We have a very beautiful little chapel, and it is very well filled each Sabbath by persons from the surrounding villages as well as our own. For the most part, all appear attentive to what is said to them, and when questioned seem to have quite a clear idea. Through the blessing of Divine providence, three of the chiefs have come into my church, and I think that they are hopefully converted. They add very greatly to the interest of the church, because where the chiefs go their subjects will follow. By this means I am enabled to reach a great portion of the heathen element. I have now about thirty-six enrolled upon my church book, twenty-five of whom I have baptized. It is really remarkable to see how readily they take hold of the truths of Jesus. I am also glad to say, that in many of them one can see a marked improvement in their lives. They are a people that delight to engage in palavers or quarrels, and I mark a very great change in many of them in this respect. They seem to desire peace, and when a palaver comes up they frown upon it with seemingly sincere indignation. They are also beginning to see the wrong of polygamy. That of itself is one of the best signs of reform, for polygamy is one of the prevailing sins of this country. Mrs. Jackson has been holding meetings for the women, in which great interest was manifested. So the Lord has been greatly blessing both sexes.
Quite recently I had a pleasant tour in the Bargroo country. I was very agreeably surprised to see everything so favorable. In the first place, the people were as hospitable as one could wish, and far more so than one could have expected in a heathen land. I am persuaded to believe that the tribes further in the interior are much more docile and far more industrious and a finer class of people than those living on the coast. I visited eight of their towns, and, with very few exceptions, their villages were as clean and neat as any I ever saw. Their houses were made of mud and sticks and covered with bamboo, but all seemed to have been done in taste. Some of their villages were laid out in a perfect system. One that especially attracted my attention for its neatness, and the systematic plan on which it was laid out was Do-do. It has a population of about fifteen hundred persons. It is a very beautiful town, situated on a peninsula, with a fine view of a large extent of country. It is densely populated and the houses are built close together. Three tall lines of barricade enclose the entire town, with only three large gates through which persons can enter. I chanced to stop there all night. I found the chief a very hospitable man. He entertained me as best he could, and gave me my supper and a bed to sleep on. Next morning he sent me my breakfast, which consisted of a goat, chicken and some eggs. On going to the door I found three men ready to slay and dress the goat. The interpreter of the chief accompanied these gifts. He said that the king did not know how to cook English fashion, and therefore he would advise that I have it cooked in the English way. This being rather more of a breakfast than I could consume, I only had the chicken and eggs cooked. I had the goat made fast and carried him home to my wife, who I knew would be delighted to have him for a pet.