty. Oh! most high God!
Evening prayer-meeting in the hall. I led very poorly."
[In her diaries, until her death. I observe that, along with record
oi her petitions to God, Mrs. Nassau makes almost daily note of
thanks. In that reported conversation, I know that it was not
Mrs. Nassau's thought that "intercourse" had "ill-effect" unless the
native was allowed to depend on foreign aid.]
I started with my deeply laden canoe and crew of nine, escorted
by Chief Renkombe and his two canoes. With various experiences
I went up river and around and over many cataracts, to a distance
of 2tX) miles, making, on the way, cursory examination of a dozen
possible sites for my proposed new station. At that point, I left
^ 1SS2, AT KAXGWE. 85
Renkombe to proree(i oji his own errand 100 miles farther, and I
started down river. On the way baek, by more eareful examination,
I re(hired the number of possible sites to a probable three, all of
them within three miles of each other and about seventy miles from
Kanjiwe. I was able to send back to Mrs. Nassau a numl)er of letters,
by fref|uently i)assing canoes, and twice heard from her by being
overtaken by canoes.
I returned on Monday, January 30th. a three weeks' absence.
In Mrs. Nassau's diary I see that durinjr my absence little Lizzie
Readinj: had been sick, and recovered, and was attended by "Julia
Green." a Christian woman of the Mponjjwe tribe.
Mr. K. had offered to Mrs. Nassau 4he charge of the school. She
was daily teaching candidate Mbora, and learning Mpongwe from
him and the school children. On January 14th .she records: "As I
walkcfl in the garden, alone, yet feeling (lod's i)resence. I watched the
cl()U<ls. and recalled cousin Frank's [Rev. F. M. Todd] discourse at
Hnlmanville, when he so beautifully told us of the lesson to Ix? de-
rived from 'Cloufls.' I also i)enetrated a little way in to the dark
ovcr-shaflowed walk, until I frightened some native inhabitant, when
I retreated." She wished to be courteous to the white traders, but
was annoyed that they chose the Sabbath for their visiting day.
She became familiar with the almost daily white-ant atmoyance.
On January IGth she notes the seventeenth anniversary of her father's
death: —
I -find on a slip of paper a draft of her final resignation of her
sorretaryship of the Monmouth Presbytery W. F. M. S. It is with-
out date, but evidently was written in January, 1SS2, in time for the
Si>ring Meeting of 1SS2: —
"Mrs. Jod Parker, Prcs. of IF. F. }[. Soc. of Monmouth P'hy, and
hfiirs interested in the same grand eause: —
"My dear Friends: — Please accept these words a;? a resignation
of the office of Cor. Sec. of Mon. Presbytery, my present home making.
. . . Three years ago, a letter was placed in my hands saying
that the ladies had nominated the recipient Sec'y of your Soc'y. That
letter was the electric spark that kindled anew my For. Miss'y zeal;
and a most delightful task has it been to do whatever I was able in
the accomplishment of the duties incumbent. But. when the honor
was accepted, a feeling came to me that this step would lead to one
more closely connected with the work. God ha.s guided me, step by
step, until I am now. in the distant field, and can no longer serve you
in the home work. I had wanted to do much more this year than
^
86 THE PATH SHIO TROD.
ever, in the Aloii. F'by, towards inciting more prayerful interest and
earnest labors. Tlie failures of last Winter were somewhat ehillinf;;
and, in the nndst of cares which came to me in the chanjje of homea
an<l fields. I have been apparently more selfishly enfjafjed, unable to
communicate with the Auxiliaries, and doing nothing toward aiding
in the commemoration of our 'decennial year.' My written words
hav«' been few; my j>rayers and tho'ts of you, daily. J^ut, I fear this
may soinid as if prayer and words would accomplish the results de-
sired. (!(>d forgive any such thoughts. His is the ))ower, as well as
the kingdom. In America, certainly no less in Africa, the utter help-
lessness, worse than helplessness of man, is not oidy known, but often
Fadly, fully realized by true laborers. - His strength is made ])erfect
in weakness. .Icsus has overcome the World. And, however erring
or weak His instruments, His Word is powerful; with it we fight;
by it we con (pier. . . ."
The above was enclosed in a letter to Mrs. Parker, of which the
followijig is the draft: —
"Ogowe River, Kancwe, S. W. Afiuca.
"Jan'y 17th, 18S2.
"Mv DEAH Mns. Parker: — I certainly suj)posed I had written
to you and Mrs. Chandler. From my record, I find 1 have not. I
am very very sorry at this neglect. It was so impressed on my mind,
or I should have before this sent you word of our welfare. I have
daily, I think it may be truly said, recrossed the waters, and been
with you. Since our arrival in Ciaboon, and later here in Kangwc,
your dear Helen's face has been near mc; and always was I reminded
of the kind words and deeds of her own dear Mother; and I heard
again the greetings and Christian 'Cod speed' of all the friends of
Freehold and Moruiiouth Presbytery.
"My young South American cousin, when writing to her Papa,
absent in fhe U. S., ad<lressed him thus, in her broken English, 'Papa,
I embrace you.' These words seem better to express my yearnings
for the absent friends in America, than any other of more frecjuent
use. I will eticlose my personal resignatioji, and a letter which you
can use, as you think best.
" I am engaged in work that the ladies will sympathize with, even
if it be not strictly and purely wmjon-work, cleaning house. In
January too! But, my boys and their mistress perspire most pro-
fusely. If, after the work was done, it could l)c as apparent in your
homes, I would be glad. But, these bamboo houses, of such primitive
make, give little satisfaction to the Yankee house-keeper. The
hardest work is done by two boys who give me the hours between
1S82, AT KANGWE. 87
7.30 A. M. and 11.30. These are their workinj;; hours. In the after-
noon, th(\v j?o to School. I have not been free from the loneliness
of this isolated home; hnt. not many hours have been spent in mourn-
ing;, nor have I many times jjiven myself to tears, tho' I may have
b(>en so inclined. I am alone in this house, save a little j;irl, the be-
trothed of orie of the School-l)oys. Hut, during the day, I am never
alone. It is 7.00 o'clk, of course, the needed lamps are lit, and in
the hall or waiting-room; and, in the near yard, I hear the voices of
the boys in their evening hour of recn^ation. I presume they are
P<)ssij)ing an<l teasing one another, just as .American boys wouhl.
They have but two regular meals; tho' I see them 'j)iecing' be-
tween limes. At 11.30 A. M., and at ">.30 P. M.. they receive their
rations of four plantains each. Some times (and such times are the
hap|)y ones to them) dried fish is given out.
"Our associate missionaries are about a half-mile from us. To
reach them, we have to walk down a very steep hill, and then ride in
the canoe eight minutes. Jan'y 20th, Friday. This has been a Black
Friday to me in the house. Disobedience among the boys and punish-
ments, and loss of temper for m3'self.
"I heard a missionary say that the destroying of one's temper
was one of the sacrifices to be made by us. I do not think that true;
but, I have learned that we need an unusual amount of i)atience here.
"I have been very well, with the exception of two weeks while
iti Gaboon. I left my bed to start on my journey from Libreville
to Kangwe. Hut, I grew better from the first day; and, when I
reached Kangwe, after a ride of four days, was well. I have, in com-
mon with all foreigners in Africa, a climatic affection. In me, it
appears in the form of blotches, similar in appearance and sensation
to severe mos(|uito bites. My hands and face and ankles have been
covered, much to my annoyance, and also to the loss of all claim to
good looks. The walk uj) the Hill u.ses up all my strength, and excites
most exce'ksive heat; while, at home, I could do it much more easily.
I shall think of you, during your Spring Meeting, particularly. Give
my love to all the friends. To Mrs. Chandler particularly. Her
dear face refreshes me. How I do enjoy my friends' pictures! My
love to Mrs. Robinson, when you see her; and to Mrs. Solomon and
her sister. Please tell them to pray more earnestly than ever for her
who has already felt the blessing of their prayers. How I do long
to hear from you all, and from the home-friends. Xot a word since
departure. I have written this evening, in snatches of time. I wish
I could tell you more definitely and clearly of my surroundings and
of myself, but I fear I could not, even had I the time. I will put
this aside, and if any new and strange event happens, I will add to it."
88 THE PATH SHE TROD.
[Candidate Ml)ora was teacher of Mr. Reading's school, but he was
niso Mrs. Nassau's pupil; and there was friction, because of Mbora's
neglect of the school. In returning from a call on Mrs, Reading, on
January 21st. "in coming over in the boat, felt homesick." But,
arriving on the hill, "the boys' hearty welcome makes me forget the
sachu^ss, and causes me to give thanks. Tho', to have some ojie with
me, liamiU for instance, would be a very happy thing. God preserve
and keep him!" The reception of one of my letters is noted on the
24th: "Thanks; (iood news from Dr. Nassau, my honored and be-
loved husband, (rod is ik honoring him. In Thee is our trust!"
Mr. Robinson had arrived on the 27th.]
"Jan. 30th. This is the beginning of the new regime; the author-
ity was divided between Mr. Reading and Mr. Robinson. Mr. Rob-
inson in charge of the church; and, it was finally decided that I should
have Mbora in .some studies in the morning. I visited the School,
for the first time."
[After my return from the Akanda country on January 30th, I
assisted in the arrangement for distribution of the work of Kangwe
station; as a result of which, Mrs. Nassau, instead of having simply
a residence there, was gi\en officially a share in the school-work and
the instruction of candidate Mbora. On February lOth, is a record:
"Thanks; for privilege of teaching."]
A gleam of the humor of Mrs. Nassau that sometimes cropped
over her usual dignity. On Tuesday, February 7th. is the record:
"Ironing day. Did a little more towards fixing tij) room. Heard
Mbora's lesson. Hearrl Onivi's. Mended dross-skirt and vest.
Teased my husband. Watched him make frame for new filter.
Prayer-Meeting."
In a lelter to her mother, of date February 14th: — "My husband
returned from 'up river,' Jan'y 30th, and gives glowing accounts of
the new country. Was gone just three weeks, instead of two months,
as first exjiected. He did not go as far as anticipated; because, to
do so, would be to be kept there for the two months, not being able
to return on account of low water. But, he went as far as the Rap-
ids, and beyond the forest-belt, where is prairie-land, about 200 miles
beyond Kangwe. The site he selected is perhaps 70 miles above us,
among high hills, with clear running waters (the water by us is dark
and muddy), and few mosquitoes."
Mr. Reading offered to go with me on an up-river trip, to assist
in making a final choice between the three desirable sites to which I
1882, AT KANGWE. 89
had reduced the possible dozen. We started on Friday, February
10th, decided on the Talapufxa site, and returned on Friday, 17th, in
time for the preparatory service of the quarterly Conununion. Many
letters from the United States were awaitinjj me. Part of Mrs.
Nassau's record of the 17th is: "Thanks; for the husband's safe
return; for the solemnity of the Meeting; for the love of my hus-
band's relatives."
Mrs. Nassau was not indifferent to the imjiortance of acquiring
the native language; but, in her unselfish devotion to the household
comfort of Mr. Robinson and myself, she did neglect her native
study, so that I urged her in an unusual manner: — "Feb'y 22d.
Husband reproving again for not- learning language." And on the
23d an amusing illustration of the desirability of being able to speak:
"Onivi's sore hand had to be poulticed. Told Awora to bring milk
and bread in a little cup; he brought me soda in a large pan." In
February, Mrs. Nassau presented me with a large blank scrap-l)Ook
she had bought in Liverpool. On the first page she pasted the fol-
lowing newspaper quotation, as an appropriate dedication.
"FATE.
"Two shall be born, the whole wide world apart,
And speak in different tongues, and have no thought
Each of the other's being, and no heed.
"And these, o'er unknown seas to unknown lands
Shall cross, escaping wreck, defying death;
And, all unco?isciously, shaping every act,
And bend each wand«>ring step to this one end, — •
That, one day out of darkness they shall meet,
And read life's meaning in each other's eyes.
* " And two shall walk some narrow way of life.
So nearly side by side, that, should one turn
Ever so little space to left or right,
They needs must stand acknowledged face to face.
And, yet, w^ith wishful eyes that never meet,
With groping hands that never clasp, and lips
Calling in vain to ears that never hear,
They seek each other all their weary days,
And die unsatisfied; and this is Fate."
During February, 1882, I was busy gathering materials and a
crew of workmen to begin my new station up-river. Then the men
90 THE PATH SHE TROD.
I had cnjiafrrd struck for higher wages. This often happened among
Mission employes; traders gave wages so mueh larger than we could
afford. I fre(|uently yielded to any reasonable complaints, but I
never yi('ld(Ml to a strike: often endured much jirivation rather than
yield. So I went down river to seek new em|)loycs, and was gone
sev(>rnl days. .Mrs. Nassau's record: "Sat. Mar. 4th. Am looking
for ?ny husband, tho' it is late. Fear I shall be disappointed." "Sab-
bath Mar. ."ith. No husband came. Bright morning. Feel more
the al)sence of husband than ever before." "Monday, Oth. Wash-
ing: started early. Just as I was most deeply engaged in reading of
my duties as a wif(» in Dr. X.'s work, who should come into the room
but my bclovtvl husband. He had a comfortable journey, and was
(juite successful. ... I well. Hro't wild ox, a piece to bake.
Thanks, for the husband's return, for his good journey, for his love."
I started up riv(M', with my boat and canoes and crews, on Tues-
day, Mar. 7th. for a month's absence, in clearing forest and erecting
a teni|)orary hut at Talaguga. Arrived there on the Uth. And,
I retiu-ncd on .\pril Sth.
Under date of March 11th, 1S,S2. Mrs. Nassau wrote to "My
dear Friends of Hohnanville, W. F. M. Soc. and Sabbath School: —
It is five months to-day since I was carried away from Lakewood,
and, for the last time, I looked into the faces of the dear ones that
gathered around me. I wonder what these many days have bro't to
you! Am sure. Winter is past, and Spring has opened, bringing with
it the usual busy days. I have not been able to realize your Winter,
as the thermometer has not been lower than 74° any day or night.
Neither can we enjoy the freshness and beauty of your Spring days.
These percmiial Summers, to us who have felt the invigorating chill
of Winter, and who are still inhabiting bodies not yet made perfect
(and therefore not yet ready for the perfect year) are wearisome.
"Piom the window before me, I look out upon the near river
running at the foot of the Hill upon which our house is built. The
a.scent is quite steep, and of height over 200 feet. Just now, I hear
the sound of the Kroo-men who are bringing up a long stick of timber
for the new house which is to be erected near the present one [for
Mr. Robinsonl. Many of these timbers have been brought up on the
shoulders of the men. But, what a time they did make while doing
it! And many a shoulder was badly bruised. You have heard of
the poisonous centipede. (By the way, tho' I have seen a few, I have
not yet been bitten by any venomous insect, or by any thing worse
than the sand-fly and mosquito.) But, when these long beams of
42 feet in length are coming up the hill-side with 20 men beneath
1882, AT KANGWE. 91
them, each one romiiids mo. more than a Httle, of a larfje centipede.
Jufst here, let me acknowledge the care of our Heavenly Master,
who has, in such a wonderful way fijuardcd us from all danger, and
given to us such comfortable health. Directly opposite us is an
island several miles in lenpjth; and. beyond it, we see the blue murky
tops of the distant but not high hills.
"Mon. Mar. 13th. As a steam-launch is expected daily, I must
write this morning, tho' I feel unfit for using the pen. Let me tell
you the labors of yesterday; then, will come to the recent excitement
which has so used up my strength. The rising bell rang fifteen minutes
before G o'clock. I must be up in ^ood time, or, my boys will be be-
hind. Prayers at 7 o'clock; for the entire School, in the school-room.
Breakfast at 7.30. At 8.30, first bell for morning Services; 9.30
the S(>r\ice begins. The church [the original one] is built at nearly
the foot of the Hill. We have quite a walk to reach it, as we do not
go down directly, the angle of descent being in some places at least
4,')°, but in a zigzag manner. The bell is a sweet sounding one, and
a pleasant reminder of home. The bell-man takes a great delight
in his oflfice, ringing loud and long. The congregation is composed,
with very few excejitions, of our mission-boys. Just now, the 12 Kroo-
men (what a delight their muscles would be to the athletes of America !)
make (|uite an addition to our numbers. These Kroo-men are the
back-bone and muscles of this country. Not .so very large; but,
such rounded limbs I have never seen elsewhere. I have seen young
boys [in the United States] boasting of their muscular strength; but,
these fellows have no need to boast, their strength is self-evident.
But no one [in our Mission] has been able to learn their language,
tho' they delight in learning English, and in concealing their own.
They are to be our 'steamer,' bringing up-river our goods by canoe.
I learn that my organ is in Gaboon, and, before many weeks, I hope
again To hear familiar sounds. Forgive me: — I was writing of the
congregation. Mr. Robinson can not yet speak the language; so, he
uses the interpreter, Mbora. . . . To go back to Sabbath: —
Reached home about 11.00. Dinner at 12.00. Sab. Sch. at 3 P. M.
I have a class of 6 boys and 1 girl. These can read Mpongwe. I
heard them recite the lesson, 12 verses. Two did it well. One, for
the first time, failed. Supper at 5.30. Prayer-Meeting at 7.00. I
have not always gone, as it is not tho't safe to leave the house alone,
on account of the Fang. But, after all had gone, and I had heard the
sound of their gospel hymns, I could not resist the drawing, locked up
the house, took a small lamp in my hand, and walked to the school-
house alone. It was very dark. I have not often been afraid. Still,
92 THE PATH SHE TROD.
havo had oiio or two frifrhts. Mbora has quite a disposition to excite
|>(M>|)lo. atid has told me large stories of leopards, elephants, and
'husjinien.' Am not troubled. There was a scare of a leopard last
week, as one of the hoys said he heard it 'talk;' hut, we doubted it.
We iiear daily, and often Mr. Robinson has seen, monkeys and chim-
panzees. Parrots scream constantly; but, no sweet sinfrers are heard.
Hut. I was to tell you of last nifiht's scare: — After the strain of Sab-
bath, none of us sleep well. I was dreamin«i last nijiht when in sleep
of honie-fii(>nds. A most distressful sound from the ^oat-house,
and the roar of tlnn)der awoke me fully. I went to the window. Heard
our wafclmian aroun<l callin<r. '^^'atch!' and was about to <;o back
to l)cd, when that sound was so fireat. evidencing; mortal pain and
terror, that I hastily dressed. I heard the little boys and Kufus
(the watchman) walkinjj leisurely. ))nfiir like, towards the sounds.
How I wanled to punch them, in my nervous haste and sympathy!
When I neared the door. Mr. Robinson (who has his sleepinjr-room
in the school-room not far off) was heard; and soon the poor floats
and shecj) rushed past me, still cryiiifr, and oft stopj)inj3: to pick off
something;, or rolling; in the dust. 'Driver' ants! We found two
chickens dead this morninfr; and I doubt not the goats would have
lost their lives had they not been liberated. Mr. R. felt their presence
last nifiht; and we each retired to our rooms, in an uneasy state of
mind, lest the Army should attack our houses. They did not. And
this morning we found at least three distinct divisions, whether of
the one grand army or not we can not tell. One division had ascended
a tree. The entire line was sentineled by an unbroken line of smad
ones. At an esj)ecial point [crossing a path] the line was entirely
covered by [a living tunnel of] the sentinels (pickets) and captains.
The privates, nothing could stop [except fire] in their upward or down-
ward march. They made a perceptible track by their constant patter
of feet. Their number: — this army first arrived here, I suppose,
about h3() A. M., and they left about 11 o'clock; fully 10 hours in
passing. They have attacked this house, but not this time. We tried
to tempt them, by putting meat in their way; but, they seemed to
have gotten all necessary stores, and would not stop to take in more
supplies.
"And so, I could go on and on; but, must go to other friends.
There was a half hour of yesterday, I have not spoken of. This may be
a fitting ending to a very rambling letter, and one hardly suitable to
be read to you on the Sabbath. Remember, I am writing on Monday;
and the mi.ssionary's life is as full of secular things as those at home,
more so, often ; tho' I remember how I used to think letters from the
former should be so spiritual. Often the bright spots of the home-
1S82, AT KANGWE. 93
picture, amonp; the most attractive now, are those where I met with
friends, and together worshiped, and felt the power of God's spirit.
That presence was then often forcibly realized; but now, I often
go, as I did last evei"»ing, (juitc a distance from the house, into what
is called our garden, entirely away from man or any human work.
The tall graceful palms atid native primeval forest trees, the plantain
trees with their broad leaves often more than six ft. in length, around
and 'in the darkling wood, amidst the cool and silence,' if I knelt
not, I did 'offer to the Mightiest solemn thanks and supplications';
for, I would not, could I 'resist the sacred influences' which
'From the stilly twilight of the place
And from the gray old trunks that high in heaven
Mingled their mossy boughs, and from the sound »
Of the invisible breath that swayed at once
All their green tops.
Stole over (me) and bowed
My spirit with the thought of boundless power
And inaccessible majesty.'
Aye! more than 'these dim vaults, these winding aisles' moved
me. Amid them, I felt my utter loneliness; but, looking upward to
the clouds, dark, but with golden edges, I knew behind them was the
setting sun, beyond the dear home-land. Surely, there were loving,
praying, hearts, too. I was not alone. But, farther still, and upward,
was the Great White Throne, and God with awful majesty; and the'
realizing my sinfulness, to tears, I was not afraid, but could, did,
look up even into the face of my Father, because my Elder Brother
was there. And under such sacred influences, think you, I forgot
those I love, especially those who shall for me here be always as-
sociated with Holmanville? I can think of no other way but the
faithftil coming to the door of the ponies and the carryall ; of the Pas-
tor's good Ned. Then, we are all together in the choir. The faithful
words, from oft trembling lips, are spoken to us out of the Word of
life by the beloved uncle. . . . And all those faces. . . .
came before me as I stood alone, looking westward. . . .
" P. S. W' ord has just reached me, of the safe arrival of my hus-
band at his new Station, where he yesterday spoke of our Saviour to
many who had never heard the Name before, and still more who had
never heard it but once, and that by himself, on his other visit. He
will be away, at least a month, building a hut needed for shelter and
storage before he commences upon the house I will go to."
94 THE PATH SHE TROD.
From the Diary: "Wod'v, Mar. loth. Still rainy; but, we sent
tho mail. Thanks; that it has started in time, and that I could write
as many as I did, ri<;htoo!i.
"Ttirsday, Mar, 21st. Have been writing to tho husband; and,
durinfr the day, have b(>en gatherinp: for the box to send him. The
' Diary' i.s fmished."
Writinjr to me on that same date, Mrs. Nassau speaks of her
growinj: inten\-*t in iinjrorf^, whose faces at first had been repulsive
to her: " I remember you sjKike of the special interest that grew upon
the missionary, for his j)upils. Kam surj)rised, almost, at my own
interest in many of these boys (tho' I have always taken my pupils in
an •especial manner to myself) yet, one might suppose that these
black faces would not be as interesting." [I had used uj) my last
blank book for daily entries. Mrs. Xassau skillfully bound in green
silk an ordinary writing-i)ad for me as a diary. (Other of my cloth-
rovered blank-books are eaten by moth and ant and roach; this silk
is still, to-day. in good preservation.) For a "dedication " to it, she
wrote the lin(>s of Bryant, (|Uoted above, and the following loving
note, on March l?'Jd: "My |)recious Husband: I just tho't I would
give you something more to read, so put this in. Have no more
news just now to write, as it was all put in the other letter. This is
only a presentation of the 'Diary' to the Ogowe River Pioneer mis-
sionary. Again hoping that the heart-aches to be recorded may be
few. and that the successes may be many, and, the peace always pres-
ent and exceeding deep, your loving wife, Mary B." And on April
1st Mrs. Nassau, herself, without a blank-book for her own needs,
began to use the vacant pages of her Album of Quotations, begun at
Freehold, May 14th, 1867.]
"SjU'^v evening, April 1st, 18S2. With tenderness, I take up
this book of precious School-day memories, not liking to put its pages
to common use. Again, I do like to link the pleasant days of the
past with those of the present. I find here reminiscences of the
unformed school-girl, of the restless maiden, of the heavily-laden
teacher, and of the embryo mi.ssionary. And, now, I am writing (in
the midst of mos(|uitoes) as the wife of Rev. R. H. Nassau, M. D., in
a bamboo house on the shore of the Ogowe River, W. A. Am sur-
rounded by black and comparatively strange faces; yet, very pleas-
ant are they to me. My husband is 70 miles away, working, alone,
and in the midst of great discouragements, to establish a new Station.
Mbora, utiknov^-n a few months ago, has been with me, and is much
1.S82, AT KAXGWE. 95
tried because I will not give him a subject for a written exercise.
Awora asked for help in the kitchen. I put him off, ex|)cctinj3: to talk
with him about it; but did not. Mbigino asked to go to his village;
I did not let him. At first, he was a little glum, but has done well
since. Mbora left with me some cloth for jackets or shirts, as I had
spoken of his flannel one with dislike. I promised to cut them; but,
the rest must wait till the husband comes. Iguwi, Onivi, and lyanjo
went to Mrs. Reading's. While together only yesterday, two notes
each have been exchanged. Thanks; for the quietness and obedi-
ence of the servants."
[There lies before me a bundle, of little notes by Mrs. Reading,
written at least one a day during the months spent by Mrs. Nassau
in 1882 on Kangwe Hill; and many others, letters that followed her
to Talaguga duriiig jiarts of 1882 and 188.3.] I returned from Tala-
guga on Saturday, April 8th, for only a week's stay, to get new work-
men and supplies.
Mrs. Nassau wrote to her cousin, Miss Hattie Todd: —
"Kangwe, April 8th, 1882: Yours of dates Jan. 3d and Jan. loth,
came to me yesterday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Reading were here on
a little visit. We exchange visits every week. The mail was brought
by two former pupils; we were, of course, much excited thereby. It
was the largest mail yet received, bringing me 14 letters.
"I have not missed but one opportunity of sending you a letter.
That was the time I sent such a long one to Mrs. Parker. So, again,
I send this, which, with the husband's, will make a long one. Be-
cause you do not hear from me, is not because I do not write oftener,
but because there are no mails by which to send. By the last mail, I
sent to you and 20 others. So, you see, I try to satisfy my friends.
"It is not for their sakes I do it alone, by any means. I have a
very strong selfish design in the matter, as I want to hear from them
more than they wish to hear from me; only, I want you to know how
diligent I have been.
"It seems strange to hear you speak of Winter. There is not
any season of special interest that I do not think of home-friends,
and of how I used to meet with them. When you speak of Mother, of
her need of care, of her evident growing weakness, the distance seems
the longest. . . . My heart aches when I think of her, and know
how much she needs my care. I know she will receive from you the
tenderest; only, I wish I could share with you. . . . There are
dark days for me too, tho' not like yours; but, I can truly say I have
suffered from sorrow since lea^^ng America, more than ever before.
90 THE PATH SHE TROD.
It has made mr inoro siisrcptible to pain as well as joy. But, be sure,
I do not regret my cominj;, except on Mother's account. I do not
aiiticijiato a speedy return either, if God gives health. I want to
carry hoftie accounts of work done; and, to accomplish much, we must
stay long. Those boys! Wish I could see them! [her two little
nei)hews]. . , . Every Sabbath evening, as we begin our Prayer-
meeting, I think of you five hours earlier, as about beginning after-
noon Services. Our Prayer-Meeting is held in an unfinished bamboo
room. The seats are boards on boxes. The audience, black faces
entirely, save Mr, Robinson's and self. . . . Just here, I heard
some disturbance, and several of my boys came to the door. I
looked up. and from their faces knew something was up. *E bia!'
they said; then, 'Dr. Nassau!' Avhich meant, 'he comes!' So, I, of
course, rushed down hill to meet him. Have just returned; am
irry warm, very tired, and very happy. The husband has had a very
trying time; living in a true hut, exposed to rains, and exceedingly
tried by his crew (of which, one a mute, and, an old man), all of whom
were dissatisfied because they had no meat."
On April ir)th I returned to Talaguga for a ten weeks' absence.
While I was at Kangwe, arrived Mrs. Nassau's organ. Of that joy she
wrote to Mrs. Parker under date of about April 2.3(1: "On the banks
of the river Ogowe, in that i)art of West Africa made especially known
to Americans by the graphic work of DuChaillu; on that river,
towards which the French nation is turning with hands greedy to
S(!ize and appropriate (spelled by them I'Ogoue) there recently oc-
curred an event of such intense interest to a jew at least, that we ven-
ture to give to the distant friends of America a share in the pleasure
then enjoyed. But, i)articularly would we desire to make known our
gratitude to those who were instrumental in giving this great jo)\
More than eight months ago, there was conceived in the minds of a few
genercHis christian ladies assembled at Asbury Park, a desire to put
in tangible form their interest in and regard for a friend soon to leave
for Mission-work in Africa. The desire grew to a purpose so strong
that it drew generous gifts from many of the Presbyterian churches
of Freehold, .lamesburg, Burlington, Hightstown and others. Some
of their number were appointed to select the proposed gift; and,
with a wisdom excelled only by their generosity, these friends made
choice of the best to be found in the most reliable house of one of our
largest cities.
"Carefully 'it' was packed and put in hold of a sailing vessel
bound for the African tropics. After the lapse of five months, the
gift arrived at the French domain, and was put on Africa's shore at
18S2, AT KAXGWE. 97
Libreville. Lying there for two months or more, through the kind-
ness of a (lerman trader, it was put on board a httle river-steamer
'Mpongwe.'
"For 75 miles, after leaving the (laboon estuary, the steamer
skirted the ocean beach, then turned into one of the many mouths of
the Ogowe. Cautiously following the channel, in and out among the
innumerable low green islands, in the shade of the deadly mangrove-
swamps, and almost within reach of its curiously interlaced roots
and long hanging tendrils; amidst soimds from the screeching parrots,
or the barking chimpanzee, or the loud jabbering monkey; frighten-
ing into less-frequented waters the snorting hippo; startling the
beautiful gazelle; bringing to the. shores the wondering native; in
the midst of life in air, on land, and in the waters, that is still strange,
and, if known, would give great delight to the seienti.st, our little
steamer, with its precious load, came to higher and more healthful
regions, and Avas relieved of its burden at the Lambarene German
Trading-house. One of its least, tho' most important burden, was
the mail. That portion belonging to the missionaries, was given to a
native boy, who paddling a distance of a mile, bro't it to the eager
hands of the Mission at Kangwe. With the mail came also the word
that fhc organ had come. What a thrill of joy that gave to the par-
ties interested! This was Sat'y evening, April 8th, and too late for
the doing of anything that week towards bringing it to the mission-
house.
"Early ^londay, before the morning-meal, the husband started
for the precious freight, in a six-oared boat, the 'Xellie-Howard.'
Found in the German store-house, 'it' was carefully taken therefrom,
and put across the gunwales of the boat. Barely escaping being
crushed between the wharf and the steamer just then api)roaching,
he pushed off for the present home and last stopping-place (for a
time at least) of the organ. Finally, after a ride of a mile, the boat
touched»the Kiuigwe landing. But, the box was heav}', the workers
young and awkward. After long, tedious, and hazardous efforts,
8 or 10 young men are seen coming over the brow of the Hill, carry-
ing the box fastened by the native rattan 'bush-rope' to two poles.
These poles rested on the shoulders of the men, while the heavy box
swung to and fro; and several times, had it not been for timely help,
would have rolled them off the path down the steep hill. With a
long-drawn sigh of relief, it was finally placed on the porch of the
house. From there, it could go no further, until divested of its
carefully prepared outer covering. Carefully the screws w^ere drawn;
and, as the first board was ready to be taken off, there was a call
given for the recipient, that she might have the first glimpse of the
9S THE PATH SHE TROD.
contents. Seldom has a more enjoyable sij;ht been presented. Hast-
ily and eajierly the remaining front was removed; and a careful
examination was made, provinj; ever}' part to be in most perfect
order. Too eajjer to wait for its final removal to the missionary's
room, still partly within the packing-box on the open porch, with
wonderinj; natives around, the organ was opened, and the pedals were
moved. Not a sound was heard, showing that neither dust nor damp
had thus far a(T(>ct(Ml the delicate reeds, (ailing for the associate
missionary, Rev. W, H. Robinson, we, who had received from those
dear absent frienils of Monmouth Presbytery, at the hands of our
b(>lov(>d I'rcsiilent, Mrs. rark(>r, in the parlor of our dear Alma Mater,
this beautiful gift, now stood around it; and, under the tropic skies,
the first notes that sound on our forest wilds were of praise to Him
who had thus blessed our lives by making us know that the wide
ocean and thousands of miles could not separate us from the love of
friends. For. their \oices in gift united with ours as we sang the
first notes. 1)(^ you Avonder that lips formed the word of our grand
doxology? And. do you doubt that our hearts overflowed with
grateful love to Him who thus permitted us to unite the home and the
loved ones tluMc with the new? Never were sweeter tones heard than
respotidcd to our touch. But, a minor strain ran thro' all, the lan-
guage of the heart-pain; tho' we heard the sound of our friends'
expressed love, we missed their bodily presence. Ave! more; the
dear voice that had given to us our farewell 'God-speed' word,
freighted we believe with double blessings, was hushed even to his
loved ones ii\ far-ofT Freehold. Ikit not hushed to his loved ones and
ours in Heaven. It almost seemed that Heaven was even nearer
than Freehold; and we were uniting our voices with those over there,
in loving grateful praise to Him 'of whom the whole family in Heaven
and earth is named.'
"Our frequent evening hymn is grand old Tallis: and never is
it sun*: without remembering the deep mellow bass of that beloved
teacher, as it sounded so richly above our soprano. 'Are they not
all ministering spirits?' Aye! if God so willed that the beloved
Teacher should hear our voices, I knew that he also saw us now."
[That organ is still in use, in the hands of Mrs. Nassau's niece, Miss
Mary B. Foster, of Bay Head, N. J.]
During my absence at Talaguga, Airs. Nassau had company at her
table, Rev. W. H. Robinson. In her house-keeping she had an
unusual amount of discomfort from the heedlessness, and sometimes
unkindness, of the boys and girls used as her household servants.
All new missionaries are subjected to impertinence by young
native personal employes, the latter presuming on the missioftary's
1882, AT KANGWE. 99
if!;iioraiicc of their lanj;uac;c. Mrs. Nassau was in a peculiarly dis-
tressing; situation, for I was not there to protect her in the house. She
taucjht these same employes and others in the school, where, though
no authority had been accorded her, Mr. Robinson always sustained
her. But, though she had necessarily to deal with some of the Sla-
Hon employes, they were not under her control. These were limita-
tions in her official situation that often were trying. Her chief
earthly comfort was the ilaily visit or note to or from Mrs. Reading,
and the reception of my letters. I was able to write frequently.
For, as to me, on the very river bank, all passing canoes, at my call,
would stop and take a letter from me. But, though canoes were also
constantly coming up river, as to her, on Kang^ve hill-top, it was not
often that she could be apprised of a possible opportunity.
Though I had only the hut at Talaguga, in which I was living
while having logs cut and squared and prepared for a little cottage for
her, I had promised that she should come and share my camp life as
soo!i as the rainy season (March to May) had definitely closed, and
the long cool, dry season (June to September) should make it safe for
her to come. She counted the days until she should escape from the
uncomfortable position at Kang\^'e.
"Thursday, June 1st. Went to Andgnde, to take dinner. Mr.
Reading had been to John Ermy's [the "Island" trading-house of an
American mulatto, eighteen miles up river]. Returned at 12 o'clock.
Mr. R-g and Mr. R-n had discussion on Infant Baptism, Will, &c.
Pay day ; 29 more days. Prayer ; God help me ; and bring thoughts,
words, and acts under His supreme control.
"Friday, June 30th. The day, for which I have waited for the
past 11 weeks. Hoped, and prepared dinner for the husband. About
10 A. M., the alarm was given, and we tho't we would see them soon;
but 'fTwas a false alarm; it was Mr. Reading returning from the Trad-
ing-house. Dinner was over; and the last bell rang for church, Pre-
paratory Service, just as he came. Lord I hear my prayers I May
I fear Thee. May I trust in Thy mercy, that thou mayest take
pleasure in me."
100 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER XII.
JiLY, 1882. Camp-Life.
I AssisTKP the Prcsbytorial Stated 8upi)ly of the First Ogowe
Church, Rev. W. H. Robinson, at the Communion, on the Sabbath,
.lu!y 2il. ISS'2.
.\]u\ on Frichiy. July 7th, with my boat, "XelHe-Howard," and
a native craft. I started up-river, Mrs. Nassau to be with me for two
or three months. We arrived at our station on July 11th. Mrs.
Nassau was the first white woman in that refjion. In our crew were
several Kroo-men. hired only for the occasion, for they prefer service
only on the coast and on ocean steamers. The pursers of the steamers,
in e!n-oIlin<r them, rarely understand their native names, and have
the habit of intentionally pivinjr them ridiculous names, which the
men im\ocently accept, ajiparently with pride, in their desire to own
anythinj: that is "Kn<:lish" (or, as they say it, "Nj;esh").
Mrs, Nassau wrote of the begiiming of that journey: —
"The wcaryini: pn^parations for the boat journey and camp-life
were finished. The tins of meat and vejretables had been packed,
dried bread j)repared, the few chanfjes of raiment in readiness, the
cooking utensiU (few in number) in their box, our rolls of bedding,
and the tent securely tied, and we awaited the hour for startinj:.
Friday inornin<; dawned upon the })arty of expectant travelers, at
Kanfjwe. Thoufjh preparations seemed meaner, the number of
boxes, when placed together, appeared large to the men and boys
who were to carry them down the Hill to the boat, 'Nellie-Howard'
which was to carry us to our destination. The strong Kroo-me.'i
carry down the burdens; and, though much effort is made to get
otT in season, 'tis 0 o'clock when the two missionaries leave the house.
Descending by the path cut in the hill-side, we wind our way from
side to side downward to our landing at the foot of the Hill. The
task of stowing away boxes and bundles, that both missionaries and
crew may have room, being not yet over, I walked a short distance
through the forest, to Andfnde, the associate missionary's house,
soon followed by the well-laden boat.
"At this landing is a native 'kongongo,' filled with 'farinya,'
which is to be the food for the workmen of Talaguga. The kongongo
(dug out of a single tree) differs from a boat, in having no keel; and
from a canoe, in having a rudder. This one is 35 ft. long, 3 ft. wide,
JULY, 1882. CAMP-LIFE. 101
2 ft. (loop, 3 inch thick pmwales, bottom 5 inches thick [propollod
by paddles]. The ' XcIHc-Howard ' is 30 ft. long, 5 ft. in width, 2 ft.
ill depth, very hght tliiti sides, and sharp bow. The canoe is 40
ft. lonj;, 2\ ft. wide, 1 ft. deep, sides 3 inches thick. 'Farinya' is
the entire tubers of the cassava-plant, or, S. American name, manioc
(mandioca; jatropha manihot) raw roots with their husk, coarsely
jrrated, no other preparation; the starch grains and woody fibres
mixed; the pulpy mass washed in water. This dissolves out the
p(Msonous principle; dried in the sun; broken into small grains;
looks like coarsely ground grits. It is cooked by pouring on it hot
water, swells to three times its size. If roasted, looks and smells
like roasted bread. XgwCse is tlie entire tuber boiled and sliced, the
rough skin bei?ig first taken off. The kindness of our missionary
sister, Mrs. Reading, will not let us leave without a lunch. So, with
refreshed bodies and hajipy crews, I bid farewell to K;lng^ve which
has been the home for the last six months. We leave, on the Hill,
Mr. Robinson, who must now not only take upon himself, his ordinary
care of mission-work, but assume as well the superintendency of the
housekeeper's department. And, at AndPnde, leaving the only
mis'^ionary sister; and neither of us will see the face of a white woman
initil my return in two or three months. The ' Xellie-Howard ' shoots
ahead of the kongongo, with the French colors flying at the stern.
Passengers: the missionary and wife and a little maid; crew, six
Kroo-men. 'James' takes the stroke-oar, and, anxious to 'show
off,' he leads with a long strong stroke. But, their strength and the
resistance of the current is too much for the oars. »Some thing or
some body must give way. Before we were out of sight, ' Brass-pan, '
tlie second man. suddenly took a seat backward, leaving, for our
meditation uplifted hands, and empty seat. 'Brass-pan,' a figure
for Harpers to illustrate awkwardness. All because of a broken oar.
A sharp reprimand from the master, and another oar started us
anew.* But, the Kroo-men seemed particularly fond of that one
trying style of rowing. And soon we have from Brass-pan the same
display repeated, when he received a warning which made him more
careful duritig the rest of the voyage. 'Baby,' the fourth man, was
the next unfortunate one; and there being no more extra oars, he
remained idle until the rest at noon gave opportunity for repairing
the injuries done. The third man is called 'Jacob,' the musician of
the party; and he is an erect, splendidly formed fellow, '.\fter-
dinner,' the fifth, is the mildest-faced, and one who might be expected
to get into trouble because of his gentleness and meditativeness (?)
There remains only 'Ca valla.' Poor 'Ca valla!' In every party
there must be the weak one, the butt for jokes, the shoulders for
102 THE PATH SHE TROD.
potty burdens. He does eontinually 'catch crabs' in more way than
one. AVhat is the example set by our civihzed, christianized boys?
But, this is a dipjrcssion. We took a diagonal course across the
river, and stopped at the opposite village, to ask if odika can be
bought [a dark cheese-like mass made of the kernel of the wild mango,
and used for a rich meat gravy]. There come to the shore, to watch ug,
men, women and children."
[Mrs. Nassau was a great curiosity to the villages lining the banks
of the upi>cr river, as we pursued our journey for three days (resting
over 8abi)ath at Bclambila, a deserted former station). She enjoyed
greatly the new flowers, ranges of hills, wilder forest, enthusiastic
receptions, and finally reached our Talaguga in the afternoon of
Tuesday, the 11th.]
"Arrive at Talaguga, Brass-pan, in lifting me ashore, mired, I
reached dry land by walking a log. Came to the 'hut ' [of two rooms].
Unload goods. Soon, husband comes into the farther room, and
prays our thanks, and for grace to do the work God has given us.
Put up tent. Eat on a box. Frames put up, to store our boxes.
'Joktan' and Akambia [the two men I had left in charge of the place]
in good spirits, and surprised to see us so soon."
[Communication with us from KdngAve was infrequent and dif-
ficult and even at times dangerous. So that occasionally we were
reduced low on our foreign provisions. The crew of one load sent
by Mr. l^eading turned back in fear of tribal wars. He then bravely
escorted them iiimself, arriving, much to our relief, on September 4th.]
\\'hen^ in 18S1, Miss Foster disbanded her Barnegat School, some
of her favorite pupils went to the "Ivy Hall" Female Seminary at
Bridget on, X. J., under the (then) care of Rev. and Mrs. Reeves,
and there joined a local Girls' Missionary Band. While at Talaguga,
July to September, Mrs. Nassau WTote to them in the latter part of
September: "My greeting to Mr, and Mrs. Reeves and the teachers
and students of Ivy Hall, who have turned their thought toward the
Mission-work in foreign lands. And, these greetings to all are none
the less earnest because the teacher's love goes out with personal
intensity to a few of your number; the rather, is my special regard
for you as a Society increased.
"Word has reached me of the successful Parlor Concert, and of
their purpose to raise a certain sum for the advancement of Christ's
Kingdom in foreign lands; thus showing their faith to be sincere by
these practical works. As a missionary, but particularly, as a christian
teacher, I was made glad by this news, because you are not only culti-
JULY, 1882. CAMP-LIFE. 103
rating the mind, but the heart, as well. There is no firmer seal to
enduring friendship, no stronger incentive to earnest study, no prin-
ciple for a life's work, so purifying, so elevating, so energizing, as that
which actuates the true missionary at home or abroad, love for God
and love for immortal souls. And, it is a love that takes in the perish-
ing of all lands, and appreciates the crying need of all people for the
Words of eternal life.
"Rut, as you have turned your eyes, with special interest toward
the Dark Continent, I will try to open up to you, views of its shadows,
which, in but a few places of this great expanse of country, are be-
ginning to lift, before the light of the Gospel held up by the mission-
aries scattered ])rincii)ally along its coasts and by its river banks.
These rivers arc natural highways, upon which the traffickers from
all lands run to and fro, gathering up the wealth which the native,
with a keen scent for gain, is only too glad to bring to their hands,
from the vast comparatively unknown Interior. It Is 'Greek meeting
(ir(>ck/ in the exercise of bloated covetousness; and the superior
knowledge of the white trader is often over-matched by the cunning
of the black. The growing desire of the black man for civilized prod-
ucts, which makes him more eager for and exorbitant in his demands,
are met by the whetted ingenuity of the white, to make from nothing
articles that bear a likeness to the genuine ones, in every thing except
real value or use. For instance: in the i)urchase of ivory, a certain
number of yards of doth are required. The price of ivory has ad-
vanced. With like rate, the cjuality of the cloth has gone down, until
it appears only a shadow of its kind. Also: — a certain kind of brass-
pan, used as an article of currency, once of substantial make, is now
so thin that it can be twisted in any shape by very weak hands.
"On one of these thoroughfares, the Ogowe river, which before it
reaches its exit in the ocean, divides itself into many and important
branches, but which, at this point (Talaguga) contracts itself in very
narrow limits, 120 miles direct from the ocean, or 200 miles by the
course of the river, is situated the advanced out-post of the Pres-
byterian Mission. And there, in a little hut, near its bank, sits the
writer. By her side is the little maiden, to whom I hojx; to introduce
you soon, busily sewing upon a very pretty pink calico dress. She
has the thread, needle, thimble of civilized life, and sews with re-
markable neatness and precision. On the hill-side is the missionary
busily pushing forward the building of the little house, which, for the
coming two years at least, will give shelter from rain and sun. He
has in his employ, three native Fang, belonging to the dreaded tribes
of Cannibals. These cannibals doubtless occupy large tracts of the
inland country, and are pushing themselves westward with surprising
104 THK PATH SHE TKOD.
rajiidity, llic former occupants of these regions [the Bakele and others]
fleeinfj in terror toward the sea-coast, some day to almost entirely
disappear, as has been the fate of their predecessors.
"The mifjratory liabits of the Fang are not conducive to the success
of tlie Missionary's Labors among them. They have not the desire for
cducnfion which other tribes have shown; and, thus far, are entirely
indifferent to the Word preaclied to them. Their one interest being
to attract and hold the white traders, for their own aggrandisement.
"Tntil a house is built, a regular School can not be established.
We have, as servants and regular workmen, four young men from the
low(M* river tribe ((«alwa) among whom the missionary has labored
for more than six years. Last Wfek, we were to send away the fifth,
th(^ principal one, a carpenter, because of sickness, he desiring to go
to his own people. All of these have been pupils of the School at
Kangwe. and are civilized in dress and habits. Two are, we believe,
sincere christiajis; a third has expressed a desire, which his deeds
thus far have proved sincere, to leave the world and his former life,
and be nmnbered among the people of God. The maid before re-
ferred to, comjiletes the household. In the evening, two of the work-
men come to me to recite. In the afternoon, our house-servant
recites with the little girl. My fifth pupil is a little Fang boy, whose
fatluT is aCaiuMbid. He has been treated for a very sore toe for the
last five months. This brings him to the Mission : with the additional
want of his dinner, he is generally present for his lesson in the (to
him) very obtuse and difficult task of discriminating between ('pot-
hook and hanger') A and Z, of the written language, which is entirely
new and strange to him. . . . The girl's name is Onivi. I ha\e
never seen any of her own family; but, I know that she was taken
from a home where ignorance and superstition of Egyptian darkness
reigns. She was purchased for a certain sum of [dowry] money by
a young man, now the IClder of the church at Kangwe, and placed
by lilm in the Mission-school some four years ago. She is now about
12 years of age, and is the wife-elect of her purchaser. She is as quiet
and obedient as many of American girls. I was ready to say, more
so; reads very well in Mpong^ve Scriptures, and is pains-taking in
following her copies which are written for her on her little slate. We
have no writing-books. Simple addition has been mastered by her,
as well as the Childs' Catechism, and several of the Psalms. She is
of medium height, and would appear to you very much like other
negro girls; but, to us, who are accustomed to the dark skins, they
have as distinctive features as the white people. When speaking
with animation, a dimple plays around her lips, a'ld her brown eyes
light up with pleasing effect, and, with her fellow.?, as quiek at repartee
JULY, 18S2. CAMP-LIFE. 105
and active in movements, unless a spirit of stubbornness, sullenness,
fastens heav}' weifihts to her otherwise quick footsteps. I wonder
if ajiy of the Society of Ivy Hall have ever seen the effects of these
weights in themselves or others?
"I have already spoken of her dainty sewinp. A few weeks
ago. she made application for admittance to the Inquiry Class, which
is the first step towards a public profession of religion. She appears
very happy in her mission-home, with no desire to return to the na-
tive villnge: and also is more than satisfied with the husband-elect,
more pleased than many of our girls, who, after being iji the mission-
school for a time, often select a lover of their own, cjuite different
from the one who has paid the xlowry, and legally is her owner and
future husband."
On Tuesday, September 2Gth, we started down river, making a
comfortable three-days' journey to Kangwe for the quarterly
Communion. And, as the "Former" raiin* season (October to De-
cember) had set in, and the little cottage at Tabguga was not yet in
a state to receive Mrs. Nassau, she remained on Kangwe Hill, re-
sinning her housekeeping there, the while I, after much trouble in
obtaining a crew, started back to Talaguga with a kongongo and
canoe and a very mixed crew, on Friday, October 13th, for another
three months' absence.
On October 30th. Mrs. Nassau reports having opened and enjoyed
the box of books, clothing, and other gifts from Jamesburg and other
friends in Monmouth Presbytery. And on October 31st, she mailed
over forty letters of acknowledgment.
On November 1st, she was alone on Kang^ve Hill, Mr. Robinson
having gone on Mission business to Gaboon, with the intention of
returning in December, in order that the Station should not be with-
out a male missionary when Mr. Reading would be absent at January
Mission Meeting.
t had found native employes generall}' respectful and obedient;
and, on leaving Mrs. Nassau at Kangwe, had no thought that she
would be subjected to the annoyances which came to her. I still
believe that the native African is naturally respectful. But some
sinister influences had been at work at Kangwe between my de-
parture in 1880 and my return in 1882. These annoyances I see
recorded almost daily in Mrs. Nassau's diaries, with, also, daily an
ejaculated prayer, and almost daily a record of thanks. But her
letters of cheer to me at Talaguga, were cheerful, even with wit and
gentle badinage that was WTitten for only my eye. This was her
remarkable union of solemn severity in her %news of duty and her
sprightly flow of humor for those who were dearest to her.
1()<) THE PATH SHE TROD.
During the tliivc month}*' separation, I had opportunity, every
few (hiV!«. of writing to her. Tahiguga had become a haven of re^t
and safety for trade eanoes of the (lalwa and other tribes plying
between Lambarene and the interior. They found it a safe spot at
which to bivouac; my presence was a protection to them and their
goods; my boat-shed a comfortable roof under which to rest; my
tires a conviMiience. and, for favors I gave them, tliey always were
more than willing to carry letters, stopping on my hail, and eron
delaying while I wrote, to take any note I had ready. With what
little gifts I gave them, and what I promised that Mrs. Nassau would
add, I was jierfivtly certain that my letters would be safely carried
and promptly delivered. They were. And they were longed for by
Mrs. Nassau. I will not open the sanctity of some parts of her letters
to tell the depths of her longing. And this, notwithstanding the
presence and protection of Mr. Heading, the courtesy of Mr. Rob-
inson, and the sisterly, almost motherly, love of her dear friend Mis.
Heading, liut from her end of the line there was difficulty. The
up-going canoes made their start from the English and German
trading houses, out of sight on the other side of the island. Those
white men had few interests outside of their trade, and it was not
expected that they would notify the mission of their frequent sending
of canoes up-river. When, on a venture, letters were sent to them
they would probably be forwarded, almost invariably by the English.
But the (Jerman sometimes refused, or forgot, even after i)romising.
On one occasion her letters were thus retained deliberately, not out
of any particular sjiite to her, but because of the Agent's oft'ended
dignity, the package having been handed, not to himself, but to a
subordinat(\ Not until my wail for letters came back to her did she
find out that the longed-for missives that her love had sent had
been lying for days only a mile distant from her!
At that very same time. I was giving shelter in my little hut,
eveu resigning my bod to him, to one of that same German's clerks,
he having stopped, sick, and his crew almost in mutiny. I used my
infiuence in obtaining him a temporary location with my Fang chief,
Nyare. In my diary of November loth I note: "Nyare could find
plantains for Mr. B., but not for me. Do not know what will be
the up-shot of a trader establishing so near to me. How things
develop! Only eight months ago, 1 came here, and was on the verge;
now, two white men are ahead of me up-river, and a third near mel"
I do not know what were the "ambitions" referred to in Mrs.
Nassau's diary of November 2Gth. after she had been reading, in a
missionary monthly, letters of Miss Cole, of Siam, Mrs. Winn, of
Japan, Miss Tiffany, of China, Dr. Jessup, of Syria, and "Miss Noyes,
JULY, 1SS2. CAMP-LIFE. 107
of Canton and her charjje of more than 200 women, made me lonp to
work amonjj women here. The appeal for medical missionaries
stirred up old ambitions which could not have been fulfilled; but,
may God make willing those who have the ability!"
Time drawing toward the close of her first foreign missionary
year, she records, on November 30th: "Thanks; for the untold
blessings of the year; for health of body preserved; for fomc growth
at least in grace; for the Husband's success at his Station; for Ma
Reading's love; for the love of friends at home; for Mr. Robinson's
friendship; for the devotion of the Husband; for the privilege to be
in Africa; for the Savior. His words, His life, His death, His resur-
rection, His ascension, His intercession."
With all her many household distractions, learning a new language,
&('.. Mrs. Nassau wrote largely. Her memorandum book has lists
of letters "Received" and "Sent." Of letters and notes sent, there
is a list of 2o.') during 1SS2; of these, 183 were mailed letters; o2
to fellow-missionaries, and 131 to relatives, friends, and other per-
sons in the United States.
Having completed the cottage on the Talaguga hill-side, I re-
turned to Kangwe on December 26th. Mr. Reading had already
gone by river steamer to Libreville, (iaboon. I assisted Mr. Robin-
son in the preparatory and Communion Services of Deceml>er 29-31.
And, on Monday. January 1st, 1S83, in my boat "Nellie-Howard"
(fitted only for river travel) went to the Annual Mission and Presby-
tery Meeting at Baraka. Libreville, arriving there on Friday, January
oth. Mrs. Nassau had decided not to go with me; thought she better
stay with Mrs. R. and get ready for our removal to Talaguga. For
these and other reasons she gave up the prospect of seeing other fel-
low-missio?iaries; e. g., crowding the hosjMtality at Baraka; the
probably uncomfortable return by the small river steamers; work
to be done at Kang\ve in teaching, &c.
Of those days. Mrs. Nassau wrote, in a letter to her cousin, Mi.ss
Hattie Todd: "Kang^ve, Jan. oth. . . . your words about those
anniversary days are true; and I too lived them over again. But,
between those days and the present time, have been long, weary,
lonely days of waiting and working, while the Husband was still more
lonely in his work at Talaguga. He stayed as long as he possibly
could, and has nearly finished the house, which, though small, will
have a floor. He came down to Kang\\e, Dec. 26th; and, New Year's
day, started for Gaboon in his little boat, 'Nellie-Howard.' His
ride will be 130 miles on the river, then 75 miles on the sea. One,
perhaps two nights, he will spend on the ocean. He will use the sail
on the sea, of course. But, he is always most terribly sea-sick on the
lOS THE PATH SHE TROD.
Avator; even the quiet river sometimes brings nausea; and you can
liardly iniafrine the distress he suffers on the ocean. This is Friday
ni^lit, and I hope he is by this time safe at Libreville. I wished very
much to jjo down to Gaboon by one of the traders' steamers; but,
decided that I better 'stay by the stuff' at Kan^we.
" I have seen one (and only one) lady, one white-faced woman, in
the last year. ... I told, in a letter to little Julius, of the nar-
row eseape from drowning; that Mr. Robinson had. We were thank-
ful indeed for his final safety. He is, and has been, all the year past,
very kind and gentlemanly. ... I am very glad you met Mrs.
Kjieass. And I eti joyed very vnich your description of Mary Dashiell's
wedding. I am very glad to kiiow of Mr. Cranmer's election [New
Jersey State Senator G. T. Cranmer]. ... I never had a gentle-
man friend whom I tho't more of than j\Ir. C. Remember me to him,
and to Mr. Harrison [of Lakewood] when you see them. And to all
the Holmanville friends, my love, especially to uncle Todd. . . .
I see letters from Frank [Rev. Frank M. Todd] in the Presbyterian
Jtwninl, and from Uncle Todd too; all of which I enjoy very
much.
"You ma}' be sure I think of you all, those days, which were
once spent so happily with you and the other home-friends. I do
not mean to say I am not happy here; but, I do miss those friends
very much.
"I have pretty heavy trials, I think, here; but, I know you have
e(|ually heavy, and perhaps greater ones in America. I can only
pray for you, as you do for me. But, these trials surely are not iii
vain. They bring nearer the Savior, and show us our sins, and aid
in purifying us from those sins. After all, the end of life, to fit us
to glorify and enjoy God, is only furthered by what we are sometimes
tempted to complain of. I mean to write a letter for the Society very
soon, unless the trials and full working time of the moving [to Tala-
gugTi] days prevent. . . . Christmas I spent with Mrs. Reading.
Her little Lizzie received many presents from her friends in America."
At Libreville, there had recently arrived from the United States,
Rev. A. C. Good, and Miss Harding and her mother, new missionaries;
and my sister Miss I. A. Nassau, and Miss L. B. Walker, returning from
furlough. Meetings began on January 8th, and closed on January
16th. Mi-ss Nassau and Miss Harding were appointed to Kangwe
Hill. Miss Harding was of negro extraction, but with so slight an
admixture that she was regarded as an "European." At her own
expense, she had brought her mother from the United States, who
was therefore not on the missionary list.
JULY, 1882. CAMP-LIFE. 109
I left Libreville on January 18th, and was again in Kangwe on
January 25th.
Mrs. Nassau's various works on the Hill were divided between
Miss Nassau and Miss Harding. And on February 7th, Mrs. Nassau
and I definitely left Kdngwe on the journey to our own Talaguga
Station.
no THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER XIII.
1883, At Talaguga.
Of that journoy, Mrs. Xassau wrote, in the end of February, an
account to Mrs. Parker, for the Monmouth Presbytery, W. F. M. S. : —
"The last two montlis have been filled with the exeitements
attendant on departures and arrivals; with all the labor, rare, and
vexations which preparations for boat-journeys, packing and un-
packing, always bring. . .^ . At Kangwe, we welcomed Miss
Harding, who, with earnest zeal, enters upon her work of establishing
a Girls School; and also Miss Bella Xassau, who, for this year, takes
for her home the house we leave there, with all her renewed strength,
and her well-tried devotion to this her life-work. From the first
village at the mouth of the Ogowe to Belambila (the Bible reading
out-station beyond Kangwe) the news that 'Miss Bella' was return-
ing to this river was received with most ardent enthusiasm, which
showed the hold the faithful missionary had secured upon the hearts
of the people. Wed'y morning, February 7th, Miss Bella, from the
home on the Hill, and Mr. and Mrs. Reading and Mr. Robinson, from
the And(?nde waterside, waved their farewells to Dr. Nassau's com-
pany, as he, with his fleet of 5 boats and canoes and 40 men and boys,
pushed off, on their upward journey to Talaguga. The 'Nellie-
Howard' carried the Doctor and wife, a crew of 6 young men (with
oars), 2 food-boxes, 1 box of goods for purchasing native provisions
on the way, 1 of medicines, 3 of native farinya, 1 of soap, 4 containing
luggage of crew, 1 of dried cod-fish, 1 of hardware, 1 of clothing, 1
jug of spring water, 1 demijohn of vinegar, 2 casks of bedding, 1
chair, wraps, water-proofs, &c., &c., 1 chicken, and 1 dog; the last
no^for food! Each craft had a full complement of paddles; and we
started with the feeling of strength which many hands give to the
performance of great works. The canoes carried boards and native
food, provisions for ourselves, and household furniture. The week
previous, Mr. Reading had taken up a large canoe filled with foreign
provisions, our food for the coming year. Just a few hours before
our departure, news was received that a native trader, in a fight with
a Fang village, on the river-side, more than half of the way up to
Talaguga, had killed three men there; that the Fang were greatly
incensed thereby; and that any canoe passing would incur the danger
of an attack from them. But, our crews seemed to smother their
fear, which we knew they felt, and we had no hestitation in starting.
1883, AT TALAGUGA. Ill
na|)i)ily, at the very last moment, three young men, former pupils
of the School, asked to be taken. They were kindly accepted. But,
many of the crews, from near villages, wished to stop at their homes
and get guns, Sec. The crew of the 'Nellie-Howard' were all held
to their promise, though the Dr. was obliged to land and go to their
village, to hurry them from their multitudinous leave-takings. Be-
fore leaving the first village, we heard that two of the crew of one
of the canoes had deserted, fearing the Fang along the route. This
was distressing to that crew who wished as many paddles as possible.
We passed the middle of the river, and saw the {principal canoe touch
the other side, and nearly every man left the canoe. We passed
within speaking distance, and asked the cause. Three from that
canoe hafl deserted, their mothers fearing to have their sons go on
such a perilous journey. These same young men, when their inclina-
tions lead, are not so easily restrained by their mothers. The leader
of the canoe threw down his paildle, saying he would not go at all
with so few men. The Doctor promised him two from another canoe;
and we all slowly passed on. But the entire company were in ill humor;
and the peace of the journey seemed to be broken. The missionaries
could only endure, and trust that He who prepares the hearts of all
men would so over-rule their discontent and rebellion that a safe
arrival should be secured. Also, another earnest prayer was offered
for the withholding of rain, which would not only cause loss of goods,
but great discomfort and possible danger of health. We lunched in
the woods, about 2 P. M. The wife's little boat 'Swan,' with three
young men, instead of closely following the 'Xellie-Howard,' went
their own way; and, as the shades of night fell around us, they were
hid from our view. We were troubled, as they were in danger of
running aground on the many islands in mid-stream, and we knew
they would be in great fear of the Fang along the shore.
"Wearily (more truthfully lazily) our crew pulled; and we were
very -much relieved when the lights of an American negro trader's
house shot across our bow at 9.30 P. M. We landed, the last of the
5 crafts, went ashore; and enjoyed for the night the hospitality of
our fellow-countryman, Mr. Ermy. But, Oh! the mosquitoes, and
the hideous cries of the two watchmen! Little rest, and less sleep,
that night!
"Thursday we again started, with a second canoe in a semi-
rebellious state.
"By 3 P. M., we reached Belambila, and carried bedding, &c., to
the little mission-house. This house has been closed nearly two
years, and was put in the care of a native living near. Earnest
prayer has been made that one of our christian young men should
112 THE PATH SHE TROD.
ofTor to livo there as a Bible-reader, thoujih it be amonjr the most
euperstitidtis and dejrradetl of all our tribes, the Rakele. The dusty
walls and Moors were not very inviting:, tho' we were glad of their
protection from jmssible rain. A few Bakele came to the house to
greet us: and, in the evening, we gathered the crews together for
evening-jirayers.
"At r»..30. the next morning, we were in our boat, ready for a
start. Hut. before pushing off, the missionary and company sang a
native hymn, and he offered a prayer. The crews were in good
spirits, and pulled well; and we reached the eating-place at the mouth
of a little cnvk by 11 A. M. We had our tea and warmed tin of corn,
in the bo;it : and started again after a rest of two hours. We entered
upon the most dangerous partrof the journey; for, that afternoon we
were to pass the i)lace of conflict so much feared. From the first
da}' to this time, every village that brought us nearer to the dreaded
point gave us new versions of the trouble, changing the location,
and reducing the number of killed to one: while one man averred that
the affair w;is entirely settled. We had no trouble that day in keej)-
ing our crafts near us. Fear was a stronger master than the white
man. To increase the distress of our men, we met a little steam-
launch coming down river. On board was an Englishman (a trader)
and a Homan Catholic priest. The latter had taken passage for the
purpose of viewing the land, having as plan the establishing of a
mission tiear us. Thus closely these adherents of the Romish See
follow in the footstejjs of our Mission! The trader had promised to
take him to within a few miles of Talaguga; but. hearing of this
Affray, turned back the second day of the journey. Our men could
argue: what can this our poor missionary tlo in the face of savage
Fang wlu>m this trader with his steam-launch flees from?
" It was about .) o'clock of a beautiful afternoon, when we reached
a point where the river widened, on the opposite side rising a high
hill [Kere-volo]. Majestically it overlooked the river below, and
beautifully dressed was it with the bright greens of the forest trees,
lit uj) by the brilliantly setting sun [the regular 6 P. M. sunset]. The
(offending village on the top of the hill commanded the entire river.
On the right side, a sand-bank reached far out into the water: and
dusky forms from the village on the hill were seen running to the
water-side. Our own o crafts, with two others (strangers who en-
t<Ted our company for protection under Dr. Nassau's name) huddling
more closely together, advanced into the exposed portion of the river.
Our crew kept telling the Doctor there was a sand-bar in our way at
the right. But, he knew differently. What their fears said was,
Hiuns are; guns there,' would have been more truthful.
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 113
"All kept in mid-stream, until directly opposite the village, and
then tinned toward it and hugj;ed closely the base of the hill. [There
was the shortest and easiest channel. But, to the crews, it did seem
as if I was deliberately leading; them into danger. Perhaps the
ap})arent audacity of my manoeuvres may have checked the Fang,
if really they had any intention to attack]. The 'Xellic-Howard'
passed near the sand-bank, and we were greeted kindly by the staring
Fang, tho' we did not think best to stop.
"After we had turned into a bend of the river which hid those
people from us, we found one canoe missing. Turning back, we met
it opposite the village, and cacortcd it safely past the danger its crew
feared. This point past, the crews were greatly relieved, and cheerily
brought the crafts, before dark, to the place where we were to stay
all night. As we landed, one young man said, 'Ah! yes, we passed
.safely because Dr. Nassau was with us.' We thankfully said we
passed safely; saw rain falling on all sides, but not touching us. We
passed unwet ; only felt the accompanying wind; and realized that
our crews were becoming more and more quiet and obedient because
God was with us.
"Our camp-mats and bedding were laid in the boat. Just as we
were ready for sleep, the sound of coming wind and rain was heard.
We still i)rayed, tho' we knew the rain must come. So it did; but
not enough to in the least ineommode us.
"Before day-break of Sat'y, 10th, most of our crafts were off,
the' we heard some of the crews protesting because of the threatening
tornado. By G A. M.. we were starting. The sun was clouded all
day, but we felt no storm. One more meal in the forest, and before
3 P. M. our entire company touched the shore at Talaguga, within a
few minutes of each other, and great shouts of rejoicing on the part
of the crews, and welcomes. Never have we passed four successive
days wherein (lod's protecting hand was more visibly seen. True,
our prayers went up hourly to the Mercy Seat ; but, why this in-
creased spirit of i)rayer and trust? Have not our friends of Monmouth
Presbytery been praying for us?
"I write in the midst of disorders of unpacking; and, should this
letter reach you late, even too late for the Meeting, tho' I shall most
deeply regret it, still I beg forgiveness because of the time and strength
having been so entirely taken by the labors which always attend
moving, particularly those which are met in this land. Greetings to
you all, the most heartfelt. Indeed, the head is full of loving re-
membrances for the beloved President and each dear friend who sits
by her side, or who may be looking into her face with earnest pranng
eyes, and for the many whose hearts are with you, though they be
not present."
114 THE PATH SHE TROD,
♦
From hor diary: "Sabbath, Mar. 11th. Just as we were at tea,
Messieurs Mizon. Rijrail de Lastours, Jarque de Brazza [brother of
Count Brazza], Mi<haud, and their 14 canoes and 190 men, stopped
at the landinp [on their way up-river to the interior, bringing us our
mail], Lieut. Mizon ranie up the hill, followed by Miohaud barefoot.
He was sent back, and put on a pair of shoes. The others soon
followed. Two lar<:e dojrs, which our little one wanted to fight. They
took tea with us. Troubled with our small table. They left the
iiouse early; and we read our mail. . . . The French camp-fires
were very jM-etty on our hill-side. Mar. 12th. The French left early
this tnorninff. and Acry promptly."
A letter, of date April lOth, to Mrs. Perkins: "We, the husband
and self, are comfortably settled in our little bamboo Cottage. How
I would enjoy your presence here! How I do long sometimes ff)r the
honic-fricnds, that they might see wy African homel ^^ e have three
rooms, small and crowded; but our [combined] bed-room and parlor
is really }>retty. The other two rooms answer for dining and store
room. Our new bed-room set of the light ash stands out in cheering
relief against the dark bamboo walls. A sewing machine, writing
desk, and two trunks fill up all availal)le space. A cup-board in one
corner, for our wearing apparel, three-cornered shelves in another,
for books. A narrow tier of shelves on one side of the room, for books
also, does not add to the beauty of the room (all being made of pack-
ing boxes, with sides rudely i)laned, and with original nail holes very
api>nrent) but. they add to our comfort. ^ly one disaj^pointment
about the house is. there is no 'prophet's chamber.' I ha<I hoped to
have Mrs. Reading's company, for a little time at least. Now, after
her recovery from a severe sickness, and her visit to CJaboon, I am not
so sure of the fulfillment of hopes. A young wife, a christian woman,
has accomjianied her husband who is one of Dr. Nassau's workmen,
to Tahiguga, She will be company, though the assistance I expected
of her. I fear, will fail me.
* "Around the house are the original forest trees; and, the clearing
progresses slowly because of few laborers. The fallen monarchs,
with accompanying debris, lie immediately around the premises,
adding to the wildness, and sometimes desolateness of the place.
"Last Friday, April 13th, was an eventful one in our quiet lives.
Nothing less than a river journey to a to^Ti eight miles below. All
preparations of craft and food-box were made the day before. Break-
fast and Prayers over, we found ourselves in the "kongongo" by
7 A. M. This is the first time I have ever ridden any distance in a
native dug-out; but. found it very pleasant, had it not been for the
cramped unnatural position I was obliged to take. The craft was
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 115
35 ft. lonj: by .3 ft. in width. The husband took the rudder, and, in
front of hinn was a httlo derk 2ift. x 4 ft. On this platform I sat,
Turk fashion. liut, the length was cut off to 3 ft., by the presence of
two paddlcrs on the forward end of said deck. I rcheved myself by, at
times, reclininp:; and, the husband's knees supplied the need of a
back. Eifrht paddlers composed the crew. Nearest me, at my left,
a stalwart, faithful fellow. By his side, a diligent worker, but one who
makes most ludicrous motions with head and neck at each stroke of the
paddle, reminding one of the grotesque mantis rclif^iosn so often seen
here. We were not surprised, next day, that he complained loudly
of pain in said neck and shoulder. In front of them sits the bright-
est-faced and finest-formed of all, who enjoys the position of leader
among them, and who has his hands full while trying to keep peace
between a weak-minded Galwa and three Fang, between which tribes
there is deep and cvcrpresent enmity. His partner, the 'enfant' of
the party, divides his time about equally between the duty he thinks
due to those about him in relating the brilliant ideas that flit across
his mental vision, and the duty which urges him to attend to the one
cloth that covers his limbs and loins, and lastly and leafitly the duty
due to his master in aiding the propelling of the craft; for, his paddle
is often out of the water, and generally moved with heartless feeble-
ness. Three of the terrible Fang complete the crew. One has, as
head-flress, a tuft of wool, an inch wide, running on the top from
forehead to crown, with sides and back closely shaven. He is principal
in 'a palaver' of his village, the disturbing cause being the murder of
his wife; and he is the murderer. Without doubt, the man will escape,
by paying a very small fine; for, the woman he killed was only his
wife! He owned her: had he not a right to do with his property as
he pleased? The children he severely wounded were his possession.
Who had a right to interfere with his dealings, however cruel, with
those over whom he held such undisputable control? For a long
time, my husband would not employ him; but, necessity at last
comp«'lled him, as our workmen have been painfully few. Another of
the Fang has been a great comfort to us, and is the most, and nearly
the only one who has been billing to work at the Mission; and even
he works hardly more than half the time. But, he is one of the most
faithful workers found among these sons of the forest. When the
Husband first tried to employ the Fang, they would come an hour or
80, late, and after listlessly handling an axe for one or two hours,
would cease, and leave, to get food ; and always dispute the account
of day's labor. Now, they are regular in their hours, trust the mis-
sionary a.s to their pay, and work a.s faithfully as the African negroes
generally do. This is one of the first glimmerings of success, in the
IIG THE PATH SHE TROD.
hope that they may be recipients, not of the temporal only, but of the
spiritual blessings which the light we offer confers.
"But, I have left our story: The day was perfect. We passed
rapidly down stream with the swift current. Now, near the shore,
whose banks were covered with tropical vines and beautiful ferns
which clijig to rock, and enshroud the trees in a dense veil of exquisite
loveliness. Here, under long drooping boughs where,
'Shadows dark, and sunlight sheen
Alternate come and go,'
Then, in mid-stream, while,
'Sailing clouds went by,
Like ships upon the sea,'
casting fantastic shadows on the sun-lit waters below, whose beauty
is greatly enhanced by the dark border-line so exciuisitely curved, a
reflection of the outline of the regular rise and fall of surrounding
hills. Suddenly the tiny blue-eyed flower peeps from its emerald
petting [a flower which I had dedicated to her, with a short poem, in
February, 1SS2J. There, an aged monarch rises near us, upon whose
trunk and branch the orchid and other parasites cover their mur-
derous work with a show of youthful beauty. Oh, my back! An
hour's ride brings us to a town. We land. What a relief! A pro-
cession begins the tiresome ascent of the long hill on whose summit is
the town. First, one of the crew with our chairs; another, with food-
box; another with our cooking utensils; then, the missionaries.
Heated, and a little weary, we pass through the groves of the long
leaved plantains by which the town is surrounded. ... I was to
Ptay there, while Dr. Nassau went to Yena, a village a few miles
farther down river. By mistake, we had entered a small back street
60 narrow that the eaves of the houses on the two sides were so close
together that our elbows would have touched them had we not walked
side-wise and single-file. When we emerged into the wider street,
we were met with shouts of women and naked children; crowding;
ecstatic actions of admiration. Enter the large 'palaver' house;
filled. O! the screams, answered by still shriller yells. When it was
discovered that I was to stay, the story was repeated and responded to.
Leaving one young man with me, the Doctor departed. The people
asked to hear me speak. I sang. And then the people departed on
their day's works. A few were left, whom I will describe to you. In
front of me, an old worthless fellow scraping short sticks. Near him,
a sick man reclines. Then, a woman with a most distressing tumor.
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 117
A naked little boy; a man making twine for fishing; cords; numerous
little fellows; a very young one who eyes me most suspiciously;
idlers interspersed between. Ompavo (thatch) along the sides of the
shed, keeping out the sun, over which are inquisitive heads. The
town is very long. The houses are continuous, with bark sides, I
shook our little clock; surprise and fear. One woman, her hair half-
dressed. No receding foreheads. One very high forehead. One timid
little fellow playing with a big man ; people eating with a stick; a neck-
lace of narrow strip of cloth with buttons sewed on. In the eating-
room, I felt sick, and reclined on a bed; the sickening smoke of the
fire. Thermometer at 107°. A little girl behind the wall of sticks."
Under date of April 27th, a letter to the Foster Band, of Barnegat:
"I am writing under the shade of the plantains in a very small
hamlet near the banks of this river. In passing up and down, we
had noticed this si)ot, and had determined to make it our next
stopping-place, where we should speak to the people, of God. This
morning, about <S.30 o'clock, our native canoe touched this point. A
woman's voice in the forest directed our steps to the path. But, after
scrambling up the steep bank, we looked in vain for said path. The
missionary told a Fang to go ahead and lead us to the hamlet. He did
so; and we clambered over fallen trees, through dried brush, up the
steep ascent, until we reached two huts and a shed-like reception-
room, called here, in English, a 'palaver-house.' Two weeks before,
we had visited a very large town opposite; and the greetings given
here from two women, were the greatest possible contrast to those
received from the clamorous crowd of the first town. The one man,
head of this hamlet, was in the forest cutting trees; but, being called,
came to us. After putting down his gun and hunting-bag (without
which they never go to their work in the woods) he saluted us very
kindly. He was a large fellow. Not very pleasant-faced. He had
around his loins a piece of bagging, that was his entire dress. But,
exceedingly generous, as you will soon see. The missionary told him
he was going still farther down river, but would leave his wife and a
young native girl in his village under his protection; then, returning
in a few hours afterwards, he would talk to him and his women of
God. The man was well-pleased. But, strangely enough for this
country, he was industrious, and asked if he might go back to his
work, and return when the sun was directly overhead. There could
no harm come to us; so, we were perfectly willing that he should
do so; indeed, rather relieved by his absence.
"Before Dr. Nassau started away, he was presented with the
head, neck, and one fore-leg of a monkey. This was a big present.
lis THK PATH SHE TROD.
]iut. l)of<>ri> this man loft (the missionary having: pone first) he pave
also nearly tho half of a nionkoy's oarcase. which had boon sniokod
until it was as Mack as soot itsolf. This was a still larp;or gift; and
thoy will 1)0 onjoyfMl hy our crow. The younp; nofrross who came with
mo, is sit tins; on a native stool sowing:, makinp: a 'cloth' for her young
husband. 'J'his cloth answers for i)antaloons. and. by our mission
em))lovos. is fastened around the waist, falling to the ground.
"One of the crow was loft to care for our protection and service,
and is now jm^paring the plantains, and cooking the moat, ^'orv
soon. \w will make a fire for the missionary on the ground, and wo will
have oiu' jiotatoes baked, and water boiled for tea.
"Of the thr(>e women h(>ro. one is very old and lame, and sits in
the door of her hut; the other, just outside. s(|uatted in its shade,
is nunitliing her morning meal of cassava. The third has boon standing
a long time in mid-j)ath, with the hot sun sojuling its rays on her naked
back. She tolls me she is sick; which I can readily believe, from
her emaciated b(»dy and distressed face. Her two little children are
nuich like her in dirty skin and protruding bones. All of their faces
are tattooed, and most of their breasts and abdomens are very fan-
tastically cut in diamonds and ])arallol linos of all lengths and forms.
"Two more women, with cutlass (machete) on shoulder, and in
a terribly undrost costujne pass us. My maiden greets them. Thoy
seem too dazed to reply. Evidently, thoy rtre just from their gardens.
Soon, a voice from the distance is heard. They reply, and hasten
away, first having gathered courage to say 'Mbolo.' the native 'good
morning.'
"It is g(>tting mid-day. and the sun's rays strike us directly from
nbove. driving us nearer and nearer the plantain trees, whicli are
poor j)rotection against its jiowor. Occasionally a feeble breeze
relievos the intense lu^it. Just now. one of the women came near me,
and I hohl the little clock I have, to her ear. She is much pleased,
and more dazed by its tick. tick, with no apparent agent near to cause
it thus 'to talk,' as they call this ticking.
"1 must sto}\ to attend to our hmch. We placed our dishes
of food on the two boxes, and ate with quite a relish our baked po-
tatot^s. njOve (ripe plantains), bread and butter, and gooseberry
lurti-ovcr made by the wife the day previous, from the canned berries.
"Having finished eating, the missionary called the people to
him. as he sat uiulor a rude shed. Few were present, yet they were
quiet and gave good attention to the words spoken. But, remember,
these half-dressed men and women and naked children, though sitting
so (juiotly and meekly, needed only the touch of some exciting word
to rouse them to a frenzy of rage, when they would be ready to per-
I
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 119
petrate the most cruel deeds, not stopping short of murderous blows.
To us, they were only kindness and affability, and it was hard to con-
ceive of the dark deeds we knew all were ac(|uainted with. Why were
they thus scantily clothed, do you ask? Why, living in such dark
dirty huts; having leaves for plates, and pieces of wood for seats;
never having even handled a saw or any of the commonest tools and
household conveniences so familiar to you all, excepting rude knives,
forks, and sj)()()ns? A book as new and strange to them as a rhinoceros
would l)e to you.
"The reason: all these great differences between your homes and
lives and theirs are due to the fact that you have the light of Bible
truth. They, in the darkness of Bihlc-hss homrs, in the gross dark-
ness into which human hearts and Satan rlhuyr, lead when God gives
them up to their own lusts and counsels. These people are 'without
God, and without hope.' So. the missionary began by telling them
of God, of His attributes: His commandments, of the way in which
sin first came into the world; and, of the Savior, Misu,' the Son of
God. The Services were closed by the missionary reading, they re-
peating after him, clause by clause, the Lord's Prayer in their own
language. We left them thus, not knowing whether any of the seed
sown had touched hearts which were ready to receive where it might
take root, grow, and bear fruit. We will go there again. But, the
result of our teaching is with (Jod. We are here to teach. You are
in your own homes, and can ilo your part by pra}*ing and giving.
. , , So, I wish you to read of not only our work in Africa, but
of the work and workers in China, .lapan, India, Syria, «S:c. &c."
Mrs. Nassau kept up, fluring all her KangT\T and Talaguga days,
her regular and prayerful daily Bible studies. The following entries
in her diary are only specimens of hundreds: "Sunday, April 29th.
Very quiet day. I read in Woman's Work for Women, go over
all the names in the Historical Sketch for China. . . . Wrote
a little Bible lesson, on The Omnipresence of God.
"Apr. 30th. Wrote a Bible-lesson on the Invisibility of God.
May the Holy Spirit bless this study of the Word.
"Tuesday, May 8th. Just as we were through our dinner, Xguva,
with a crew.of three, and our mail, came. I had 27 letters. Husband
received a memorandum from Rev. . . . Xot pleasant. News
from home that I had 'a little daughter '!II News (commands) from
the French Government, that we are to close all 'Stations' outside
of Kangwe and Talaguga. .\lso, soon, are not to teach or preach in
J
120 THE PATH SHE TROD.
Eiifilish, nor even in Mpongwe, I have tried to study at least an hour
all those days."
[The somewhat of dread with which Mrs. Nassau had at first looked
on the thoujiht of maternity had disappeared so entirely that she had
been wishinji, praj'infr, and planning; for motherhood. 8he had taken
Mrs. Reading: into her confidence, who had enthusiastically promised
her lier jiresence and assistance. But, there had been no other basis
for that rojiort from the United States than some misconstrued words
in Mrs. Nassau's letters to her relatives about her desires or expec-
tntiojis; perhai)s this had been misunderstood as hopes. Those
French fjovernmental edicts were only a part of a programme of
Roman Catholic persecution of our Protestant Mission, of which we
had already felt sifrns and were yet to feel greater effects, which, eight
years later, drove the Mission from our (then) best field, the Ogowe.
There would have been no reason for our dei>arture if France had
been wise at that time to emancipate herself from Papal domination,
as she finally has done twenty years later. The "Stations" indicated
were only little out-stations, where native evangelists had been sent;
even against these, Romanism raised its hand. And yet, some of
our Protestant friends in the United States, in strange blindness and
mistaken liberality, wrote of those Roman Catholic priests as our
"Christian brothers," and suggested "comity."]
"Thursday, May 10th. We heard that the French had occupied
Njoli island (two miles up river from Talaguga) ; and, when I saw
a white man land at our beach, I tho't the French had come. It
proved to be a CJerman trader, Mr. Rene. He came and took tea
with us. We ga\e him some food to take with him. We were all
excited, because of the French. Mr. Sinclair's trader was not allowed
to locate in the Fang villages near Njoli. Mr. Rene's canoes were
Ptoii})ed, and searched for guns. Both of us troubled about Rev.
's letter, and the French.
"Sat'y. May 12th. Husband went to Njoli island to call on the
French. I expected him to return at 3.30 P. M. Did not, until
5 P. M., found the French beyond Njoli. Met very pleasantly by
them. Glad that he called. [They had actually landed on and in-
spected Njoli, but had gone on three miles farther and definitely
located at Asange island, which, however, is to this day, mis-called
"Njoh Poste."] .
"Sunday, May 13th. Troubled all day, fearing the French would
call. While at Sab. Sch., two canoes passed. I trembled. But,
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 121
God kindly gave us a quiet day. I read the For. Miss'y for Feb'y;
and again met the Chinese Mission."
[Mrs. Nassau had strong objection to all forms of Sabbath visiting.]
"Monday, May 14th. About 9 A. M., the French gentlemen,
Messieurs, Lieuts. Midielez and Montaignac. Lieut. Mezon also
called, but only at the water-side, as he was not well, and was on his
way down river to Gaboon and France. The gentlemen were very
pleasant. Spoke English well, particularly Montaignac, who rattled
all the time. They had sent their canoe farther down to buy plan-
tains. I had tea brought, and molasses cake, to the porch, and poured
it there. Then, as their canoe (Hd not come, we proposed dinner: —
Had roast beef, prepared potatoes, beans, tomatoes, fried nj6ve (ripe
plantains), coffee, and plum-pudding. [All these, except the plan-
tains, were canned provisions.] Mons. Michelez fell asleep while
reading Stanley. AVe must learn French. I have made special
prayer that I may be able to learn these, Mpongwe, Fang, and French.
This P. M., a Mi)ongwe trader has come to Xyare's town; brought
rum. We hear their drunken songs this first night.
"Tuesday, May l.^th. "Washing day. Ten canoes of French Ex-
pedition, with as many white men, passed. A canoe from Xjoli passed
early to Xyare's town to buy plantains. Xyare's people would not
pell. Did not like price; and, besides, they 'sold to Nassau' \Ul
I tried to bake jelly-cake without eggs, nearly failed, still, we sent three
loaves of bread and the cake to Mons. Michelez."
From her first coming to Talaguga, Mrs. Nassau had a zeal to
carry the Gospel beyond. We saw Roman Catholic priests carried
into the interior by the Government canoes. I asked no such favor,
but both Mrs. Nassau and I planned to travel far up-river, over my
route, of eighteen months previous, during the cool dry season (June
to August) safe from rains. She made herself a short-skirted dress
for convenience in canoe travel. I knew that trading by other than
French vfas forbidden beyond Njoli Poste. But I had no idea that
preaching would be, when I applied for permission to the local Com-
mandment ("Governor"), Victor de Kerraoul, at that Poste. He
refused it; said that none but French might pass, for any purpose
whatever. I appealed by letter to his superior, Count de Brazza.
Explanation and permission from him came just a year later. But
it was then too late. I append an almost literal translation of his
letter: "I regret infinitely that the instructions that I had given to
M. de Kerraoul have given cause of a delay which has retarded your
122 THE PATH SHE TROD.
outinjr to the Okota. The means employed at Xjoli only concerned
tlie black trader>i, whose manner of negotiating had troubled the
security of the upper River. The traders are not allowed any more
to have guns of precision, to defend themselves. I have not wanted
them to create, in the Interior of the river, any interests which they
are not capable of defending; and, that, at a time when I am not
in position to give them the protection necessary to them.
"As for you, Doctor, I had offered you since a long time, to go
up again with me; and I shall always be happy to see you profit by
the ])rotection which any of our expeditions are able to give you."
"May, 19th. Went to Xyarc's village [in afternoon]. While
there, a boy came saying that^ the French had come. We hurried
back. Found M. de Kerraoul, 'Gov.' of Njoli and Dr. iSchwebish.
Tho' a little awkward in meeting, 'Gov' Kerraoul was very gentle-
manly. They ate supper with us: — had kippered herring, and corn-
cake, Bartlett pears, and cranberries. So thankful they did not
come to-morrow.
"Tuesday, ^lay 22d. Ironing day. [Cook] William's breath still
bad [with li(|uor]. Sun in P. M, Studied on Mpongwc and Fang,
in A. M., 2^ hours. In P. M., French 1^, Mpongwe ^. [Barring his
intemperance, William, an Accra-coast man, who had seen service
as a steward on the ocean steamers, was an excellent cook.]
" Wcd'y, May, 23d. Studied Mpongwe and Fang in A. M. French
in P. M. Wrote two exercises. Mended in evening; and Husband
read Stanley to me.
"Sabbath, June 3d. Hamill taught me, 'My God! how endless
is Thy love,' while I was dressing. One of the most perfect days
of rest and quiet wo have known here. Xyare and Nyamba [his chief-
wife] ^all. Dr. talked to them. A company of strangers passed
up from their town, and stuck on a log, and broke their canoe. Nyare
had told them not to go, because it was the Sabbath 1 Just as the
peaceful day closed, and we were kneeling in prayer, a noisy crowd
of drunken fellows passed. Contrast! The noise from their towns
unknown before the rum came."
Mrs. Nassau was rejoiced by a week's visit of Mr. and Mrs. Reading
and their little daughter Lizzie.
"Wed'y, June 13th. We all go to the French Station of Njole.
Met the 'Governor,' an army officer, De Brazza, and others. Stuck
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 123
on a rock. Many canoes; people, and their rush to see us; these
driven back by officer's whip. Soldiers. De Brazza just on the
point of starting; waiting for farinya, which comes while we are
there. Ask us to dinner, we wait; but, as the lunch does not come,
we leave. Go back again, to see the upper part of the island; then
see two priests before us. They evidently had been hiding. Leave.
Eat our lunch in the mouth of a little creek. Very pleasant ride
back, a happy day. . . . I\Irs. R. and I look up a site for a
house nearer the water-side."
[It had become aj>parent that the location on the Talaguga hill-
side was open to the same objection as to the Kangwe hill-top. Climl>
ing the hill cost too much exertion. It was decided that the per-
manent Talaguga house should be built by the water-side, a few
hundred feet across the brook, on the side opposite to the original
hut, which was now the workmen's dormitory.]
"Tuesday, June 10th. 34 years old. 0! God give me Thy Holy
Spirit, every moment of the coming year. This is my birthday re-
quest. Say to me, as Christ once said, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee;
go in pence' Show to me all my weakness, my sins, my failings.
Then, Holy Spirit, strengthen me to fight every battle, never to re-
treat from a position taken or one which Thou wouldst have me take.
Help me to conquer. Oh! God, Thou knowest my wish, that I may
delight only in doing Thy will; that I may have 'faith that will not
shrink from any earthly woe.' Make me perfect, right, pure, good;
my heart a pattern of Thine. I am sure I have grown spiritually,
and am more consistent in walk than I was ten years ago. But,
O! God, shame and confusion of face belong to me that the growth
has been so feeble; that sin has held dominion over me, even when
claiming Thyself as my Master. O! forgive; O! strengthen me for
the CQming dangers from within and without. I can not let Thee
go until Thou dost bless me. For Thy name's sake, because my
sin is great, heal me. Pour out upon me bountifully Thy Spirit.
I do desire to do all things. Christ, help me ; strengthen me and my
husband.
"We heard loud crying in town; and our boys said the women
were crying because all were sick; and, that one who had run away
was being searched for, and then would be tied up. Later, Xyamba
came, and said Nyare was very sick, and that he was suspicious of
some of his wives. Then, as an excuse, we think, and not strictly
true, that people of his town seized those wives, five of them, tied
their arms back, putting a stick through them, then a stick down
124 THK PATH SH?: TROD.
tlioir si(ioi5. so thf\t thoy could not walk. Their cryinfrs were what
wo honnl. Xyare says, if he dies, these wives will be killed."
On .hine 20111 we started down river in the "\elly-Howard,"
on the usual journey for the (|uarterly Communion at Kanpwe: —
"Canoe, with Mamba. N<;uva. and others, starts at daylight. We,
about S A. M.. with Jhe Fanp. Xtula. makinj: a crew of nine. Forjrot
the key of the lionsr. Stop and send baek for it. Ompwenge came
in a canoe, and Dr. asked him to remain with Xjambe and Xyanda;
which, after hesitation, he does. Ate at . . . Reach Xjjigu-
dembo's about 4 P. M. Stay all nijiht. His town has streets at
rifiht anjiles; plenty of plantains and groufid-nuts. Many children
on the sand-bank, Held meeting ashore in the torch-light. People
noisy.
"Wed'y 27th. Reach Relambila at . . . Crews all go to
work [clearing the premises]. I suggest that we try to finish the
gras«i-c\itting. and go on to Kangwe to-day; four women and two
men help [Uom the native village]; aiid we start about 2 P. M. Reach
Ermy's at 4 P. M. Crew took oars [instead of paddles], ami we
reached Kangwe at 7 P. M. Sister Pella just at [evening] prayers."
I declined to be present at the Session meeting, a« the Rev. Mr.
Robinson was the official Stated Supply, for I always made it a rule
to carefully refrain from even the appearance of assumption on the
authority of others when I was a visitor at their stations, knowing
how the natives would naturally insist on according me the pre-
eede?ice of years ajid e\|ierience. This distressed Mrs. Xassau. lest
my declinature shouKi seem to slight our excellent friend Robinson.
Rut. I preached the j)rej)aratory sermon on Saturday and assisted
at the Sabbath Communion. But again I distressed her. for I de-
clined to attend a wedding performed by Brother Robinson for
Kl(l(M- Xguva. as I objected to the youth of the bride. Onin.
My visits to Kangwe were generally followed by desertions of
my crew. Their constant complaint was the scarcity of food at
Talaguga. My stay at KangvNe. therefore, was not restful. I had
to go down river to search for new workmen. On the way. I saw a
place where the Fang were enclosing five elephants in a corral. I
obtaineii a native earpenter. Ankombia, and a weak lad, Rembili.
"Wed'y July 4th. Husband returned with one sore-toed, lame-
fingered, erooked-eyeii boy. and Aveya's bright-eyed little brother."
I took Mrs. Xassau. my sister Isabella, and Miss Harding to see
the eorral. ha\ing on the way a dangerous experience with the boat
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 125
in the Dfgfliyo rapids of a side stream, of whose existence I had
known, but iiad not been really aware that it was an effluent, and
not an affluent, nor how near were the rapids until the boat was
drawn into them.
"Thursday July 5th. Co to see the elephants. 8ee two, one
white. Experience in the DfgCliye rapids. Mail handed to us on
our return. After going to my room, I find that Hnttic Foster is
dead [her sister-in-law]. . . . Mr. Menkel with [his child] Alek,
has come, to go to Talaguga. [Mr. Menkcl, the mission mechanic,
I had invited to relieve me of the labor of gathering from the forest
material for the proposed new framed house of Talaguga. His little
motherless boy became a new care to Mrs. Nassau. With her heart
sore for her widowered brother, Mrs. Nassau began packing of
our goods for the furnishing of our bamboo cottage on Talaguga
hill, while I was busy purchasing supplies at the trading house.]
"Friday. July Oth. Packing, but sick, tenj lame back. Sat'y,
7th. Mr. Robinson comes up and helps pack books and Organ.
Sab. July 8th. Mr. Robinson asked husband to preach again. He
does so."
To relieve Mrs. Nassau of manual labor in our household, I had
obtained from one of the ocean steamers a civilized coast man of
Accra, as cook. His experience as a ship's steward had made him a
good cook. He could prepare a dinner rapidly, attentively, and
without assistance or direction. We had retained him, notwith-
standing his intemperance.
When, on July 10th, the heavily-laden "Nellie-Howard" was
finally ready for our return journey to Talaguga, I was, as usual,
hampered by desertions. My Galwa crews, who brought me down
river, with promise to return with me, found the abundant food of
their homes in their own tril>e and the attentions of their villages too
strong. iSome would always fail at literally the last moment, and I
had to get a loan of men from Mr. Reading just for the trip, or pick
up some incompetent idler at ullages oq the way.
This, for years, was a distressing feature of my work at Talaguga.
The difficulty with these employes was not any personal feeling
against myself or their tasks or their wages, but solely the impossi-
bility of obtaining from the Fang of Talaguga region sufficient va-
riety or even quantity of food. Messrs. Reading and Robinson
kindly aided me by fonsarding native supplies from the abundance
obtainable in Kangwe region; and they loyally supported me by
refusing emploj-ment to any who deserted me.
120 THE PATH SlfE TROD.
"Tursd.'iy, July 10th. Xo William. Mpii who promised to come,
do not, save two. Stop at 'South,' and find two men. Go slowly.
Al)otit 10 A. M., struck hy a hippopotamus. Fright euod. Thought
it a rock, lioat leaks badly. Mr. Menkel partially stops the leak.
At Tioou, Mr. M. repairs it. Reach Ermy's about 7 P. M."
In the boat that day. besides Mrs. Xassau and self and Mr. Menkel
and his little son, there were ten natives, viz.: the six crew, two
extra hands, atid two little girls, Mrs. Nassau's pupils and personal
attendants. The boat was very heavily laden also with our food
supplies, hardware, and building materials, and Mrs. Nassau's precious
organ in its original case. Its length exactly filled the boat's width
toward the stern, taking the space of the stroke oar and preventing
also the handling of the next oar, thus allowing us the use of only
the four other oars. It rested on the stern sheets, where were sitting
Mrs. Nassau, myself, Mr. ^lenkel, and the three children. The case
prevented my sight forward, I, at the tiller ropes, could guide the
boat only by the voice of one of the men in the bow. Wearied with
winding through the tortuous channels of the dry season low water
(where also hippopotami were usually to be met), I turned the boat
to the deeper water shoreward. Suddenly we struck; I knew there
were no rocks there. But it might be a sunken log. I shouted to
the crew to double their stroke and thus force the boat over the
suj^posed obstruction. At the same moment the entire stern of the
the boat, with its weight of six persons, the organ, and other goods,
was lifted bodily out of the water by a hippo. I could have touched
him as we slid across his back. Evidently (as these animals are
ami)hibious) he had been h'ing hidden at that spot. Enraged by the
blow of our keel, he had turned on us, as he rose, and bit through the
iron shoe covering the keel and also through the boat's bottom.
He did not renew the attack. The crew rowed frantically away, and
Mrs. Nassau's shawl temporarily stopped the leak. A few hundred
yards beyond, I ran the boat ashore into the mouth of a little creek,
where we stopped for lunch. The tin of the empty meat can was
used as a patch over the hgle made by the beast's teeth. It was a
merciful Providence that the animal, in its rage, did not further
assault the boat. Probably it was as much frightened as we were.
With the heavily laden boat and its slow progress, picking our
way through winding channels, the second night was passed at Mbomi
village, and a third on a sand bank.
"Thursday, July 12th. MdmbA, who had started on Monday,
stopped with us at a sand-bar beyond Rere-volo. Cold; windy.
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 127
"Friday, 13th. Start at day-break. Hear hippos. Eut at
. . . Reach Talaguga at 4 P. M."
At Talajiufia, Mrs. Nassau wrote of that adventure with the
hippopotamus : — ■
"While coming back to Talaguga in the 'XelHe-Howard.' July
10th-13th, we were in deep Avater and fearfully frightened by striking
on what seemed a rock. The boat was tossed up out of the water,
and we were thrown in a heap on one side. A boat thirty feet long,
heavily loaded (my organ was in it) literally lifted out of the water.
The lift into the air might not have been more than two feet; but
that was enough. We all supi)oscd the boat broken in two. I
looked around to find something to catch hold of. When the few-
seconds passed, long ones they were to me and to us all, we found
ourselves unhurt, only greatly mixed up and the boat floating. But
one of the men cried out, 'The boat sees pain ' (i. c, is damaged), and
we soon saw the water bubbling around our feet. Two men, by fast
bailing, were just able to keep the water at a certain point. Either
we had struck, or been struck by a hippopotamus. The leaks were
caused by his teeth, as he had, either in defense or in anger, bitten
into the boat.
" Being in deep water, the animal was able to swim away from us,
and we had to row from him, and fortunately he did not pursue us.
Had we been near a sandbank, the animal would have more probably
continued his bites; as, when standing on his feet, it is his custom to
demolish his enemies before leaving them. It would have been mere
play for him to have cracked the boat to small splinters.
"This is the narrowest escape we have ever had on the water,
and is the first time in ten years on the Ogowe that my husband has
ever thus suffered from these brutes, though the crews have often
feared to pass their haunts. At noon, Mr. Menkel was able to stop
the leak; so that we reach Talaguga without more attacks, though
loud* bellowings and snorting one morning, as we were lying on
a sandbank, hurried our dressing, that we might get out of their
vicinity."
"Sat'y, 14th. Busy putting things to rights. Mr. M. and son
with iron bed-st«ad in the dining-room. Husband bargains with
N jambi as cook ; but, first, he leaves for a two months vacation. I
go to the kitchen, and with Og6ningo, and Rembili's help."
[This was the beginning of a long year's trial with unwilling
and incompetent kitchen aid, than which my constant efforts were
128 THE PATH SHE TUOD.
uiiiil)lo to obtain bettor. Occasionally Mrs. Reading sent a tem-
porary loan of one of her servants; but, as they came only under
compulsion, I did not like to retain them.]
"8at'y,» July 21st. Baked cake; pies (pumpkin); made apple-
butter; and had bread sjwiled by the boys putting in the oven the un-
raised bread. Very tiraf; for, I was over the stove all the morning.
Go to Xdonamavuna's village. Hear of Xguva's coming. . . .
Mr. Jieading sends 'Bigman' to help me cook. We accept, at first;
but the Husband decides No.
"Sabbath, July 22d. Fast, until evening. Prayer for the Holy
S|>int. Husl)and retains Bigman. Made a resolve to get up 15 or
20 minutes earlier, so I can read (juietly and pray."
The situation just at this time was very trying. Mr. Menkel, who
came as my nssisfant, demanded to be placed in unqualified control
of the new building operations and the workmen. To hasten the work,
in order to obtain a better house for Mrs. Nassau, I yielded. And
yet, so violently irascible was he that the workmen, whom I had
obtained with so much difficulty, declined to obey him. One after
another, he dismissed them; and I could obtain no others. His
boarding and laundry were also additional burdens. Mr. Reading
sent his man Xguva and a crew of Galwas to help us drag logs from
the forest during one week, offering also another of his employes as
cook. The conditions of the offer were so humiliating that at first I
refused. But on reconsideration, I assented to any thing that would
keeji Mrs. Nassau from manual labor.
The site for the new building was not just at that time positively
selected. But the conviction grew that it should not be on the hill-
side. It was too wearing a climb.
^'Sat'y, July 2Sth. Husband speaks of building by water-side.
We go over to see it. Then, on the way to Nyare's village, met the
man himself. Return. Husband takes him to see the spot, asking
to buy the garden next to it. I go to the house and play [the organ]
for a large company of Fang."
[That organ playing was a constant delight to Mrs. Nassau. It
was made a religious exercise for the frequent companies of Fang
visitors. The music drew their attention; and then she followed,
through an interpreter, with the gospel story. It was a precious
"sowing by all waters" that gratified, in the midst of domestic tasks,
her desire for direct missionary work.]
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 129
"Sab. July 20th. Just at supper-time. Aukombia came; brought
[fish] tiot and hatchet, and pot his own axe. Looked as if he was
going away. Husband and I went into the woods for prayer. Hus-
band's text, 'She hath done what she could.' 0! God, let it be said
of me!
"Monday, July 30th. Our prayer graciously answered in An-
kombia's very respectful, humble behavior this morning. Nothing
said of going away. Hamill and I offered thanks. No washing.
Killed a goat; sent half to 'Clov.' Kerraoul; one quarter to Laseni,
who had sent his men to help to-day. But, as they came so late.
Husband did not accept."
[Ankombia was a competent native carpenter, whom I employed
under my own orders. He had difficulty with Mr. Menkel. Laseni
was a polite Mpongwe gentleman, educated in our Baraka school at
Lii)reville, who was trading at a village a mile down river. He and
his wife "Alida" had been members of the Gaboon church. Though
fallen into neglect of Christain duties, they were helpful to us; their
polite manners and excellent use of English made them pleasant
visitors, being the only civilized companions that that African forest
afforded to Mrs. Nassau.]
"Sat'y, Aug. 4. Julius' birth-day [her brother]. . . . Vis-
ited Nyare's village. Praying for wisdom to provide food, <fec, for
assistants. Fang boys hired to bring water. [For ordinary un-
skilled labor, c. g., clearing premises, building, and travel, workmen
could be obtained with less difficulty than for the household t&sks of
cooking, washing, ironing, and water-carrying from the mountain
brook.]
"Aug. 5th. Sabbath. At least 47 at morning Service. Many
thank^. Played for them [on her organ]. Troubled about Ozindia
still. He was at morning prayers, but not at Service. Was at Sab.
Sch., when peace was made by Ankombia speaking for him. God
has heard prayer; and my heart is full of thanks."
[Amid all the vicissitudes of our pioneer life, Mrs. Nassau kept up
her role of teacher, even if it was teaching only our employes to read.
And she regularly went to the villages to pray with the women.]
"Monday, Aug. 6th. While Muli was reading, the question came
up, who shall do the washing? The way seemed very dark, and I
was greatly troubled. God heard prayer, and provided help. 01
130 THE PATH SHE TROD.
that I could be taiisrht to pray in times of trouble, without murmuring
or frottinjil
"Tuesday. Aug. 7th, Question again was to be met, who should
do the ironing? God sent help in the shape of Awora, who helped
Bigman. I i)ushed them through before the bell rang.
"Sat'y, Aug. 11th. Wrote to Mary Dickinson and sister Mrs.
Joseph Nassau. Baked bread, pies, and cake. As the little Fang
l)oys ilid not come to bring water, Oggningo brought it for the wash-
ing. Jobe and a little Fang came late in the afternoon, and helped.
Husband sick with painful arm. I went to Xyare's to call them to
meeting to-morrow. Many gathered around me; and I spoke a few
words to them, through Mr. 'Dixon' [a Mpongwe trader]. OgCningo
went with me. and God did not allow him to be sick after the big work
of the day.
"Sunday, Aug. 12th. Husband a little better. Laseni and his
people came. No Fang, until after Services, ... I read Phil-
lipians after dinner; and God's Spirit impressed most comfortably
the words, 'Be careful for nothing; but, in everything by prayer and
supplication, let your recfuest be made known unto God.' New
version, 'In nothing be anxious,' Also, the Spirit helped me to
pray, that 'this mind which was in Christ might be in me who emptied
himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.'
"Monday, Aug. 13th. Bigman, OgCningo, and Rembili washing.
Did very well. Evening; Ozindia asks to go home. Husband lets
him, as he tloes not recover health. Ankombia left alone [at the
waterside], and he is afraid to stay alone, and asks for permission to
come up on the hill. Husband says, 'No, stay down; and, I will
send one to sleep with you.' Hamill says, Oggningo; I said Bigman
(rather just the other way; I said, O; Hamill said, B,), I think
Husband never was so short of hands. Only one workman, and he
sick, and two boys and a young man for the building of the house.
It does seem as if God's hand was upon us in judgment. Certainly,
this is a time of trial. God bless it to us both; help us to learn all
lessons, to be purified, . . . Nyamba, who recently had sharp
words with Hamill about her garden, brought two plantains as 'v6v6'
[gift, as a peace offering], Mr. Menkel has trouble with Aleck, about
learning his lesson.
"Wed'y, Aug. 15th. Began a letter to Hattie Turner. Baked
lemon pies. Aleck lost his dinner again, because he did not have
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 131
his lesson. I took him in hand, and helj)cd him. He asked for food,
I sent him down with some crackers, a note, and his book to his
father.
"Thursday, Aur. lOth. Aleck was naughty in the dining-room.
I did not know what to do about it. I went to village (Xyare's) to
teach, and was kindly received. Xyare had asked for Hamill's little
canoe in the morning, to go for Xyamba, promising to return to-day.
The canoe was lent. ... In teaching, I draw the letters in the
ashes on the ground [floor of the hut]. Aleck followed me to the vil-
lage; and I did not send him back.
"Friday, Aug. 17th. Aleck says he will not do the other things
again, if I will let him go to the village with me. He did not get
his lesson ; and his Papa would not let him go. I went. Belinga
learned well. In singing, they hummed with me. Felt encouraged.
"Aug. 20th. Answer to prayer, in Og6ningo's sudden recovery.
Washing done; and all feeling well. Kids lost; Husband found them.
Thanks, O! Lord, for the work done.
"Tuesday, 21st. I ironed, though I felt very little like doing so,
as I slept poorly, because of chigoes last night. Bigman finished
in P. M. Every one feels so comfortable. O! Lord, I thank Thee
for this good health and good spirits."
[The chigoe (frequently mis-called "jigger"), a very small red flea,
was introduced to Africa in 1872 by a vessel sailing, in sand ballast,
from Central America to St. Paul de Loanda. It being unlawful
to empty ballast into the harbor, it was carried ashore. Whence,
the insects have spread all over the African continent. They may
attack any part of the body, but chiefly the feet, and especially the
toes, burrowing under the skin and depositing a sac of eggs, which,
if allQwed to remain and develop, produce painful ulcers. No amount
of personal cleanliness prevents their attacks, though daily care does
lessen their numbers. Fortunately, the two rainy seasons are de-
structive to them, but they propagate in the dry.]
"Thursday, Aug. 23d. Went to the villages. Pleased with the
people who crowded around me, and repeated the alphabet and Lord's
Prayer and Catechism after me. Bigman went with me. Nyamba
just returned from fishing.
"Friday, Aug. 24th. Nyare and Ndonamavuiia and some 20 men
came before breakfast, 2 Mpongwe traders also, to ask Doctor to help
132 THE PATH SHE TUOD.
ill a 'palavor' with tlio French. The French had shot into a canoe
heloiijiinfx to Xyare, kiiUnl one man, and seized tiie p;oods belonj^infj;
to the traders. They did not know the reason. Husband consented
to j;o. Xyare 's fiery speech. Hamill went in the 'Swan.' Just after
they had jjone. the 'C»ov.' Kerraoul came, and also a canoe from
Andfnde, t(>lhn«r of Mrs. Reading's iUness. She had been Wind for
24 hours. Was a httle better. A most touching letter from Mr. Read-
ing. tcMing of Ma Reading's last request for brotherly love, and mes-
sages of love to me. Felt very much the shock, and the sorrow, and
the pain, and suspense. Wanted to go down right away. 'Gov.'
Kerraoul <listressed because of the 'palaver'; cause: — the firing of
a gun in the air in order to stop the Fang. All things returned. Xyare
much pleased. We hear that the Bcnayfl clati. to which the dead
belonginl. say nothing but blood will satisfy them, and threaten to
fire on any white man's canoe.
"Sat'y, Aug. 2r)th. Husband went to the villages to call men to
take him to Kfmgwe on Monday. Many promise!! Prepare food
and clothing [for the journey].
"Monday. Aug. 27th. Husband agaiji calls the men. Only ten
come. Hurried starting. . . . At night. I was very tired. Slept
poorly. Dreams. [I went to Kangwe by canoe with a large crew,
the object being simply haste to be of any possible medical aid to
Mrs. Reading, and not with the expectation of returning with any
load of goods. I left Mr. Menkel still at Talaguga with Mrs. Xassau.]
"Wed'y, Aug. 20th. In answer to prayer, Rembili stopped his
groans: and (though not working to-day with his sprained hands)
the work has been done, and I am not sick. Especially, I thank God
for Og(5ningo's patient water-getting. Went to the villages. Every
one busy, bu^-ing [and selling] ivory. It is only God who gave the
men to Husband; for, their own wishes are to be here at home where
ivory is. Xo one came to me as I sat. Finally, a few little girls came.
Then, as I sang, quite a number of men came, repeated after me the
letters and the Lord's Prayer, and a few questions in the Catechism.
All go to bod happy.
"Aug. 30th. Very tired to-night. . . . Went to village
to-day ; only little folks. Still, some men, strangers, came and repeated
after me the letters, &c.
"Sept. 1st. . . . AVashed pantry floor also. Rembili said he
was sorry I did it. Og^ningo was very pleasant about the water;
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 133
and I feel so rolirvod. I have wiped dishes all aloiijj, since Rembili's
lame hand. Mr. Menkel had a little disturbance with Ankombia,
who refused, at first, to work. . . . Been reading and enjoying
(Life of) Madame Benson.
"Sab. Sei)t. 2!k1. A very quiet day. . . . Read Conybeare
and Howson (Life of St. Paul). Hope my Husband has had as (juiet
a day as I have.
"Tuesday, Sept. 4th. I finished the ironing, and was completely
worn out with it. About 11 P. M.. we heard Husband's rifle [my
Witu'hester signal on a night journey]. He comes back with the good
news of Mrs. Heading's life, though she is very weak. . . . The
affliction of Mrs. Beading brings to us all a quiet blessing, as if she
were to us a messenger of love from God to us, and brings us all much
nearer each other."
In her anxiety to be of any aid to her sick friend, Mrs. Nassau
anil I started in the little "Swan," on Friday, September 7th, for
Kangwe. We would ha\e gone sooner, had I been able to obtain
a crew aiid had Mr. Menkel been willing to remain alone at Talaguga.
Oji his finally con.«enting. we started with only two Fang; just at the
last moment two others stepped into the boat. We slept that night
at Belambila. Resuming the journey next day, we met two trading
canoes (an lOnglish and a German, each led by a white man) when we
were oidy fifteen miles from Kangwe. They handed us letters, which
told us that Mr. and Mrs. Reading had left for Libreville to seek a
steamer to England and the United States. So we turned the boat
back to our home, rested over Sabbath at Belambila, and reached
Talaguga on the evening of Tuesday, {September 11th.
On the way back, Mrs. Nassau had a trying experience. During
the whole route, going and returning, we were in constant anxiety
not for ourselves, nor even for our crew, but the Fang crew were not
used to long, steady work at the paddles; they needed constant
urging. Also, the recent killing by the French had made all the
tril)es excited, and the Fang clans were not at peace even with them-
selves. For our white selves, we would have stopped in any clan
and at any village as our convenience dictated. But again and again
some one or other of th^ crew would object, .saying that it was not
safe for him to be seen at such-or-such a \'illage.
So for our noon lunch on the Tuesday we had stopped at the
shaded mouth of a creek, a large village on the opposite side of the
broad stream, but none near us on our side. After our meal, Mrs.
134 TMK PATH SHE THOl).
Nassau wont alone to a (luirt sjjot across the creek, with her Bible
and other hooks for readitif; and prayer.
Ourinji our rest, a canoe had <'onie frotn the other side, hut we
did not encouraj^e tluMr iiresence, and they left. (One of our com-
pany afterwards said that they had not s|)oken well of our crew.)
When I called .Mrs. .Nassau to resume our journey, she hastily took
up her shawl and other articles, hut forjrot the hooks. We had p:onc
.some two miles l)(>fore she discovered her loss. Her liihle was a
])recious souvcMiir. Ajrainst the anjrer of the cnnv at the additional
time, extra work, and api>arent return to a dan;;erous neighborhood,
I turned the boat back. .Amioyed at the slow pro*;ress, I put the
bo.it ashore and ran down the bank alone, Mrs. Nassau followin*;
slowly with the boat. While I wirs away, voices calle<l to her across
the stream from a canoe. Sh(\ not understanding what they said,
had to use almost force to compel the crew to be silejit and ke(>i) at
their paddles. Arrived at the nooninjr sj)ot. the book was {;one!
I returned with th(> distressinj; news to my wife, who was then in
tears. As I resutM(>d the tiller rop(^s. that canoe was observed, ap-
parcMitly in pmsuit of us. I had no fear, but my cnnv were in terror.
Whcti we wnv ov(>rtak(Mi, the canoe-men handed me the precious
Bible; said they had returned to our nooninjr s|)ot out of curiosity,
had found the books, and had called to the boat to wait for them.
But their kindness had been misunderstood. I rewarded them lib-
erally. But the whol(> att'air had been very distressin*;.
liy this time I had succeeded in obtaiuinf; better household aids,
and Mrs. .Nassau's actual nuinual labors were less(>ned by two new
youn«; men, civilized (lalwas, to whotn also she pave daily lessons,
thus <;ratifyinp; her si)ecial tastes of what had been her intended life
work as a teacher.
"Thursday, Sept. 2t)th. Wrote to sister Bella; and to Mrs. Head-
ing [in the Tnited States]. Read 'Younj; Mrs. .lardine,' in after-
noon,* instead of p)in{; to the villaji'^ or teachinj; my own boys.
The poinji to the villages is a trying thing; but, there is no
excuse for me in this waste of time. Doctor taught .Alundo sylla-
bles (or tried to) without first pronouncing them. I felt it could
not be done."
[I agree with her feeling. The idea of that mode of teaching to
read was my own; I had not heard or read of it, though it is now
usoii in .so many schools in the Unitetl States. With me it was only
an exjMTinient. I have no belief in or patience with it as a pro|>cr
mode of instruction.]
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 135
Oil Soptrmhrr 21st, Mr, Mciikol with his little son loft, sayinj;
that ho would rotuni and build the now houso six months later. It.
was Avoll. Mrs. Nassau had spent much oare on the motherless
little boy. But the situation was anomalous; she was pjivon no au-
thority, y(>t she was expected to control the child. And her views
of child traininfr could never have coincided with the father's. As
to the preparations for the buildirifr of the new Station dwelling:,
the crisis had l)ecoine (>xtreine. I could do nothing the while that
my visit ftr demanded unqualified control of my workmen, who
resented his methods, and who, rather than submit to them, were
constantly deserting me. IVecious months had been lost, the dry
season weatlxM* of .June to September (which is not obstructed by
raitiy days); I had lost otherwrse willinfj workmen; Mrs. Nassau's
ironic spirit had been <irieved; and I knew that, for the .simple
work of fellinji trees and s(|uarinp lojjs for sills, sleepers, <fce., I was
fpiite competent. The jiartinjj was amicable. Mr. Monkel ofTerotl
to r(>turn a?id do th(» actual carpenter work of the house ereetion.
"Sat'y, S(>pt. 22d. Went to Nyare's villajre; passed it, on to
Ndonama\una's, and walked on a loj; bridge to pjot there. No very
pood attendance or attention; but, they promise<l to come to-mor-
row.
"Sab., Se|)t. 23d. Had a slijjht chill before dinner. Went to
bed on the lounjre. IJain in the morninj;. Laseni and wife eame
in afternoon. Husband had relif;ious services, preaching:, instead
of Sab. Sell. I was much impressed for Laseni. Alida came in, and
I prayed with her.
"Monday, 24th. Slept poorly. Dressed, road eonsiderablc.
Husband started for Yena [for buildinp: materials]. Boys did nil
the washinjr. Mbijrino very kind.
"Kat'y, Sept. 20th. Husband not able to po to the villages.
Feel much distressed because of our inability to do more.
"Sunday, Sept. 30th. A very quiet and pleasant day. Perhaps
lo Fanp eame. Earnest prayer for God's Spirit to incite us to more
labor for Him. Husband spoke forcibly, in evening, from Ps. 66.18.
' If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.'
"Oct. 1st. Husband, although not well, has gone to Yefta. . . .
Read, in Sir Henry Holland's 'Recollections,' of his habit of using
the fractions of time, in the midst of his professional and social labors.
. . . Husband returned about 7.45 P. M.
136 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Oct. 3(1. These are very quiet restful days. I do think I
feel the iiifhienee of my moruiuj; reading; before [Station publie]
prayers. ()! (lod, I thank Thee for all Thou art doitip; for me in
showinjr Thyself to me. Lieut. Montaifrnae ealled, on his way to
Ciaboon. with dispatrhes, Are., to art as deputy in surveying; points
alonjr the coast. He was irry kind and gentlemanly. He gave me
two (native) knives, and a bow and arrow, and fetish. We gave
eoffee. and sent with him a few tins of food.
"Assigned the articles in box to be sent to America, and their
destination. Headache.
"Tuesday. Oct. 0th. Husband and I thinking of these days two
years ago. Ironing done with Alundo's help. Husband writing
letters. I disturb him. Headache, but otherwise fjuite well. [I
was writing aimiversary marriage verses for her, and she had "dis-
turbed" in a playful attempt to discover what I was keeping so
secretly.]
"Wed'y, Oct. 10th. Second anniversary of our marriage. He
handed me the following result of his interrupted writings of yester-
day. . . . Decided to iiivite Laseni and wife on Hamill's
birthday, the I'Jth. He says, 'on our sailing-day.' I said nothing,
only thought. [And then she lovitigly jilanned a feast for my birth-
day aimiversary. the 11th ; but, mistaking the day, arranged for the
12th, our sailing-day.]
"■Oct. 12th. Friday. I, first thing, this morning, wished the
Husband all the good things possible on his birth day; when he told
me the birth-day was jiast. I was dumb. Still, I went on with the
day. First, tried to bring name and date out in the potato-cake.
That 'poem' Husband found difficulty in reading. Laseni eame
about 11 A. M. I had made my pies good. Printed name and year
on thejn. Made meat-pie. Put name on it. Played on organ and
flute [my accompaniment]. Had praver before Laseni left about 5
P. M. '
"Oct. 13th. I wrote to Mr. [Rev. Dr.] Wynkooji for prayer [cards];
and a letter to sister Bella, in the morning. Went to the villages at
3 P. M. Heard, as usual, Alundo, for half hour. Am abstaining, not
fasting, desiring God's blessing. Read Maeaulay's England.
"Sunday, Oct. 14th. Quiet day. I read memoir of George Thom-
son [pioneer of Victoria, Kamerun]. At least 30 Fang came to the
porch. So glad that Hamill could speak to them.
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 137
"Wcd'y, Oct. 17th. This day heavy rain, and. roally, the first of
tlie Season. About 3 P. M., two shots were fired, and wo thought we
heard a steamer. Husband went to Xj'are's village, and found tiie
'Okota,' Mr. 8ehiff, a Freiieh Pere, and three other white men. The
Captain brought to us the mail, a lar<re box, and Xjambi and his
brother. In the evening;, the five gentlemen called. The Pere I'cry
polite and talked kindly to me, but — . He talked against the [Ga-
boon] Commandant and Administrator Kerraoul. We received 38
letters, 19 each; 40 papers, at least. Read partly only, as I was so
tired. News of Hattie's (little Hattie) [her motherless niece] death.
[With our knowledge of Pai)al machinations, we discounted any pro-
fessions from Roman Catholic individuals.]
"Thursday, Oct. 18th. Finished reading letters this .\. M. . . ..
Read article in Harper's, 'The Romanoffs.' Received yesterday F. R.
H.'s 'Royal Commandments, or, Morning thoughts for King's ser-
vants, and 'Kept for the Master's use.' Much touched by Mr.
Ozainie's letter and gift. [Mr. Ozanne, of Ohio, a stranger, a generous
friend of missionaries.]
"Sunday, Oct. 21st. Did not sleep well. Laseni came. I read
May Xo. of Woman's Work for Women, with the yearly Report from
the Board. Weighed down with the thoughts of the little work done
by us.
. "Oct. 22(1. Monday. Threatening rain, early; but, sun in P. M.
I read Macaulay. Am surprised at the honor Macaulay gives to
Cromwell.
"Oct. 2r)th. The two house boys took down and dusted the books
from the shelves near the bath-room. After I had heard the boys'
lessons at 4 P. M., I went down to the site of the new house. For
the first time, walked over the log [crossing the brook]. Rain came.
In rushing up the hill, I completely lost my breath and strength.
Xjambi in the Inquiry Class, after Prayer-meeting; but, too loud
talking for the right spirit.
"Thursday, Xov. 1st. 'Tis night; Prayers are over. Boys on the
porch absorbed in their slates. I have written three letters. Had
chicken for dinner; good. Yesterday, Mbigino promised to remain
with us a year at $9 per month. Direct answer to prayer. The Spirit 's
power was felt forcibly to-night. I do think we both are growing in
spiritual things.
138 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Sat y. Nov. 3(1. Talked with Husband about the work in the
river, as he desin's 'to jjo on ' [into the interior]. Finishinj]: my mend-
inj;. Heard Alundo. Head Maeaulay. Went to Xdofiamavuna's.
Mwalele [a native trader] very polite. Two men in the house; very
attentive. One asked. 'That man, whose body has gone to dust, has
his spirit <r<>ne up?' all. with many p;estures. Also. 'When the spirit
goes to (lod's T<>wn, will it have food?' Hearfl the low moaning of
.some mourner, widow of the man spoken of. Husband stopped at
Xyare's village: I came on home in the 'Swan.' Found Mbigino had
made toast of some bread left in the box; and also that, in playing,
he had spoiled one of our tubs of water. He confessed, himself.
Heavy rain to-night.
"Sunday. Nov. 4th. ^'ery quiet day. A head-man with his wife
here to Servic(>; and 70 Fang. I siiould judge. Read miss'y maga-
zines all day. Last night, Alundo asked to join the (Inquiry)
Class. Thanks, for so much better health to-day than last week's
Sabbath."
[The man, Nyare. of whom I had bought the Talaguga premises
and whose village lay nearest, less than (luarter of a mile down river
on the same side, had become an exceedingly uncomfortable neighbor.
Naturally of a (juarrelsome and domineering nature, he seemed to
have misunderstood my (|uiet demeanor. He became exacting in
tlemands, was j(>alous of favors I gave to the heads of other villages,
and became ofTensive in a jiolice-like inspection of all canoes that
came to visit me. Trading canoes going up river had hard work
forcing their way past a swift current in front of his village. He
thus had a clear opportunity to observe Avho .the crews were and what
their canoes contained. They, after reaching the cjuieter water at the
mouth of my mountain-brook, liked to rest, eat their lunch, and sell
or buy with me. Also, I valued the opportunity to preach to them.
If I could not go everywhere, it was my interest to attract people to
me. Hut Xyare acted in a i)iratical way, demanding fine or tribute of
these canoes if he could make any sort of claim for debt or due from
the clan or tribe of any personally innocent member of the visiting
crews. I had often protested against his making -these demands
on my prcmiaca. Native custom made these travelers my "guests;"
and universal native law required every host to protect any guest
(even a guilty one) at any cost. Neighboring tribes began to cease to
stop at my i)lace, fearing Nyare 's demands. There came a day when
I threw aside the quiet, pacific role and asserted myself and the Mis-
sion's right.]
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 139
"Tuesday Xov. 6th. Eventful day. Mbijrino was offered liberty
to stay in his house; instead, he went to work. Xja<;udembo's people
[in two eanoes] came, about 3 P. M. Three [of our] Fanj; were still at
work. MvCla helped with [the translation of] the Catechism. About
5 P. M., Xyare and 13 of his men came rapidly [to the water-side],
all carryings {juns. The Fang [visitors] left the porch. Doctor took
his rifle, and went down the hill. This fact was called down, and
startled the [Xyare s] peoj)le. Hamill went directly to Xyare, and
ordered him off the place. Their guns clashed, and Hamill's hit Xyare
on the head. Whereupon, he was very angry. They were separated,
and each held by others [of the thirteen]. Hamill ceased to struggle
[for I felt the hands were friendly], and was soon loosed, liut, Xyare,
for almost an hour, thrashed around, held by two, three, or four men
[of his own people]. When his gun was taken from him, he drew a
large knife. That taken from him, he picked up sticks of wood and
any thing he could touch. I never saw such raging. I was frightened,
when the husband had started with his gun, and continued in great
distress all the time. I could do nothing but pray. After a time. I
went below half-way to the hut [at the water side], and stood there a
long time. Mbigino stood by Hamill. All the other employes were
away. Xjagudembo's people did not stand by Doctor [in his defence
of them]! They [actually] wanted to give up the gun which Xyare
had come for. Really, they did hand it to him; when the principal
man who was holding Xyare snatched it from the latter, and said,
'Xo! Xassau is angry; he tells us not to talk the palaver here.*
Finally, I was so weary, seeing no near end, and not wanting the
darkness to drive the ])eople away, wrote [a note] asking if it would be
well to threaten [appeal to the] French. Doctor did so. The people
did not move. Then Hamill came up the hill for the [boat-house]
key for the 'Swan.' He was met on the way down by one who said,
'Sit down, sit down; it is finished!' *Xo,' said Hamill, 'not until you
leave/ Xtula, who had held Hamill, met him at the foot of the hill,
saying, ' Sit down ! sit dowii ! ' ' Xo ; not till all go.' They very rapidly
left; and all was over. But, so excited we were! Still, it was not
mere excitement, but the real presence of God that made us tru.st,
and take so much comfort in Him. Hamill went to bed at mid-night;
I, early, so tired. ,
"Wed'y, Xov. 7th. Xo more disturbance. But, early, Hamill
went to the Administrator [at the Poste]. Amvam [one of the thir-
teen] and two other men came on the porch. I did not salute them;
shut the windows. Finally, Amvam asked where 'Nassau* was. I
said, 'Gone to the Governor.' He exclaimed, 'Ah-h-hl* When he
140 THE PATH SHE TROD.
told nio that tho nion wished to soil 'bush-ropr' (rattan), I tohl
liim I did ii<U want to buy; and shut the door in his face. Then he
went to the vilhipie; and soon I heard sounds of great exeitement.
Ndonaniavuna came to the foot of the hill, and asked if he might
come up. I made no reply; went on eleaninp; a coat. 8o«)n, he
took courage, and came up. Said he had been sent by Xyare. Asked
why 'he' (Nassau) had gone to the 'Governor.' He said he was a
friend of Nassau's. I assented. iSoon, he said he would go to his
villag(>, and when he saw 'Nassau' come back, he would come with
a goat. t^'c. [as propitiatory gifts]. Husband returned about 1 P. M.,
wa* met by Mwalcle [the Mpongwe trader] who asked why he went;
and feared that if he (the 'dovernor') was to fire on the village, the
Fang would come on himself [in revenge]. Husband said he had
gone only to ask counsel as to the 'mpiina' (way), in case of another
assault. He came up about 2 P. M., ate very little. Talked, read,
and had prayer. The crew rested the remainder of the afternoon. In
evening, studied the Sal). Sch. lesson. I made jelly-cake to send to
the .Vdministrator next day."
[Mrs. Nassau's conduct in this trying affair showed wonderful
wisdom and self-control. I did not know that she had followed me
down th«' hill. She had stood silently praying while I was fighting.
Had she spoken or screamed or rushed into the swaying mass of men,
I wotild have weakened. Not until Mbigino handed me her little
jHMiciled note did I know that either he or she were near; and victory
was already in sight, all of Nyare's own people being on my side.
.\s a result. I never had another contest with Xyare or any other chief,
^ly position was assured. The report of my action spread far and
wide. It was one of the best days' work I had done at Talaguga.
Clans and tribes fifty and one hundred miles away heard of it and
felt assured that they would be safe under my protection if they
visited me. They did thus visit, and I thus preached to thousands
whom I would never otherwise have met. Thenceforward, my
eanoes were safe on any part of the river, even in war time. Xyare
made many efforts to re-establish our "friendship" by offer of gifts.
I resumed my occasional favors to him, but for a while refused to
receive any thing from him* He felt it deeply; and the effect on the
public was very impressive.]
"Nov. 10th. Mons. Michelez and Mons. Lestour called just after
dinner; 30 canoes in their company. I sent with them two pump-
kin pies, a loaf of bread, and several tins. Was sorry afterwards
that I had not gotten dinner for them. [The arrival of these gentle-
1SS3, AT TALAGVGA. 141
men just at that time was only a foincidence, but it impressed Nvare
greatly. They were just arrived from the far interior French Post
of Lestourville. They and all the white men, French officials and
Clerman and English traders and small river-steamer captains, gen-
erally made it a })oint to call on (as one of the Germans called Mrs.
Nassau) "the Lady of the River." And in return I kept at the
waterside a pile of wood, ready cut into billets, for the free use of
those steamers; and they constantly gave us free transportation.
The only one of them all from whom we received any unkindness was
Administrator de Kerraoul, in his forbidding Mrs. Nassau to journey
into the interior in LS83 and in his refusing me, in 1884, permission to
journey even three miles up-river from my house. In both cases, I
have always believed that his actfons were taken at the dictation of
Roman Catholic priests, in their desire to limit our work. For, his
orders were subse([uently rescinded by his superior, Governor-Count
P. S. de Brazza, in writing; and Messrs. Ballay and Lestour each,
separately, called and said that Kerraoul's acts were "mistakes."
But those statements came too late.]
"Sunday, Nov. 11th. Feel sick; feverish. Laseni came after
Sab. Sch.; and, before he left, we heard a steamer whistle. Our wood
gone, and Sabbath too! And, here is the 'Okota,' perhaps with
lumber [for the new house] for us! But, Mr. Schiff and a Frenchman
came oflf; stayed to tea; and no work was done. Was so thankful.
"Monday, Nov. 12th. Lumber for house brought very early.
Schiff did not come off again. I watched the steamer with the glass
from my bed. Dressed for dinner; but stayed in bed all the time.
[With the "Okota" came Metyeba, a skilful native carpenter from
Benita, who successfully took up the work Mr. Menkel had laid
down.]
"Tliesday, Nov. 13th. Washing; went very well as to time.
Am about as yesterday. Oppressed with fear I must suffer all the
time I stay in Africa. O! God, help.
"Thursday. Nov. loth. Feel a little stronger. Did not get up
until after breakfast, when Husband bro't me my breakfast, as he
has done all this week. Wrote up the diary to-day. [With Mrs.
Nassau's constitutional reticence, it is possible that she had not in-
formed me of all her feelings. I thought it an ordinary fever. Per-
haps she did not herself recognize all the symptoms. I thought of
them nine months later.]
142 TUK PATH SHE TROD.
"Monday. Nov, Jtith. . . . Mwalelo also said the Adminis-
trator [Korraoul] liad onactod tiio law that no Fan?, utansani (white),
or Ayop) (civiMzod natives), should |>ass boyond Njoli island [two
niilrs up-rivrr. hoyond Talajrujia]: but that all P'anjr from above must
(•on\e liou-n with their own ivory. Washinj; went jrrandly; boys
l>leas;int. Taucht as usual. Head Mponjiwo in the morninp:. Sewed
a little on my 'pajamas.' for the trip up to Okanda. rather Okota
[twenty miles up-river]."
[Mrs. N.Mssau was joyfully looking to the prospect of a Station
fartluM- toward the interior: insisted that she should share with me
the initial experience of the selection of its location. And. under the
necessity of travel l)y canoe. w;ls arranjrini; her dress, in order to
eliminate sup(M-tluous and inconvenient skirts. Hut her hopes were
never permitted to be realized. .\s we had not been officially in-
formed of the reported interdict, we continued to make short visits
up-river.]
"Wed'y. Nov. JSth. We think of going to the Fang villages
al>ove us. Had water iirought at noon, and hurried the boys with
their work. Start(>d from the house soon after 1.30 P. M. Took
OgC^ningo. Alundo. Heinbili. and Ounguna-Clalwa. I forgot the
hymn-books: so. we turneil back after just starting. .Must have
been 1? o'clock when we really got off. Many kinds of nuts, some like
whortle-berries. shape of pecans: small yellow fruit: red berry; a
convolvulus: white pea-shaped flower: others, in si)ikelike bunches,
the petals very irregularly elongated, the stamens protuded like a
tongue. Dark clouds came up. making us hurry. Passed beyond Njoli
islam!, and Messieurs Michelez's and Montaignae's home-islands,
and reached the village at 4.1"). having been 2\ hours [for the four
miles], tJreeted by a stranger, who asked if the (juarrel with Nyare
was finished. Hamill said he did not know Nyare. Went uj) the
steep*bank: met many peoj)le. Quite a large village: I^indube people.
Passe»l the first 'public' house, and went on to the second. People
s»>on gathered. One young man went to a hut near, and asked for
a shirt and smoking-cap. Put them on in the street, 2 caps, new belt,
new cloth, and new and exceeding much dignity, too much for even
audible words. Soon, another man came, whom we took to be the
(real) head-man. Just as we began to sing, the 'Dignity' called for
a tin whistle: entertained us with his music. .Vs the rain threatened,
we soon left : but stopped by request to sit down. Finally, started.
Was met by an old man. who said, that, as we had visiteil him, we
must not go away withoiit a gift, .\fter getting into the boat, the two
1SS3, AT TALAGUGA. 143
came, and with much ceremony, jjave a chicken, promisiiinj to come
to our 'town' in two days (?). Came down the river grandly.
Ueachetl home about o.lo P. M.
"Dec 1st. t^at'y. Yesterday, paynlay, passed off very nicely.
. . . We started for Laseni's about 3 P. M. Metyeba and Xjambi
went. . . . Alida cool in her reception, particularly to Ede-
bwani [Metyeba's wife]. Kekeya [the little dau^jhter] came to me.
Alida asked why we brought the 'egara' [box of goods]. Husband
said, 'To buy plantains.' .She said there were none. This, after
Laseni's having said it would be well to come and buy, was a little
trying. Husband went U[) the little hill with the two young men.
I stayed behind. Saw how the free, jovial, careless life around the
traders was so much more to the taste of the natives. Tho't of having
prayer with Alida, but hesitated, and did not. Husband came
back, with seeds of the gourd 'nganda.' Alida offered to make
us .some nganda (i)udding). Left, and on the way home, when
Metyeba's strong hand was seen in our rapid motion, we gathered
flowers: the white corolla, elongated pistils and stamens; the
purple cup-shaped, from a vine on the rock; the fine white,
tinged with reddish-yellow clusters, shedding so numerously its
many yellow pistils on the river. [The pleasure of such trips was
.sometimes marred by finding the unfaithfulness of the workmen
whom I had left at the Station during our absence. Because they
had been "only playing." they did not always accept the rebuke I
gave them.]
"Sunday. Dec. 2d. I wait all day. hoping Mbigino would go to
Doctor to ask pardo?i for his disrespect of last evening. He does
not come; and I go to the kitchen after supi)er, and talk to him. He
acts respectfully to me, but fears, and is too proud to go to the
master. After prayers, he does go; and I am so thankful. God
be pftiisedl [The explanation of some of these family difficulties
is that we did not treat our employes simply a.s servants. We
gave them parental interest and expected filial respect. Some of
the natives failed to appreciate this. Other men, who estabUshed
their household arrangements on a somewhat military basis, often
obtained better service than we. But they never obtained the
affection we reaped.]
"Tuesday, Dec. 4th. Ironing finished, but not with the nicety
I would like. Prayer-meeting. Working on my river suit; find the
dress will not furnish enough material for all parts.
144 THE PATH SHE TROD.
" Wcd'y. I)(M\ .")th. Two years ajjo we arrived in Libreville. Have
IxTii studyiiif: Mpongwe earnestly lately. Ripped up the polonaise.
Alida sends two jijantains to us."
[As the ('arpent(M- Metyeha had eome to the river ori{;inally on my
sister's invitation, she claimed him; and, to our regret, he left on
December 12th. Hut two days later three (Jahva men came, one
of whom, the church elder, Np;uva, was a competent carpenter, who
had obtained his very first knowledp;e of tools from me in 1876. Mrs.
Nassau records her thanks for the timely aid.]
"Dec. 11th. Laseni sent word to-day that to-morrow he would
send a canoe to the [Lembarene]^tradin<;-houses. So, Metyeba and
wife will fjo to sister Hella in it. They both seem so very quiet;
something; is in their hearts, but we can not find out what it is. The
doj; came just at supper time; we tied him, in order to get him away
from the Fang [who had wounded him].
"Wed'y. Dec. I'Jth. Metyeba left before Prayers. Husband an-
noyed at Njanibi because of his not finishing a certain work. I plead
for him. Hamill nj)t pleased because I did so; nevertheless, he did
not punish him.
"Tuesday, Dec. ISth. Ironing; finished very well. I go to the
Spring after sui)|ht [for prayer]. Filled with comfort and strength,
I thought ; then came back to be distressed and east down by Hamill's
refusal to give a little gift to Bwelo."
[That sj>ring was a beautiful spot chosen by Mrs. Nassau for her
private communings with the Master. My workmen sometimes
played on her tender feelings by extra attention to her in hope of
condoning otTenses to myself.]
"^Ved.. Dec. 19th. I find it hard work to read my appointed
portion in the morning in the midst of the cares of the work. Some-
times I wonder if I do right to read. I do think if I could study for
that time it would be better. Ciod help me to derive all the strength,
all the life, all the light, all the love, that He would have me, from
the Word. . . . Laseni sent some plantains. Thus God is help-
ing us to food.
"Fri., Dec. 21st. This morning, at Prayers, Xyare came near
the house, looking for his goat, and scolding about it. About 9 A. M.,
Nyare and a company of some 20 people came leading a goat. Hue-
1S.S3, AT TALAGUGA. 145
band said, 'Ho is cominp; to make reconciliation.' We went to the
dining-room for prayer. Yesterday; the mail had come from Kaiif^c
and Gaboon, })er launch 'Ewafa'; and Laseni sent it around per
Walker's [a mulatto trader] boy, also a basket of onions, and a tin
of i)ine-apples. This morning early, Husband sent the employes
with 100 pieces of fire-wood for the launch, and with the few letters
we had written. The crew returned just as Husband was ready to
talk.
"Nyamba brought two bunches of plantains also. Hamill spoke
of the drawing of the knife on him; took the goat for that. Then
spoke of our dog's being cut [which was denied by Xyare as being
dorie by' his people]. Xyare promised to keep all ' palavers ' from
our grounds; and he and Xyamba went with Hamill to mark the
outlines with a [temporary] rattan 'bush-rope.' (The goat broke
loose twice). When Hamill returned, and all was settled rightly,
we again knelt and gave thanks. Both very tired.
"Sunday, Dec. 23d. Very quiet day. Perhaps 20 present [in-
cluding Xyare himself]. I went to the spring after dinner, for prayer.
. . . Husband's text in A. M. 'Whosoever shall leave house or
lands <fec., for my name's sake <fcc.' Spoke in Fang too.
"Tuesday, Dec. 2.)th. Could not help feeling the difference be-
tween the day here and what it is at home. Hamill distressed at
my 'blue' face; which was made more troubled by Mbigino using
one of our spoons and plate in eating his rice. I told him he must
buy the spoon. He had no money; so, I lent it to him.' I will see
if he will pay his debt without being asked or told to do so. Wrote
to Mrs. Perkins, or, rather finished the copy. Husband criticises my
blind and incomplete sentences.
>.^ "
The first draft of that letter is before me. It gives a succinct
report of the preceding six months' life at Talaguga. I copy some
items that refer to statements I have already quoted from her diary: —
"It is hard to realize that nearly eight months have passed since
my last letter was written to you. But, the seven months are long,
since the reception of my last epistle from 1334, written by my almost
cousin, and altogether much-loved, 'H. M. J.' [Miss Hannah M. John-
son]. The fact that we are in Africa was never more forcibly felt
than this morning; a Christmas without any of the attendant excite-
ment and pleasures which crowd around you.
"The Rains were upon us at that time. May passed; and June,
with the advancing Dry Season, brought to our workmen a restless-
Hf) THE PATH SHE TROD.
iiess which (hd not waiio until hut one romaiiiod, besides our house-
hold servants. . , . The thoup;htfuI kindness of Mrs. Reading
relii^ved me in this distress, for more than a month, by sending to
me one of her well-trained helpers. Previous reports have told you
of the difficulty we have in securing food for our workmen; this has
been one cause of the inability to man our Station. In a wonderful
maiuier, Ciod has .supplied that need, the food often coming from
most unexpected sources. This is a thankful acknowledgment of
our Heavenly Father's care for one of our greatest temporal wants.
In the midst of those unquiet and often trying days, effort was made
for stated and daily study of both Mpongwe and Fang languages."
[She desciibes also the visit, in June, to De Brazza's encampment
of fifty canoes and 1000 men.] "It was then, De Brazza repeated
his assurance that the prohibitmn against white men passing up the
river to the Interior did not include the missionary; and even offered
the protection of his soldiers, if we would accompany him Ihat day!
. . . December, when we hoped to make our visit to Okota,
the unknown beyond, visited by none of our missionaries since Dr.
Xassau two years ago. The desire is not only to visit, it is to remain
and teach. During Husband's visit there, he was charmed with
the peojile. their exi)ressed desire to learn, their superior houses,
ajjparent docility and intelligence, their freedom from the roving
disposition which makes our Fang so difficult to reach, .Said Fang
have been very imimpressible. Their fierceness and fearlessness
give a hardness to their character, which, united with their readiness
to break up home and move villages every year or two, and their
absorbing covetousness. renders our work among them slow and not
satisfactory. The inditference and cruelty of these people no doubt
strengthen our desire to go to those more willing to accept our message.
The climate [of the interior] we judge to be purer. The clos.^ly-
piled mountains which at Talaguga shut out from us the entire hori-
zon, there stretch out into beautiful rolling prairies. Surely, there,
is also in our hearts an answer to the stirring question of Dr. Ellin-
wood, 'Why don't you push right on?' We arc ready to push on;
but, there are no hands untied, either to go on or to relieve us of
the work here just begun. This Station must be firmly established
and wisely carried on, for the success of those (to be) farther up the
river.
"December has come; but we have been again unable to find
B crew to take us to Okota. We now look forward to June '84.
[Alas!] When in De Brazza's camp, we came upon two Roman
Catholic priests; thus 'while the (French) Government restricts and
embarrasses that church at home, it nevertheless seeks to build it
18S3, AT TALAGUGA. 147
up in the ends of the earth, . . . Jesuits, at a long range,
are desirable.'
"I wrote to Miss Johnson of the papers so trying to tlie Mission
received from the Commandant at Libreville. Since then, we have
received a permit to build on these grounds, from the Administrator
of the first Military Station above us, called Njoli. Since that time,
the same official has told us that the position of Talaguga was a
matter of dispute between himself and the Gaboon Commandant,
each claiming it as belonging to his own jurisdiction. Also, that
a French gun-boat was soon to come to decide the question. If we
be put in the Gabooti District, our permit is invalid; and troubles
may arise. We await the gun-boat, . . . You have heard
of our narrow escape, when on the home journey [in July] from the
hippopotamus The months of August and Septeml^er,
were painful to us, because of our helplessness. Mr. Menkel here,
but unable to carry on the work of building, because workmen were
so few."
[She describes her regular visits to the villages and her efforts
at teaching there, and my Saturday afternoon village preaching.
Aiid Mrs. Reading's distressing sickness and departure to the United
States,]
"The assertion made to me by ".;i educated physician, while in
America, 'niggers have no souls,' is, I hope too strong an expression
for the body of christians at home. But, I have wondered: Do our
supporters believe in the success of God's work among negroes?
Many are interested, deeply, in the opening of the mysteries of the
Dark Continent. Interest in the inhabitants of a strange land is
one thing; belienng prayer for the success of God's word in that
land is another. We do not plead want of gifts, or personal inter-
est; we do feel the want of confidence among friends at home, in
the power of God's word among these degraded ones."
[Mrs. Reading reached England and the United States in safety,
but was never able to come back to Africa. Mr. Reading promptly
returned to his post at Kang^ve.
[In the unsettled state of affairs between the tribes, it was not
safe to leave our house, with its accumulated goods (really few, in
our economical view, but wealth to avaricious natives). So I placed
my four workmen and two household lads in strict charge and watch,
and attempted the down-river journey with three weak hands, sim-
ply floating down river, taking two and one-half days for a journey
14S THE PATH SHE TROD.
that could readily l)e made in one with a proper creAV. To encour-
aj;e the six whom I left behind, T promised them rewards, which I
allowed them to name, and of which I took a careful list in order to
purchase them at Lembarene.]
"Wed'y, Dec. 2()th. Busy packing and putting things' to rights.
Husband spent a long time (long to me, tired as I was) in taking down
the wants of the employes; then, in giving to them goods to buy
food with. Very tired, but, all ready.
"Thurs., Dec, 27th. Start at 8.0.5 A.M. with Mbigino [a lad]
Ogfningo [a little boy] and Origo [a young man], the latter sick with
boils on leg and back. [And this a crew for a boat thirty feet long,
six feet beam, whose usual projnilsion was by six long oars! I took
this boat, for it would be needed to bring back supplies; and I trusted
to be able to obtain new recruits as a crew from Kangwe.] Reach
Laseni's in twenty minut<*s. He jiuts in a little boy who was very
quiet, very helpless. Ate at the village where we once saw the stolen
canoe 'Kangwe.' Stopped at Njagudembo's new town. Saw a
man in stocks. Slept in X's little 8x7 room; door hardly large
enough to admit our little food-box. Two fires near. Smoke; heat;
next morning Husband said my hair had grown gray.
" Friday, Dec. 28th. Started fairly. Ate at Belambila. Reached
[a trading-house adjoining] Fetish Point about 5 P. M. Were kindly
received by Sinclair's [native] trader. His two rooms with nice bed,
and table, high, and swept fairly clean, were like palaces, after our
exj>erience ot last night.
"Sat'y, Dec. 29th. When at the mouth of Xgunye, I saw a hippo
before us; soon it rose, with the entire back exposed almost near
enough for our oars to touch it. Were frightened. Reached AndCnde
about 10 A. M. Mr. Robinson well. Expect Mr. Sinclair and Mr.
SchifT for dinner [respectively the English and German trading agents
at Lembarene]. I make a pudding. Sister Bella, and Mrs. and Miss
Harding come. I was very tired. Mr. Robinson complains of fever,
in evening. He sleeps in the room that was Mrs. Reading's.
"Sab., Dec. 30th. Husband preaches to the audience of only 40,
all from Andfnde. Mr. Robinson takes charge of Sab. Sch.; after
which, he says he has dangerous sjTiiptoms. Sits down at supper-
table, but soon leaves isind goes to his couch."
1883, AT TALAGUGA. 149
That was the bofriiininjc: of a sickness that compelled Mr. Robin-
son to save his life by goinji to America. And before he returned,
Mrs. Nassau herself had passed away.
This visit to Kanjjwe was no vacation rest for either of us. Dur-
ing: Mr. Robinson's sickness, and for the few days until Mr. Read-
ing's return, I had to take entire charge of Church and Station, and
Mrs. Nassau of the Andfnde household.
Mrs. Nassau and I made out our semi-annual order for pro-
visions and supplies for a year ahead, ?*. e., allowing six months for the
going and delays in coming of the order, and that it should arrive
before our stock on hand should be exhausted.
In Mrs. Nassau's note-book I find a list of 168 letters WTitten by
her during 1883, to relatives, friends, in the United States, fellow
missionaries and natives. She was interested also in keeping account
of all my various journeys during the year, long or short. I find a
record of over 1500 miles for 1883, even though I was so hampered
by house-building.
150 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER XIV.
1S84, Motherhood.
The Animal Mcotinp; of Mission and Prcsbvtorv for the year 1SS4
were held at Kaiifjwo. A'rry few monibors canio from the other Sta-
tions, the (listanees l)ein<r lonp and nieajis of travel nnrertain. And
nieetinj^s were distressino; in the eonfused eondition of Kanjjwe. Mr.
Headin.c: had arrived on January 2d, 1884; and immediately resumed
his ehar<:e of the Station. Unfortunately, a violent hostility apiinst
him had developed amonji the station employes, who met his return
with mutiny.
At Pn^shytery there was exactly the lejjal quorum, three ministers
and several (^Iders, that quorum bein^r obtained by our orjianizing at
Mr. Hoi)insoirs sick bedside. Thoujxh our subsequent sessions were
held in another room, no |>arliamentary notice was taken of his absence.
Itev. A. (\ (Jood arrived after Presbytery had adjourned: and. fail-
ing of the little river steamer, borrowed my " Xellie-Howf^rd," in
which to return to (Jaboon. In Mission Meeting, the full legal quorum
was maintained. And at its close Mr. Gault took away Mr. Robinson.
"On Jan'y 2d. Mr. Heading arrived from England; also Rev.
W. (\ (Jault, associate of Rev. C. DeHcer of Benita. They found at
And(^nde house, Mr. Robinson, very low with Fever in its most dan-
gerous form; atul Dr. and Mrs, Nassau in temporary charge of the
Station, and acting also as physician and nurse. With them (Messrs.
R. and (i.) came a native Elder from Gaboon, and 5 from the northern
field; gentlemanly christian men they all appeared to be. . . .
That week jiassed slowly, filled with watchings and anxieties. Sab-
bath the ()th, brought an iiiterrupted Communion, the comfort of
which was greatly lessened by the very api)arent coldness and pride
of many native christians; which, on the following Monday, culmina-
ted in a cruel desertion of all workmen, save three, from the Station,
leaving us strangers, with perhaps a dying man on our hands, to care
for ourselves. Providence kindly so ordered that a native visitor
was with us who took the place of the cook; until the deserters, seeing
their folly and wrong, returned, begging to be received back. . . .
Next Tuesday, our "vacation" will close, and we start for the Tala-
guga home. A strange vacation it has been, between the joy of
meeting native friends and fellow christians, then eut to the heart by
their cruel desertion; greetings of welcome from dear fellow-mission-
1SS4, MOTHERHOOD. 151
aries, followed by farewells spoken by pallid li|)s, and so feebly spoken
that wo fear lest those tones will never ajrain be heard by us." [Mr.
Robinson did return, married; but Mrs. Nassau was «;one!]
Beforo hor marria*;e, Mrs. Nassau had adopted the (livinj: of the
Tenth, She continued it in Africa. I do not know who "handed"
the "cheek" to her. Perhaps myself, as her share of the balance of
our year's salary. She continued in Africa, by prayer, sympathy, and
actual share of church duty and responsibility, her connection with
the Holinanville church of her uncle, Rev. Isaac Todd. I find the
followinjr accotmt : —
"Check handed to me, Jan'y loth, '84 Soo.OO
Mother SIO.OO
Uncle's salary .^ 10.00
Miss'y. Soc'y of Holmanville 3.oS
For. Miss...' 5.00
Home Miss 5.00
Relief 3.00
Freedmen. 2.00
Ch. Erection 2.00
Education 2.00
Publication 1.00
Returned 11.42
$55.00 S55.00"
The maternity, for which in 1SS.3 Mrs. Nassau had prayed, was
now to be jrranted. If. in her habitual reticence, she had omitted
to tell me of sijrns. or if. in inexperience, during December (and per-
haps in November) she had failed to see and did not recognize the
significance of a revolution on which she was entering, it was ob-
vious, now in .January, that she was to become a mother. How
bitterly she missed the sympathy of Mrs. Reading! The latter had
joined*with her in her wish for motherhood, and had promised to be
with her. to advise and help, in all its stages.
The next to whom Mrs. Nassau should turn, as a repository of her
happy secret, would naturally be her sister-in-law. But my sister,
having deliberately chosen for herself the single life, had caused it to
be understood that, as she "knew nothing about babies," she could
render no aid, adding an expression of her opinion that children in a
missionary's household were a hindrance to mission work. We then
turned to Mrs. Ogden, of Baraka household. That she came from
the same part of New Jersey as did Mrs. Nassau, suggested a slight
152 THE PATH SHE TROD.
claim boyojul that of missionary sistership. Esi)o('iaIly also as, a
y(\'ir i)rcviously, while she was at Renita, she had p;enerousIy in-
sist(>(l oil takiop; a risky sea journey of ninety miles in a small open
sailboat, in order to be present at Libreville with Mrs, Good in her
confinement. There she had jriven laborious and devoted care to
both mother and child, althoujrh there were jiresent besides the French
surjreon. two other mission ladies, and an available number of civilized
nativ(^ Christian women, competent as midwives and nurses. We
thou<:ht she would reco<j;nize Mrs, Nassau's «;reater need, and asked
her to come. The cjid of September was named as the latest expected
date. Hut she was to be looked for earlier, because of the need of
sympathy and (•omi)anionshi|). and also because, durinj; the lonj^j dry
season (June to September) the little steamers plyinjj between Ga-
boon and Ojiowe did not run at fre(|uent intervals. Mrs, Ofjden kindly
promis«>d to come. As her services were to be only those of a friend,
I would save her from anything manual, and wrote to the Rev, Ibia
j'Ikenge. the native pastor on Corisco island, to engajre for me the
very best educated ?iative Christian lady he could find i?) his con-
gregation, as nurse for the ex|)ected babe.
Whatever hesitation Mrs, Nassau may have had about the inter-
pretation of certain physical .symptoms, of which she had hitherto
spoken or written (I find in her diary) of "pains" "fatigue." "weari-
ness." "uncomfortable." 6cr., and as to which, even later, she seemed
to have some doubt, I determined to leave nothing to uncertainty.
I wrote to a certain Dr, Adam, a physician, of Liverjiool, who for-
merly had lived on the West African coast. Without specifying
what or how much, I gave him carte hlnnchc to send everything of
infant food, clothing, medicine, and appliances that he would deem
necessary for a lady in confinement in Liverpool,
We started back to our Talaguga on January 22d, being assisted
most of the way by being towed by a trader's launch that was towing
his own sailing vessel.
On Wednesday. February 13th, Mrs. Nassau had to make a
journe>; down-river by herself. In our native "dug-out," but with
a strong crew of seven, she went to Kangwe, to have witnessed before
the French Post Commander at Lambarene, as notary publie, a
deed for some property willed to her by a deceased friend in the
United States. It was not mine, and I could be of no legal use to
her; and we did not think it safe that both of us should again be
absent from the Station at the same time.
To save her from that journey, we had gone to Mons. Kerraoul
at the Njoli French Poste, to ask him to give his official seal to the
statement of fact that the "M. B. F." named in the deed was the
18S4, MOTHERHOOD. I.n3
satno as the "M. B. F. X." wlioso signature was required. He re-
fiisecl, saying that he was not a notary pubUc.
In order to make the journey in one day, and thus avoid havin*:
to sleep on the way. Mrs. Nassau started at half-j^ast four of the
niorniiiR. Neither slie nor I were afraid of tiie natives on the way.
After my fight with Xyare, we were safe aiiywhere. Hut tliere wen-
other dangers. It was very brave, a lone woman, going out in the
darkness of that hour, on the sixty-five mile trij) to Kangwe. Next
day some trade eanoes coming up-river reported to me that they had
met her on the way. .\nd the following day Mr. >h>nkel arrived
from Libreville, bringing me my "Nellie-Howard." He, too, reported
having met Mrs. Nassau on the way. She had had a sueeessful
journey, though, through fear of rain, not made in one day. She
returned safely in her own kongongo. accompanied by Mr. Reading's
"Montclair," and new recruits of workmen for me, and supplies.
In a letter to iHe, written at Kangwe. she described that ven-
turesome journey: —
"Feb'y 14th, 1.SS4. Kangwe W. A. We met Mr. Menkel some
little ilistance above I^elambila. He told me Mr. Reading had gone
to (Jaboon. At this, I was troubled: of course, did not think of going
back, but came on feeling some uncomfortable. We hope, before
Mr. Menkel reaches you, you will have heard, through Mr. Gibson
[an English trader], that Mr. R. did not go to Gaboon.
"liut, I will go back to the beginning. We passed Laseni's at
4.5.5 A. M.: SanjTda, 5.45: Yena,r)..35; Sambunaga's. at 7.15. There,
we were told, by the people on shore, to avoid the Fang village just
above Mamaga's; that this village had fired on and wounded some
of Laseni's people: and many other messages which I could not
understand. The crew were some troubled, and kei)t on the same
side, crossing just as we passed Rere-volo. We reached Nkogo creek,
8.38; and stopped to eat, a little below, and opposite side of Njagu-
dembo's town, at 10.30. We pushed off at 11.40, spending only a
little inore than an hour. Ermy's, at 3.55 P. M. There was the
'Falaba.' I hurried the erew to her, to ask passage down; when I
learned that she would not leave until next day. Soon, dark clouds
gathered in the west, and thunder rolled heavily. I began to be
troubled about deciding whether to stop or go on. The erew began
to tire and lag. Finally, deeided to stop again at Fetish Point.
Reached there, 5.10. The elouds soon scattered, without giving any
rain. [It was the hot, dry season — January and February.] But,
of course, I stayed, having once stopped. The people, or rather,
the man, Igw6ra [a native trader] were very kind. He gave me the
lot THE PATH SHE TROD.
same room we had before. The people were more noisy than before;
but, I slei)t fairly, Started this morninjr, without eating anything,
at (J. .30. Ke.iched Aiidfiide, 8.30 A. M.
"Mr. Heading was much frightened when he saw me, and felt
sure the Husband must be dead. I felt tired, of course. Sister Bella
and Mr. K. most earnestly urge me to remain for the "Okota;' which,
as he calculates, will, at the farthest, reach Talaguga 9 days later.
I must confess that I am tempted to do so; particularly as Mamba
[Mr. Heading's best employe] can not go up with me. Mr. R. does
not dare to send him, as he will go down to Gaboon with him, should
the French 'Corporal' again catch his run-away man. [Mr. Reading
had been assaulted by a native, had had him arrested, the man had
escaped, and Mamba was the only native witness on whom Mr. Reading
could (lcp(>nd in the j)rosecution.] Mr. ]\Ienkel will tell you the story
of this 'palaver.'
"Mr. Heading asserts positively that this Corporal has no au-
thority, legal or otherwise. There is therefore no one this side of
Libre^lc. lOven, there, he thinks, very doubtful if we could find
any one who has legal authority [for her deed]. The Judge might
have. Mr. H. still thinks, that, if himself, should sign the paper,
and write an explanation, it would be as legal as any paper could be
made here; <'ertainly, he has as much authority as this Commissaire
(of Police), or 'Corporal,' as he calls him.
"I will wait until our crew returns [to Talaguga], which will be
Monday, at the furthest; then, will decide about the signing. Mr. R.
says he can not get a crew for me before Tuesday. So, I can not start
before then. If no special word comes to me from you about re-
maining, I will start, God willing, next Tuesday morning, expecting
to reach Talaguga, Friday. God keep you well."
From Mrs. Nassau's diary, her story is carried on: — "Friday,
Feb'y loth. Went up the Hill. P. M.; was, very tired. Looked for
the book, but found it not. Enjoyed sister's chicken. Walked to
Miss "Harding's. They invited me for to-morrow's tea. I accepted
conditionally. Sister walked as far as the seat with me [on the way
down Hill]. Itia [a native Christian young man] came the rest of the
way. Mr. R. urges me to remain for the steamer. He sends Pi6re
[my man in charge of the kongongo] back to Talaguga. I sent word
I would return next Tuesday.
"Sat'y, Feb'y 16th. I slept poorly last night, again. Sent regrets
to Miss Harding, I felt so badly. Only lounged.
1884, MOTHERHOOD. 155
"Sab. Feb'y 17th. Went to church. Pleased with the Mponprvve
address [of the native assistant]. Very warm. [The hottest month
of the year.] Read a little. This evening, Mr. R. heard that Fang
near Rere-volo had shot at the (French) Expedition canoes, killed
two Aduma, wounded two Goree. Very much distressed; decides
I can not go on Tuesday.
"Mon. Feb'y 18th. Sister Bella comes down, about 3 P. M.
I had Mr. R. sign the paper. Wrote to Mr. [Rev. A. H.] Brown, and
to Mrs. Reading. Packed. ^liss Harding comes down to hear what
the (Rere-volo) trouble was. Just then, Rendiva [one of my em-
ployes] came with a letter telling the story of the trouble: — The French
canoes were coming down, with a priest in company, and Aduma
paddlers; Fang ajid Aduma quarreled; Fang fired; wounded the
l)riest ; killed ; canoes retiwned to Administrator Kerraoul;
he went down, and seized Iveke-Wilson [a Mpongwe trader] and a
Fang. Husband said he feared nothing for me. Then, we decided
to start to-morrow. Sister stayed all night.
"Tues. Feb'y 10th. Sister sent for her nice biscuits. Mr. R.
found that 2 of the 4 waiting to 'jira' (escort) me, fled this morning.
So, he drafted Okcndo from Miss Harding, and Itia from Sister
Bella (leaving her but 2 weak boys) and Xjai from his own house-
force, giving me 8 for the 'Montclair' [the KangAve four-oared boat.]
I was much distressed at this, as ^Ir. R. was troubled by Husband's
letter last night, feeling that complaints were not in place, as he has
such hard times to get crews to take any canoe or load. But, I
knew they were not complaints, tho' Mr. R. felt them as such. It
was just 9.30, A. M., when we started from AndCnde."
The story of the remainder of that journey I take from a journal
letter written by Mrs. Nassau to Miss I. A. Nassau: "Tuesday,
Feb. 10th. 5 P. M. The heat of the day has passed; and it has
been hot. At 11 A. M., opposite one of the little islands, Mborakinda,
we met PiCre, returning. He told big stories of the killing and dying,
&c. &c.; and of the repeated injunctions he had received to turn
back, until he had finally yielded. He had spent Sabbath at Bela-
mbila;had reached Njagudembo's, when he was sure only death lay
before him. So, he had turned back. My crew were evidently
frightened, and wanted to turn back. And, there were exclama-
tions of disgust when I said, 'No!* that we must go on. I told Pi€re
we would take care of them. To my boat-men, I said that when we
were passing a place where shots would come, I would stand up in
the boat and take them; they might jump into the water. At this
!.*)() THE PATH SHE TROD.
they laufihod. lUjt. wo went on. Pifre kept ahead. At noon, wc
stopped to buy fish, .\t I P. M,. we ate at a place beyond the ohl
'olako' [camp]. Spent an hour and three-quarters there. Went on
in the sun: but. the crew pulhul sh)wly and irrejiularly. talkinj: and
laup:hin,ir. \\ hile stoppinj; at a san(l-l)ar. for tlio crew to bathe, a
c.inoc^ passed down. Mamba asked the news. They said the path
was open: no danjrer or trouble for us or any one, save to the P'rench.
About 4 P.M.. Sainbuna;;a [a (lalwa trader] was seen corninjr down
with fireat (rlnt. I feared a eolH-sion; but, it did not occur; and. I
more dreaded liis news. Hut. it was (|uite encourajiin*;. He said
tliat the Faiif; so feared the French that they would fire on no canoe,
particularly as they knew that if Iveke-Wilson was injured, they
would ha\e much to pay; and therefore would not troubl(> other
people just now.
"I wish Mr. H. knew how liis^'tall' man [reall}' a lad] has done
to-day in tryinj: to urjxe the othersi
"I am surpris(Ml. I)ut suppose that Mamba has reasons for cross-
ing: the river, aftcn- t)ur eatinjr; and we are now goin^ up 'the other'
side. Pir^re handed to me my lost needle-book. It was jjiven to
him by Ifjwfra. the trader at whose house I slept coming down river.
I had left it there. Thimble and all were there. As we have crcssed
the river, I leave a cloth for him in reward. I enjoyed your bis-
cuits for dinner very much. Mamba havl bought me some eggs. I
cooked two: ate but one! [Whatever eggs the Fang were willing to
part with were apt to be foul.] Feel better than I did when going
down river. Stopped to sleep, on a sand-bar. below, but in sight of
Mr. Krmy's light, at 7 P. M. Now, 9 P. M., I have eaten my biscuits
and jam; have had Prayers; and am under my mos(iuito-net, ready
for bed. All are well. I believe; tho' we surely will not get to Tala-
guga in three days. Clood-night. Ciod God be with you all as with us.
"Wed'y. Feb'y 20th. I awoke several times. Finally, slept
until "> A. M. [dawn], when I began to dress. Called Mamba. Crew
complained of night work. I ate a biscuit and my tea; and started
from the sand-bar a little after 6 [sunrise]. Mr. Brown [a white
trader] was before us, in his canoe. Were an hour and a quarter,
in reaching Mr. Ermy's. At 8.45, we reached a sand-bar, where the
crew stojiped to bathe, below the first Point above Ermy's, where
we overtook PiPre, who had slept at Ermy's. Mambd and he [they
were the "captains." who, usually, only held the rudder] then took
paddles, and we had a race. First, the ' Montelair '; then, a sand-bank
interfering, the kongongo got far ahead. Mamba has just done a
nice thing; he has passed by a nllage (where he expected to stop)
1SS4, MUTni:RHOOD. 157
booaiise there were too many iiooplo there for my comfort. Stopped
to eat, at 10 A. M., at a new Bakele village, a little below (loree
isla!ul. There I foimd one of your former pupils, Mwanyeno, to
whom I srave two of your jirinted lesson-leaves. Imanda, the head-
man, <rave me a small chicken; I save him 1.5 fish-hooks and a preen
sash. Left at 12, noon. Crew bathe ajjain. for half an hour.
" Reach lielambila 20 minutes after 4 P. M. Thunder, and dark
clouds. At o.lo, we reached Vistula's or New Osam-kita. Here
we -stop. Two little rooms are piven to me. What a mess I find in
my food-box! The butter (rather, the oil) is spilled over and in
evcrythiiifr. Mamba helped nicely to clean up; and made my bed.
"Thurs. Feb. 21st. What a night I have had! I slept poorly;
not at all, until I went out at 1 A^ M. After this, I slept a little.
Heavy rain and thunder all night. Started at G.35 A. M. At 9
o'clock, stuck on a log. I got into the kongongo. All the crew,
except 2. jumped into the water; and finally got the boat off. At
11.1.'), stop at a village opposite Capt. Stone's [a white man] trading-
house, above Xjagudembo's. Stone's steamer lying there. Here,
we met Laseni. He only saluted. He is in a village just above
Stone's. Capt. S., in his launch just at that time whistled [in salute].
He did not go any farther. Go on to Isosa at 12 noon; ate there.
Bought potatoes [a variety of sweet] with my precious plantains.
Passed Rcre-volo at o.lo. For the first day, the crew, particularly
Yongwe [now a native minister] and Mamba have at last awakened
to the fact that there is woik to be done. No 'isyavuna' [loathing]
this afternoon. Think now, we will reach Talaguga to-morrow.
Reached this place, Akendenge's [a native trader, brother of Mamba]
about 7 P. M. He greeted me kindly, and I have my bed made on
some of his large boxes. Had a partial bath. Ate fried potatoes
for supper.
"Fri. Feb. 22d. Slept right thro', when I began; I was so used
up. Gwt up at .5 A. M. Started at 6.30.
"Passed Yena at S.30. Just now, Mamba and Okendo [now an
evangelist] have trouble. Okendo is, at times, impose<l upon; then,
at other times, is most profokingly impudent. I presume that
Okendo will be quiet; but, if he should have complaints to make, I
hope that Mr. Reading will not listen to them; tho', I do not think
there is much danger that he will. Mamba was right, I think; Okendo
was very impudent. For the first time, I have been in a small tor-
nado. Big wind, and bigger rain ; rain fell in torrents. Feared a little
for the boat; but, we are all safe. I am wet, but a little; of course.
l.')S THE PATH SHE TROU.
tlio (MOW are wet. Wc reach Sanjala at 11 A. M. Ate; and started
ajjaiii at 1. P. M., for TnlngiujnH! Reached Talaguj3;a at 3 P. M.
Folks, particuhu'ly ow, seemed {^lad to see ine. Tired, but not so
much as when I reached Andfnde.
" Mamba started back with the 'Montclair,' for Kanjtwe, before
10 P. M.
"iSat. Feb. 23d. Put thinjrs away. Did not ^o to the villa«];es;
Husband went. Yesterday, Joktan and Mbwelo left; Husband had
had difhculty with them. Our hearts are full of thanks, because of
safe union ajjain.
"Sab. Feb. 24th. . . . Went to the spring, for prayer. ()!
(Jod. we can not thank Thee enough for Thy care. Only 4 or 5 at
minting, from the Fang village."
In perusing Mrs. Nassau's diaries, there are revelations, even to
me. her husband. She was not demonstrative. The habitual re-
serve, tiiat had made approach to her in ISSl a problem, never en-
tirely disappeared, even after that problem had been happily .solved.
Put I knew the love of her heart. Also, she was extremely con-
scientious, l^iinfully so, I think, as I read her private records, of
her communings with Ood and self-rebukes that .seem to me pitiful,
knowing, as I did, her dcvotioji to duty and to tasks. That servants
are negl(>ctful, disobedient, and sometimes impudent, is true in all
lands. That the half-civilized, or heathen, lads and girls should be
neglectful and trying on patience is not an experience peculiar to
her. They are more or less so to all new missionaries, especially
until the latter have learned the native language and can know what
is being said, liut Mrs. Nassau, in her attitude to those natives,
<lid not regard them simply as servants; they were to her the ones
to whom CJod had sent her for their salvation. Their derelictions
hurt lier as if she was to blame for not more perfectly training or
instructing them. In the high standard she set for herself, she ex-
pected from these half-heathen more, I think, than we usually look for
in a civilized land. ^
These expressions of pain run through the pages of 18S2-1884.
But in 1883-18S4 there are oftener. added thanks for answered prayer.
I have quoted but few of these ejaculations of pain or renditions
of thanks. They are there in the diaries. I leave them there. They
were not often said to me. I could wish they had been. I think I
could have aided. They were burdens I had a right to share. But
she generously and lovingly thought to save me from them.
18S4, MOTHERHOOD. 150
"Wed. Feb. 27th. Feel poorly, hardly able to do anything; at
least, have no ambition to do so.
"Sat. Mar. 1st. In answer to prayer, Ann)amba [one of my em-
ployes who wanted to desert] remains. Hamill jrave me a ride aroutul
Tala^uf^a Rock; and then we went to Ndonamavuna's village. Were
received kindly; and the people listened well.
"Wed. Mar. 5th. About 0 A. M., the whistle of the 'Okota'
blew. After much trouble with canoe and boat, both got off; and,
soon, Sister Bella was seen returning in the boat. Was very glad.
She lirought two letters, one from Julius [her brother], and a photo of
Charlie [my son]. He has grown to be so manly. Sister had a tooth
taken out, or broken off.
"Thurs. Mar. 6th, About 0 o'clock this morning, sister and
Hamill reached the ' Okota ' (Hamill had slept on the cot in the dining-
room). I was up at 3.30 A. M. All vrry tired; but very happy in
God's goodness to us. All our timber is now here. [The 'Okota'
had been bringing the lumber for the new house. My sister, in the
extremity of her toothache, had come, for the day, to my unskilled
dentistry. Though Mrs. Nassau knew that my two sons were each
permanently located in other homes, and that she would have no
responsibility over them, she generously recognized the quasi-ma-
ternal relation into which marriage brought her to them, took them
loA'ingly in her prayers, rejoiced in their development, wrote to them
regularly, and valued their occasional responses.]
"Sat. Mar. Sth. Visited Nyare's, after going around the Rock
again. Xyare's are so indifferent to our visits.
"Sab. Mar. 9th. I feel uncomfortable. Quite a number of Fang,
and Mpongwe traders come to services.
P "Thursday, Mar. 13th. Mr. Menkel stayed on his bed, reading,
all the morning. I have not the sympathy I have had before for him
in troubles between himself and Hamill. Finished his novel; and,
after dinner, went down the hill. After a long talk, went to work.
His demands, some of them, are unjust; to others, Hamill consented."
A P. S. to a letter of date March 21st, to her brother, says: —
"A little steam-launch has just arrived, and I want to add just a
word about the support or aid these French would be to us in time of
1()0 THE PATH SHE TROD.
tr()ul)lo with the Fanj;. I do not know .surely whether even, one man
was killed, hut we do know that the priest was badly wounded. Tliey
[tlie French] ha\e not done one sincjle thing to the Fang, in punish-
ment, excejjt to make idle threats. If they thus pass over injuries
done to their own eountryman, there is no hope that they will trouble
themselyc's to aid us m any kind of danp;er with the Fanjij. . . .
The foundation posts are up for the new house. [iSubsequently,
the French did take action.]
"Sat. Mar. 22d. Metyeba [who had returned to my service]
told Haniill that all thinjrs were p;oing to destruction at the new
house, unless Hamill himself would go and remain on the grounds.
Ilamill talke<l with Mr. Menkel; reminded him of his promise not to
strike the men (which he had broken, these days), and reproved him
for his imjiatient and angry way of directing the workmen. He took
the reproof kindly. I wish Hamill could give the control of the men
to Mr. M.; but, we are morally certain that this would result in the
departure of nearly every man. Force could not be bro't to bear
upon them sufficient to make them submit to Mr. M's sharp, biting
and constantly irritating words."
A most distressing history: ]\Ir. Menkel was an employe of the
Mission (not, at that time, a full member) as mechanic. As such,
he was directed, from time to time, to go hither and yon, as the car-
pentering of the several stations required. In so doing, he was sub-
ject to the direction of the missionary at whose station he was work-
ing. But in coming to me, he had taken the position that, in build-
ing the Talaguga house, he was doing it, not on Mission order, but as
a personal favor to me. He demanded that (1) handing him the plan
of the house, I should in tio way thereafter interfere, by giving any
direction, either to him or the workmen; (2) that my men should
be under his sole control, even to the point of their dismissal; (3)
wiiile I^might visit the house during its erection, it should be only
as a spectator. The man Metyeba was a skilled native carpenter,
of the Kombe tribe from Benita, a friend of my former days there.
Though he was almost Mr. Menkel's equal as a carpenter, I gave him
to him as his assistant. Helpless, and in my desire to have com-
})leted the house on which almost a year had been wasted, I yielded
to Mr. Menkel's astonishing demands. But the work lagged. Even
with all my tact toward the workmen, it was difficult to induce them
to stay, because of the shortness of food. But they would not submit
to Mr. Menkel's reckless violence. I was compelled to interfere.
1S84, MOTHERHOOD. 161
On Thursday, March 27th, Mrs. Nassau makes her first distinct
record about maternal prospects: "Had a bad colic this morning
before Prayers; stayed in bed until after Prayers and breakfast.
Miserable all day. Feared that we are mistaken about my condition,
and that . . . are caused by some other reason.
"Friday, March 28th. ... I still feel anxious, for trouble
in the bowels. And, now we bejjin to fear greatly that my expec-
tations are false. God help me. either way.
"Sun. Mar, 30th. Am feeling poorly this week. Resting in
afternoon, so that Edibwani has not come to recite.
" Wed. April 2d. The last [foundation] post set to-day [for the
new house]. I went to the spring, and took notes, on the way, for
a letter to Miss .Johnson, of Newark. [I find among Mrs. Nassau's
papers several drafts of a letter, "written to the Sab. Sch. of the
First Presb. Church of Newark, May 1884," which, I suppose, was
the outcome of her notes at the spring, made on April 2d and 4th.]
"Come with me to the Spring. The sun is not shining brightly
this afternoon; so, you will need no shade, save your sun-hat (and
rubber shoes). We pass by our kitchen, with its walls of bark; over
the brow of the hill, and begin a steep descent. The path is ex-
ceedingly slippery, because of recent rains. The first signs of tropical
Africa are these beautiful ferns that line the path-way. The path
now turns to the left, and runs, not down, but horizontally; so narrow
and smooth that Alpine shoes could be of use. Do not stumble on
these rootlets, sit down on a fallen log. Look at the strange foliage.
No palms just here. Now, we are driven away by a line of ants.
Now, suddenly stopped by a fallen tree, whose trunk towers 3 ft above
our heads. Surely, we can not climb over this debris; and there are
scarcely 3 ft. between it and the ground. W^e bend under it in hu-
mility, and will be able to creep through to the other side. The shade
grows dense; few rays of sun-light penetrate this heavy foliage.
Rocks lie along our path, and on either side. What would your
fern-loving friend say, to express her delight, could this stone with
its exquisite covering of moss and delicate ferns be transferred to
her conservatory?
"Our cook is coming towards us with a pail of water on his head.
You wonder at his ability to keep his footing; and ask how he walks
under the tree we have just passed. Never fear but that the native
will pass with a burden where the white lady can walk.
102 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Hero is a natural gateway; two lar«ro trees, with their far-ex-
tended buttresses, stand sentinel on either side. Xo toll is asked.
Hut. do stop, and examine the wonders of those buttressed trunks.
The body of the tree. 9 or 10 feet above the ground, extending itself
into narntw far-reaching supports. Between these buttresses, what
delightful play-houses do we find! [Here Mrs. Nassau enclosed a
sketch of the tree.] This division we will call our parlor; sweep away
the rul>hish of leaves. Look what a beautiful ornament this ants'
nest will make; and all its 12 shelves most beautifully carved, or
more truly, modeled from the hard clay, by our kind friends the busy
ants. This i>retty nook, with the moss and the begonia-covered rock
is our conservatory. This wide open space will make a grand kitchen.
.Never mind, tho' the ground be moist. Here our haj>jn' little American
hous(>-keepers might find many pleasant hours. The Fang children
know nothing of parlc>rs or conservatories or even kitchens. Their
stove is the ground, and their kitchen is the nearest sheltered spot,
l^erhaps imder the eaves of their low hut. or in the middle of their
low, small, dark living-room. I once saw some of our children
making play-houses from the branches of 'trees, of this form [she
margined a sketch]; but. so low that they could just crawl in on their
stomachs. By the noise they made. I judged they enjoyed the sport.
Also, just once. I saw a j)retty little play-boat made of bamboo,
(lenerally, these boys and girls sit in the dust, or lazily lounge, or do
errands for their elders, caring little for regular games. Among more
t'ivilized tribes, quite interesting games are known. (I think, if you
should ask Mrs. DeHeer, who lives among the Kombe people, she
would tell of children's games.)
"How delightfully cool, in the shade of this huge boulder! If we
could only bring these poor people to the shadow of the Great Rock,
where ah)ne they can find safety or rest in this weary land! More
wild grow our surroundings. Nature has left her traces of fierce con-
vulsion, when mountains were cleft asunder. These sides are still
gajMug with seams long and far-reaching; while between, lie tumbled
in wild confusion, the debris of broken rock.
"You hear the sound of falling water. Pass this wall of rock,
and stop! look! coiled around the root of that tree, what an en-
ormous . But, it does not move! Dare we go nearer? It is
only one of the numerous Nnnes which abound in these forests. How
snake-like does it lie there! Its support has fallen, and it seems
writhing in impotent wrath among the roots and rocks of our path-
way. But. hasten on! Slide down this rock, evidently once the
l)ed of a miniature water-fall; over slippery stones, catching hold
of tree and bush for aid; and, at last we stand before our Spring of
1SS4, MOTHERHOOD. 163
clear, cool, iiovor-failitiji water. The sun lijrhts, what seemed almost
*rl()om, with a soft radiaiirc. Before us, and at the ripht, rises a wall
of rock at least 30 feet hij;h. Behind us, a wilderness of tanjrled trees
and vines. Before, and at the left, the wall breaks suddenly. Thro'
this openiii^, dashes a rapid stream, broken at its lower fall, into
silvery sheets by the wide roufih face of rock over which it flows.
Constantly, it pours its clear waters into this crystal Pool. The
water's anfjry foaming reception ends in tiny wavelets at our feet.
This is the choicest spot of Talajrufra. We are at all times painfully
alone, as to the presence of Civilization, or the companionship of
christiaji friends. But, we are not alone as to constant cares, anxieties,
and annoyances, and sometimes, fears. But, the loneliness of these
wild forests and the majestic jjrandeur of these rajrjred walls of rock,
are most restful ; while this fitful music is a pleasing accompaniment
to prayerful thought. Alone with God! 'Nature here, in the tran-
quility, that Thou dost love, enjoys Thy Presence.' And we grate-
fully yield to these influences: and would also offer solemn thanks
and supplication. Supplication for the multitudes around us, who,
neither in Nature, nor in their own hearts, find any witness of God.
".\pr. 3d. Husband off by 7.40 A. M. The day quiet. I pray
much, but with weak faith, for a comfortable journey for the Hus-
band. After .5 P. M., I began to look; and, at .5.20, the canoe came
in sight, with a load of bamboo, and the best of reports of the quiet-
ness of the day. 8o thankful I could hardly eat! O! God, forgive
my unbelief! Even Ngawe's wanting to 'kamba na 'w6' [to speak
with you] was only a request to have a pair of shoes from Angom. So
much better than our fears! [The often unreasonable complaints,
demands, wishes, or ordinary conversation of our employes were
always preceded by the apparently respectful 'm'bela kamba na
'u'^:' but one was uncertain what was to follow. The phrase made
Mrs. Nassau almost nervously afraid of corning trouble. For ordi-
nary conversation, she was always pleased; that was one of the means
of doin^ direct missionary work.]
"Sat'y. Apr. oth. After dinner, Mr. Siddons called with the
mail, which was wet and covered with meal that had been put in
the bag. He was dressed in pajamas and singlet [undershirt]. No
letter from Will. . . . Wearied and excited. [Some of the
white traders traveled in very unconventional costume.]
"Tuesday, Apr. 8th. Began this month, the study of India.
To-day have had Rawal-Pindi before me. ... I went to the
104 THi: PATH SFiK TROD.
spring:. Fnunfl a pioco of i)lumba<;o, I think. [I do not remember
Mrs. Nassau's havinj; mentioned about the plumbajjo. But a few
years hiter, when I took Rev. A. C. Good over the Hill, I found and
directed his attention to the same. He reported it lO a friend in
Pittsburgh. Pa. I reported it to the French authorities, but they
took no notice of it.]
" Wed'y A})r. 0th. Feel very uncomfortable; perhaps feverish.
"Thurs. Apr. 10th. Still just able to stand. Food troubles me;
poor dijiestion. [I do not think it was 'fever' or 'digestion.']
"Sat. Apr. 12th. Went to Bindube villages near 'Gov.' Ker-
raoul's. Started at 1.30. P. M. Returned, 5.30. Feel better.
Were stopped by the (French") Goree soldier at Xjoli [island].
"Sunday, Apr. 13th. Good day. Husband asked me to pray with
him, to seek aid in speaking this evening on 'the Blood of Christ.'
"Sat. Ai)ril 10th. Mr. Menkel and Husband went to the 'Gov-
ernor's.' Were stopped again; and the CJoree was very impudent,
and would hardly let them pass at all. Kerraoul said the soldier
was right ; no boat or canoe is to pass without a permit, or the pres-
ence of Kerraoul himself. We think that he himself has made this
rule. The hope to go inland is, humanly speaking, growing less
and less. We can not visit even those villages just this side of the
Post, but which are above Njoli island. God look in mercy on us,
and on His work!"
This incident marked a critical day i:i our Talaguga life. Xjoli
island was two miles beyond us, up river; a second, a mile farther;
and Asange, two miles still farther. DeBrazza's first camp had
been on Xjoli. When he, subsequently, established a military and
trading post, he located it at Asange, but still called it "Xjoli Post."
On riiat April 10th. I took Mr. Menkel with me to make a courtesy
call on the French official. Mrs. Xassau baked and sent with me a
tasteful gift of pastries for Mons. Kerraoul. As we were passing
Xjoli we observed a French laptot (native soldier) making frantic
motions toward us. I had no idea what he was saying. Thinking
he was in distress, I went to his aid (?). Then we understood that
he was ordering us not to proceed. I knew no reason why, and
refused. He threatened to shoot. I told him my errand was to
the Administrator. He was obdurate. I showed him my gifts for
"his Excellency." Then he yielded, but said that if, on our return,
18S4, MOTHERHOOD. 165
I did not bring a written permit from Kerraoul, he would shoot me.
At Asa?iffo WO' were received (apparently) cordially. Mons. Ker-
raoul spoke in English, and we conversed. Ironically, I compli-
mented him on having such a good guard on \joli. He justified
him! "But, (Jovcrnor. is it not permitted that I shall visit you, as
now?" "No." Amazed, I added, "Not even to make a call of
courtesy?" "No." Utterly amazed, I asked hvpothetically, "But,
your Excellency, if my life was in great danger from the Fang at
Talaguga, might I not come to you for assistance?" "No; it is
not permitted that any but French shall i)ass Xjoli. If, however,
you should be in danger, you may come as far as Xjoli, and the .sen-
tinel there will bring word for you to me." "And during that wait-
ing there, of almost two hours, I would probably be killed. I see
natives. Okota fishermen, coming almost daily to Talaguga. How
is it that they |)ass Xjoli?" "They are French citizens, and I give
them daily writteti jjermits." "Then, your Excellency, please give a
citizen of a country which is in friendship with France, a number of
such j)ermits, to use as he may have occasion." He refused. "But,
certainly, you will write me one permit to pass me safely, as I return
to Talaguga to-day?" Reluctantly he wrote it. And I gave it to
the laptot on Xjoli, During all that astonishing interview, Mons.
Kerraoul displayed the fullest of typical French courtesy of voice
and mamier, including the shoulder shrug and out-turned palms that
are the Clallic final closure of any argument. I did not believe that
he had authority to issue that prohibition to me. (His superior
subsequently disclaimed it, saying that it applied only to trades-
men.) From this and other acts, and from the dealings of the Ro-
man Catholic Government of ^ladagascar, I have always believed
that it was part of Roman Catholic machinations against Protestant
missions. Machinations that increased in their persecuting limita-
tions, until, in 1892, wearied, our American Mission left the Ogowe
field, handing it over to our Protestant brethren of the Societe Evan-
gelique de Paris, who, though also limited, as Protestants, are en-
couraged as Frenchmen. From that 19th of April, I never again
thought of Xjoli Post or M. Kerraoul as a source of aid in any way,
as to letters, mail, food, purchases, help, comfort, or companionship.
He and his post passed utterly out of our lives or thought, except
when we grieved at the belief that our plan for advance into the
interior was dead. I bitterly reminded him of his prohibition four
months later.
"Mon. Apr. 21st. Husband has given the little boy Onjingo to
me, to help me in and around the house.
160 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Wed. Ai>r. "23d. Feel so much better this week. Am having
Oiijiiifjo plant the slip from the tree at Kangwe which bears such
beautiful wliite flowers. God help me to be faithful to him, and
bring him to Christ. . . . Ankombia's wife still working on her
dress. [At that time, there were twenty natives, including Metyeba's
wife and Ankombia's, whom I had to feed on rice and farinya; I
could get no plantains at all. These employes were not used to the
other diet (without meat) : onlv their lovalty to me made them endure
it.]
"Sat. Apr. 2Gth. Went to Xdonamavuna's village. Very few
present, but the men. Spoke himself; the first original prayer we
have heard.
"Monday, .Apr. 2Sth. Washing big, Mr. Menkel's many clothes.
Hard work finishing. Did; thanks to God, and with a good sun.
"Tues. Aj)r. 2Sth. Ironing done only by pushing. Mbigino did
nicely. Ngawe sick. \"ery tired; suffered exceedingly; from dys-
pepsia. I guess. [I do not think she really believed it was dyspepsia.]
" Wed. Apr. .30th. Suffering still. Oh! God, that I might, in pain
and in aiuioyances. glorify Thee!
"Sat. May .3d. Walking around. Feel weak; and still pain in
the shoulder-blades.
"Mon, May .5lh. ... I am much better. Onjingo is doing
the house-work grandly!
"Tues. May 0th. . . . About 6..30 P. M., Husband came.
Was so surprised. A wonderful journey he has had ; and we are full
of thai>ksgiving. God, iguma (manioc), and plantains! The French
Expedition passed up river yesterday, but did not buy all the food,
as I feared. Ciod is so very good to us.
"Wed. May 7th. I arose and had a little prayer with Hamill,
before dressing, to give thanks, and to seek aid.
"In the morning, Hamill came up [the Hill] and said there was
need of prayer; trouble between himself and Mr. Menkel. Metyeba
told Hamill that the house was crooked, by six inches. Mr. M. re-
sented it; spoke roughly to Doctor. In the evening, Mr. M. and
Hamill had a long talk. I was so wearied by it. Tried to spend
18S4, MOTHERHOOD. 167
the time in prayer. Fear I failed. But, the talk i)roved satisfar-
tory. Mr. M. more (juiet. aiul mueh hurt as to his pride by this mis-
take. Hamill was eJKibled to keep his voice and words kind.
"Thurs. May Sth. Hamill and Mr. M. look at the house; decide
to let it alone. The reason Mr. M. blames Metyeba so severely is
because he did not tell him instead of Hamill. It seems that Metyeba
hn<l told Mr. M.; but the latter wnuH not b'.stcn. Hamill had another
talk with Mr. M., in which he told him he wanted him to finish the
house before he (Hamill) should jro down-river in June."
[I had faithfully complied with Mr. Menkel's demand that, in
order that he mijrht ha\e the entire credit for the erection of the
buildinj;. I should jjive no advice -nor make any criticism. He had
allowed me to be present, in order to keep the workmen obedient.
Metyeba was a very (juiet. dilijrent. conscientious worker. When
he pointed out to me that the frame of the house was out of plumb, I
at once saw it and quietly asked Mr. Menkel's attention to it. He
broke into a ra^c I as quietly asked him to take his square. He
did so. Then he sat down, weepinp; with shame at his mistake, and
said he would throw up the job. I insisted that it would be wronp
for him to leave me at that critical stajje of the buildinji. He re-
mained and enclosed the outer walls. I subsequently completed
the interior. It was doubtless true that Metyeba had previously
jmintcd out the six inches to him. Hut Mr. Menkel had doubtless
scouted the idea, had not even attempted to verify it. and had for-
gotten it. In her ]>erfect conscientiousness, Mrs. Nassau did not
believe that marital loyalty required the justification of a husband,
ripht or wrong; and would not have justified me had she thought
I was wrong. But such disharmonies wearied her Christian spirit.]
" Fri. May 9th. Am feeling very comfortable these days. Looked
around for material to begin little clothes. Husband wants me to
go wifh him to-morrow to Yena, to see about ompavo [thatch], I
dread the journey, but consent.
"May 10th. Sat. We started about, 7.4.5 A. M. Had a pleasant
journey down; cool and cloudy. Reached Ongam's [a civilized
Mpongwe]. Ate, in the waiting room. Met first by the sound of
many little axes clearing for Ongam's new trading-house. Mpenga
and 5 men had come with us in the canoe; Pi6re and six men and
boys in the kongongo; also Walker [a mulatto trader]. Found only
110 instead of 400 ompavo, as we expected. Started back. I felt
U)S THE PATH SHE TROD.
the motion of the boat (tir. with Mainbo and 2 Fanp;, were in the
'Swan ') and the heat. Saw a hu,£;e nest of nuid, sticks and leaves, in
tlie crotch of a hirjic limb ovcr-hanp;ing the water. The wise bird
had made tlie door on the side from which our severe storms seldom
come. Also, hanpnp; nests, built on the thorny slender fronds of
the Calamus palm, over the water (thus free* from snakes) the lower
extension a beautiful net-work; the lower part of this filament is the
entrance. Waited lonp; here to mov<> a 'pe' [the deadly horned
vijter of (Jaboon] which i>roved to be a lofj! Plucked a beautiful
lihf-shaiial flower from a tree, seldom seen. Was jjorfjeous; corolla
fully six inches in diameter, creamy-yellow, with purple si)ots. Also
one of nn/ blue petaled flowers [the one I dedicated to her in Feb-
ruary, 1SS2]. And Mussenda. Saw another white terminal-leaved
flower. Had a very vcnj pleasant cUiy. Found, on return at 5 P. M.
(a wonderfully early arrival) that my boys had done nicely.
"Hefore we sat down to tea, the whistle of the 'Okota' was heard.
Mr. Menkel went in the kongonpo. Mr. Sinclair on board. Njambi
and Alundo [former employes] came back. Larjje mail, 16 letters.
Aunt l']li/^a liabcock died Mon. Jany 21st, 78 years old; 8 years
older than our mother. Hamill received a cruel letter from Rev.
: all excited. Hamill went to bed at 4 o'clock Sabbath morn-
ing;. I suffered very much from falling-down pains. Slept very
little. Still no word from Will. . . .
"Sab. May Uth. I did not expect to dress until church; but,
as Mr. Sinclair called during prayers, I got up. He drank tea with
us. Felt very weak, and still suffering; but keep up. God is with us.
•'Mon. May 12th. . . . Hamill had a good letter from sister
Emma [Mrs. William Swan]; and a long one from Mr. Patten [the
generous guardian of my son Charles], who said that Mr. Swan was
to preach in Philadelphia. ... I still feel very uncomfortable.
My Bible Correspondence papers came, and I began to study this
morniiTg.
"Thursday, May 22d. About 7 P. M., Mr. Reading came, with
lots of plantains, some egg-plants, limes, <fec. &c. Very glad to see
him.
"Tuesday, May 27th. Mr. Reading left, in fine spirits (at least
his crew) about 8, A. M. Did not iron; but tried to dry the clothes.
Feel the good effects of the fresh fruits, bananas, egg-plant, and nj6v6
[ripe plantains].
1884, MOTHERHOOD. 169
"Mon. June 2d. . . . In the eveninji, Hamill called Simbuvc,
Mf np:?, Ompwenjie, Xjambi, and asked them if thoy had all been drink-
in<r, [They had been in a quarrel at a native trader's on Sunday
nipht.] Their answers were not prompt; but all were finally made
to acknowledfie the sin. God seemed to help Hamill in speaking
to them. Very imj)ressive. Washing: done without my help. I
jrot up. for tea, Ankombia's wife left, in a French canoe.
"Tuesday, Jiin 3d. Husband's words in the evening very im-
pressive, (lod is certainly with us. His text was from Ps. 1. 1. Won-
der if the prayers of our friends in America are helping us.
"8ab. June 8th. A quiet Sabbath. Husba?id talked in the morn-
ing, on 'isingi' [little foxes]. Mbigino, Rembila, and Xgawe came
afterwards, to iiuiuire if he was preaching at them, if he tho't they
had done any thing wrong, while we were away yesterday. We could
only think of gnilty ronsrirncci. God is surely blessing us in our
hearts, and in the subdued spirit of the employes. Xone have yet
confessed, or expressed sorrow.
"Thurs. June 12th. Finished my red wrapper. Feel very tired.
Still praying and hoping for more of the Spirit's power. Studying
the lesson on Paul's second missionary journey.
"June 10th. 1.SS4, 35 years old!! Oh! my God, help me to glorify
Thee this new year in all things, thought, spoken, done. I am Thine.
Cleanse me from all sin, and make faithful in sernng Thee. Give
to me more trust. Help me to 'trust in the Lord forever; for, in the
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.'
"Sunday, June 22d. Quiet day. I read little. Feel more com-
fortable than in May; but not able to do much. Did not write up
my Bible lesson. [Mr. Menkel left on Monday, June 23d, by a canoe
that had come from Kangwe.]
"Tues. June 24th. The ' Okota ' came this P. M. . . . Mr.
Ozanne [our generous Ohio friend] sent me a very pretty book; and
Mrs. De Heer [of Benita] wrote of Willie Gault's death. I felt this
very much ; and, tho ' I thought I held loosely all hopes of motherhood,
I find the nearness of death makes me shudder with fear.
"Wed. June 25th. Trying hard to get at the little things. Fin-
ished machine sewing on the sacque.
170 . THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Thurs. .luiio 2r»th. Mado tho first nifijht dress. Not a very pood
siKTOss, as the neck, with (haw-strinp. is too roujjh for tender skin.
"Fri. June 27th. Matie, or nearly made and finished, the night
dresses. This time, a httle more pleasing.
"Sat. June 2Sth. (lathered things together for the journey.
Trimmed ov(t my hat. Washed the trinmiing that was on it, and
put it hack again. Very tired."
In a separate vohnne are lists of "Objects for Prayer" and " Bible-
Study." The latter is a compilation of ])roof-texts on the Catechism
answer to the (|uestion, "U'hat is God?" The former covers a
period in .July, ISSl, for Missions, more men, larger faith, more
consecration o?i part of young men, more consecration i«i effort
both on mission fields and at home, native converts, increase of zeal
and effort in the church. Minute si)ecification of household and
private interests during 1SS,3 an<l ISS4, with records of prayer
answ(>red for most of these i)etitions.
On July 1st. with a crew of nine, I made, with Mrs. Nassau, my
usual (|uarterl\' journey to Kangwe for the church Communion. I
left the competent native Kombe carpenter Metyeba, with six hands
undiT his directio!i, to co?itinue at the interior work on the house.
He was a (|uiet man, and my Galwa workmen had no difl^culty in
obeying him. I was to try to obtain at the Lambarene trading houses
a large (juantity of thatch for the roofing of the new house; for, the
"Former" rains would be coming by the end of Sej)tember. We
were safe in our boat-travel during the mid drj' season months (July
and August).
At Kangwe was to begin the disaster that ended fatally for Mrs.
Nassau a month later.
"July 1st. Started in good time about 8. A. M. On the way,
saw a whole manatus [very rich meat]; failed to buy any. Saw many
crocodiles [the gavial, of India], Ate at Yena. Slept in Goree's
trading-house at Mbomi. Found the bed very hard.
" Wed'y, July 2d. Reached Mr. Ermy's in time for dinner. Saw
a man shoot a crocodile, and saw the carcase on a log near our boat.
The crew pull very slowly; smell liquor on their breath. Reach
Andgnde house at 5.30. P. M.
"Thurs. July 3d. Hamill and Mr. Reading went to the Trading-
houses, principally to settle that bill with Mr. Schiff. Mr. S. away.
1SS4, MOTHERHOOD. 171
Mrs. and Miss Hardinp railed in the morning. Miss H. wished to
fjet plantains. Husband went on the Hill to see sister Bella, in the
afternoon.
"Fri. July 4th. Sister Bella eame in the niorninjr. evidently
troubled, and not strong. Mr. Reading told us a little of the painful
scenes between sister and Miss Harding. Neither Miss H. and her
mother, nor sister, said anything to us about it. Chureh {Session-
Meetings.
"Sat. July 5th. Made pudding. Fretted all day. Went to Pre-
paratory Service in the afternoon. Walked, of course. Tired. Have
not lain down any afternoon this week.
"Sab. July fith. Last night, about 1 o'clock, I was awakened In-
flow of blood. Called Hamill. 'Twas not profuse; still, more copious
than . . . Frightened. Pains succeeded; came in spasms.
Hamill gave me lavender, and tried to soothe me: then, went on the
Hill for a medical book and medicines. Sister Bella sent so many
things needed. Slei)t a little, towards morning. During the day.
suffered. Hamill went to admijiister Communion in the morning.
Mr. Reading very kind and thoughtful. Hemorrhage lessens greatly.
Handi, a Benga woman came on the 'Falaba'; also boxes of medi-
cine. Thus God jjrovided for the emergency; only, we were very
thankful that the occasion for their use seems to be lessening. Handi
went on the Hill; but. came to spend the night with me. [My study
of the book, as I sat by the bedside and watched symptoms, made
me believe that the threatened miscarriage was c()mi)licated by what
obstetricians call a case of placenta previa. I think it was the final
cause of Mrs. Nassau's death. I had without difficulty conducted
cases of confinement, but never had seen this dangerous condition.
The childless widow Handi, of about Mrs. Nassau's age, an educated
member of the Corisco church, was the one whom Rev. Mr. Ibia had
chosen for me, and Rev. Mr. Myongo for my sister. Sister's letter
gave her priority of claim. The "Falaba" had brought her early
that morning; my sister was agreeably surprised to see her as I brought
her in the church. The "Falaba" brought also my ordered medical
supplies from Liverpool, and a mail, which I read to Mrs. Nassau
in the afternoon. Letters from her mother, Miss Flanigan (of Phila-
delphia), Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Robinson (of Freehold), Mrs. Betts
(of Towanda), and Mrs. Gulick (of Barnegat). These were the last
she received from the United States. Mrs. Ogden did not arrive,
nor did she come subsequently.]
172 ' THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Moil. July 7th. Slowly irnproviiif;. Remain in bed. Husband,
in afternoon, went to see Mr. 8chiff. Mr. S. still away. Capt.
Ludoviei juoniised. or offered, to take the onipavo [thateh] and self
to Talafiuira. next week. [How impossible it would have been to
have taken Mrs. Nassau, in her then eondition, baek to Talaj^uga, the
usual four days' journey by boat! Here was a Providenee: On July
.3(1, the "C)kota" had attempted to go up the Xgunye braneh of the
()<;owe, but had turned baek on the 4th, unable to proeeed, because
of the dry s(>ason low stage of water. But it would attempt to go up
the deeper Ogowe. Was it turned baek for our need?]
"Tues. July Sth. Husband went, with Xtyindiorfma and Pi6re,
to the Commissaire at Lambarene, to see about marriage. I felt
belter: but still have pain, and dare not sit up even in bed. The
civil ceremony was performed, as desired: and then, Dr. Nassau
united the parties, in the afternoon, by religious ceremony. Sister
H(>lla, and Mrs. and Miss Harding down [at the ceremony]. I, of
course, still in bed. The box [from Dr. Adam] containing the things
was opened. Also, sister liella sent down articles, in her box, from
Dr. and Mrs. (losman: candles from Dr. G., a pair of slippers from
sister Letitia, a small needle-box from Lida, a little book of texts
from Jennie, blotters from Belle, lampshade from Lettie, crab-apple
jelly, a tin (tf corn, 2 ears of popcorn."
[The two young men had to take their young brides before the
Civil Magistrate, to comply with French law, in advance of any church
ceremony. The presents from the Lawrenceville family touched
Mrs. Nassau very much. arri\'ing just at that time. How minutely
she enumerates them all I]
"Wed. July 9th. Husband again went to Mr. SchifT, and paid
the bill. Slowly improving. Have good appetite.
"Thurs. July 10th. Long day. Husband went after ompavo
giveii him by Mr. Sinclair. Feared he might stay all night. A^ery
thankful to see him about dark. Sat up on the lounge. Handi spent
the day with me. Mr. R. very kind. Enjoyed the oranges from
(Jaboon.
"Friday, July 11th. Went, tcalked, to the lounge in the parlor
Sat up all day. Husband at home.
"Sat'y. July r2th. Husband went to Lembarene trading-houses
with the crew. Did not return until after dinner. I was up most of
the day.
1S84, MOTHERHOOD. 173
"Sab. July 13th. Went to the dining-room to eat. Up all day;
reading. IJoth Husband and self feel very very thankful, l^ecause
God has thus removed from us a great sorrow.
"Monday, July 14th. The steamer ['Okota'] goes to-morrow.
Hamill packs. In the evening, we three made out a bill of goods
(eatables) for the next year. Went to bed late. All lircd; but ready
to start to-morrow morn."
My sister was not willing to pay the wages Handi asked, and the
latter was dissatisfied with the variety of services expected of her.
Amicably for all parties, she entered m)' service. From Andfnde to
Lembarene was an hour's pull.
"Tucs. July 15th. While Hamill was loading the 'Nellie-Howard'
we heard a whistle, and tho't the 'Okota' was hurrying us. We
reached the Trading-house before S A. M.: and found the steamer
still there. Another steamer, the French launch, had alarmed us by
her whistle, Handi goes with us to Talaguga. Ate breakfast l)efore
we started [from AndPnde] and also on the steamer. Mr. B.. an em-
ploye of the French house, on board. Also, the Commissaire Le
D. . I ate my dinner on the poop-deck at the stern of the
vessel, where was the awning and a comfortable chair. After this, I
ate with the others in the saloon. We started about 0 A. M.; and
had some trouble [with low water] passing Mr. Ermy's; but, particu-
larly at the Goree islands. The Capt. had to go out in his canoe sev-
eral times, to find the i)assage. We slept, a little below Mbomi. I
was given the berth below the deck in the stern. Slept very well.
"Wed'y. July 10th. When we reached a point near Xkogo,
trouble began in earnest. The Point was reached about 2 P. M.
The Capt. went out [in a canoe] first. We went on a little way; then
stuck. Mr. SchifT then went out. He thought he had found a passage.
Capt. went on \\-ith the steamer; and soon reached bottom. He
then went out in the canoe; and came back with the decision that
no passage could be found, and that next morning we must return
to Lembarene. Hamill went to the Nkogo trading-house with Mr.
S., to see about securing paddlers for the 'Nellie-Howard,' as we had
only four [in order to at once go on to Talaguga, as we were already
half-way there]. He came back with the [steamer's] Kroo-men;
but Mr. S. had gone with the trader to the other side [of the river]
seeking a passage; and at dark, returned, ha\'ing found one. We
were very glad.
174 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Thurs. .luly 17th. We started about 7, A. M., and, {ioinp;down,
a littlr way. thon crossed without (Hfficulty. Mr. Galhbert [the
French trader near us at Tala<;u<;a] we had passed and been passed
by several times. Finally, at Yena. he came alongside and on board.
Only saluted us. Soon, he went on; but, we ajiain passed, before
reachinjr his ))lace. At Yeiia, the Commissaire went with Mr.
SchitT to the [Fan;:] village which had been burned [by the French,
for the assault on the priest], and settled the difficulty there, in this
way: — The Fans: pave up to the French [as hostaj:es] a little boy and
an old woman. The little boy was to stay at the French Mission.
The old woman stays with her people at John Pierce's [a Liberian
trader], ^\'e reached Nyare's [new villa{:e opposite our new house]
about 4 r. M. I was carried uj) the Hill. Handi swept the sitting-
room. I feel stronger than when I started.
"July ISth. Mr. Schiff. Mr. B., Capt. Ludovici, Commissaire
Le IX, called in the morniiif:. Passed coffee and pine-apple. All
seemed to enjoy the call. Interested in my photographs [the Bar-
negat jthotograph album]. l>ade good-bye. Xo Prayer-meeting, as
so few came to Prayers. Only Ampamba, in the [Catechumen] Class.
Metyeba [according to agreement] went down on the steamer.
"Sab. July 2()th. Quiet day; but. I have not worshiped as I
ought. While at Prayers in the evening, we heard a cry, and think
that some animal has taken a mother hen.
"Mon. July 21st. Washing done well; Handi, Mbigino, and
Mambo. I was very tired yesterday, and feel uncomfortable to-day.
Hainill not well: feverish.
"Tuesilay 22d. Ironing partly finished. Handi distressed because
1 would not let Mambo remain to help her atid Mbigino. Mbigino
complains: says he is sick. I wrote a note to Husband for another
person: but. when I saw all on the roof at work [at thatching], I did
n»>t ask f(^r another. Rut, I showed the note to Hamill. He was much
troubled: decided to speak to M. Called him. before prayer-meeting.
Not satisfactory reply given. Then, after consultation, we decided to
refuse him the privilege of working, until he should promise to behave.
.\fter prayer-meeting, himself asked pardon: and Hamill prayed
with him. This is occasion for many thanks to God.
"Wed. July 23d. Handi finished ironing. She complains of her
eves and weariness. Sewed a little.
/
1SS4, MOTHERHOOD. 175
"Thurs. July 24th. Haiuli and I had prayed tofrothcr. She seems
quite discontented. Still, tells me of the temptations she has met
and overeonie. The engineer of the 'Okota,' on the up-journey,
tried her purity. \'ery indignant. Hamill reading 'Young Mrs.
Jardine' aloud. We were startled by a goat making a i)e('uliar gurg-
ling sound; both of us said, ' Xjfga ' [leopard]. Hamill went out with
a gun, light, and employes. Saw neither goat nor leopard.
"Fri. July 2oth. Busy making flannel skirts. Handi sewing.
"Sat. July 26th. Ompwenge and Mambo found the carcase half-
eat on of our Okanda goat, the one given us by the 'Governor.' Killed
the little goat, as we feared the njfga would soon take it too. We
have lost a hen recently, too. Handi went [visiting] to Nyare's vil-
lage; returned with 2 bottles of Javendcr-water, and ing^vfs6 [pre-
sented to her by the trader]. Husband went to Xdonamavuna's
[usual Saturday afternoon preaching]. Just at dark, PiCre and wife
(.\l)oyo), Simbuve and the other three workmen came. They had
been a week on the way from Kilng^ve.
"Sab. 27th. Finished the second Pamphlet of the Bible Course
of Dr. Worden. Read missionary news. Oh! for the influence of
CJod's Spirit, for more love for Christ, for more love for souls.
" Mon. 28th. Washing well done. I think."
This date, the 2Sth, is the very last record by Mrs. Nassau in her
diary. But on that same date, in her book of "Letters Sent," is a
list — "to Cousin Floyd [Bartlett] and Kittie [his wife, Warsaw, N. Y.];
Katie Storms [Barnegat, X. J.]; Aunt Eliza; cousin Hattie Saxton;
Mr. P. ^r. Ozanne; Charlie [Nassau]."
The very last record of letters sent is on July 29th; "To Miss
M. C. Taylor" [Bordentown, N. J.]; and on July 30th, "to Miss Hattie
Todd"[Holmanville].
These letters were carried by Dr. Ballay, Count De Brazza's
associate, who, on the 20th, with five canoes and about one hundred
men, overland from the Kongo, on his way to France, voluntarily
stopped to call on us. and offered to take letters to Libreville.
The next day, July 30th, the employes were afraid to go to the
spring for water, because of the scare about leopards. That night,
while we were compelled to sit up late, watching against an invasion
of the house by the vicious " Driver" ants, we heard an outcry among
the employes about a leopard, but I did not go out to see about it;
17() THE PATH SHE TROD.
tho aiits wvvv oii<»up:li to bo attoiulod to, and I doubted about there
brill ji a leojiani just at that hour.
Oil Thuisday. .luly .Slst. Mrs. Nassau was not foonnc; comfortably.
She had h)st sleep on account of the " Drixers." Much talkinji; among
the employes at the \vat«>r-side annoyed her. Also, she was wearied
with sewin;;. After completing; the draft of a letter to Rev. M. L.
Cook, in the evening, she retired early. It was her very last hand-
writ iiifj. Here Mrs. Nassau's diaries cease, and I take up my own
story of a week's conflict with pain, danger, and death.
I have a niinut(> nM'ord of almost every hour, day and night, of
th(> eight days, Friday. August 1st. Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
Tu<^sd;iy, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the Sth. The life-blood
dripping away, from the first rush at 1 A. M. of the 1st to the last
drop ;\{ 4 A. M. of the Sth. During all those days, no work was ilone,
but my men (luietly awaited my call. Handi was with mc, a thought-
ful, helpful, sympathetic woman.
There was no lack of medicine, water-bags, expedients, and ar-
rangements of bedstead, pillow, and bedding. Pains came and
intermitted. Nausea almost persistent and vomiting frequent. No
lack of a variety of kinds and modes of jirejiaration of foods and
drinks. But an inability to retain them more than half an hour,
until the patient IxM'ame faint and weak with hunger. There were
chang(\s of jiosition to relieve soreness, but the changes renewed the
hemorrhages: and then came the styptics and other medicines and
appliances.
\\'luMi there was possibility that a treatment good for herself
might be bad for the child, she refused it. She said she felt resigned
in (Jod's hands, and had no regrets for having come to Africa, for
being my wife, or for becoming a mother. At no time were there any
symptoms of the .\friean fever. There was a gleam of hope on Sabbath,
.\ugust M, when all symjitoms improved, and we thought that (lod
was answering our prayer in our way. .\s the days went on. she slept
at times; but it was not refreshing. It was the sleep of exhaustion.
At firs| she had been calm and composed. Later, there was nervous
starting at small sounds, as the fall of a spoon or the motions of the
cat. The marriage ring slipping umiotieed from her thin finger and
lost for a while among the bed-coverings, distressed her until it was
found and replaced. Hy morning of the 7th, the pains, that had been
irregular both in locality and character, were recognized as normal
for a delivery, and continued, with interruptions and cessations, all
day. She objected to the obstetric process of "turning."
Later, at 0 P. M., the forceps could have been used, but it also was
refused, lest the babe be injured.
18S4, MOTHERHOOD. 177
And when, at 11.30 P. M., the infant was finally born, the mother
was bloeditip; to death. It was morning of the Sth. In the room was
the lad Xpnve, fanning, at her wish. thouj;h all the doors and windows
were open to the cold ni<;ht air; and Apoyo in the adjacent room with
Handi and the baby. But after a while the two Galwas became
sleejn', and I sent them to their houses. Then came the ominous
rinfrinjj in ear and darkness of si^rht.
She had been speakitip; incoherently in Mpongwe, but now dis-
tinctly in Enj^lish. We sjjoke of the babe's name. Handi brought
the babe, and I laid her on the mother's breast. She placed her hand,
already cold, on its head and said: "My little girl, whom I shall never
see on earth. Gnd gave you to me." And Handi removed the child.
There was spoken the wife's loving estimate of her husband.
And "Commend my little girl to the love of your sons." And
"Send that letter to Mr. Cook (copyi^ng it) for all it means." And her
messages of love to her mother and brother. Then, proposing an
impossible arrangement, "if you can keep my little girl." [It had
been our agreement that we would not part with our children, as had
been done with my boys, during their infancy,] I solemnly promised
that, God helping me, I would not part with the babe. Mrs. Nassau
was dying, not of disease, but of loss of blood.
And as the Shadow drew nearer, she spoke, not to me, but to God,
in few, separated words. I asked that Jesus would put His arms
about her as she should pass through the Waters. She interrupted,
saying, "He is; I am not afraid; but, for you ."
She spoke no more. But her eyes looked, her lips moved; a
beautiful smile, and the breath sighed away. It was 4.20 A. M. of
the Sth of August. The morning star was still shining, just before
the dawn. I stepped to Handi 's room and told her.
178 THE PATH SHE TROD.
CHAPTER XV.
Afterwards.
It would have been maddening if, in the reflections of those hours,
there had been anything needed for which there would be the bitter
regret, "O! if I had only had so-and-so!" That Liverpool order to
Dr. Adam had supplied every possible need for both mother and
child. But there have always remained two bitter regrets, that no
woman of the Mission had come to their fellow- woman's hour of need,
and that I was not a surgeon. Yet. looking at the situation in the
light of other examples, I read of other women, even in the United
States, in precisely the same case, having died, though surrounded
by jiarents, sisters, nurses, doctors, and a wealth of medicines, com-
forts, and appliances.
I can never know whether the birth was premature or at full term.
From the imperfect and delayed data given me by Mrs. Nassau, we
had calculated for the latter part of September. Our plan included
going down to Kangwe, about the middle of September, for the sev-
eral reasons that she might have civilized companionship, that Mrs.
Ogden, in her coming, might be saved the last sixty-five miles of her
journey, and that I might attend to the quarterly Communion. Was
the birth premature, induced by that week of hemorrhage? Was
that the reason that the babe, though perfectly formed and crying
lustily, was so thin and small, weighing only five and one-quarter
pounds?
There was the babe to be fed and clothed. I began, with
unskilled hand and mode, the solemn mother-task, which I
retained, aided only by native hands, for more than six years.
During the first two years aided by the excellent Handi; during
more than two other years by, successively, eight incompetent,
half;civilized (and not all of them Christian) Ogowe young women;
and during the final more than two years, by a superiorly edu-
cated Christian woman, Anyentyuwe, of the Mpongwe tribe, as
nurse and governess.
In pursuance of the pledge to my dying wife, and because I thought
(and still think) it was best, but against the protests of relatives and.
other friends and members of the Mission, I kept the little Mary with
me in Africa until she was six and one-half years old, in good health.
I left her in the United States, not until she was 8, and then only for
her education.
AFTERWARDS. 179
There was the roffin to be made. The skillful Met^-eba was gone,
but one of the ordinary workmen, Ompwenge, helped me with saw
and plane.
French law in the tropics requires interment to be made twelve
hours after the decease. But for months I had ceased to think of
the French Government as a factor in my life for any matter of courtesy
or eveii obedience. I kept my dead for thirty-six hours. There was
no corruption ; for, it was bloodless and in its organs there had been
no fever. French law requires that death shall be reported, and permit
for burial requested. I did not request. Why should I think of
Njoli officials, with whom communication, even of courtesy, had been
prohibited? (Subsequently, I did report when applying for a birth
certificate.) I sent word to no white man in the neighborhood. The
Fang were my friends. They sat in their villages in distress, refraining
even from going to their daily garden work.
On Saturday the grave was to be dug. My men made it among
the (juartz boulders of the steep hillside near the new house that was
to have been hers. At 4.30 P. M., my eight young men and lads,
Ompwenge, PiCre, Simbuwe, Xambo, Alundo, Mbigino, Isambo, and
Xgawe, carried the cotfin down hill, across the log bridge, and up to
the grave. Onjingo stayed at the house with Handi and the baby.
Fang stood ^silently. They could not understand a burial that was
devoid of yells of grief. They listened to my short address and to
my prayer.
On Sunday, as if, like Ezekiel, it had been said to me, "neither
mourn nor weep," "so I spoke unto the people in the morning." For
a sermon, I told them the story of Mrs. Nassau's life, and drew lessons
from her studiousness of the Bible, prayerfulness, and truth. There
was the Bible class in the afternoon. She would not have liked me
to neglect it. And in the evening I spoke of God's great love for us,
greater even than (as I illustrated) Mrs. Nassau's for me and for the
people of Africa.
Then, on Monday the 11th, a canoe and crew were to be sent to
Kangwe, with letters to the Mission, to the Board, and to American
relatives and friends. About 10 A. M., Mons. Kerraoul and a French
Protestant associate of his called, on condolence! He mentioned
that, for the week past, he had had the company of nine friends, who
had arrived overland from the Kongo. It was a bitter thought to
me that, among those men, there was a physician, Dr. Manas, and I
had not known it! M. Kerraoul told me that I should have sent for
his assistance. I reminded him that he himself had forbidden me
approach to Njoli Post under any circumstances. He said that the
restriction had recently been removed, and offered any aid from the
r
ISO THE PATH SH?: TROD.
})hysi(iMn for the bahc. Then, on the I'Jth, I began to copy, for
Hov. M. L. Cook, Mrs. Nassau's letter to him; her very last writiiifj.
It b(in<r an important letter, sha had made a first draft, with many
I'hansies and interlineations, intending to copy it next day. I was
sitting at her side that last evening, and she informed me as to some
of its wording: —
"July 31. 1SS4. Talaguga, Ogowe, W. A.
"/t*(i'. M. L. Cook: Dear Friend,
"Your letter of Mar. 14th was received June 18th. We had no-
tired your return from the Home field. Is not this a peculiar feature
of Home Missions; the shortness of the stay of their missionaries
in thiMr appointed fieUl? While I acknowledge, with shame, the fre-
quent return of many Foreign workers, still I think it much easier
for the Home-worker to. lay down his special task than for the true
Foreign missionary. I am sure of this, that, to be a successful Foreign
missionary, 'stick-atit-ive-ness' is a very necessary trait.
"And, this brings me to s|)eak of the young lady you mention,
who has a desire to become a Foreign Missionary, and is looking
toward Africa as her chosen field. For this. I am glad. You doubt-
less know that the French have closed all our Schools, because they
were not conducted according to French law. All teaching must
be done in the French language: even the vernacular was for-
bidden. There is not one among us who is a fluent French scholar;
therefore not one who can fulfill the requirements of the law.
We do hojie to hiwc the School re-opened in Libreville; but, the
teacher of French must first be secured. The Commandant in charge
this year, being very much more lenient toward the American Mission
than his pretlecessor, has promised to ignore schools which may be
carried on in the vernacular in our out-stations, if we comply with
the law at Baraka. x
" Do you read Dr. Patterson's Presb. Journal .' If so, in the number
tlated April 3tl. your friend will find on first page a very correct synop-
sis of qualifications needed to make a successful missionary. Let
no one attempt this work without being possessed with the first test,
earnest, single-eyed devotion of heart and life to the service of the
Redeemer. The second is also most important, a thorough conse-
cration, and ability to impart knowledge. Xo one should come to
this part of Africa, unless she was able to write and speak and teach
the French language. That grace, which will enable one to work
with associates, whether congenial or not, I would particularly em-
phasize, in writing to the unmarried lady-worker. To every one
who is looking forward to For. Work, I would say: do not suppose
that because one is on a Foreign field, and engaged in the labor of a
AFTERWARDS. 181
Foreign missionary, therefore she will be exempt from temptations;
or. that holiness in tho't and life is to be more easily attained than
in home-land. I roiild write many thinjjs of diseourajojement and
encourap:cment ; but, will refer her to Mrs. H. X. Paul, of 1334
Chestnut St.
"Our work here: it is the removing of the deeply rooted vigorous
growth of centuries of sin in its most loathsome, degraded, and su-
perstitious forms. It is laying the foundations of all knowledge
spiritual, and that too with the materials rotten with ignorance and
sin. There is no word to be found that gives the true idea of fnith-
fuhirsfi. 'Holiness' is transcribed into a word [orunda] which desig-
nates a thing forbuhirn by their fetifih doctors! Their idea of God
is that of a Power offended and revengeful. Results of the two years
and a half seed-sowing among these caimibals have not yet appeared.
These cannibals show some respect for the Sabbath: but. have shown,
as yet. no desire for knowledge of any kind. Their covetousness for
this world's goods is wonderfully developed. The Husband remembers
being introduced to o!ie 'beardless.' whose face and full habit decided
that he was not fitted for Africa. But, the work is otw, if we only
do the part appointed us by the Master. My kindest regards to your
wife, whose sister Hattie I well knew, and whose younger sister I
met in Towanda in 'SI. Yes. the mountains (as you find among them)
do 'bring peace' and hapj)iness in a degree that would surprise and
will please many anxious home-friends. My heart does, at times,
ache for friends and the old home associations: but, deeper than the
pain, is humble gratitude that God has permitted me to be one of
His workers in this land, and as such has so filled my cup with what
is to every woman's heart the choicest of all earthly joys, the Hus-
band's love; which words, with meaning to the highest degree in-
tensified, are weak."
I found among Mrs. Nassau's memoranda, schedules of daily
work for herself and the servants. Of letters to be wTitten to friends,
schools, churches, and societies. And for the menu of our table.
There being only nine months' supply on hand, in order to make
a comfortable variety from day to day, and yet not exhaust any one
article of food in advance of all the rest, she had made a list of "Sup-
plies for 0 months, commencing May 18S4." Here lies the list for
the months June to November, every day of each month marked
with its respective vegetable. Instead, therefore, in my grief and
isolation, of ha^^ng to reckon what to order for my lone table (among
my new cares of the housekeeping and the baby), I looked only at
that schedule. For four months it seemed as if sfie was daily pro-
1S2 THE PATH SHE TROD.
vidinp and arraiifjing for mc, and as if she should come and sit at the
vacant place ami plate that was kept for her.
Diirin<r the next twelve months, and longer, there came to me the
spoken and written evidences of the deep respect held for Mrs. Nassau
by all who knew her.
From African sources.
Her servants, and the adjacent villages, and delegations of Fang
visiting from distant places.
All the members of the Mission individually, and the formal
action of the Mission collectively. And even from the trading com-
miniity.
From United States sources:
My »>wn and Mrs. Nassau's relatives and friends.
Secretaries of the Foreign Board, Rev. Drs. LowTie and Ellin-
wood.
The Churches and W. F. M. Societies and Bands with which she
was connected.
Special commemorative newspaper articles.
My very dear friends Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Pratt, of Albany, N. Y.,
sent me a copy of Lowell's "God! do not let my loved one die!"
.\ newspaper article from one of her Towanda teachers, Rev.
Mr. Doan.
A beautiful tribute by Miss Mary Silliman, of Warsaw, N. Y.,
entitled, "A Voice of the Master."
The Foreign Board's short "Recent Intelligence" notice.
The Presbjftcn'au Journal Obituary of October 10th, 1884, with
the editor's. Rev. Dr. R. M. Patterson's, special notice.
The Philadelphia W. F. M. S. Directors' Meeting of November
4th. 1884.
A minute from a missionary meeting in the Fifth Presbyterian
Church. Trenton. N. J., November 7th.
Memorial sernces in the Lakewood, Barnegat, and Holman^^Ue
churches.
AFTERWARDS. 183
A copy of Rev. Dr. Dashiell's "In Memoriam" address at the
Holmanville Memorial Service, Xovember 9th.
A remarkable letter from Miss Laura Hopkins, of Rochester,
X. Y., under date Xovember 11th. She had never known Mrs. Xassau,
and I knew of her only through her friend, my former fellow-mis-
sionary, Miss Jenny Lush (later Mrs. Smith).
Obituary by her uncle, Rev. Lsaac Todd, in the Presbyterian Jour-
nal of Xovember 20th, 1.S84.
The following article from the Foreign Missionary monthly, of
date December, 1884: —
" Being Dead, She Yet Speaketh.
"Died at Talaguga, Africa, August 8th, Mary Brunette,
daughter of the late Rev. Julius Foster, and wife of Rev. R. H.
Xassau. ^L D.
"The death of Mrs. Xassau has filled the hearts of many friends
of missions with peculiar griefl It seems but yesterday that she
sailed for Africa, with the well considered expectation of sharing
with her newly married husband the hardships and privations of a
pioneer work far uj) the Ogowe. Mary Brunette Foster had conse-
crated herself to the mission work, with the expectation of going,
as a single lady, to Persia; but. yielding to an attachment which was
subserjuently formed for Dr. R. H. Xassau, and feeling that she would
still be in the line of her cherished object, she accepted his invita-
tion to return with him to his field of peculiar hardship in Ef|uatorial
Africa. Before sailing, she had deeply impressed the Christian women
of her own Presbytery and SjTiod with the intelligence and depth of
her missionary spirit.
"She had been deeply beloved as a teacher before her consecra-
tion to the mission work, and she left no doubt in the mind of any
that in whatever field her lot should be cast, she would prove a most
successful laborer in the cause of Christ. At Talaguga, in a rude abode
which her husband built mostly by his own hands, surrounded by
savages still living in the wilderness of nature, and for \\-hom every-
thing remained to be done, she prosecuted her work not only with
cheerfulness, but with real joy. Her death, though sudden, had not
been wholly unanticipated as a possible event, but the circumstances
of it were peculiarly sad. In her last hours no physician in regular
practice attended her, and no white woman wa.s at hand to render
assistance in the tender assiduities which were needed under such
184 THE PATH SHE TROD.
tryinj: circumstaiiops. Her husband was compelled to direct every-
thintr. even the preparation of the coffin and the prave.
"She has passed to her reward as a real martyr to the cause of
the CJospel \n Africa, Another of those significant graves which now
surnnnid the coast of that dark land has been made; another out-
post of the picket line has been consecrated. Why has this one
woman been called to give so much, even her life, while many
hesitate to recognize any claim of the Master for the heathen that are
perishing?"
An extract from the Minutes of the Philadelphia Woman's Foreign
Missionary Society's Directors' Meeting. December 2d.
An In Memoriam by Miss Hannah More Johnson, in the Presby-
terian Journal of February oth, ISS.).
An Appreciation from my Easton. Pa., childhood's playmate.
Rev. Prof. S. J. (.'offin. Ph. D.. who had known Mrs. Nassau at Towan-
da. printed in the Rrpnrter-Journal of that town, of date February
2(ith. lSS.->.
The Thirteenth Animal Report of the Woman's Foreign Mission-
ary Society of the Presbytery of Monmouth, in its meeting, held at
Freehold. X. .J.. April 14th. ISS.'). with address by Mrs. Parker. In
connection with it. were held memorial services by the Presbytery
of Monmouth, with addresses by Rev. Drs. Chandler. Dashiell, Brown,
and Hodge, the Presbytery giving an entire afternoon session in Mrs.
Nassau's honor, a distinction not before conferred on any even of its
own members.
Mrs. Parker's Address.
"Friends of Monmouth Preshyterial Soeiety: Thirteen years have
passed since first we assembled to work for the extension of the
Kingdom of Christ, as it shall be influenced by the conversion of
heathen women, brought, through our instrumentality, out of dark-
ness Tnto the marvelous light of the Gospel. It has ever been a joy
to meet our sisters in Christ and hold spiritual communion with therh.
We salute you in His name and welcome you to this, our religious
home. May the Spirit's power be manifested in this assembly,
uniting us more closely to one another and to our Lord.
"We are assembled to-day under the shadow of a great sorrow.
'.Als the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God's ways higher
than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts.' We may not
know why the lovely, the gifted, the consecrated are taken from
useful labors in the Church militant, but in submission to His unerr-
A FT KR WARDS. 185
iiiff wisdom, we must say, 'Tliy will be done.' She who pave us at
our .\niuial Meetijips the Narrative of the wort: of the year, con-
veyed in the glowing utterances of a consecratefl lieart. who, at the
call of the Master, left home and country to represent as in benighted
Africa, having finished the work which He gave her to do, has gone
to the bright home on high, there to join her predecessor in this
Presbyterial office, in the 'General A.ssembly and Church of the first
born.' They are among the cloud of witnesses who compass us
about, watching us as we run the Christian race. This thought Is
inspiring: even while I speak, an indefinable sense of nearness to
the glorified, and of sj)iritual communion with them comes over the
.soul. We cannot lift the veil that hides them from our view, but
faith beholds them, 'Xot unclothed, but clothed upon' in spiritual
loveliness and a beauty not of earth, still serving the Master, whom
on earth they delighted to honor. They have seen the Heavenly City,
'"The Palace of the Everlasting King,
In gates of pearl, its edifice of goM;
Its very streets of pure crystalline gold.'
Walls of jasper and all manner of precious stones surround their
blest abode. Thus did the New .Jerusalem apj)ear in Apocalyptic
Aision. Would we call them from that state of purity atid bliss?
'"The dear delight
iSeems so to be desired, perhaps we might.'
No, let us. rather, so live, that through infinite mercy we shall be
permitted to rejoin them. Laying aside every weight, and the sin
that does so easily beset us, be it ours to run with patience the
heavenly race, that we also may obtain an unfading crown. \'oices
that have often been heard in our assemblies are calling to us —
sweet voices that shall never again speak to us on earth. Twice
has the hand that held the i)en for us been paralyzed by death;
thus 4iod speaks to us in language that cannot be misunderstood.
Be vigilant, be earnest, for service here will be ended ere long.
"These, our friends, were daughters and wives of clerg>men.
They were attractive, intellectual, cultured, enthusiastic in the
Master's work, wholly consecrated to His service. Each left a babe
to be cared for bv other hands than hers. Yet in that time when
the heart yearns over the helpless little one, when thoughts of the
desolation that must come upon the husband and father must have
been painful indeed, they were enabled through grace to pass peace-
fully to the World of Light, confiding all their cares in Him who
ISC) THK PATH SHE TROD.
can't h for us. Oiio loft a haj^py home in Christian America, the
other soared on liijrh from tiie habitation of a pioneer Missionary in
African wilds. The Lord apjioints the spheres of duty for His
servants; it is refpiired of them that they be found faithful. From
the or<:anization of our Presbyterial Society they were among our
most actixe members; always |)resent in our Annual Assemblies,
always <\-irnestly desirous for its increased usefulness. For it they
labored and i)rayed, and. like watchmen on the walls of Zion, they
surveyed our rres]>yterial territory, desiring to see the women and
childreti of the Churches joining the ranks of our Missionary army.
"Mary Foster Nassau was no ordinary woman. In early life she
gave promise of fitness for the sphere of usefulness to which God
had assigned her. Of her character and appearance during child-
hood at Towatula. we have an account from some who remember
her in the dawning of intellectual and moral life. A record of the
im}>ression which she then made has been given thus;
"'Her youthful face was the impersonation of sincerity and
purity, combined with the joy of innocent childhood. The piece
she rehearsed was entirely consonant with her nature and it fell
with grace from th(> lips of a little girl some eleven or twelve years
of age. She was known for her sweet disposition and lovely char-
acter, atul th(^ impr(\'>:s was not transient. As a child she was the
pattern of j^ropriety; ai^d it was a common saying that she was as
nearly perfect as any one could be.'
"Another, after picturing her jiersonal appearance, says:
"'She was (|uick in her intellectual perceptions, easy to learn,
faithful and honest in fulfilling her tasks. She inherited, a tender
conscience, which I have sometimes thought was developed to an
extreme siMisitiveness. but to which she gave heed with the greatest
fidelity. Taken all in all, her form, as I recall her across the long
interval of a (|uarter of a century, is the fairest among the many
lovely ones associated with memories of College Hill, in Towanda,
and tjie Institute which crowns it.'
"We are glad to have these records of her childhood from others.
Of the lovely disposition and character which developed among us
we can speak from our own appreciative memory. When a student
in Freehold Young Ladies' Seminar}' she was the 'bright particular
star' in a large class of intelligent young ladies. She was a con-
scientious scholar, studious, earnest, commanding the entire respect
of the Principal of that institution. Whether in the class-room or
the literary society, she always gave strength to the exercises, and
contributed largely to their interest. From childhood she had given
evidence of reverence for Christ, and during her school life she
AFTERWARDS. 187
entered into covenant with Him, thus fulfilling the promises made by
her parents at her baptism. Bright and joyous in her nature, she
yet had that seriousness of character which is common to all intel-
lectual women whose aim is to glorify God, and to extend the tri-
umphs of the Redeemer's Kingdom. Prof. Richardson's generosity
afforded peculiar facilities to the daughters of clergymen, and it may
be well to say that in the culture of this young mind he felt that he
was doing work not merely for her advancement in this life, but
reaching into eternity. He has said that he believed he was pre-
. paring one who would be a light in the Church of Christ, perhaps a
Missionary to the heathen. His kindness to her received a return in
the entire respect and gratitude which she ever cherished for him.
The friendships which are based upon congeniality of tastes and pur-
suits, and strengthened by the niore enduring tie of union with our
common Lord, are not confined to the narrow boundaries of human
life, but find their highest joy in the intercourse of eternity. Upon
the foundation laid in school-life she built the earnest deeds and
solid attainments which will stand the test in the day which shall
decide the quality of our works. May we not hope that the com-
panionship which was interruj^ted here has now been renewed, and
that teacher and pupil, having passed the trials and diflSculties
which beset their path, have met in the realm of perfect peace?
"Childhood and youth had passed away: she had received in our
own Seminary the culture which would fit her for usefulness in life.
We remember her earnest face when she had finished her course of
study and received the testimonial of completeness: the thoughtful
look of high resolve, as with lingering step she crossed the threshold
of her Alma Mater. She had passed the years of preparation, and
now. with womanly dignity and courage, she would enter upon her
life's work. I think at this most interesting period she had con-
sciousness of power and a determination to use her gifts in His
service who had thus endowed her. It was not for her to tread the
flowery paths of elegant leisure, neither did she desire it. Whatever
of brightness and of beauty were in her pathway she thankfully
enjoyed, but she did not linger amid the fascinations of mere pleas-
ure. Life was too earnest; she could not be a loiterer. Cares
awaited her: the knowledge she had received she must impart to
others. She therefore devoted herself to the responsible calling of
a teacher. For this she was eminently qualified by natural endow-
ments, culture and facility in imparting knowledge, and she was suc-
cessful in her work. But, knowing that human knowledge will avail
little unless accompanied by heavenly wisdom, she prayerfully sought
to lead her pupils to the Great Teacher, who only could make them
ISS THK PATH SHE TROD.
^vi-(• Miito s.-ihatioii. niid nianv souls, ut believe, were saved throujih
her iiistniiiKMitality.
"At the Annual Meetinp: of our Presbyterial Society, held in this
room, in April, 1S7'.). she was elected its Corresponding; Secretary,
to fill the i)lace made vacant by the death of Mrs. Kdward B. Ho<ljje,
and entered upon the duties of the office with much zeal. The in)-
prcssion of duty which she had lonp; felt, to p;o ft^rth as a Missionary
to the h(>athcn. was greatly deepened by beinj; officially connected
with the work, and it was at the Aiuuial Meetinji. held in Philadel-
j>Iiia a ujonth later, that she made her desire known to the officers of
th(^ parent Society. She filled the office of Secretary with «:reat
fidelity for three yc^ns. carefully watchinjr over the interests of our
oriranization. and presentin<: us each Sprinji with accurate reports
of the work. writtcMi with much power. In the Spring of ISSl she
nveived an ap|)ointm(Mit to jjo out as a Missionary to PfTsia, but
(i(»d had work for her in another land, and it was as the wife of
Dr. H. Hamill Nassau that she went, in .\utumn of that year, to
the uu}M s(^lf-d(Miyin^ of all fields — dark Africa. Her last Amuial
M(>etin<i: with us. which asse!nl)led in Jamesburg, was a time of very
tcnd(T fe(*ling. The knowledge that we must soon part with this
dear fri(>nd gave a saddened interest to the occasion. A spirit of
prayer per\aded the Assembly. Our smiles resembled tears, so full
were W(^ of desire to strengthen her heart, even while we felt how
gr 'at would be our loss. Now were our principles put to the test —
the duty of women to go forth at the call of the Lord, for the salva-
tion of their own sex in heathen lands, which we had so emphasized,
was accepted by one whom we greatly valued, and it was hard to
.•^ay farewell. Hut the Lord had made known His will to her; He
had called her by His spirit to this service: she knew His voice and
followed in the path by which He led her.
" Xow a succession of |Mctures pass before us like a panorama.
At a large meeting of the W. F. >L Society, held in Asbury Park,
on tha 5>th of .\ugust. ISSl, she was present by my request, and led
the afternoon prayer meeting in the Church. That audience will
ever remember her as she then appeared: her look of firm resolve
and holy submission to the leadings of Divine Providence. Truly
it was good to be there: the ^Lister's presence was felt illuminating
the place, and earnest supplications were offered that she might be
strengthened for the performance of this distinguished service. Then
followed the reception at our Seminary, from whose portals she had
g<Mie forth in 1S07. It was fitting that she should return, and that
her venerated teacher should be the one to say 'Hail and Farewell.'
No eye was unmoistened by the tear of sympathy when she received
AFTERWARDS. 189
his welcomp, and when, with ihokinp; utterance, she attempted to
give thanks for the organ there presented, which was to be a solace
and help in her work, and, failing in the effort, turned to the chosen
partner of her future life for aid. If
" * Some feelings are to mortals given
With less of earth in them than heaven,'
they are experienced at times like these, when love and sadness are
thus mingled.
"The scene in the Chajicl at Lakewood, where she plighted faith
to her husband, the interesting exercises, the absence of mere show,
the beautiful purity and simplicity of her appearance, and the large
reception at the pastor's house, are all pictured in memory. Once
more she aj)i>eared in a Woman's Missionary Assembly, On the
day after her marriage she visited the Synodical Society, at Jersey
City, and there bade farewell to many who had been fellow-laborers
in the foreign work; and on the following day, October 12th, 1S81,
\\c saw her on the deck of the steamer, as, standing by the side of
her husband, she waved adieu to the friends assembled on the shore
of her native land. If the painful thought intruded that we might
see her face no more, it was banished from the mind, and we looked
forward, after some years of earnest work, to a glad reunion.
"A long voyage across the trackless ocean brought her to the
shores of Africa, and after some months she found a little home at
Talaguga. far up the Ogowe River, where the face of a white woman
had never before been seen. Here she applied herself conscien-
tiously to the work of leading souls to Christ, and from this isolated
abode she sent us each year letters breathing love to Christ and
desires for His glory in the salvation of the benighted .souls around
her. ever closing with the apostolic words, 'Pray for us.' Whether
with tender tones and face illumined by Christ's righteousness, she
spoke to them in that unfamiliar language, or with the harmony of
the organ, touched by her skillful hands and accompanied by her
voice singing of Jesus, she still pursued the work He had given her
to do, and followed closely in His steps. She was happy in her
service and in the companionship of a husband, who shielded her, as
far as possible, from sickness and danger.
"At length the hour of her departure was at hand, and being
made jjerfect in holiness the Lord called her from the scene of labor
into His presence, where there is fullness of joy. Our imagination
follows her to the land of light ; but it is vain to stand gazing into
heaven. There are moral wastes to be reclaimed, the 'Desert must
100 THK PATH SHE TROD.
rejoice aiul blossom as the rose,' and we must have our share in
this work for Jesus, Oti whom shall her mantle descend? Will
there be any woman in this Presbytery ready to f;o to the heathen
in such spirit of consecration? Christian soldiers drop from the
ranks; we look with tearful eyes to the vacant places, but the army
must move on. As our warfare is not carnal, but spiritual, women
are amotif; the most heroic combatants. Physical courage, love of
country and of earthly glory have enabled men to march to the
(■annon's mouth. Hut to endure as seeing Him who is invisible, to
lal)or and pray without apparent success, to be sei)arated from the
refinements of civilized life and hindered by circumstatices beyond
our control, to be in danger from those whom we would lead to
Christ, yet with strong faith to sow the seed, this is the moral sub-
lime. Let us magnify the grace \)f (lod as exemplified in her life,
atul to Him give all the glory! Her example speaks powerfully to
us, her co-lal>orers for many years, and we have felt that this meet-
ing should be fragrant with her memorv. Our sympathies are ex-
tended to the stricken hearts in that Talaguga home, accompanied
with tender interest in the motherless babe.
"We have a part in this work widely different from the trials and
self-denial incident to heathen countries; yet it is important, for,
how shall those i>oor women hear the Word of God except it be
sent to them? Our work involves no heroic endeavor, but it does
demand perseverance and enthusiasm. Let the death of our beloved
friend arouse us to greater earnestness, deeper spirituality, and a
desire to emulate her holy zeal. Two standard-bearers from our
Society now wear the crown that fadeth not away, and their saintly
lives are mute appeals to us for greater consecration. Every Chris-
tian woman in Monmouth Presbytery should be enlisted in this most
important work of the Church, bringing the nations of the earth to
the feet of Immanuel, and should accompany the prayer which He
has taught us — 'Thy Kingdom come' — with gifts proportionate to
the niereies received. We must not shirk responsibility nor fold our
hands in inglorious ease while millions of women are calling for the
Bread of Life. Christian consecration is the cro>\ni of womanhood;
it is the debt of gratitude due to that glorious Gospel to which we
owe the position that we hold in the Church and in the world. Christ
accepts and commends our services, and they shall in no wise lose
their reward.
'"And the inward voice is saying,
Whatsoever thing thou doest,
To the least of Mine and lowest,
That thou doest unto Me.'"
AFTERWARDS. 191
Address of Rev. Dr. Chandler.
"The occasion which has hroujjht us tofjethor is one of peculiar
and tciulor interest. The Presbytery and the Woman's Presbyterial
Society for Foreijrn Missions have assembled for a service in memory
of our beloved missionary. Mary Foster Nassau.
"What a short time it seems since, with hi^h hopes of usefulness
and an eager, consecrated spirit, she went forth to her chosen work
in the service of her Master. With startling emphasis have come
the tidings of her sudden call from earth to heaven.
" And now that we have met to mourn our common loss and talk
together of our friend, we are saddened with the intelligence that one
nearly related and dear to her, our venerable brother, Rev. Isaac
Todd, has just passed away.
"Mary Foster Nassau was no common person. Even in girlhood,
as a pupil of the Young Ladies' Seminary at Freehold, she made a
decided impression upon all who knew her. They felt that she had
a purpose in life. Her earnest. Christian character showed itself
most clearly in her desire to lead others to Christ. This appeared
to be her one aim.
"As a member of the class in Evidences of Christianity I have a
vivid recollection of her. There was no one whose intelligent ques-
tions, whose ready and apt replies were so well remembered.
"To her revered teacher. Mr. Richardson, she was most helpful,
often reading to him or writing for him. and tenderly guiding him in
his walks. To the young ladies of the Seminary, we warmly com-
mend the example of this beloved pupil as an inspiring model, in her
loyalty, obedience, and unselfish thought of others, especially her
teacher.
"We recall with much interest the gathering in the Seminary par-
lors tendered by her friends in Freehold upon the eve of her depart-
ure for Africa. On that occasion Mr. Richardson's heart was over-
flowing with gratitude and sadness at the thought of one so dear
leaving this country for her blessed work.
""^Ve shall see her face i\o more upon earth forever,' but let the
example of her bright and beautiful life quicken us in our labors for
the Lord she loved."
Address of Rev. Dr. A. H. Dashiell.
"Soon after completing her education at Freehold, Miss Mar}' B.
Foster came to Ocean County, and resided with her brother, near
Holmanville. At that time I became acquainted with her, and she
a* once impresftd me as a young lady of refinement and intelligence
I'.VJ THE PATH SHE TROD.
;iii(l siiii:ul;ir dcxotcdiirss as n (^hristinii. Her piety was remarkably
free from all appearance of self-righteousness, and distinfruished by
jrreat fieniality and sweetness. So that she easily won eonfidenec
and alYeetion. She at on<'e undertook the teaehin<r of the school in
the nei<;hl>orh(»od. and it was soon apparent that she was seeking
th<> hifrhest iroud of her pupils. Sotm the Lord poured out His spirit
upon the c()iij:n\j:ation of which her uncle. Hev. Isaac Todd, was
pastor, and there was a great ingathering, in which none labored
more assiduotisly or successfully than she, and majiy in that neigh-
borh(»t)d will rise uj) at the great day and call her bl(>ssed. Soon
after this she engaged in teaching .one of the departments in the
public school of Lakewood, In this, as in the other, she exhibited
the same singleness of aim and perseverance in seeking the best
gifts for her scholars,
"From early youth she manifested a great interest i?i the work of
Alissions. and it became an absorbing desire with her to go to some
land where Christ was not known, and often during her re.sidenee in
Lak<n\dod she would sei^k me in my study to confer on this great
interest, pouring out her heart's desire, that she might be accounted
worthy t(» engage in the work. In the Providence of (Jod her hand
w.as sought as a co-laborer in benighted Africa. True to all her
cherislunl desires and jmrposes, she hailed it as a call of the Lord to
devote her life to lead these besotted heathen t(^ the Lamb of Clod,
Those who W(>r(^ present at her wedding in the Presbyterian Church
ill Lakewood will nev(>r forget how calm and joyous she was in the
midst of the crowd of her loving and weeping friends. Her career
in that dark land was brief, and its termination to us seems most
mystericnis. Some have thought that it was a great waste, when
they thought of what she migiit have accomplished if she had re-
mained in her own country. Hut Ciod makes no mistakes. Harriet
Newell and Mrs, Judson were cut off in their early womanhood, but
their brief work has not been lost. How many have been moved by
their beautiful lives and glorious deaths to take up the cross which
(Intjiped from their hands to carry it on to the ends of the earth I
Like the *blt>od of the Martyrs.' their wonls and deeds and suffer-
ings have become the 'seed of the church.' Mrs. Nassau never
regret t(Hl the choice she made. Only a few days before her death
she wrote to a young lady who hat! consulted her about going to
Africa, expressing her gratitude to God for casting her lot among
the savagi^s on the Ogowe, aiid urging her to come to her help. Her
death as well as her life evinceii her supreme devotion to her dear
Lonl and Saviour, and. like another Mary, she regarded nothing as
too costly as an offering to be laid at His feet."
AFTERWARDS. 193
Address by Rev. Allen H. Browx.
" Most worthy officers and members of the Monmouth Presby-
terial Society, upon your invitation I come to pay a tribute — alas,
inadcfiuate — to the memory of your departed Missionary. The
fjlory of Ciod was the aim of her Hfe. Let us therefore aim, not so
much to eulogize the dead, as to plorify God for His rich grace
bestowed upon His handmaiden, and pray that her death, even
more than her hfe, may promote His glory.
"My first acquaintance with one better known as Mary Brunette
Foster, was during the great revival in Holmanville, in 1874, when
her heart and hand and voice were fully enlisted in that work. For
obvious reasons, my remarks must be restricted to the last three
years which she spent in this country (1879-81), at Barnegat, as the
founder and teacher of a .Seminary for young ladies.
"A Presbyterian Church had been organized at Barnegat \*illage,
and for a long time was composed entirely of females. Let not our
brethren, here present, regard this last statement ^ith a smile of
incredulity or amazement. Where would the Church be this day,
and where your Missionary work, without the women of the Church?
When the Apostle Paul, obedient to the Macedonian cry, came to
the river side and spake to the women who resorted thither, the first
convert in Europe was a certain woman named Lydia. Wherefore,
despise not the day of small things. Help those women, who now
nobly labor in the (iospel, at Barnegat, by the bay, for they deserve
your sympathy. Among them. Miss Foster was an acknowledged
leader, in the prayer-meeting, in the Sabbath-school, and in the Mis-
sionary Society. Her influence made an indelible impression upon
them, and now they cherish her words and follow her example. No
tribute has been paid to her memory more remarkable than that of
November 30th. when the whole community, as with spontaneous
impulse, filled to overflowing the large Church, as never before, and
services were held commemorative of her \'irtues. The lapse of
three years and the distance of six thousand miles seemed only to
emphasize the hold which she had upon their affections.
"In a part of that same building she had for three years taught
the young ladies and girls who were committed to her care. On
that same platform she had presided again and again, with grace
and dignity, while large audiences were delighted with a musical
entertainment or ^\^th Scriptural and other recitations. For the intel-
lectual, moral, and religious training of her pupils she toiled and wept
and prayed. For some, those recorded prayers are as yet unanswered.
Had the school been more remunerative, or had it received some little
outside aid, her subsequent career might have been different.
194 THE PATH SHE TROD.
"Whon overtures were made from the ladies of the Home Mis-
sionary Board to jjo as a teaeher to the remote West, these were
resjxM'tfully decHiied. Her heart was more and more in the foreijjn
work. Only a year after Mrs. Nassau's departure to Africa, our
minister, Rev. A. V. liryan, of Barnegat, went as a Missionary to
Japan, takinjr as his wife the daughter of the Home Missionary pas-
tor of Lakewood. Surely there is an intimate connection between
the Home and Foreign Missionary work.
"You know not how often the Secretary of your Society spent
the hours of midnight and early morn in writing to ministers and
ladies to stimulate them to the work. The same zealous spirit which
thus stimulated others prompted her to say, 'Here am I; send me.'
It was during one of the wildest northeasterly storms that, true to
her appointment, she presented herself to the Secretaries of the For-
eign Board in New York. They admired her personal appearance,
but much more tlie courage which braved a journey of nearly one
hundred and seventy miles in that storm. It was the same cour-
ageous spirit which subsequently carried her through the discomforts
of an African trading steamer; encountered the hippopotamus of the
Ogowe river; ran the gauntlet of hostile tribes in an open boat, and,
worst of all. endured that indescribable sense of loneliness which
came over her when deprived of all the enjoyments of civilized and
social life save the companionship of her own husband.
"Having been approved by the Secretaries, her field of labor was
yet to be determined. The claims of Persia were presented by ladies
of Philadelphia, and the claims of Africa were urged by Dr. Nassau.
It was after a night of prayer, and not without a struggle, that she
decided in favor of the latter. If now any one has a claim upon
your sympathy and your prayers, it is the bereaved husband, as we
see him, with no earthly white face to comfort him, alone, giving
directions for the coffin and the grave; and while the natives in awe
and solemn silence sit around, he — over the coffin of his beloved
wife — struggles to tell them of a Christian's hope beyond the grave.
Ye do well to weep with him who weeps.
"In seasons of disappointment or of sorrow we are wont to think
that if we had foreseen the result of our ovn\ action, we would hav?
done differently, and we wish that it had been otherwise. Thus
Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, both thought and said,
'Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died.' So we
sometimes, in our ignorance of God's plan and purpose, wish that
something had been different. But God's will is done, or the result
would have been otherwise. It was the prayer of our departed
sister that, whether she lived or died, God might be glorified. And,
AFTERWARDS. 195
as it was in the case of Lazarus, we believe that we shall glorify God
even more by her death than by her life.
"To human apprehension the sacrifice may seem too costly.
When another Mary brake the box of precious ointment and poured
it upon the Master's feet there were some — and Judas was among
them — who said, 'To what purpose is this waste?' That this cul-
tured and accomplished woman should lay down her life for those
wild savages because she loved their souls was indeed a costly sacri-
fice. But it is nothing, literally nothing, in comparison with the
sacrifice which the Son of God made for us miserable sinners, be-
cause He loved us and gave Himself for us. And yet how many are
unmoved bj'" such exhibitions of love!
"Ethiopia stretches forth her hands unto God. Ru'ers of the
nations join together to open a highway into the interior of Africa,
and when, either by the Kongo or by the Ogowe, that vast territory
shall have been opened to commerce, to civilization, and to Christi-
anity, then upon the roll of Missionary Heroines shall be inscribed
with honor the name of Mary Brunette Nassau, and what she hath
done for our common Saviour shall be spoken of for a memorial
of her, and He who defended that other Mary shall vindicate this
one also."
Address of Rev. Dr. E. B. Hodge.
"The object, I take it, of a Memorial Service is: —
"/. To pay tribute of respect to the departed, and give expression to
the natural feelings of the heart in experiencing a painful loss.
"It is a comely sentiment which prompts us to lay a flower on
the grave of a friend, or that gathers the people of God together for
such a tribute of respect as we pay to-day. In a case like the pres-
ent, the grief which demands expression is not that of an individual,
nor of a family. The church is in affliction, and asks the privilege
as a body, to weep over her beloved dead. And so we come together
to-daj^ in the House of God to bow our heads and to weep. We-
weep with one another in tender sympathy, and we weep in
sympathy even more tender with him who is most sorely afflicted
of all.
"We recall the fact that another Missionary to Africa, the famous
Dr. Livingstone, had also a wife, Mary, who died, like our friend, in
the heart of the dark continent. She is pictured to us as lying on a
rude bed, formed of boxes and covered with a soft mattress. Her
husband, like Dr. Nassau, was a physician, but the strongest med-
ical remedies and the voice of love were as unavailing in one case as
19(1 THE PATH SHE TROD.
in tlio other. On a Sabbath evening he sat by her side and then,
kneehn*;. coninieruled her spirit to God. He buried her under a great
Baobab tree, and then wrote to his daughter in this tender strain:
'"I pity you on receiving this; but it is the Lord. Dear Agnes,
I feel alone in the world now; and what will the poor, dear baby do
without her mamma?'
"How applicable the words seem to the case of our friend! 'I
sometimes burst into a flood of tears in taking up and arranging
things left by my beloved partner; but I bow to the divine hand that
chastens me.' He signs himself 'your sorrowing and lonely father.'
"If symj>athy be divine and helpful and comforting, let us extend
it to him who has been thus sadly bereaved in the midst of his work
for Christ. Our meeting to-day is not a bare formality. The ladder
is set up here, also, that Jacob saw at Bethel. Angels are ascending.
The sympathetic thrill that moves our hearts is mysteriously car-
ried upward. Over the wide sea in the far land, where he labors on
alone, there is similar communication with heaven. There angels
are descending, bearing refreshment to the worn spirit from an
unsuspected source. We are not so far away as we seem from the
the friends we love. There are means of communication with distant
scenes not subject to investigation by scientific analysis. It is no
vain service we hold tonlay. Our sympathy outpoured not only
goes up to heaven for the approval of God, but comes down from
heaven upon the head of the bereaved Missionary like a refreshing
rain upon the mown grass.
"//. .1 second ohjeet in such a Memorial Service as this is to study
the lessons of God's Providence, and endeavor to profit by them.
"One of the most important is learned when our minds are dis-
abused of the notion that a life is wasted when early ended in a
hazardous enterprise, or that its usefulness is to be estimated by the
amount and fruitfulness of its active exertions. It is no new experi-
ence to find that the result of dying for Christ may vastly exceed all
ever accomplished by living for Him. God knows the efficacy of an
offered life: and He who once said to Abraham, 'Take now thy son,
thine oj\ly son. whom thou lovest, and offer him up for a burnt offer-
ing.' spared not His own Son, but gave Him up for us all.
"There is an appointed work for each of the servants of Christ to
accomplish, but it may often he, as in the case of Jesus himself, that
the centre is found, and the sum of all is accomplished, in dying.
'From the worn-out figure,' says Dr' Blaikie. referring to the death
of David Livingstone, kneeling at the bedside in the hut in Uala,
AFTERWARDS. 197
'an electric sjiark seemed to fly, quickeiiiiin hearts on every side.
The statesman felt it. It put new vigor into the dispatches he
wrote with regard to the slave trade. The merchant felt it, and
began to plan in earnest how to traverse the continent with roads
and railways. The explorer felt it, and the Missionary. No parlia-
ment of ]>hilanthropy was held; hut the verdict wa.s as unanimous
and as hearty as if the Christian world had met and passed the reso-
lution, ''Livingstone's work shall not did Africa shall live.'"'
".Just so, dear friends, we may truly .say that a thrill has gone
tlirough the hearts of American Christians wherever the news of
the death of our saintly Missionary has come with its touching
circumstances.
"It was on the ninth dny of April. 1S72, that a woman's meeting
was held in the parlors of Mr. Samuel Taylor's house, in Burlington.
Then and there was organized the Woman's Presbyterial Foreign
Missionary Society of the Presbytery of Monmouth, which has been
permitted to continue for thirteen years its useful career. The heart
of Mary Foster was early drawn to this work. She little knew that
her future husband came to Burlington that day, and that she was
j)ersonally to consecrate herself for the redemption of the dark land
in behalf of which Dr. Nassau j)resented his earnest plea at the Mis-
sionary meeting held in the evening in the church. Yet so it was.
Mary Nassau is now in heaven; but her voyage across the sea. her
journey up the Ogowe river, and her peaceful rest in an African
grave are all important steps in the great movement which is to end
in the subjection of the Dark Continent to the sway of Jesus Christ.
"///. .4 thirrl object of such a Memorial Service is to catch, if pos-
sible, the enthu!fiasm of the departed by a review of her experience.
"It has fallen to others to speak of that experience. Let me
simply say that it would be strange, indeed, if the flame of such a life
.should not set on fire the hearts of those who listen to the recital.
"At the Greek Festival of Easter, in the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre at .Jerusalem, it is believed by the pilgrims that God Him-
self comes down upon the tomb of Jesus, covered by the Chapel,
and manifests His presence by a burning flame. Slowly, gradually,
from hand to hand, from taper to taper in the hands of the pilgrims,
the fire spreads, and from the gate of the Church a mounted horse-
man gallops off with a lighted taper to carry the sacred fire to the
lamps of the Greek Church, in the Convent at Bethlehem. May we
not say, beloved, that God has indeed descended upon this new-
made grave in the heart of Africa; descended in a flame of fire;
19S THK PATH PHE TKOD.
(It'scciulrd to ;\ckii<)\vl(Ml<:o the accpptancc of this life offered up, as
the fire r()iisume(| the saerifice of old on Carniel; deseetuled that a
fire inijiht he hfjhted. a fire of zeal and faith atid love, to spread from
hand to hand, and from heart to heart, until a great multitude are
all aflame with d(>M)tion to the sacred cause for which she died?
"/r. Let nic tncntion hut one other ohjccf oj our MctuorinI Service.
It is t/int trc tuin/ plan measures for the repairing of a seeming loss.
"The (|uestion of the hour is this: What shall we do? The most
obvious thitui is to praij. And that is the first thinjr. ('od is to be
c(Misulted. The work is His, In all time of disaster and alarm we
rej>air to him. and we find Him unmoved. He is not disconcerted.
And from Him we also learn \^^ be confident. We rise from our
knees almost to forpet our prief in the assurance that every such
sorrow as we have just experienced really marks an onward step in
the jrreat work to which her precious life was devoted.
"And. after j)rayer. personal consecration. One of the things im-
plied in this gatherinj: of ours to-day is. that we who have come to
it desire to be recoirnized as her fellow-laborers, the exj^ectant sharers
in her \o'\\ and sulT(>rinfrs and destiny. It was no more her work than
our work. We are the men and the women who sent her there.
These hands furnished her for the expedition into Africa. These lii)S
bade her (lod-speed. These knees were bent for her in prayer.
These hearts waited for tidings from across the sea. These energies
were pledged for her supi>ort. We held the rope while she went
down into the deej). dark pit to rescue the perishing. We are in
every scjise conunitted to the cause which she represented. We are
imder the same orders that she was: aiid stand harnessed, like good
soldiers of the Cross, as ready, we trust, as she. to move at the word
of Christ's eommand,
"Do I speak too confidently? I trust not. Where is the disloyal
heart among all these eager listeners? When once we have found a
Master worthy of our confidence and our love, what delight there is
in a complete self-surrender to His blessed will.
'"Send me. "Lord, where thou wilt send me:
Only do thou guide my way.
Let thy grace through life attend me,
Gladly then will I obey.
Let me do thy will or bear it,
I would know no will but thine:
Shouldst thou take my life or spare it,
I that life to thee resign.'
AFTERWARDS. 199
"Tho removal of one laborer from the field in Africa may be the
means of the re-conserration of a thousand hearts in America.
Prnifcr and Consecration, these, beloved, will abundantly repair the
seemiiifr loss. And meanwhile, does f>hc think of loss? I trow not.
All for her is pnin.
"I cojifoss the tale is pitiful, as we hear it told, of that death in
the far laiul. It comes nearly to a correspondence with the picture
of a Missionary's death, as I learned to recite it many years ago,
and heard it suiifr:
'"And when at lenfrth I come to lay me down,
III unattended ajrojiy, beneath the cocoa's shade,
It will be sweet to think that I have toiled
For other worlds than this.
And O. if any. for whom Satan has struggled as he has for me.
Should ever reach that blissful shore.
Through all the circles of eternal years.
My blissful spirit shall never regret
That toil and suffering once were mine below.'
"We cannot imagine her regretting it. She is learning already
the special privileges, the peculiar honors, the high awards bestowed
upon those who have devoted themselves to difficult tasks and peril-
ous undertakings. Her task was done sooner than she imagined.
She was sent as a pioneer into the wilderness. The tramp of an
armed host will presently follow in her footsteps to claim the land
hallowed by her labors for the Kingdom of Christ.
"But. Mary Nassau, thy task is ended!
"'O, spirit freed from earth.
Rejoice, thy work ii^done;
The weary world's beneath thy feet,
Thou brighter than the sun.
"'Arise, put on the robes
That the redeemed win;
Xow sorrow hath no part in thee,
Thou sanctified within.
"'Awake, and breathe the air
Of the celestial clime!
Awake to love which knows no change,
Thou who hast done with time!
200 THE PATH SHE TROD.
'"Ascend! thou art not now
With those of mortal birth;
The Hvin«; God hath touched thy Hps,
Thou who hast done with earth.'"
Mrs. Parker's address was inserted also in the Freehold Monmouth
Democrat of .Vpril 23d. ISSo.
The Ann-ial Report of the Monmouth Presbytery W. F. M. S.
njrain turned its thoufiht to Mrs. Nassau's memory at Matawan, N. J.,
April VMh. 1SS(;.
And ajrain at '.he meetinji of the same society at Allentown, X. J.,
Ai)ril 12th. 1SS7.
And yet ajjain at the society's meeting in Jamesburg, X. J., April
lOth. ISSS.
In ISSO a tangible monument to Mrs. X'assau's memory was
given by (Uir Foreign Board in the form of a sailing vessel bearing her
name. Th(> Rev. (J. ('. Campbell thus wrote of it from his Baraka
Station at Libreville: "I returned a few hours ago from a trip of ten
days north in the new cutter 'Mary Xassau.' She proves an ex-
cellent sailer, makes nearly as good time against wind and current as
when going with them, which is very different from the 'Hudson.'"
In ISOl I wrote, at the retjuest of Mrs. H. H. Fry. an account of
this vessel. The stations of our Mission in Equatorial West Africa
are scattered along a coast line of 300 miles, (^ne degree south of
the Eipiator is the Ogowe River, up which are Kangwe and Talaguga
Stations. A few miles north of the E(iuator is the Gaboon estuary,
on which are Baraka and Angom. Still farther north of the Equator,
on a range of 200 miles, are Corisco, Benita. and Batanga.
Long ago we missionaries traveled to all these places, generally
in open sail-boats, occasionally receiving aid from small trading
vessels. It was in one of these small sail-boats that Mrs. Mary Latta
Xassau died in Sejitember, 1870. To save such a sorrow occurring
again, the Mission was given, in 1871, a beautiful yacht, the "Elfe."
That was the name its German owner had given it in Hamburg. It
was sloop-rigged, graceful, and very swift. But it lived only two
years: it was wrecked on Corisco reef. It was replaced in 1874 by
the "Hudson," built in Liverpool. It was smaller than the "Elfe,"
clumsy, and painfully slow. It was not built of good materials,
always needing repairing, became unsafe, and finally, about ten years
later, was sold. We asked the Board for something better, which
would be of use also in the (then) new Ogowe field. But it was difficult
to" decide what to get. Some of us wanted a steamer, some a steam
launch, some a sailing vessel. To go to Batanga, a steam launch
AFTERWARDS. 201
would be too small and unsafe. To go up the 200 miles of the 0«;oue,
any sailing vessel was useless, as only steamers can stem its current
or safely feel the way among Ogowe sand banks. Another sailing
vessel was decided on in ISS.j, and the children of the church were
asked to provide it. Dr. Ellin wood requested the Woman's Foreign
Missionary Societies to make it a memorial of Mrs. Mary Foster
Nassau. It is indeed a monument to her memory. But it is useful
only in those parts of the [Mission where she never traveled, and is
of no use to the Ogowe, the only part of the Mission where she
did live. There was some confusion and misunderstanding among
those who gave for the vessel. I noticed the record of gifts as
they were receipted monthly. Some gave for "the boat," "for the
.schooner," "for the steamer," "for Dr. Nassau's boat," "for the
Ogowe boat." But there the "Mary Nassau" is to-day, a graceful,
useful, and comfortably rapid little vessel. Though I have seen it
so often, lying at anchor at Libreville, I have never sailed on it.
When we of the Ogowe went annually by river steamer down to
(iaboon for Presbytery meeting. I have twice taken off my little
Mary in a boat to the "Nassau's " side, to show to her her mother's
pretty "little ship" and to point out the name in big letters on the
flag at the masthead. But I did not happen to be given any duty
that led me on its journeys.
I do not remember its cost nor its exact dimensions. It is some-
thing over forty feet long and about ten feet in widest breadth.
Having only one mast, it is a "sloop;" has a very large main-sail, a
top-sail, and two jibs, with two other smaller sails used when needed.
It has a good deck, but its low rails are not very safe for passengers
in a storm. It has a small, comfortable cabin, with four berths, and
conveniences of a pantry for provisions. The cooking is done at the
stove on deck. There is a large hold for carrj'ing missionary pro-
visions and supplies, and a very small forecastle in the bow for the
crew of five. The "Mary Nassau" lies at anchor in the very safe
harbor of Gaboon, one of the best three harbors on the entire west
coast* of Africa. The captain lives in one of the iiouses of Baraka
Station. When the vessel is not needed for a journey, he works
ashore as missionary carpenter and blacksmith, and is sent to our
several stations whenever a new house is to be built. For several
months this year the vessel lay at Batanga, while he was helping
Rev. Mr. Godduhn build his house. Full half of each month the
"Mary Nassau" is afloat. She goes sixty miles up the Gaboon estu-
ary, by tide and wind (aided, sometimes, in a calm, by four verj'
long, strong oars), to a trading post, Nengenenge, carrying mail and
goods to Rev. Mr. Marling. There the current from the Nkam4
202 THE PATH SHE TROD.
River boromos too strong, and the goods are loaded into her boat and
the crew row up the ten miles farther to Mr. Marhng's Station,
Angoni. (^r often the vessel goes only some twenty miles up that
estuary to cut bamboo j>alm fronds for roofing, or mangrove posts or
beams for house building and repairing at Baraka. There, too, are
flats up the estuary, on which she can safely be beached and careened
for cleaning away barnacles and sea-weed, between two tides.
Other trips send the "Mary Nassau" northward on a round to
carry boxes of food or bales of goods for white missionaries or quar-
terly payments of wages to native evangelists amd ministers; e.g.,
to native brother, Rev. ^Ir. Ibia, forty miles north from Libreville,
at Alongo. on Corisco Island, Then fifty miles farther, to Mrs. DeHeer
and Mrs. Rentlinger, at Bolondo house, Benita. In the Benita River,
also, is .-i good sand bank, on which to clean the vessel's bottom or
repair its coi)i>er sheathing. Then twenty miles farther north, to
native brother. Rev. Mr. Etiyani, at Bata. Then sixty miles farther
to Batanga. for Rev. Mr. Godduhn and native licentiate, Itongolo.
Before Mr. (lodduhn came to Batanga, the "Mary Nassau" had to
take Rev. Mr. (Jault from Baraka on a month's tour, for semi-annual
Communion Services at Benita. Bata, Evune and Batanga. The
trij) to the north is always rajiidly made; any wind (except from the
north) will carry the vessel there. But coming back south, only the
east wind (which blows usually only at night) is the really helpful one.
But by tacking, the "Mary Nassau" makes good progress against
the southwest sea breeze. The north wind drives her furiously on her
way. But that is a tornado wind, dangerous, by its sudden force;
an anxious eye needs to be kept on the sails, to take them down in
time.
In January, ISOO, our French Protestant visitors, Rev. Messrs.
AUegret and Teisseres, in the "Mary Nassau," made an inspection
of our northern field. The captain was in the United States on fur-
lough. They had a native in his place. A fearful storm came on;
the native was slow to get the sails down; the vessel lay dangerously
over on its side; the terrific thunder and lightning of this country
frightened even the natives. And when the St. Elmo lights blazed
on the mast and played along the ropes, the crew refused to work,
in their superstition thinking all was lost. But the white -gentlemen
got the vessel righted and nothing was lost or broken.
In returning south, the "Mary Nassau" often brings a load of
native passengers, native evangelists and their families coming for
a sjiecial shopping expedition at the Libre^^lle "metropolitan"
stores, or to ask counsel about some church trouble, or to bring some
sick to the French doctor, or to the annual meeting of Presbytery,
AFTERWARDS. 203
Also, at the northern ports ran be obtained more cheaply than in the
Gaboon district, fowls, p;oats, sheep, and native vegetables, a load
of which the "Mary Nassau" sometimes brin*]^? to the Baraka families.
Thatch, for constant roof repairinji, can be obtained cheaper and of
better make at Benita. The hold of the vessel is often full of it on
its returns from the north. Our "Mary Nassau" is the only one of
the many vessels, large and small, ffoinp: in and out of the Gaboon
estuary, which has not rum on it; where the voice of morning and
evening; prayer and song is heard, where God's name is not blasphemed,
and where the Sabbath is kept. The crew are frequently changing.
Sometimes there are native Christians among them. But even if they
ha|)pon to be all heathen, the mission-captain has the daily prayer,
and the name of God is required to be held in reverence.
The missionaries in the Ogowe never see the "Mary Nassau,"
except when, coming once a year by boat or chance river steamer
to the Presbytery and Mission annual meetings at Baraka, they see
it at anchor in the Gaboon harbor. But they rejoice in the valuable
aid the good little vessel gives to other parts of the Mission. And
the noble woman whose name it bears, from the Ogowe grave on the
rocky mountain-side of Talaguga, could she know, would be glad,
in the unselfish spirit that distinguished her life, that even her name
was still helping in j)laces which it had not been her privilege to see,
or where, in her short three years oi misJ;ionary work, she had not
labored.
At this date, 1009, the "Mary Nassau" no longer exists. After
some fifteen years of usefulness it was sold. Conditions had changed;
the captain could no longer obtain a native crew to serve under him;
his services as a carpenter were constantly called for ashore at the
Station repairs; the center of Mission importance had been trans-
ferred from Gaboon to Batanga, where there was no safe permanent
anchorage; Baraka Station was blessed with its own "Dorothy,"
a gasoline launch, for Gaboon river use; the ocean steamers having
increased in number and in frequency of stoppages, the missionaries
of other stations ceased to travel on the ">Iary Nassau;" no longer
beiflg used, the vessel's continued repairs were an unnecessary expense.
The framed house at Talaguga was finally completed, and in 1885
the six months' old baby Mary began to occupy her mother's house,
which the mother had never entered.
In due time came the white marbles for the grave. On one side
of one of the blocks was chiseled only the name "Mart Brunette
204 THE PATH SHE TROD.
(Foster) Nassau;" and on the ends only the dates of birth and
d<>ath. There her "Httle {jirl " often played, and in those deeply
graven letters her fingers made their first attempt at the alphabet.
When, in 1802, our Mission transferred its French-Ogowe workers
to (ierman-lVatanga, handing over the former field to our Protestant
brothers of the Hociete I^vangelique de Paris, these brethren did not
ignore our past, but with rare courtesy constantly acknowledge
my foundation on which they are building, building diligently and
successfully. The Talaguga that seemed so barren in 1SS4 has fruited
abundantly.
Later, that French Mission saw reason to transfer their Talaguga
Station to Njoli Island, but considerately retaining the "Talaguga"
name. All l>uildings have been removed. Nothing now remains
of old Talaguga but the first trees I planted and the grave I made.
The rampant tropic vegetation^ when I last visited the place in Jan-
uary. 1900, had obliterated the walks and even the sites of former
builditigs. But with loving fraternity, our friends of new Talaguga
have carefully kept away any encroaching vegetation from the grave,
its iron fence, and the path to it from the river side.
Yet even missionary graves have sometimes been forgotten. I
should not exact of the French Talaguga Station that care for the lone
grave in that African forest should forever be a tax on their often
burdened time atid thought. At the suggestion* of one of their own
ruimber, more than two years ago, I have asked that the grave be
removed to their own permanent cemetery on Njoli Island. But for
the slow processes of law, permission having first to be obtained of
the French Government, the removal would already have been ac-
complished.
On February 24th, 1910, I am informed, by letter from the Rev.
E. Bioti of the Ogowe French Protestant Mission, that on December
20th'; 1900, all legal requirements having been fulfilled, the remains
of Mrs. Nassau were removed to the Mission's permanent Cemetery
on Njoli Island, two miles up river from old Talaguga. They were
reverently re-interred, in the presence of Government officials, mis-
sionaries, natives, Christian and heathen, and school children, with
reading of Scripture from the Revelation in the Galwa language, a
short address in French and Fang, and a prayer by Rev. Mr. Gallay.
Mr. Bion adds: "All that was very simple, according to your wish.
We perceived the presence of God."
^ R. H. NASSAU.
Just as I lay down my pen, there come to me the lines of
George Macdonald as an appropriate counter-piece to the title
I had already chosen.
"I said, 'Let me walk in the fieldB.'
He said, 'No; walk in town.'
I said, 'There are no flowers there.'
He said, 'No flowers, but a crown.'
"I said, 'But the skies are black;
There is nothing but noise and din.'
And He wept as He sent me back;
'There is more,' He said, 'there is sin.'
"I said, 'But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun.'
He answered, 'Yet souls are sick.
And souls in the dark undone.*
"I said, 'I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say.'
He answered, 'Choose to-night
If I am to miss you, or they.'
"I pleaded for time to be given.
He said, 'Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide.'
"Then into His hand went mine,
And into my heart came He.
» And I walk in a light divine
The pa*h that I feared to see."
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