tibrarp of 'the 'theological ^minarip 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 
 • 3 @ 8 * 
 
 PURCHASED BY THE 
 
 HAMILL MISSIONARY FUND 
 
 BV 3625 . Y6 H56 1877 
 Hinderer, Anna Martin, 
 1870. • **, 
 
 Seventeen years in tne 
 Yoruba country 
 
 1827- 
 


 

 
 
 \ 
 
 . 
 
 
 
SEVENTEEN YEARS 
 
 THE YORUBA COUNTRY. 
 
 MEMORIALS OE ANNA HINDERER, 
 
 WIFE OF THE REV. DAVID HINDERER, C. M. S. MISSIONARY 
 IN WESTERN AFRICA. 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION RY 
 
 RICHARD B. HONE, M.A. 
 
 Archdeacon of Worcester. 
 
 (Edition. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
 £6, Paternoster Row ; 65, St. Paul’s Churchyard ; 
 
 And 164. Piccadilly. 
 
■*> - 
 
 (, V ; ' ; V \< 
 
 i < I" • v ••■If:. 
 
 •* • - 
 
 v \ ' £ ' ' /<> f 
 
 V V ' 
 
 V; /.\'V 
 
 
PEIHCE70I? 
 
 A YOEUBA COMPOUND. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Memorials which occupy the following pages 
 present before the reader a variety of vivid pictures 
 of life in a mission-compound in the interior of Africa, 
 in the first years of its existence ; and place in the 
 midst of the scene a remarkable instance of joyous 
 devotedness to that interesting and important branch 
 of Christ’s service, and a bright example of trust- 
 fulness and constancy under severe and protracted 
 trials. 
 
 With much confidence I anticipate that many 
 readers will acknowledge a debt of gratitude to be 
 
IV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 due to my valued friend, the Rev. David Hinderer, 
 for having consented, though with some reluctance, 
 to the publication of a Memoir of his late beloved 
 and admirable wife, derived chiefly from her own 
 journals, letters, and other papers, nearly all of them 
 intended only for the eye of personal friends, while 
 some were even of a more private nature. 
 
 He was fearful lest by any means the human 
 agency employed in the mission should be unduly 
 magnified ; and, with regard to her whose labours 
 for Christ were so lovingly identified with his own, 
 it was enough for him that her record was on high ; 
 he had no ambition to win for her the praise of 
 man. But when he saw that his Lord and Master 
 might be glorified, and His people edified, and 
 stimulated to greater usefulness, by her example, 
 he no longer withheld his consent, and permitted 
 this earthly record to be prepared, in hope that the 
 blessing of God might rest upon its circulation. 
 
 As soon as he had thus yielded to the wishes and 
 advice of others, he at once desired that the work 
 might be undertaken by the friends who now, to the 
 best of their ability, have prepared this biography 
 for publication. Their love for Mrs. Hinderer had 
 only grown deeper and deeper, since first it was 
 their happiness to know her ; and to them, though 
 more especially to one member of the family who 
 now rejoices with her beloved friend in the presence 
 of their Lord, she had for 3^ears freely opened the 
 thoughts of her heart, in regular correspondence, and 
 by occasional personal intercourse. For these reasons 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 V 
 
 they appeared to possess peculiar qualifications for 
 judging what portions of tho materials to which they 
 had access should be brought before the public, and 
 what were in their nature too private or too sacred 
 to go abroad. 
 
 The sources of information which the editors have 
 used have been : 
 
 1. Their own recollections of personal intercourse, 
 amounting, when all put together, to as much as six 
 or seven months of familiar conversation under the 
 same roof, within the compass of the last thirteen 
 years of her life. 
 
 2. Uninterrupted confiding correspondence, spread 
 over a yet longer space of time. 
 
 3. A Journal, in the form of letters, transmitted 
 regularly to her dearest then survivingfriendon earth, 
 the late Rev. F. Cunningham, vicar of Lowestoft, and 
 under his direction carefully transcribed into a book, 
 the use of which has been granted, for the present 
 Memorials, by the kindness of a member of his family. 
 
 4. Correspondence with other friends, willingly 
 placed at the disposal of the editors. 
 
 5. A Journal kept, for about five years of her life 
 in Africa, with considerable regularity, and after- 
 wards continued by occasional entries till the begin- 
 ning of 1862, when it abruptly ended without any 
 written explanation. 
 
 6. A few papers and letters which have appeared 
 in periodical publications. 
 
 The subject of these Memorials was no ordinary 
 person. I should wonder if any one who had spent 
 
VI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 only half an hour in her company would not have 
 welcomed every subsequent opportunity of meeting 
 her again. There was a charm in her vivacity and 
 affability — in the ease with which she could draw 
 graphic pictures of the scenes in which she had 
 lived, sometimes touching and pathetic, sometimes 
 singularly grotesque and ludicrous — in the readiness 
 with which she had caught and could exhibit the 
 salient points of her story — in the tone of kindness 
 as well as truthfulness with which she noticed alike 
 the faults and the virtues of the native character 
 (which she always upheld, as having much in it to 
 be admired and commended) — in the candour with 
 which she took care to tell the tale of mission work 
 without false or exaggerated colouring — in the vein 
 of good-natured humour which ran through the his- 
 tories of the adventures of her husband and herself 
 — and withal in the entire forgetfulness of self, and 
 the absence of all shadow of conceit, when she had 
 been entertaining, instructing, and delighting a circle 
 of listeners, rich or poor, it might be for hours to- 
 gether. Above, all, there was her abiding love for 
 Christ her Saviour, in Whom she trusted with a faith 
 which never failed, nor even wavered, in the dark 
 and tedious hours of trial, and which kept her mind 
 in peace, relying on His unchanging love for her, as 
 one of His dear children. For His sake, and in His 
 service, she had left comfort, security, and an emi- 
 nently useful and happy sphere of duty at home, for 
 peril, fatigue, privation, and special risk of death, in 
 a climate noted for its destructiveness of the health 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 VII 
 
 and life of Europeans. Nor was it only the case that 
 she braved the thought of those trials, while as yet 
 they were only known to her through the testimony 
 of others; but, when fully initiated into them by 
 painful personal experience, and borne down by their 
 oppressive weight, she was firm, courageous, and 
 persevering. She never thought of leaving those 
 scenes, even for a season, without reluctance and 
 sorrow ; nor actually quitted them, under a sense of 
 duty, for the recovery of her health, without longing 
 for the speedy arrival of the day of her return. 
 Friends were loving and loved, home had its sweet 
 attractions and congenial delights, but she yearned to 
 be again at her post in Ibadan, to serve the Lord Christ. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer necessarily fills nearly the whole 
 space in the following Memorials ; but an observant 
 eye will perceive that she was always engaged in 
 her own proper sphere. 
 
 Her husband was the Lord’s chief instrument for 
 gathering disciples, organizing the Church, and 
 exercising discipline for its government. Besides 
 ministering in the congregation, he preached in the 
 open places in the town, planted and watched over 
 new branches of the Church, instructed the con- 
 verts privately, diffused a knowledge of the Gospel 
 amongst the teachers, quickened their zeal, and 
 cultivated amongst them firmness and consistency 
 of character, introduced to the inhabitants the art 
 of reading and writing their native language, and 
 moreover conducted exploratory visits to towns more 
 or less remote. 
 
Vlll 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 On the other hand, her work, as will be seen, was 
 chiefly within their own compound, amongst its few 
 men and women, and frequent visitors, and still more 
 amongst the happy children whom she was winning 
 by her kindness and love, civilizing, training, and 
 teaching, and for whom perhaps she was even doing 
 still more by the silent influence of her Christian 
 character. 
 
 These Memorials must now be left to tell the story 
 of her instructive life, and as far as possible in her 
 own words. They exhibit an example of thorough 
 devotedness to the Lord’s work which may confi- 
 dently be recommended to the imitation of all who 
 are called to labour in His vineyard, whether at 
 home or abroad ; while, as an illustration of the 
 faithfulness with which God comforts and refreshes 
 His servants, in their helplessness under overwhelm- 
 ing afflictions, it may give needful encouragement to 
 many whose path of duty constrains them to travel, 
 as she did, over rough and dangerous places. 
 
 May the blessings of the great Head of the Church, 
 our gracious Lord and Master, accompany these pages 
 wherever they may go. 
 
 BICHARD B. HONE. 
 
 Halesowen Rectory: 
 
 Feb. 17, 1872. 
 
CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 i. Early Years . . . . . . .1 
 
 ii. Voyage to West Africa— Sojourn in Abeo- 
 
 kuta 19 
 
 Journey of the Rev. D. Hinderer to Ibadan. 
 
 hi. The Gospel in Ibadan 51 
 
 iy. Progress of the Work 98 
 
 Church and Mission House at Ibadan. 
 
 Slave Caravan on the March. 
 
 The Church at Ibadan. 
 
 Gateway of an African Town. 
 
 v. Visit to England— Return to Ibadan , . 157 
 
 Journey from Lagos. 
 
 vi. Trials in War-time . . . . 209 
 
 Human Sacrifice in Yoruba. 
 
 Yoruba Mother and Child. 
 
 Preaching in a Yoruba Village. 
 
 vii. Second Visit to England— Last Years in 
 
 Ibadan 277 
 
 Rustic Bridge in the Ijebu Country. 
 viii. Return to England— Close of Life. . . 329 
 
An attempt to represent the pronunciation of a few of the 
 proper names, most of them of frequent occurrence in the 
 following pages, is here subjoined : 
 
 Ibadan 
 
 Iya 
 
 Bale 
 
 Iyalode 
 
 Akielle 
 
 Ogunyomi 
 
 Konigbagbe 
 
 = Ebadda. 
 
 = Eeya. 
 
 = Balia. 
 
 = Eeyaloday. 
 = Ahkielle. 
 
 = Ogooyomee. 
 = Konibagbe. 
 
Stanfords Geog.Estab* London, . 
 

 
 
MEMORIALS OF ANNA HINDERER. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 “ There is no little child too small 
 To work for God ; 
 
 There is a mission for us all 
 From Christ the Lord. 
 
 Father, oh give us grace to see 
 A place for us, 
 
 Where in Thy vineyard, we for Thee 
 May labour thus.’’ 
 
 Anna Martin was born at Hempnall, in Norfolk, 
 
 / on the 19th of March, 1827. She retained through 
 life a faint but sunny remembrance of her infancy, 
 which was spent in a peaceful village home. But a 
 shadow as early cast over her childhood by the 
 death of the gentle mother who was the centre of 
 its brightness, and who had left such an impression 
 upon the heart of her little child, that thirty-six 
 years later she wrote of the prospect of meeting 
 her mother again as one of her most cherished 
 
 
 i 
 
 
EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1827 — 39 . 
 
 »> 
 
 anticipations of heaven. There is a touching sim- 
 plicity in the words in which she gathered together 
 the floating memories of her mother’s last days, in 
 a letter written in October, 1868. 
 
 . “ I lost my dear mother when I was just five years 
 
 old. I have just the remembrance of a form in bed, 
 as white as a lily, with rather large bright blue eyes ; 
 and I know she taught me to sew ; and when I was 
 not by her bed-side, I used to sit on a low broad 
 window-seat, and when I had done ten stitches, I 
 was rewarded with a strawberry; and I used to 
 say little tiny texts to her in the morning. I was 
 only allowed to be in her room twice a day. But 
 though I knew so little of her on earth, if God who 
 is rich in mercy will have mercy on me, and admit 
 me to His blest abode, I shall see her again, for she 
 rejoiced in her God and Saviour, and I have been 
 told that her last breath was spent in singing a few 
 lines of a favourite hymn — 
 
 ‘ I want, oh, I want to be there, 
 
 Where sorrow and sin bid adieu !’ ” 
 
 Many circumstances combined to give a sad colour- 
 ing to the years which immediately succeeded her 
 mother’s death ; and there was a yearning restless- 
 ness in the child’s heart, which accorded with the 
 troubled course of her outer life. In her own words, 
 she was “ pining after something beyond this world, 
 but could not yet grasp it.” A happier period dawned 
 
1839 — 52 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 3 
 
 upon her in 1839, when her father, who was affec- 
 tionately attached to her, thought it good to accept 
 the kind proposal of her grandfather and aunt, that 
 she should reside with them for a time at Lowestoft, 
 for the benefit of her health. In this arrangement 
 she afterwards gratefully acknowledged the “Provi- 
 dential leading guiding hand stretched out” for her 
 future good. Her removal to, Lowestoft formed the 
 first link in a chain of circumstances which ended 
 in her finding a home at the Vicarage, with the Rev. 
 Francis and Mrs. Cunningham, whose affectionate 
 care of her exercised a most blessed influence in the 
 formation of her character, and on the whole tenor 
 of her subsequent life. 
 
 As a child, and while living with her grandfather, 
 she looked up to them with feelings of deep respect, 
 and when brought into closer contact with them, 
 and to a fuller experience of their kindness, she was 
 ready to respond to it with the devotion of an ardent 
 nature. As years passed on, they were more and 
 more endeared to each other, by the confiding inter- 
 course of daily life. 
 
 In a survey of her early life, written when she was 
 on the eve of removing to other scenes, she noticed 
 with pleasure that she had accompanied her grand- 
 father to the old parish church, and there learned 
 •to take delight in its services. The freshness of in- 
 
 1—2 
 
4 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [1S39 — 52. 
 
 terest with which in those youthful days she enjoyed 
 the various parts of the liturgy, ripened into a hearty 
 and lasting affection, and in later years it was a com- 
 fort to her to realize in a foreign land that she was 
 still participating in the worship of God with friends 
 far away, not in spirit only, but in the self-same 
 language of prayer and praise. 
 
 Some additional details of this part of her life, 
 with a further account of her youthful convictions 
 and feelings, may be given in her own words : — 
 
 "I loved Sunday above every day. I loved 
 church, and was soon permitted to enter into the 
 beauty and solemnity of the services. I felt I was 
 in a holy place, and that holy words were being 
 used. The whole service was frequently read through 
 by me in the week, and I found fresh beauties in it, 
 which I could comprehend. I felt there was some- 
 thing magnificent in it, and my mind would feed 
 upon it, and soar away in imagination from many of 
 its passages. The ‘ Te Deum’ carried me to heaven. 
 I longed to be a martyr, to be one of that ‘ noblo 
 army/ ‘Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep me this day 
 without sin/ became a daily prayer ; yet I did not 
 entirely call upon Him who only can take away sin, 
 the precious and only Saviour. ‘Almighty God, 
 unto whom all hearts be open .... from whom no 
 secrets are hid/ made me afraid of sin, and when 
 
1S39 — 52.] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 5 
 
 inclined to do wrong, and be naughty, that passage 
 would come into my mind, so that I feared ; but it 
 was not the fear of grieving my God and Saviour. 
 However, I was graciously and gradually led on 
 step by step. I cannot tell of times and seasons, 
 but I became more and more happy. I longed to 
 do something. I had a strong desire to become a 
 missionary, to give myself up to some holy work, 
 and I had a firm belief that such a calling would be 
 mine. I think this was from a wish to be a martyr; 
 but I wanted to do something then. Dear Mr. and 
 Mrs. Cunningham knew little of me then ; they 
 looked kindly at me often, as they did at every one, 
 and he used often to ask me my name. I often 
 thought if I might have a few little children in the 
 Sunday school to teach, it would be an immense 
 pleasure. I was afraid to ask it, but having 
 obtained my aunt’s consent, when I was between 
 twelve and thirteen, I ventured one Saturday, after 
 passing dear Mrs. Cunningham three times, to make 
 my request, fearing all the time that she would say 
 I was too young, and too small ; but what was my 
 joy when she smiled so kindly upon me (I shall 
 never forget that smile, I have the most vivid re- 
 membrance of it), and told me to go to the school 
 at eight o’clock the next morning, and she would 
 give me a class. I was up early enough ; a heavy 
 snow was upon the ground ; but that was nothing. 
 
6 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [1S39— 52. 
 
 I went, and six little ones were committed to my 
 care ; and thus commenced that intensely interesting 
 work, to which, I may say, I more and more en- 
 tirely devoted myself to the last Sunday of my 
 time in that place. Oh, what a blessing has that 
 been to me ! how it filled my heart ! how I loved 
 the children, and gained their love ! 
 
 “As I said before, I was seeking for something 
 solid; I felt the want of something to make me 
 happy, something that this world could not give ; 
 and I think, while talking to these little ones of 
 Jesus, it entered my mind, ‘ Had I gone to Him my- 
 self V I went on seeking and desiring, and often 
 said and felt, * Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal 
 it; seal it for Thy courts above/ and I was com- 
 forted in the sense that God would do it. This was 
 doubtless the movement of the Blessed Spirit in my 
 soul; and amidst all my failings, my sins of thought, 
 and word, and deed, the craving of my mind was, 
 that I might be the child of God. I saw my need 
 of a Saviour, and in the Saviour I felt there was all 
 I needed, and I was by degrees permitted to lay 
 hold on eternal life. Notwithstanding all my sin- 
 fulness, and infirmities, and shortcomings, the blessed 
 hope of salvation in Christ Jesus, was mercifully 
 given, with the secret assurance that I was adopted 
 into the family of God, made nigh by the blood of 
 the Cross, and sanctified by the Spirit. This has 
 
1839 - 52 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 7 
 
 been my comfort, joy, and blessing, in sunshine or 
 shade, prosperity or adversity, sickness or health. 
 But grief, sorrow, and shame must fill my mind in 
 the remembrance of my sinfulness, the worldliness, 
 the hastiness of temper, the pride, the evil that was 
 within me, the temptation to run down the stream 
 of life, whichever way it was going, and conse- 
 quently denying my Saviour, not perhaps in word, 
 but certainly in not confessing, as I ought to have 
 done, Him whom I had promised to serve. I often 
 had to walk in the dark for my punishment, and 
 was not permitted to see the light ; but my relief 
 was in ‘ baring my heart before Him who its depths 
 can understand/ I was very anxious to guard 
 against any morbid melancholy feeling of distrust, 
 and must say I was permitted to feel a great spring 
 and glow in religion. It was all in all to me ; it 
 was all that I wanted to make me happy in this 
 life, and in that which is to come. Joy and glad- 
 ness were my association with it, that joy which is 
 sown for those whom Christ hath redeemed, and the 
 gladness which He promiseth. 
 
 “ I have mentioned my introduction to the Sunday 
 school ; this led to an introduction into the Yicarage. 
 Dearest Mrs. Cunningham, with her natural kind- 
 ness, wished me to go to tea on Sunday evening 
 sometimes ; this grew into a regular custom, and 
 one evening she asked me to go and sit with her 
 
8 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1839 — 52 . 
 
 while she was drawing ; I read to her, and then left. 
 She then wished me to go every morning at ten 
 o’clock, and see how things stood; sometimes I 
 remained there, at others I went away. I became 
 very much occupied. Dear Mr. Cunningham em- 
 ployed me too. I copied for him, became a district 
 visitor, &c. The more I had to do, the happier I 
 was. My life was given for them, the very atmo- 
 sphere was just the thing for me, and each day I 
 only loved them more and more. In time I resided 
 altogether under their roof. Oh, they were happy 
 years. I found my way amongst the people ; my 
 love for the school-children found an entrance for 
 me to the mothers’ hearts, and I had many friends 
 among high and low, rich and poor.” 
 
 It was a home of no common kind into which she 
 was so cordially admitted. There was a charm in 
 Mrs. Cunningham’s character which gave her a 
 strong hold upon all with whom she came in con- 
 tact, and they were many. The benevolence which 
 has endeared the memory of her sister, Elizabeth 
 Fry, to all who are acquainted with her remarkable 
 life, shone brightly also in her, and was exercised 
 amongst other things in a large hospitality, which 
 made Lowestoft Vicarage in a peculiar degree an 
 “ open house.” Not [only was it constantly filled 
 with friends from a distance, but the parishioners 
 and neighbours walked in and out at pleasure, and 
 
1839 — 52 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 9 
 
 the beautiful garden, laid out in terraces along 
 the cliff, was treated as public property. Amidst 
 the visitors, of whom there was an unceasing stream, 
 Mrs. Cunningham moved with “ sweet dignity,” 
 giving to each her unfailing welcome and sympathy. 
 She and her venerable husband were endued with 
 a heavenly- mindedness, which did not fail to 
 attract and benefit many of those who enjoyed the 
 privilege of their society. It was also a home in 
 which idleness and self-indulgence found no en- 
 couragement, but where the example of Mrs. Cun- 
 ningham’s untiring energy stimulated the diligence 
 ■of all who came within the range of her influ- 
 ence. 
 
 Anna Martin also enjoyed the privilege of the 
 society of Mr. Cunningham, in ways which were at 
 once delightful and profitable. Among the duties, 
 which were at the same time the pleasures of her 
 life, were those involved in her acting as his secre- 
 tary. There were letters, journals, and extracts, 
 to be copied daily, and for some years the parish 
 registers, and other official records, were kept in her 
 hand- writing. It was the joy of her heart to be 
 permitted thus to lighten in some measure the 
 labours of his busy life, while she also took an increas- 
 ingly active part in his unwearied and self-forgetting 
 work of love, amongst the people of that large and 
 
10 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1839 - 52 . 
 
 important parish' None prized more intensely than 
 she did his public ministrations in the church ; and 
 yet more precious, if possible, to her, were the lessons 
 of heavenly truth which she learned from his lips in 
 private, when she sat at his feet in the retirement of 
 his study, or walked beside him on his errands of love 
 and mercy. 
 
 “ Amid such associations the natural energy and 
 nerve of her character were developed, and the won- 
 derfully elastic temperament with which her friends 
 in later years are familiar, was undoubtedly in part 
 a result of her youthful training.” She contributed 
 in no small degree to the enjoyment of the guests 
 at the Yicarage. With them she was a “general 
 favourite/’ being “ always ready and obliging, ex- 
 tremely bright and energetic, and remarkable for 
 the power she had of adapting herself to different 
 people and places, forgetting herself, and throwing 
 herself into the interests of others.” But to the 
 service of God amongst the poor, her time and her 
 talents were especially dedicated. She had the 
 charge of one of the largest and most needy districts 
 in the town for her personal visitation, where, for 
 her loving sympathy, she was received by all as a 
 friend, and her beaming countenance testified to the 
 happiness which might be found, as well as sought, 
 in God. 
 
1839—52.] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 11 
 
 Her love for children gave her a lively interest in 
 everything connected with the schools, and an im- 
 portant part was assigned to her in the management 
 and teaching of those at Lowestoft. A Sunday- 
 class of ragged and neglected children, which she 
 formed when she was only fourteen years of age, 
 grew into a school of more than two hundred children, 
 under her superintendence ; and her occupations on 
 Sunday included an hour which she devoted to the 
 instruction of the hoys in the workhouse. Many 
 were the schemes which she formed, and through the 
 ever ready kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham 
 carried out, for the amusement of the children of all 
 ranks around her, herself, on such occasions, the 
 most joyous of the party. 
 
 One characteristic feature of her life at Lowe- 
 stoft remains to he noticed. The friend who has 
 furnished many of the foregoing details writes: 
 — “ Her face and voice are inseparably connected in 
 my memory with the * Sunday hymn-singings 9 at 
 the Vicarage, a famous institution in those days. 
 Between the five o’clock tea and the seven o’clock 
 evening service, it was the custom to assemble the 
 household, the pupil-teachers, and others who formed 
 the choir, and any others who liked to attend, in 
 the drawing-room, to sing hymns and anthems. Mrs. 
 Cunningham herself presided at the piano, and led 
 
12 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1839 - 52 . 
 
 the party with her clear high voice, her face beaming 
 with faith and joy; a picture which must be trea- 
 sured in memory by hundreds of hearts. She in- 
 sisted upon every one joining, allowing no excuse 
 whatever. In these ' hymn-singings ’ Anna Martin 
 took the leading second, a part of some importance 
 in such old-fashioned tunes as 'Calcutta’ and 'Praise/ 
 which were the great favourites in those pre-Grego- 
 rian days.” 
 
 “Happy, happy years were those I spent with 
 you,” she wrote to Mr. Cunningham in 1853, “and 
 entirely preparatory have they been for my work 
 and calling.” 
 
 What that “ work and calling ” were has now to 
 be told. On the 14th of October, 1852, Anna Martin 
 was married to the Rev. David Hinderer, of Schom- 
 dorf, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, who had been 
 labouring since 1848, in connection with the Church 
 \ Missionary Society, in the Yoruba country in West 
 Africa. The affairs of the Mission had compelled 
 him to return to England for a season, but he was 
 ready and anxious to hasten back to the service 
 to which he had devoted his life and all his 
 powers. 
 
 It has already been seen that the thought of such 
 an enterprise was by no means new to her who was 
 thenceforth to share with him its peculiar trials and 
 
1852 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 IS 
 
 blessings. But she was animated by a higher and 
 holier impulse than a child’s vague longings for a 
 martyr’s crown. The desire which had first 
 sprung from such longings had taken deep root in 
 her heart ; the mission-field was still to her the most 
 attractive department of Christ’s service. To use 
 her own words, she “rejoiced in the thought of 
 living and dying for Africa.” 
 
 A friend, whose recollections go back to the 
 Lowestoft days, writes with reference to this period: 
 — “ Very distinctly I remember the time when, in 
 full life and spirits, she communicated the intelli- 
 gence — ‘ It’s all settled ; I am going to be married to- 
 Mr. Hinderer, and we are going to Ibadan.’ The 
 decision once made that she was to be a missionary’s 
 wife, she fearlessly and trustfully went forth. I re- 
 member that time so well. She was wonderfully 
 happy and bright in the prospect. She did not seem 
 to see the difficulties before her. Her eye rested on 
 ,the work and its reward, and her courage never 
 failed her.” 
 
 In her own review of her life at Lowestoft, Mrs. 
 Hinderer recounted with thankfulness the way in 
 which she had been prepared to obey the call with 
 gladness, when it came in God’s good time: — 
 
 “ Notwithstanding all, my old desire for a mission- 
 ary life would never leave me, and, though so much 
 of my work at home was of a missionary character,. 
 
14 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 yet I felt that to heathen lands I was to go, and 
 that such would be my calling some day, though I 
 never saw the least shadow as to how it was to be 
 accomplished. Yet often so near did it seem to be, 
 that I suffered much in the thought of the cost it 
 would be to give up all that I so tenderly loved. 
 And in school, on a hot summer’s day, when weary 
 and dispirited, I would be roused and refreshed by 
 the thought of the contrast between my present 
 position and that of the missionary in other lands, 
 under a burning sun, and other trials ; and then the 
 thought of how soon I might be called to one of 
 those lands, and have to give up those dear children, 
 then entrusted to my care, would bring a tear to my 
 eye, and give me a fresh stimulus to make use of my 
 present opportunities with them; and that text 
 Jeremiah xii. 5* has given me fresh vigour and 
 power. Yet, although all this time no way in the 
 smallest degree seemed to open for such a thing, 
 He who only knoweth the future steps of His 
 children was preparing me in a way I understood 
 not.” 
 
 It was a great satisfaction to her to have the full 
 consent of those whom she truly called her “ parental 
 
 * “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied 
 thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the 
 land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, 
 then how wilt thou do in the swelling of J ordan ?’ J 
 
1852 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 15 
 
 friends,” both to her marriage and to her undertaking 
 the work to which she was therewith called. She 
 had also the happiness of receiving many cordial ex- 
 pressions of the sympathy and love of those amongst 
 whom she had lived and worked. 
 
 A friend who was present at her marriage says : — 
 
 “ The fine old church was thronged from end to 
 end; the school-children, lining the path to the 
 churchyard gate, scattered flowers before the bride 
 and bridegroom. These are common-place incidents, 
 but the wedding breakfast was by no means com- 
 mon-place. * Everybody’ was there; it was regarded 
 almost as a public festival .... Among the speeches 
 was one from Mrs. Cunningham herself. To her, 
 with her hereditary connection with the Society of 
 Friends, it was the most natural thing in the world 
 to do ; and well do I remember the breathless silence 
 with which her affectionate and impressive words 
 were listened to.” 
 
 Mr. Cunningham’s feelings on the occasion 
 are beautifully expressed in the inscription 
 written in a book which was to be used as a 
 journal : — 
 
 “ Given to Anna Martin, by the Rev. Francis 
 Cunningham, the friend of her youth, and the 
 minister to her in maturer years, until she was 
 called to devote herself to the blessed service of 
 missions in Africa. 
 
16 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 “ This book is intended to record the working of 
 
 O 
 
 Divine grace in her soul from the beginning, but 
 especially during that period in which she dedicated 
 herself to her new calling ; so that, in future years, 
 
 - if her life is spared, it may afford her a retrospect 
 of the manifestation of her Heavenly Father’s will 
 in directing her to the duty she undertook, and a 
 consoling assurance of His promised ‘care’ over her, 
 as she desired, to cast all her care upon Him. 
 
 ! “ May the covenant love of her Heavenly Father, 
 
 purchased for her by the blood of Jesus Christ, and 
 shed over her soul by the Holy Ghost, abide with 
 her in her trials, her labours, and (if it may, as it 
 will be) in her sufferings. 
 
 “ May this book, too, serve to remind her of those 
 who desire her continual remembrance at the Throne 
 of grace, who have loved her upon earth, who are 
 separated from her with sorrow, but who hope to 
 meet her again in a world where, without alloy, 
 they shall re-unite to sing the songs of Zion, and 
 dwell for ever in the presence of the Saviour, to 
 whom be all the glory and thanksgiving.” 
 
 The history of her early years, so far as it has 
 been given here in her own language, was part of 
 her first entry in that journal. Its introductory sen- 
 tences provide a fit conclusion to this chapter. 
 
 “I desire on this first opportunity to write a 
 short sketch of my early life in this most valuable 
 
1852 .] 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 17 
 
 book, the precious gift of one so very very dear to 
 me, who has indeed been the friend of my youth, 
 my minister in the Gospel, and my kind faithful 
 adviser and friend at all times. I never can say 
 how much I feel I owe him, how I have loved him 
 with the deepest respect, gratitude, and affection. 
 I may truly say my great trial, in leaving this land 
 for missionary work in Africa, is parting with this 
 beloved father and friend. But this pang is softened 
 by his own deep interest and consent in this matter, 
 and the hope that after a few years we may meet 
 again on this earth, to tell the tale of those past 
 years, and of the loving-kindness and mercy of our 
 covenant God. But in the midst of all the uncer- 
 tainties, it is my joy and rejoicing to believe, un- 
 worthy as I am, that I shall, through the merits of 
 my Saviour, be permitted to meet him in the better 
 land above, where sin, sorrow, and parting shall 
 never come ; and also be among the number of whom 
 he will say, ‘Here am I, and the children whom 
 Thou hast given me/ And in this separation how 
 comforting is the thought of the mutual remem- 
 brance at the Throne of grace. My heart will 
 cease to beat, ere I can fail to think of this beloved 
 and honoured minister, of his precious wife, who 
 has also been my dear friend, and who gave me the 
 call to that dear Vicarage ; of all near and dear to 
 them, all in which they are so deeply interested ; 
 
 
IS 
 
 EARLY YEARS. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 the parish, the people, the young, who have also 
 been of so much interest to myself, and who have 
 found a lasting place in my heart, having been per- 
 mitted to go in and out among them for so many 
 years. 
 
 “ The peace and blessing of Almighty God rest 
 upon them all for ever and ever. Oh ! Lowestoft, 
 how dear and precious you are and ever will be to 
 my heart, for the treasures you contain I” 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 “ Oh, who else shall have our heart ? 
 
 Shall we not with all things part 
 For the love of Christ our Lord ? 
 
 Should it be a weary strife, 
 
 Should it cost no less than life, 
 
 Christ is our reward.” 
 
 C. F. Richter. 
 
 The Yoruba country, with a population estimated at 
 about three millions, speaking one language, but 
 comprising many separate tribes, occupies a region 
 stretching inland from the Bight of Benin to within 
 forty miles of the Niger, and bordered on the west 
 by the kingdom of Dahomey. The gradual sup- 
 pression of the slave trade opened the way, in 1843, 
 for the preaching of the Gospel to the inhabitants 
 of this country, whose religion is a system of 
 idolatry, in which a multitude of orishas, or idols, 
 above all, Ifa, the god of divinations, who is repre- 
 sented and consulted by means of palm-nuts, are 
 
 2—2 
 
20 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 worshipped as mediators between the people and the 
 one Supreme God whom they acknowledge. Their 
 religion is laden with foolish and cruel superstitions, 
 even human sacrifices being offered to some of the 
 gods on special occasions. 
 
 Abeokuta was the first, and, until the close of 
 1852, the only station of the Church Missionary 
 Society in the interior of this country, with the ex- 
 ception of the neighbouring village of Oshielle. 
 Thence Mr. Hinderer, during his first years in 
 Africa, made exploring expeditions in many direc- 
 tions, seeking new openings for missionary enter- 
 prise. In 1851, availing himself of the protection 
 of a caravan of traders, he penetrated to Ibadan, 
 a vast city, fifty miles to the north-east of Abeo- 
 kuta, on a spur of the Kong mountains, containing 
 upwards of 100,000 inhabitants, noted for their 
 warlike character. Great was the excitement 
 caused by the arrival of the first white man 
 who had ever been seen in Ibadan. The chiefs 
 expressed themselves as feeling highly honoured 
 by his visit, and signified in council their willing- 
 ness to receive Christian teachers for their 
 people. The words of one, “ Now we have got a 
 white man, we must hold him very tight,” evidently 
 expressed the feelings of many, and Mr. Hinderer s 
 numerous visitors in private, both chiefs and people, 
 eagerly entreated that he would come without delay 
 to “ sit down” amongst them. 
 
JOURNEY OF THE KEY. D. HIXDERER TO IBADAN. Page 20. 
 
1852 .] 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFKICA. 
 
 21 
 
 After a sojourn of five months in. Ibadan, he re- 
 turned to Abeokuta, with the hope of finding there 
 such help as might enable him to enter at once 
 upon this new and promising field of labour. But 
 as none could be spared, he proceeded to England, 
 in order to represent to the Committee of the 
 Church Missionary Society the greatness of the 
 work which invited him, and the importance of 
 undertaking it at once, before the Mohammedans, who 
 were seeking to gain a footing in Ibadan, had em- 
 bittered the minds of the people against Christianity, 
 and persuaded them to close what was now an open 
 door for the preaching of the Gospel. The Com- 
 mittee entered cordially into his views, and promised 
 him a fellow-labourer, Mr. Kefer, who had nearly 
 completed his term of study at the Church Mission- 
 ary College, at Islington. The state of Mr. Hinderer s 
 health rendered it desirable for him to remain some 
 months in England, but immediately after his mar- 
 riage he prepared to return to Africa. His heart 
 yearned after a people whose need of the Gospel, 
 and whose personal kindness to himself, had 
 awakened his deepest sympathies, and he rejoiced 
 in the near approach of the time when he should 
 be able to respond to their invitation, which he 
 regarded as the call of his Lord and Master. 
 
 On the 6th of December, 1852, Mr. and Mrs. Hin- 
 
22 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 derer embarked at Plymouth for Africa, on board 
 the “ Propontis.” Besides the Bishop of Sierra Leone 
 and Mrs. Yidal, the missionary party included the 
 Bev. R. and Mrs. Paley, and Mr. Hensman, (a medical 
 missionary,) all proceeding to Abeokuta, and Messrs. 
 Kefer, Gerst, and Maser ; and though the roughness 
 of the passage allowed of little opportunity for in- 
 tercourse, it was cheering to all to realize their 
 special bond of union in a common service, under- 
 taken for their one Lord and Master. 
 
 A sketch of the voyage is given in Mrs. Hinderer’s 
 journal, in a passage which immediately follows the 
 account of her last busy weeks in London, where she 
 had parted from Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham. The 
 subsequent letters show how acutely she felt her 
 separation from those friends in their declining years; 
 and the trial was increased by her knowledge of the 
 delicate state of Mrs. Cunningham’s health. 
 
 “ Now came our parting on the 2nd of December. 
 It made one sigh for the land where ‘ all partings 
 are o’er.’ On the next day we went to Plymouth, 
 expecting to sail on the Saturday, but such rough 
 weather had been experienced in the Channel that 
 no steamer made its appearance. We spent Satur- 
 day evening at Mr. Child’s, and much enjoyed it. 
 The next morning we went to Mr. Hatchard’s 
 church. We were only there a few minutes, but I 
 greatly valued those few minutes in my Father's 
 
1852 .] 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 23 
 
 earthly courts, when it was announced that the 
 vessel was in, and would start as soon as possible. 
 We were all in a great bustle, but enjoyed prayer in 
 the Paleys* rooms, and then, in a miserable drizzly 
 rain, we went to the harbour. We could not be on 
 deck, it was too windy and rainy ; and as soon as 
 we started the pitching and tossing made us pre- 
 pare for our little berths, where I had to remain 
 four days. To the end of the voyage I suffered, but 
 there were a few days of enjoyment given us. We 
 had a little service once on Sundays from the 
 Bishop ; the captain would not have more. We had 
 a sad and godless set of officials on board, and were 
 greatly tried by it, but we were not without com- 
 forts in all our trials, and when for ten entire days 
 the wind blew a gale, it was blessed to feel * He 
 holdeth the wind in the hollow of His hand/ and 
 has power to preserve His children ; and the 
 thought of our friends at home, in their constant 
 remembrance and prayers for us, was very helpful 
 and delightful.” 
 
 On the 15th of December, when at length they 
 were in comparatively still water, she began to 
 write the first of the long series of journal-letters to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, which are the chief 
 sources of information concerning the early years of 
 her missionary life. Having described a refreshing 
 day spent on shore at Madeira, she proceeded — 
 
24 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 “December V7th . — We are tossing about again on 
 the wide waters, but we can scarcely believe now 
 that we went through such horrors before. So it is, 
 pleasure succeeds pain. Our God gives us such 
 blessings, and sweetens our path where we could 
 least expect it, and when prosperity is given, how 
 soon we forget adversity. Well, days of trial, sor- 
 row, and suffering, may be our portion during our 
 stay in this lower world, but bye and bye we shall 
 be taken to our rest above, when our deepest trial 
 will appear but a light affliction. What a blessed 
 time to look forward to ! Now we will be glad to 
 do God’s will on earth, to do or to suffer, bye and 
 bye to rest. Oh, that I may be able to be diligent 
 and faithful in labour, as you, dearest friends, have 
 bsen these many years, that my heart and hands 
 may be ready, as yours have always been ; it will 
 be sad for me if I have not profited by your ex- 
 ample. But I do feel that every remembrance of 
 you will stir me up to the love of my Master’s work, 
 which I trust He has graciously given me. With 
 His grace helping me, I may press on, and to the 
 end endure hardness as a good soldier.” 
 
 “December 23rd, in the Gambia . — Fancy the 
 most lovely summer evening, our noble vessel at 
 anchor in the stillest water possible, the little town 
 of Bathurst lying before us, the most glorious sunset 
 just behind these little odd houses, the sweetest 
 
1852 .] 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 25 
 
 breeze that ever blew passing over ns. Imagine all 
 this, and then yon will have a picture of me ; but to 
 complete it, I am half lying on a mattress on deck, 
 with my desk on one of the seats, and my dear hus- 
 band close by. Yery few people are on board, for 
 they are gone to spend the evening in the town.” 
 
 “ Christmas Eve , 1852. On board the ‘ Propontis' 
 in the Gambia . — I have really touched the African 
 shore now! and seen and talked with Yoruba 
 people. Yesterday we visited the little sandy town of 
 Bathurst, where there is a mixture of people. My 
 husband knew his own ‘ kith and kin ’ by the marks 
 on their faces, and saluted them in their own tongue, 
 which delighted them immensely, they crowded 
 round him, and laughed, and shouted. When I was 
 introduced as his wife, and they learned that I was 
 going with him to Ibadan, their delight seemed to 
 know no bounds ; and they came and shook hands 
 most heartily. I feel so happy to have touched 
 African ground, and rejoice to think my little ser- 
 vices are to be given for that land ; but my heart 
 turns to my friends in England with a deeper and 
 more tender feeling than ever, and the tears will 
 come, when I think of to-morrow away from you. 
 I think of last Christmas Day, and am thankful that 
 I was so much with you : we went to St. Peter’s in 
 the afternoon, and then to several sick and suffering 
 ones on the beach: three times I bent the knee 
 
26 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 [ 1852 . 
 
 with you that afternoon among the children of sor- 
 row, and then we came across the Denes, and talked 
 of the present, the past, and the future. How little 
 we then imagined what the next Christmas Day 
 would be! How much dearest Mrs. Cunningham 
 will mind being away from you, and you will feel it 
 so much. I long to hear how she is. Oh, I never 
 shall forget tearing myself away from her, and shut- 
 ting that door, and my last look at you from the 
 omnibus. Those moments of agony are only known 
 to Him who knoweth the sOcrets of the heart ; and 
 what a comfort that He looks on with tender sym- 
 pathy, and has balm for that wound also.” 
 
 On the 27th of December they touched at Sierra 
 Leone. The arrival of the first Bishop made it an 
 eventful day to the colony, and the missionaries who 
 accompanied him shared in the joyful welcome 
 which he received. Mrs. Hinderer was interested in 
 seeing many servants of Christ whose names and 
 work had long been familiar to her, and the hours 
 flew only too quickly till the evening of the 28th, 
 when the missionaries for the Yoruba country sailed 
 away. This time they were favoured with a quick 
 and prosperous voyage, though the heat made the 
 days wearisome. The dawn of the new year carried 
 Mrs. Hinderer’s thoughts into the midst of the old 
 familiar scenes at Lowestoft, and she wrote : — 
 
 “ ord January, 1853. At anchor in Caye Coast 
 
1853 .] 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFRICA. 
 
 27 
 
 Castle Bay . — Can it be possible that 1852 has passed 
 away, and 1853 arrived ? Yet so it is. I felt very 
 unwilling to let the old year go, but it would go in 
 spite of me. I rose very early on Saturday morning 
 (New Year’s Day) on account of the heat, and I 
 went and sat by myself at the end of the vessel, 
 where I could see no one, and no one could see me. 
 I imagined you rising early in the dark and cold to 
 go to the schoolroom ; it is strange to feel such in- 
 tense heat, and to know how cold you are. How I 
 could have longed to be with you ; I did feel really 
 home-sick ; but at such moments comfort is only to 
 be found in looking up, and I did, from the depths 
 of my heart, desire every good and blessing for you, 
 and all whom you love, and in whom you take so 
 deep an interest. For myself, I cannot say what I 
 felt my need was. How sweet it was to be assured 
 that you remembered me, and that many kind 
 friends, in seeking a New Year’s blessing for them- 
 selves, had not forgotten the missionaries, whether 
 on land or water. How delightful is the thought that, 
 though separated by so many miles, we are brought 
 together in spirit at the Throne of grace, where we 
 may tell our deepest thoughts, and breathe our 
 largest petitions, and not be sent empty away. I 
 do indeed live with you, my beloved friends ; I have 
 never slept yet without dreaming of Lowestoft.” 
 
 On the 5th of J anuary the missionary party landed 
 
23 
 
 VOYAGE TO WEST AFKICA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 at Lagos, and were hospitably welcomed by the Rev. 
 C. A. and Mrs. Gollmer. Two days later Mrs. Hin- 
 derer rejoiced in receiving her first letter from Mr. 
 Cunningham, which had in fact been conveyed by 
 the same mail-steamer in which she had been a 
 passenger; and gratefully did she appreciate the 
 thoughtful kindness which had prepared this unex- 
 pected pleasure for her so soon after her landing in 
 Africa. Among all the treasures which each mail 
 conveyed to her from that time forward, none were 
 more eagerly awaited than the unfailing packet from 
 Lowestoft Vicarage. Besides giving her tidings of 
 the beloved friends, whose every joy and sorrow 
 and care found an answering chord in her heart, and 
 1 details of the work in which she had long borne a 
 part, it often contained precious words of sympathy 
 and loving counsels, which were no less valued by 
 her husband than by herself. 
 
 On the 13th Mrs. Hinderer was seized with the 
 fever from which Europeans invariably suffer upon 
 their arrival in West Africa, and to which, should 
 they survive its early attacks, they continue to be 
 liable so long as they remain in the country. This 
 fever, which is caused by malaria, varies in form and 
 degree from ague to the worst type of yellow fever ; 
 and where it does not prove fatal, it undermines the 
 constitution, and leaves it a prey to many other 
 painful and trying diseases, peculiar to, or aggra- 
 vated by, a tropical climate. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 2 £ 
 
 Upon her recovery, Mrs. Hinderer wrote to her 
 aunt : — 
 
 “ 2 5th January, Lagos . — I had a very sharp attack 
 of fever indeed, hut, through the mercy of our tender 
 Father, on the eighth day I was able to get up a 
 little. I suppose few people ever had the first fever 
 last so short a time, but when I got up I felt my 
 weakness. My poor limbs tottered and trembled 
 fearfully. I am still weak, and expect to be so for 
 some time yet. Indeed, I daresay I shall never 
 regain the same strength I had before. I believe no 
 one does, but one will soon forget it, and go on by 
 slow degrees. I feel thankful to have got on so far, 
 and do from my heart desire that the life so merci- 
 fully spared may be afresh and more entirely devoted 
 to my Master’s service.” 
 
 The next letters tell of their three days’ journey 
 to Abeokuta, whither Mr. and Mrs. Paley had pre- 
 ceded them : — 
 
 “ We left Lagos on the 26th of January, and went 
 up the River Ogun in canoes. There was much to 
 'enjoy; the scenery was magnificent; such banks, 
 foliage, flowers, scented shrubs, exquisite little birds 
 — red, purple, orange, yellow, green — besides plenty 
 of chattering monkeys and parrots. The nights were 
 the time of trial, yet we had the moon, and a most 
 brilliant one it was, to cheer us. The first night 
 we had to stop at a little town, and were allowed to 
 
so 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 pitch our tents in a small market-place. Our men 
 made a fire on the ground, and boiled some water, 
 and we had tea, which refreshed us greatly. Hun- 
 dreds of people sat round to look at us, and clapped 
 their hands and shouted to see us eat. They were 
 kind enough to retire about eleven, and, though 
 surrounded by goats, fowls, and dogs, I slept soundly 
 in our tent, on a mattress on the ground. We were 
 off by six the next morning, with all the people to 
 watch our departure. The morning air was delicious, 
 the water-lilies most fragrant and lovely. The 
 next two nights we pitched our tents on sand-banks 
 close by the river, and had several large fires to keep 
 off the wild animals; nevertheless, a baboon and 
 some foxes had a great desire to make our acquaint- 
 ance, but a man fired a gun and sent them flying. 
 Still there were many things that made a queer 
 noise all night. The insects were my worst enemies; 
 I could not close my eyes, so I sat at the opening 
 of the tent, watching the moon, and our black men 
 sleeping close to the fires. We left at two o’clock 
 on the third morning, the moon gave us the oppor- 
 tunity of leaving at this early hour ; and we parted 
 with our canoes a place called Agbamaya, in the 
 middle of the day, where Mr. Crowther, his son, and 
 several people were kin<3 enough to come and meet 
 
 us. The Chief of Oshielle .sent a horse for my hus- 
 
 ! \ 
 
 band ; I was put in a hammock, and did not wake 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 SI 
 
 till put down on the ground outside the town wall. 
 
 I could hardly believe that I really opened my eyes 
 upon Abeokuta, the past has seemed so much like 
 a dream. We had still to go two miles further to a 
 house vacated by missionaries now in England, not 
 very inviting in its appearance. The white ants had 
 eaten holes in the floor and walls, and insects of 
 various kinds haunted it, spiders as large as the 
 palm of your hand, and many others. We arrived 
 in the last rays of daylight. My husband began to 
 unpack the stores and things he could put his hand 
 upon ; our good boy Olubi helped him, and the cook 
 killed a fowl, and boiled eggs, which happily were 
 to be had close by our gate. I had to get out sheets 
 for our bed. Then we sat down to tea, laughing 
 heartily at our first attempt at housekeeping. We 
 went early to rest, tired enough, and I slept till 
 the ringing of a bell awoke me a little before 
 six, to usher in the blessed Sabbath morning, and 
 to call the people to prayer, which they conduct 
 among themselves. The school met at nine : a 
 most interesting sight, young and old assembled 
 together, and as earnest as possible over their 
 books. I thought of my own dear children at 
 home, and tears flowed abundantly. I went to 
 both the services, and though I could hardly under- 
 stand one word, yet I greatly enjoyed it, and felt 
 that I was in God’s house, and that He was there. 
 
32 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 They sing, while the people are going out of church, 
 English hymns, and that afternoon they sang, 
 
 ‘ One there is above all others ;* 
 
 that was too much for me, and I sat down and wept. 
 The children looked mysteriously, and one little thing, 
 about four years old, came quite close to me, and 
 looked as if she would say something if she could ; 
 her countenance was full of sympathy, it overcame 
 me the more. As I walked home she still clung to 
 me, and then put her little black hand into mine, and 
 ran away. The next day she saw me, and looked 
 up saying ‘Missis no cry to-day, Missis cry no 
 more/ ” 
 
 Shortly after reaching Abeokuta, Mrs. Hinderer 
 had a new and more trying experience than the 
 first, of African fever. 
 
 “ February 18. — I shall be glad, indeed, when 
 the time comes that I can do something regularly, 
 and talk with these people and children. I find it 
 true, indeed, that one must go ‘ softly, softly,’ in this 
 country ; it is every one’s word to me here. I have 
 been very ill again, from a little too much exertion 
 on arriving at Abeokuta, so soon after the fever at 
 Lagos ; it brought on a relapse which was far worse 
 , than the first attack. I thought it impossible to 
 recover, and looked upon myself as passing away 
 from this world, but God in mercy has raised me 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 S3 
 
 again, and I get stronger every day, and believe I 
 have learned to ‘ sit still/ and I find I am gaining 
 by it for the present. My dearest husband was 
 
 head, from weakness ; we were quite alone, and he 
 was delirious all day. The boys did their best to 
 keen order outside, and to bring what I asked for. 
 
 was little more than cold water. Oh, it was 
 a sad day, but our Father helped us in our distress. 
 What a mercy to be able now to say we have re- 
 covered, and are both feeling pretty strong. 
 
 “I had a little walk this morning early, and a 
 ride this evening, and am teaching the children not 
 to be afraid of me, encouraging them to come near 
 to me, that is, children who do not belong to the 
 school ; they cling close enough, but heathen chil- 
 dren run away in the most ludicrous manner, as if I 
 were a serpent ; yet they like to look at me, and 
 come creeping ; but if I look, they run ; if I stoop 
 to gather a flower they think I am going to catch 
 them, and then they fly ; yet this evening when they 
 saw it was only for a flower, with which I seemed 
 very pleased, one was encouraged to gather some 
 like it, and then venture to bring it to me, but she 
 held it out to the full extent of her arm. I then 
 persuaded her to come quite close, by holding out 
 a few cowries, after which she lay prostrate on the 
 ground to thank me, with her face in the dust. 
 
 taken ill too, when I could hardly lift my hand to my 
 
 3 
 
34 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 ‘ Mo-dup * — ‘‘‘thank-you!’ Poor little things — such 
 slavish fear. One quite sees the effect of slavery 
 through everything, their countenances speak it, but 
 oh, what a difference there is in the countenances of 
 the converts : it is most striking to look at them in 
 church, it is wonderful, such relief and ease and 
 peace, which tell loudly of a hope beyond the 
 grave. 
 
 “February 23. — The harmonium [Mrs. Cunning- 
 ham's gift] arrived safely. You would have liked 
 the sight of my first black singing-class on Saturday, 
 and the delight and amazement of these children 
 would have amused you; such a thing has never 
 been heard. The people gather round the house in 
 numbers, with eyes and mouths [wide open. On 
 Sunday evening our room was full, and we sang for 
 an hour and a half. We did enjoy it: I only longed 
 for the power of painting, to give you some idea 
 of the scene — the black beaming faces. I kept 
 looking up at your dear pictures, and it made my 
 eyes swim with tears to think how entirely it was 
 a scene you would have liked and approved. 
 
 “ Ogubonna, the great war-chief, who often comes 
 to see me, wanted to play, but of course he could 
 not bring out a sound, so he says it is only white 
 people who can do anything great, and only the 
 * Iya ’ (mother, as they call me) who can make wood 
 and ivory speak, with her fingers. 
 
•1853.] 
 
 SOJOURN IN AJ3EOKUTA. 
 
 35 
 
 “ The promise of help and deliverance from all 
 evil was again verified a few days since. A fearful 
 fire broke out in the town, about two miles from us. 
 Two hundred native houses were burned in no 
 time. It speedily came near to us before we were 
 aware of it; we saw little hope of our house being 
 spared, as it has also a thatched roof. We turned 
 out a few boxes, but all the men and boys we could 
 get were obliged to be on the roof with water and 
 boughs of trees to ward off the sparks. I gathered 
 together a few of my treasures, the pictures, journal- 
 book, and bible, and then with a deep heart-ache 
 resigned everything else, fearing I should never see 
 them again, and had to make my escape on account 
 of the smoke. My husband led me far away, and 
 put me under the care of a native woman ; we sat 
 under a tree, and he went back to see the end. But 
 before dark he came to tell the joyful tidings that 
 the fire was out, and our house untouched. Oh, 
 what shall we render for these preserving mercies ? 
 ourselves, to Thy service, gracious God.” 
 
 A few days later, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer visited 
 Oshielle, where a native catechist was at this time 
 carrying on the work which Mr. Hinderer had begun 
 in 1849. 
 
 “ On the 26th of February we went to Oshielle ; 
 it was most interesting going with D. over the 
 same ground which he had traversed, through some 
 
 3—2 
 
36 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 opposition, to establish a missionary station in that 
 place. It is about eight miles distant, a most plea- 
 sant but narrow path. We had to ride one behind 
 the other, our boys walking, and two or three men 
 carrying loads, for a mattress had to go, and food, 
 and anything we wanted to make use of, so that we 
 formed quite a cavalcade, partly through bush, 
 partly through cotton-fields, and palm trees, and 
 bushes of every description. We set off*, not as soon 
 as we hoped, for a little storm came, and thus we 
 were benighted ; but Olubi carried a lantern before 
 me, and our horses are so sure-footed that I was 
 not in the least afraid. When we entered the town, 
 people came out of their little huts, but were disap- 
 pointed they could not see us, numbers of them had 
 come on the road to meet us, but as we were not to 
 be seen by six o’clock, they gave up all hope of our 
 coming that night : a multitude of salutations were 
 roared out from the houses — ‘ Okabo !’ ‘ I salute you 
 for returning,’ salutations for having brought a wife, 
 and all sorts of things. In the house where the 
 schoolmaster lives, there is one room left on purpose 
 for any European visitor : in this there is one little 
 table, and a wooden bench, something like a sofa, 
 which we sat upon by day, and slept on by night ; 
 so you see the necessity for taking a mattress. 
 Happily, there is no more furniture, or we could not 
 very easily have turned ourselves round, but we 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 37 
 
 were very happy, and much amused. The chief 
 came directly he heard we were there, and greeted 
 us heartily : and early the next morning, our habi- 
 tation was more than surrounded by people, and 
 they were all pleased to think me a wonderful sight. 
 I have a colour, as you know, in my cheeks, and 
 this is such a novelty in Africa, that I might be 
 made a little vain with the great and grand expres- 
 sions of ‘very fine, good, beautiful !’ were it not 
 that I would give all the colour I possess to be able 
 to talk a little Yoruba, and tell them of something 
 else. At nine we went to Sunday school for a little 
 while, and then to church, that mud church of which 
 my husband was chief builder. It was extremely 
 interesting going over these old scenes with him. 
 He had been here, and I had read of it, and now we 
 j were in that spot together. He took both services, 
 and our little room was full all day of visitors, and 
 hundreds outside ; many to look at the wonders of 
 a white woman ! We left very early the next morn- 
 ing amid sorrowful farewells.” 
 
 On the 9th of March, Mr. Hinderer went to Ibadan, 
 to make final arrangements with the chiefs for the 
 commencement of the mission. He had also to pro- 
 vide, as far as might be, for the comfort of his wife, 
 in what was to be the first home of her married life. 
 During his absence, she remained at the Ake mis- 
 sion-station in Abeokuta, to which she and Mr. 
 
38 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA: 
 
 [1S53. 
 
 Hinderer had lately removed, when Mr. Paley 
 entered upon his work at the Ikija station, where 
 they had spent their first weeks. Thus she had the 
 comfort of being near to the Rev. H. and Mrs. Town- 
 send, from whom she received much kindness. She 
 occupied herself in studying the Yoruba language., 
 and gladly availed herself of every opportunity of 
 making friends with the natives. It was but natural, 
 however, that her letters at this time should ex- 
 press some sense of loneliness, mingled with various 
 thoughts on the path which lay before her. 
 
 “March 3rd — My husband leaves me, if all is 
 well, on Monday, for his first journey to Ibadan, to 
 make preparations. We have had the warmest 
 messages from chiefs there, and I trust that by the 
 good hand of our God, we shall all be there in less 
 than three months. We are now, I am thankful to 
 1 say, both well again, but I am obliged to be careful ; 
 the heat is so intense, and I think this is one of the 
 hottest days we have had. No day has the ther- 
 mometer been under ninety degrees.” 
 
 Journal. — “ On Wednesday, March 9th, my 
 dearest left me before six in the morning, we both 
 felt it much. God bless and prosper him ! We have 
 had such miserable noises in the night, wind and 
 storms, and people with their country fashions, that 
 I have not had much rest, and do feel it is the last 
 time we must be separated, if possible, but must 
 
1853 .:] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 39 
 
 share together whatever comes. I have occupied 
 myself as much as possible with reading, writing, 
 work, and children. 
 
 “ March 12 th . — I heard from my dearest husband ; 
 he does not seem to have many external comforts, 
 but is content and happy : I take care of his little 
 notes, which are a great comfort to me.” 
 
 Letter. — “ March 12 th . — A messenger from the 
 chief met my husband on the road to salute him : he 
 sent him on to see me, and to tell me how he was get- 
 ting on. I told Olubi to ask him what the chief’s 
 words were to the white man ; they were very good 
 indeed, full of delight at the thought of seeing us, 
 and if we want to send anything at once, there was 
 a room in his house which we should have to put 
 them in, as long as we liked ; so that I am sending 
 off things. Five loads went yesterday, others will go 
 next week ; and if all is well, in two months from 
 this time, we and all our goods and belongings will 
 be settled there, and by next January, or February, 
 we hope to be in our own house. I am so glad to 
 look forward to getting there so soon, it will be such 
 a relief to my dear husband, whose calling is there, 
 when the moving and unpacking are over, and he is 
 free to go about his Master’s work. It is an im- 
 mense interest going to such a place, and such a 
 
 ana slavery. It is a great cause for thankfulness to 
 
 It is a stronghold of the enemy, of war. 
 
40 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 have such a welcome, but as my dear husband says, 
 this is not all we want, we far more want that they 
 should receive the Messiah, the Saviour of sinners, 
 who lived and died and rose again for them. Oh, 
 that the Holy Spirit of God may open their hearts 
 to receive the message of salvation. You, my be- 
 loved friends, and others, do and will unite with us 
 in earnest prayer to God that it may be so. How 
 great is the work ! but it is God’s. May we all only 
 be faithful in the different portions of work ap- 
 pointed us, whether it be to preach, or teach, — 
 4 hewers of wood, or drawers of water.’ 4 1 only pray 
 God make me holy.’ 
 
 44 1 am very well now, I am thankful to say, and 
 feel the climate not unlikely to suit me. I am 
 looked upon as somebody wonderful, being so much 
 stronger than any white woman has been who has 
 been here. From five to six I enjoy a good game 
 with the school children at ball, and all sorts of 
 things ; but you must know my play is not half so 
 energetic as in England ; still I am so thankful to be 
 able to do this, and the dear children are delighted. 
 This is a great encouragement for Ibadan, where the 
 children will be frightened enough at first, never 
 having seen a white woman, and, as slaves, having 
 a horror of white people. 
 
 44 God grant we may meet again in this lower 
 world ; I do intensely feel my separation from you, 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 41 
 
 which nothing but the belief that I am where my 
 God would have me to be will ever alleviate.” 
 
 The feelings expressed in these last words were 
 poured forth more fully to another friend, in a 
 letter of about the same date : — 
 
 “ March 18 th . — Hundreds of times has the query, 
 if not uttered, been asked within, ‘ How could I 
 leave this and these ? how could I ? and how can I 
 bear it now V and only the assurance that ‘ He 
 ordereth our goings/ that He said, ‘ Go/ and then 
 led me by His own hand, and that He, our Father, 
 our Guide, our Leader, can do nothing wrong, but 
 that *'He doeth all things well/ could comfort me 
 often in moments of depression, and times of pining 
 for the sight of those so beloved. Thus have I 
 been made to see the pillar and the cloud. And 
 this makes me rejoice, and give thanks, that in the 
 preparation for moving, I only felt the guiding 
 hand, and no doubts or misgivings were permitted 
 to disturb me at the time. And now, when I see 
 what is the need, I feel that if I had twenty lives I 
 would gladly give them to be the means of a little 
 good to these poor but affectionate and well-meaning 
 people, who, though black enough their skins may 
 be, have never-dying souls, which need to be led to 
 the Saviour, to be washed clean in the blood of 
 the Lamb. But then, again, I have been led to 
 feel, of what use am I ? Nothing can I do; I can 
 
42 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 , 
 
 scarcely even speak to the little children, except by 
 signs. But here is the lesson to learn : ‘ wait, sit 
 still, be patient/ Thus I hope I may be preparing 
 for the future, and if I am able to be any help or 
 comfort to my dear husband, who is bearing the 
 burden and heat of the day, I may be thankful. 
 And what a comfort it is to feel that those whom I 
 so dearly love, and who also love me, have their 
 hearts’ desires so much in and for this work that we 
 are about, and that we are thus united in a stronger 
 tie, a tighter bond.” 
 
 To her aunt : — 
 
 “March 19th . — My dear husband has been away 
 just a fortnight in Ibadan. Before the letters go, I 
 hope to tell you of his return ; glad enough shall I 
 be to see him again. It has been so strange to have 
 only three young black servants in the house ; but 
 altogether I have been very happy, quite well, and 
 very busy ; but I shall be much more happy when 
 I have him to speak to, and won’t he be glad to get 
 home, too ? Mr. Kefer will arrive, we hope, from 
 Sierra Leone, by the next packet ; and as soon as 
 possible we all go. It is extremely interesting thus 
 going forth on an entirely new mission, but it is 
 with a solemn feeling, into such a country, among 
 such a people, and for such a work. Who is suffi- 
 cient for these things ? not we alone in our own 
 strength. We go not for ourselves, or of ourselves : 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOUEN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 4a 
 
 we go not to tell our own words, but the words of 
 God, so that gives us courage, and we seem to hear 
 the words that were long ago spoken to Joshua — 
 ‘ Have not I sent thee ? Be strong and very 
 courageous, for behold I go before thee and then 
 our Saviour's confirming words, ‘ Lo, I am with you 
 alway, even unto the end of the world.’ With such 
 a Commander and Leader, what have we to fear ? 
 only God grant that we may be found faithful, 
 enduring to the end, like good soldiers and servants, 
 and oh ! that the Blessed Spirit from on high may 
 be abundantly poured out upon us and the people, 
 that their hearts may be opened to receive the good 
 tidings of salvation through J esus Christ ! 
 
 “ Good Friday is approaching; we shall all think 
 much of each other on that solemn day. It is one 
 l of my great comforts to know that I did value and 
 i enjoy the services of God’s house at home, for 
 . nothing now do I feel the lack of so much. Home 
 comforts, or anything, I can resign, and I feel the 
 loss of them less than Sunday services, the feeding 
 in God’s house. I go, of course, and enjoy in a mea- 
 sure being there, to look on and see so many bright 
 beaming black countenances enjoying to the full the 
 blessing of the Gospel of peace : yet its being in a 
 strange tongue prevents my benefiting, and I travel 
 in thought to dear St. Peter's [Lowestoft], look at 
 my Bible, and see marks when such and such a 
 
44 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 text was preached from, and try to think of what 
 I heard then. In church I shed as many quiet tears 
 as anywhere, tears of varied emotions, tears of a 
 little home sickness, a longing to see the beloved 
 ones, and hear their voices, tears of thankfulness, 
 and tears of joy and hope. 
 
 i “ I have already a great many friends among the 
 Africans : people come to see me, and say wonderful 
 
 ' things, through my interpreter. I let them look at 
 my things, and touch them, which delights them 
 much ; and boys and girls come in numbers to sing 
 with the music, listen to the clock, look at pictures, 
 turn over my work-basket, and laugh and shout at 
 some of the mysteries. Their black skin makes no 
 difference to me ; to have them come to me, to see 
 them pleased, makes me quite happy. I often 
 saunter out for a little walk among the hills and 
 rocks, and a nice little party surround me, and there 
 is a famous rush which shall take my hand, to help 
 me up or down in a difficult place ; I have some- 
 times gone back again to brighten the tearful eye 
 of some little girl who thought she had almost pos- 
 session of Missis’s hand. I take a ball or two, 
 and set them running vigorously with their naked 
 feet; really I almost think shoes are an incon- 
 venience, they trip along so nimbly without them !”, 
 “ Easter Sunday, March 27th. — Oh, how much do 
 I feel this day, my heart is so full. I do indeed 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 45 
 
 desire to rise above things temporal, and press on- 
 ward to the things eternal ; to be risen with Christ, 
 seeking more and more the things above. How 
 many and mingled were my feelings on waking this 
 morning, but very very thankful to have my own 
 dear husband at home, though I grieve to say he is 
 in bed with fever, from his exertions in Ibadan. On 
 Monday I heard from him, giving no hope of his re- 
 turn till next week. . Great indeed was my joy to 
 see him return unexpectedly on Thursday evening.” 
 
 All was now ready for their removal to Ibadan. 
 A native house had been prepared for their tempo- 
 rary habitation, and the chiefs had promised protec- 
 tion to the missionaries, and liberty of conscience to 
 their own subjects. 
 
 But, before they could leave Abeokuta, they were 
 to witness striking and melancholy instances of the 
 fatal power of the African climate. Some of those 
 who had gone forth with them into the mission-field 
 were called away when they had scarcely put their 
 hands to the work. Mr. and Mrs. Paley had already 
 been so exhausted by fever and dysentery as to 
 cause serious anxiety to their friends, and the only 
 remaining hope of their recovery rested on a change 
 of climate. In Mr. Paley ’s case, however, this hope 
 was quickly dispelled by a new attack of fever, 
 under which he sank on the 1st of April. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer shared with the other mis- 
 sionaries in watching and ministering to him in his 
 
46 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 dying hours ; and when all was over, they took the 
 young widow to their own house, where Mrs. Hin- 
 derer tenderly soothed and nursed her, and helped 
 her to prepare for her voyage, though perceiving 
 that there was but a faint hope of her living to 
 reach England. She accomplished the journey to 
 Lagos, and embarked on board the steamer, accom- 
 panied by Ellen Apthorpe, an infant-school teacher, 
 who had gone out to Africa with her, and was now 
 ordered to return home on account of serious illness. 
 The missionary band at Abeokuta was yet further 
 reduced by the sudden death of Mr. Hensman, on 
 the 10th of April. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer was deeply affected by the removal 
 of these friends at the commencement of their career. 
 She regarded their death as solemn witnesses to the 
 special uncertainty of her own life in that climate, 
 and as urgently calling upon her to work diligently 
 while it was “ yet day.” These and other like 
 thoughts were expressed in her letters : — 
 
 “ March 31st . — We are both, thank God, well, but 
 we are in deep sorrow. Mr. Paley has been taken 
 ill, and oh, how I shrink from saying it, I fear he 
 has not many days to linger here. We hope and 
 trust a change may be granted, that he may be able 
 to go home by the next mail, but he appears to us to 
 be sinking. The doctor is most attentive, kind, and 
 skilful; but alas! our hearts are sorrowful. Dear 
 Louisa does not seem to take it in, but I think it is 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOURN IN AiJEOKUTA. 
 
 47 
 
 because she is too ill herself. Your valued letters 
 are a double comfort in this sorrowful time.” 
 
 “ April 2nd . — I begin my writing very early, but 
 the work before us for this month is great, and life 
 and health so uncertain. We have this day laid in 
 an African grave the mortal remains of our dear 
 friend Ml*. Paley. He got worse and worse, and 
 gently fell asleep after two days of light delirium. 
 ... We did indeed feel he was entering upon his 
 eternal rest. His poor wife was wonderfully sup- 
 ported. I stayed with her to-day while the solemn 
 ceremony was being performed; it was a painful 
 time, but help was near. I read to her or rather 
 repeated little bits of the exquisite burial service 
 (for she could not bear reading), and texts of Scrip- 
 ture, and hymns. ... We all feel very sensible of 
 having sustained a loss, but his God has taken him 
 from earth to serve Him in heaven. How inscrutable 
 are His judgments, and His ways past finding out ! 
 I could not but exclaim, ‘ Thou didst well that it was 
 in thy heart/ as I gazed on his lifeless form. Though 
 only permitted to see the land he loved, God has 
 accepted the service at his hand, and has given him 
 his full reward in His kingdom above. It behoves 
 us who remain to look well to our goings, to be upon 
 our watch-tower, our loins girt, and our lamps burn- 
 ing. Oh, that grace may be given for this, but our 
 evil, cold, and dead hearts come with us to Africa. 
 We have double need for watchfulness and cultiva- 
 
48 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 tion of diligence, for this enervating climate is indeed 
 liable to damp our zeal; and we may hang our 
 hands down, unless the same grace and help are 
 given us that we need at home. Pray for us, that 
 our God may do His own work ; that His servants 
 may be found faithful ; that we may all of us, in our 
 different capacities, only seek to do our Father’s 
 will ; that we may live to Him, and serve Him, and 
 so cling to Him that we need not so much these 
 sharp strokes of the rod, which He sees are needful 
 for us now. We must now help the poor dear widow 
 to prepare for her homeward journey, and make 
 ready for our own removal to Ibadan, which, if all 
 is well, we expect to accomplish at the end of this 
 month.” 
 
 “ l^th April . — Much indeed has transpired since 
 I began this letter, scenes of various kinds we have 
 been called to pass through. Our doctor, Mr. Hens- 
 man, was of a poor and shattered constitution, but 
 I little thought I should so soon have to record his 
 departure from amongst us. Suddenly and unex- 
 pectedly to us all, he died on Sunday, about two 
 o’clock. This week he was going to teach me so 
 much for my benefit in Ibadan, how to mix my 
 medicines, &c. ; but how entirely passing away is 
 everything in this life ; it is well said, ‘ Boast not 
 thyself of to-morrow.’ What a break up of all our 
 party! so many in one vessel a short time since; 
 now two in their graves, some in Sierra Leone, Mr. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 SOJOUKN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 4S 
 
 Gerst in Lagos, Mr. Refer going with us to Ibadan, 
 Mrs. Paley and Ellen about to return home, only 
 Mr. Maser remaining in Abeokuta. Such is life! 
 Oh, the blessed hope of immortality ! Oh, for a 
 closer walk with God, daily, hourly ! He seems to 
 strip us of our earthly helps, that we on Him alone 
 may lean. The arm of flesh is not to be trusted in, 
 but the God of all comfort and consolation will not 
 leave us ; He will be our refuge and strength at all 
 times, and in the midst of judgment He remembers 
 mercy.” 
 
 Before this letter was closed, Mr. Refer, Mr. Hin- 
 derer’s appointed fellow-labourer in Ibadan, who 
 had lately arrived from Sierra Leone, after his ordi- 
 nation, was struck down by fever. Mr. Maser also, 
 the other newly-arrived missionary, fell ill, and re- 
 quired Mrs. Hinderer’s nursing care. Thus there 
 was much, besides the removal of their little pos- 
 sessions, to occupy them both during their last days 
 at Abeokuta, as the next extract shows : — 
 
 “ April 1 5th . — Our house is looking very desolate; 
 much is packed, and now we must finish. I am 
 sorry to find Mr. Refer has fever; if he goes on 
 well, we shall still, please God, start next week, 
 leaving him here, to prevent the danger of a relapse. 
 We are nursing and doctoring him to the best of our 
 ability, but we miss our doctor very much. Yet we 
 must hope for the best. He can give wisdom and 
 
 4 
 
50 
 
 SOJOURN IN ABEOKUTA. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 skill to the unwise and unskilful. We have indeed 
 had to dwell among solemn scenes and thoughts. . . . 
 Do not be over-anxious about us, dear friends. He 
 who has helped us hitherto will still vouchsafe to be 
 our Guide. 
 
 “ It is now Monday. Mr. Maser has fever, as well 
 as Mr. Refer, so that my hands are full ; they are 
 going on well. We must go away now, to make 
 room for them, and we shall have seen them over 
 the worst. Mr. Refer will not join us for some few 
 weeks. How interesting it will be to write to you 
 ' from Ibadan. If it pleases God that I have health and 
 strength, and get a few people and children about 
 me, I shall be very happy ; and then nothing shall I 
 have to desire but that we may meet again in this life, 
 before we are taken to dwell together in heaven.” 
 
 On the eve of the journey, she wrote as follows: — 
 
 “April 2^th, 1853. — This is our last Sunday 
 night in Abeokuta. My heart is full in the remem- 
 brance of all God’s mercy to us while we have 
 sojourned here, and of all the events that have be- 
 fallen us. I have been comforted by the collect for 
 the day (Fourth Sunday after Easter) in the prospect 
 before us. May God order the unruly wills and 
 affections of sinful men ; and oh, may He grant that 
 our hearts may be surely fixed on true joys ! The 
 text for the day, too, is so appropriate — ‘ Our suffi- 
 ciency is of God.’ ” 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 u It is Thine own, 0 Lord, 
 
 Who toil while others sleep : 
 
 Who sow with loving care, 
 
 What other hands shall reap : 
 
 They lean on Thee entranced, 
 
 In calm and perfect rest : 
 
 Give ns that peace, 0 Lord, 
 
 Divine and blest, 
 
 Thou keepest for those hearts who love Thee best.’' 
 
 A. A. Procter. 
 
 | On the 25th of April, a few hours after Mrs. Paley 
 and Ellen, accompanied by the Rev. S. (now Bishop) 
 Crowther, had begun their journey to the coast, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hinderer left Abeokuta for Ibadan. The 
 account of their journey and arrival there is now to 
 be added in the words of Mrs. Hinderer. 
 
 “We journeyed on and on, one behind the other, 
 very quietly, with our long train of attendant car- 
 riers, full of thought of the past and future. There 
 was something to admire around, good pasture and 
 
52 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 beautiful cattle. Our silence was broken, and we 
 talked of the goodness and mercy which had so sur- 
 rounded our path in the midst of our sorrow and 
 trials, during our short sojourn in Abeokuta, and 
 we could look forward with confiding hope and 
 | trust, and take comfort and^courage in that we were 
 following the leading of a gracious Providence. 
 And now we were on our way to this long-talked-of 
 town, to attack, in the name of the Lord of Hosts, 
 this stronghold of sin and Satan. I tried in the 
 stillness of the bush to draw near to the Living 
 Fountain, to seek help, comfort, and protection in 
 our great undertaking, and I had some precious 
 1 hours. I soon left my little horse to Olubi’s care, 
 and got into my hammock, for I was tired. I cer- 
 tainly may say that I have had no little to do the 
 last month or six weeks, so that I did enjoy the rest 
 of this hammock, with its cradle-like motion ; and a, 
 little refreshing breeze sprang up. We did not reach 
 our resting-place till quite dusk, but the tent was 
 quickly up, and we had bright lanterns, comfortable 
 tea, and prayers, and our people were soon fast 
 asleep on their mats. We walked about by moon- 
 light, we were within reach of the dwellings of man, 
 and people were passing backwards and forwards 
 from and to their farms, the greater part of the 
 night. We slept some hours, and after a nice break- 
 fast in gypsy-like style, the next morning we pur- 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 53 
 
 sued our journey. After an hour, we were quite in 
 the bush. I did enjoy that day’s journey; such nice 
 cool air, trees and scented bushes twining together 
 so thickly that even the African sun could not pene- 
 trate. Now and then we stopped to refresh ourselves, 
 and to change my carriers, and then sometimes we 
 sang and sometimes talked. Many, many times we 
 wished our dear good friends could take a peep at 
 us. We halted for the night, about five o’clock, on 
 a rock which seems spread out on purpose for weary 
 travellers, but alas there was no water. We had 
 some in a bottle for our tea, but our poor attendants 
 got none. However, with their usual easy nature, 
 they each spread a mat on the hard rock, down they 
 threw their weary bodies, and in less than five 
 minutes were fast asleep, except those who kept up 
 the fires. I could not sleep, the whole scene and 
 circumstances were so novel. About eight o’clock 
 the moon again rose majestically, and a wonderful 
 sight it was. 
 
 “We were now in the midst of an African bush, 
 no human dwelling near us, but how different to 
 what it once was, when the kidnappers haunted 
 almost every bush, and wild animals were near. 
 Now all our people were sleeping away, with their 
 guns by their side truly, but only in case any kind 
 of animal should be troublesome. Monkeys, foxes, 
 parrots, owls, now and then made a little noise. I 
 
54 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1S53. 
 
 often listened with all earnestness for any sound, 
 and I am sure I heard strange ones far, far away, 
 and have no doubt they were creatures we should 
 not have liked very near. No harm however 
 reached us, not even a drop of rain. With all there 
 was to amuse in. the night watches, I was very glad 
 to see the morning light, to start quite early, and to 
 sleep without any nervous apprehension in my ham- 
 mock. When I awoke I found myself on another rock, 
 with our fellow travellers watching my sweet repose ; 
 and they enjoyed a good laugh when I opened my eyes. 
 In the middle of this rock was most delicious water, 
 and very deep ; it made us think of the provision 
 God made for the children of Israel from a stony 
 rock. Our people drank heartily, and we had a 
 delicious cup of tea under a mangrove tree, and 
 finding a nice little brook close by, we washed, and 
 put on tidy clothes, that we might make a respecta- 
 ble appearance in Ibadan, which we expected to 
 reach in a few hours. I now mounted my horse, 
 but certainly it was not so easy jumping over big 
 trees. At the next halting-place we saw large 
 tracts of land covered with Indian com and cotton 
 trees, and the immense town of Ibadan appearing 
 at about two miles’ distance. It was a beautiful 
 sight, and now my faithful affectionate men, for so 
 I must call them, nearly began to quarrel as to who 
 should carry me into the town, for be carried in my 
 
 i 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 55 
 
 hammock I must, according to their desire. We 
 waited at the town wall, and heard that the chief 
 was out of town at one of his farms, so we went in 
 j and through it, to our little dwelling, which is quite 
 out of it at the other side. But as soon as we 
 touched the town there was such a scene, men, 
 women, and children shouting and screaming, ‘ The 
 white man is come!’ — ‘Oibo Me!’ and * The white 
 mother is come !’ and then their thousands of salu- 
 tations, everybody opening eyes and mouth at me. 
 All seemed pleased, but many frightened too when I 
 spoke ; they followed us to our own dwelling with the 
 most curious shouts, noises, and exclamations. All 
 seemed perfectly bewildered; horses, sheep, goats, 
 did not know where or which way to go, even the 
 pigeons looked ready to exclaim, ‘ What is happen- 
 ing ?’ The people were good and kind enough to 
 let us enter our house by ourselves, but many, many 
 I of them stood round about till sunset, just to catch a 
 glimpse of the wonderful white woman ; and every 
 time I appeared, down they went on the ground, 
 rubbing their hands, and saying, ‘ Alafia, alafia,’ — 
 ‘peace, peace.’ We could but let them enjoy the 
 treat, though we were not sorry when daylight 
 fading warned them to depart, for with all our com- 
 forts and alleviations we were tired enough. We 
 soon unpacked things sufficient for present necessity, 
 and a good night’s rest was very refreshing. 
 
55 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 “We have all this day had people surrounding 
 our dwelling, and we have put our room in order, 
 and already feel at home. Chiefs’ messengers have 
 come to inquire after our welfare, and the Chief him- 
 self intends visiting us on Saturday. The harmo- 
 nium has arrived quite safely, and we have unpacked 
 all we shall really want while in this abode. I wish 
 you could see it, quite by itself, far from the filth and 
 bustle of the town, a few dwellings here and there, and 
 plenty of trees. From the back we look out upon a 
 forest of feathery palm-trees, and I am half inclined 
 to think it a pity to have the trouble of building.” 
 This little native dwelling continued to be their 
 home till the end of their first year in Ibadan. It 
 had no upper floor, indeed such a thing was un- 
 known in the town, even in the abodes of the chiefs. 
 It comprised what may be called their own apart- 
 ment, thirty feet long by six wide, which occupied 
 the whole length of the building, and two wings, 
 each consisting of two rooms, appropriated to Mr. 
 Kefer, their missionary fellow-labourer, to the school- 
 master and catechist, and to the purposes of kitchen 
 and store-room. Attached to this curious house, at 
 the inner side of the quadrangle, was a piazza, 
 which, besides affording shelter from the burning 
 rays of the sun, served for various useful purposes, 
 such as receiving visitors by day, and being the 
 sleeping-place of the servants at night. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 57 
 
 Their own narrow room, with its dismal bare 
 mud walls, mud floor, and thatched roof, had to 
 serve for sitting-room and bed-room. With cheerful 
 hearts, ever looking on the bright side of every- 
 thing, and with much ingenuity in contriving, they 
 at once framed a partition, and divided the shallow 
 1 strip into two small rooms, which were soon made 
 not only habitable, but home-like. 
 
 The house had neither doors nor windows, a cur- 
 tain alone serving for a screen at its entrance. But 
 the inhabitants felt perfectly secure. A robber 
 would be far too much afraid of the white man to 
 approach the house in the dark. They were, how- 
 ever, liable to other troubles. The whole town was 
 exposed to injury from periodical hurricanes, and in 
 ! the rainy season torrents of water would make their 
 way through the roof of this dwelling, producing 
 great discomfort, and doing much damage to their 
 scanty but precious possessions. At all times the 
 grass roof, which had no ceiling under it, harboured 
 spiders, and other unwelcome insects, which would 
 not be dislodged ; and to these must be added crea- 
 tures of a more noxious kind. One night Mr. 
 Hinderer heard a rustling noise, proceeding, as he 
 supposed, from the compound ; wishing to ascertain 
 the cause, he rose hastily from his bed and his foot 
 alighted on a venomous serpent, whose bite might have 
 caused his death had the creature turned upon him. 
 
58 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1S53. 
 
 Dr. Irving, R.N., who visited the missionaries, 
 from Lagos, some months later, gives the following 
 description of their habitation : — 
 
 “ Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer at present live in such a 
 funny little place, quite a primitive mud dwelling, 
 where no two persons can walk abreast at one time > 
 and yet there is an air of quiet domestic comfort 
 and happiness about it, that makes it a little palace 
 in my eyes. It is unfortunate, however, for my 
 temples, for in screwing in at one door and out at 
 the other, forgetting to stoop at the proper time, my 
 head gets many a knock. At one end, six feet 
 square, is the bed-room, separated from the dining- 
 room by a standing book-case ; my bed-room is at 
 one end of this, formed by a sofa, and my privacy 
 established by a white sheet, put across for a screen 
 at bed-time.” 
 
 This native dwelling, and the more solid mission- 
 house, which was built in the course of the year, 
 stood in the south-western quarter of Ibadan, on 
 the Kudeti hill, which commands an extensive view 
 of the town, beginning with closely-packed houses, 
 low, and thatched, spreading over the slopes of the 
 hill on which the old town was built, and continuing 
 into the plain below, where the houses are less- 
 crowded together, and are interspersed with gar- 
 dens, in which flourish the orange, plantain, banana, 
 and other kinds of trees and shrubs. The whole is- 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 59 
 
 enclosed by mud walls, eighteen miles in circum- 
 ference, beyond which there is a broad belt of culti- 
 vated land, five or six miles in breadth, reclaimed 
 from the bush. The outlying country has been 
 described by Dr. Irving as “ very beautiful, undu- 
 lating, watered by numerous clear running streams, 
 marked, in their course through cultivated fields, by 
 the more luxuriant vegetation. Everywhere grace- 
 ful palms rear their tall straight stems and crowning 
 summits of leafy fronds in fine relief against the 
 sky ; and wherever the higher grounds command a 
 more extended view, we behold the same lovely 
 country reaching far in the distance, till lost in the 
 faint blue of the horizon.” 
 
 Ibadan has the characteristic features common to 
 the Yoruba towns. The houses are all of one pat- 
 tern, being a square, enclosing a court open to the 
 sky. The apartments occupied by the family are 
 low dark rooms, without windows, covered by a 
 sloping roof of grass or agidi leaves, projecting 
 beyond the building, so as to form a piazza, sup- 
 ported by posts. Here visitors are received, and 
 business is transacted. There are also sheds for the 
 horses, goats, sheep, and poultry, which throng the 
 court by day. A doorway leads into the street, 
 forming the only break in its monotonous face of 
 blank mud wall. The streets, however, are diversi- 
 fied by sheds, which serve the purpose of shops, and 
 
60 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 here and there by orisha or idol houses ; and at in- 
 tervals there are open spaces, shaded by trees, and 
 used as markets. Here, amidst a merry hum of 
 voices, above which are heard shrill sounds, which 
 may remind an English listener of the cries in the 
 streets of London, a lively traffic is carried on in 
 the produce of the farms and native manufactures. 
 Of the latter there is a great variety, for in Ibadan 
 there are numerous weavers, tailors, blacksmiths, 
 carpenters, tanners, leather-dressers, saddlers, pot- 
 ters, and dyers ; others are employed in extracting 
 palm-oil and nut-oil, and in making soap. But the 
 principal occupation of the people is farming, in 
 which everyone is engaged, whatever other calling 
 he follows, each having a right to such land as he 
 chooses to occupy outside the walls, provided only 
 that it be not already appropriated. When Mr. 
 Hinderer, on first settling at Ibadan, asked what 
 price he must pay for some land which he wished 
 to cultivate, the chief said, laughing, “ Pay ! who 
 pays for the ground ? All the ground belongs to 
 God ; you cannot pay for it !” 
 
 The soil is extremely fertile. Indian corn and 
 yams, the staple articles of food, form the principal 
 produce of the farms, but Guinea corn, beans, 
 ground-nuts, and cassada, are also cultivated, as 
 well as cotton, which is grown both for home use 
 and for exportation. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 61 
 
 Ibadan, like other Yoruba towns, while nominally 
 subject to a king who resides at Oyo, is in fact an 
 independent state, governed by its own chiefs, and 
 claiming tribute and military service from many 
 smaller towns, in virtue of the protection which it 
 affords them. Highest among its rulers is the Bale, 
 or civil chief, who conducts the affairs of the govern- 
 ment. Next to him, and almost his equal, is the 
 head war-chief ; and these together sit in judgment 
 on criminals charged with grave offences, and like- 
 wise settle important cases of dispute between man 
 and man. Below these are a number of inferior 
 chiefs, who, besides having rank in the army, act as 
 magistrates in their respective districts of the town, 
 and decide all except the most weighty matters for 
 their people. Their services are rewarded by fees, 
 to which they do not scruple to add bribes ; and by 
 tribute money, paid by the subject towns. The 
 chiefs have extensive farms, which are cultivated by 
 their slaves, whom they sometimes number by hun- 
 dreds, but who are generally treated with kindness, 
 and often possess little plots of ground adjoining 
 their master’s property, on which they work when 
 the comparatively light day’s task is done. Thus 
 in course of time many are enabled to redeem them- 
 selves. Others of the slaves are employed by their 
 masters in trading, and they are so implicitly trusted, 
 that they are sent out on expeditions which involve 
 
62 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 an absence of several months at a time, and return 
 when their commission has been fulfilled. Others, 
 again, are “ war-boys,” on whose ready service the 
 chiefs can rely in any of their schemes of pillage or 
 kidnapping. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer’s letters and journal give a lively 
 description of their first settling in Ibadan, and ex- 
 press the thoughts and feelings with which she re- 
 garded that important event in her life. 
 
 “ May 1st, Sunday. — A very interesting day. 
 Many people came, as on every other day. Many 
 thoughts of dear ones at home, but very full of the 
 present scene. Olumloyo (a young warrior) inte- 
 rests me much, and said, with many others, ‘ The 
 words were sweet/ On what has this day been 
 sown here, and everywhere, Thy blessing, Lord, 
 bestow !” 
 
 “ May 5th, Ascension Bay . — I have been com- 
 forted to-day by Keble’s words, 
 
 ‘ He to earth’s lowest cares is still awake,’ 
 
 for at times I do intensely feel my separation from 
 you all, my beloved friends. On such days as these 
 I seem to be among you in thought, and partaking 
 with you in service, as in days of yore ; and then 
 such a feeling of being very, very far away comes 
 over me, and the thought, ‘ Shall we ever meet 
 again V As to this world it must be uncertain, but 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 63 
 
 oh, that I may be permitted to meet yon in heaven ! 
 A glimmering hope of this dries the eye, and cheers 
 the heart.” 
 
 “ May 8th . — Another blessed Sabbath-day; people 
 remarkably attentive. They heard of Jesus for the 
 first time, and seem much struck with the message 
 of salvation. The past week has been one of much 
 occupation, putting things to rights, and receiving 
 no end of visitors from morning till evening. It re- 
 quires a little tact and patience to meet the whole 
 thing. I have had some nice little presents of yams, 
 fowls, and fruit. Oh, for wisdom and patience to 
 deal rightly and wisely with these people; to be 
 willing to amuse and give myself up cheerfully to 
 little things, if by any means I may win some. My 
 dear husband is well, always occupied, and much in- 
 terested in everything around him. We do enjoy 
 finding ourselves in Ibadan, and a work, a great, a 
 holy work, commenced. O God, give Thy blessing!” 
 
 “ Whit- Sunday, May 1 5th . — I think you might not 
 have been uninterested if you could have seen a cer- 
 tain Anna to-day, with a large mixed-up class of men 
 and women on the ground, with her four little boys, 
 who are with her every day, clinging to her, each 
 trying to be nearest at this afternoon school. You 
 must remember they are cramped for room. As I 
 sat on my chair, one little black fellow had clasped 
 my arm with both his hands, another every now and 
 
64 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 then nearly resting his chin on my shoulder, the 
 other two sitting close at my feet ; and then such a 
 
 ( burst of voices after me repeated the Lord’s Prayer 
 in Yoruba, and then two of the Commandments. 
 The affection of these people is very great, and in 
 these four boys it is remarkable; if a fly comes 
 near me they push it away. I have had a little 
 fever in the week, so did not come out of my room 
 all day. They were wandering about quite discon- 
 solate, and one of them went in the evening to 
 Olubi, with tearful eyes, saying he could not ‘ And 
 Missis all day and when I came out the next day 
 they were so delighted.” 
 
 On the 23rd May the first mail arrived in Ibadan. 
 It is easy to imagine the excitement and eagerness 
 with which the missionaries awaited the arrival of 
 their letters. Mrs. Hinderer tells how they watched 
 for “ the easy smiling African, who might be seen 
 some time before he reached our dwelling, he so 
 entirely unconscious of the treasures he then held 
 in his possession.” 
 
 By the next mail she described the sensations 
 with which these letters were received, and then 
 gave further particulars of their new home, and of 
 the arrangements by which she had endeavoured to 
 make it cheerful and comfortable : — 
 
 “ But oh ! what mingled hope and fear, in opening 
 these treasures, takes possession of one’s heart ! Sad, 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 05 
 
 sad tidings my eye fell first upon, in a note from 
 Mr. Townsend. I told you in my last that poor 
 Mrs. Paley left the same morning we did, but before 
 the vessel reached Sierra Leone she had joined her 
 husband in heaven ! Indeed we have been dwelling 
 amid solemn scenes, the tale of these few months 
 ! is certainly beyond description ! Oh, if we could 
 not repose in our Father, and commit the keeping 
 , of our souls and bodies to Him, believing that He 
 doeth all things well, where could be our hope? 
 where could we find rest ? But what inexpressible 
 comfort there is in knowing that we are in such 
 hands, such keeping! My precious home letters 
 | tell a tale of joy and sorrow. You can hardly think 
 what the sight even of a kind friend’s handwriting 
 is, in this far-off land. Newspapers certainly will be 
 a great treat ; one feels the lack of those things, and 
 the multitude of publications we have had in sucb 
 abundance in England. The whole world is so full 
 of movement and interests, it is a trial not to know 
 what is going on. Only one newspaper have I seen 
 since I have been in Africa ! 
 
 “I do wish some of you could just look at us this 
 evening. A bright lamp, French moderator, now 
 lightens our dwelling ; our various boys, with some 
 of their friends, sitting in the piazza with their 
 country lamps, teaching each other to read, some 
 Yoruba, some English. We have a nice table, not 
 
66 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 mahogany, nor rosewood, but covered with a bright 
 cheerful-looking cloth, with some beautiful green 
 oranges of delicious flavour, one of the many little 
 kind offerings of my African friends. Now and then 
 a frog hops in to take a survey, but being taken by 
 surprise it is generally glad to hop out again, after 
 a little scream from me ; and some long worm-like 
 looking things, with at least a hundred legs ; but my 
 greatest enemies are the musquitoes. We are very 
 near the bush, which accounts for their constant 
 visitation ; but they are, after all, far better than the 
 dirt, noise, and dangers of the town. Our own 
 house, when we can build it, will be sufficiently 
 away from native dwellings to make us fearless for 
 ours, even if the whole town were in a blaze. But 
 these fires are not usual in Ibadan ; there is a law 
 that, if the person who has been the means of pro- 
 ducing such a calamity is found out, all that he 
 possesses is to be taken from him, and he put in 
 prison ; and this, not because it was felonious, but 
 accidental. This seems cruel, but the result has 
 been that not a fire has happened here in five years.” 
 
 “ May 2 6 th . — I have had many visitors this week, 
 particularly women. Their tenderness over me is 
 touching ; if they see me hot, they will fan me ; if I 
 look tired, they want me to lie down. I have had 
 much talk with them, through my little maid 
 Susanna; they do indeed receive us with joy and 
 
 1 
 
1853.] THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 67 
 
 gladness, and we have many regular attendants on 
 Sunday. They are quite beginning to understand 
 that it is a holy day with us, and I feel sure some 
 are trying to give up Sunday occupation. One 
 woman, who is very fond of me, was missing last 
 Sunday; she came on Monday, and with tears in 
 her eyes told me, ‘ Too much work live in her house 
 on Sunday ; her hands were too full, and she could 
 not get them out.’ I was just talking to some new 
 visitors about Sunday ; she sat down, and told them 
 of all she had seen and heard, and begged them to 
 come also. They promised, and left; and I lay 
 down in my hammock in the back piazza, very tired. 
 The above-mentioned woman, on her way home, met 
 four of her friends, and came back with them ; they 
 found me out in my resting-place. After talking a 
 little with them, I rather wished them to go, when 
 my old friend said she wished me not to speak 
 another word, but rest ; yet if they might sit down 
 quietly and look at me, they should like it. I men- 
 tion this to show their kind and respectful and 
 really polite way of speaking, and to describe their 
 tender and affectionate feeling towards me, which 
 must be seen to be fully known. I am still some- 
 ] what of a curiosity, the novelty has not yet worn 
 off, and our house is pretty well surrounded all day 
 long. I like to feel that, though they have come to 
 look at me and my possessions, they go away having 
 
 o—2 
 
68 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 heard the good tidings we have come here to bring; 
 and we only long and pray that they may receive 
 that blessed message of salvation into their hearts. 
 But we are on uncultivated ground, and our work 
 at present, by God’s help, is to ‘ break up the fallow 
 ground.’ 
 
 “ It has been a lovely cool day, after rain nearly- 
 all night, and some hours this morning. The sun 
 has not peeped out once, so that at about three 
 o’clock we went out, Mr. Kefer too, all on horseback. 
 The town is built on a tremendous hill ; we wanted 
 to get to the top, to see its extent, and a wonderful 
 sight it is, myriads of houses on every side. A 
 queer and rugged pathway we had often to travel, 
 but I have no fear now with my good little horse. 
 We went also through different parts of the town, to 
 various markets ; they are a pretty sight, with their 
 native productions, but oh, the noise! We were 
 surrounded all the way by hundreds, with open 
 eyes and mouths. Some made music, after their 
 fashion, and sang and shouted. Many who had 
 visited us at our house were prepared with an extra 
 welcome. Kola-nuts were given me, and I might 
 have had many things.” 
 
 “May 29. — Another Sabbath day hath reached 
 its close. We have had nice services, many people, 
 and very attentive; and some having come for 
 several Sundays, bringing new ones with them, is 
 
1So3.] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 69 
 
 very encouraging. We have now a nice little day- 
 school. Some having come very regularly, I gave 
 them blue shirts yesterday, and it was a pretty 
 sight this morning to be greeted by nine blue boys. 
 I have also now four children given me, but as our 
 house is small, and they like to go home at the end 
 of the day, we let them. They are here early 
 enough in the morning ; a little boy and girl of Olum- 
 loyo’s ; a boy whose father had been quite an enemy 
 of ours ; and a little boy without parents, the brother 
 of our schoolmaster. Though he is so young he has 
 been nicely taught, and is quite a help in the school. 
 I feel I have indeed a little charge, but a precious 
 one, and desire that a blessing may be given, that I 
 ! may have grace and strength to train them up for 
 God, and that they may walk in the right way. I 
 only wish you could take a peep at my little group.” 
 The children of the chief Olumloyo were the 
 first whom Mr. Hinderer received into the house. 
 These were Akielle, a boy four years of age, and 
 Yegide, a little girl who was about two years older. 
 Their first day in the mission compound passed 
 happily enough, so long as the light lasted, but to- 
 wards sunset, the little girl did her best to persuade 
 Akielle to return home, which he shewed himself 
 most unwilling to do. She grew more and more 
 earnest in her entreaties, and was overheard plead- 
 ing, “ Akielle, you must not stay, don’t you know 
 
70 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 that when it gets dark the white people kill and 
 eat the black V This terrible suspicion prevailed, 
 and away they both ran, intending, however, to 
 return to their teacher in the morning. It was not 
 long before Akielle ventured to remain for the night, 
 much to the alarm of his sister, who left him, with 
 a trembling heart, to the mercies of the white 
 people, and returned at the first dawn of day, 
 anxious to know what had befallen him. From 
 this time forward, Akielle, trusting himself to the 
 care of his good friends, was glad to make his home 
 in the mission house. 
 
 More particulars of this new life are now to be 
 added. 
 
 “ J une 8. — Last week I had to doctor and nurse 
 both my dear husband and Mr. Kefer ; they were 
 quite down with fever. It is such a curious malady 
 with them, and comes so frequently ; they get ill 
 quickly, and are very ill for a few days, and then 
 suddenly they are up again, and enjoying food. I 
 do not mean to say that I am exempted altogether, 
 but it seems to be different. I get hot and languid, 
 lie down, and keep quite still, and as cool as I can, take 
 quinine, and am soon up again : but they are so cold, 
 they want blankets, and no one knows what, and 
 are far more ill, and much often er. I cannot say 
 how thankful I am to be so well ; tired enough I 
 am by night. My children and housekeeping and 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 71 
 
 visitors keep me going all day. I almost fear for 
 writing, drawing seems out of the question; however, 
 as I get more and more used to it, I shall more 
 cleverly manage my time. We know children are 
 a great care and trouble at home, and can imagine 
 that they would be rather more so in this country, 
 having been under no control, and coming all at 
 once into such a different life. Washing every 
 morning, for instance, is passing strange to them; 
 once or twice a week is the outside of what they 
 think necessary, and why we want them ever to be 
 quiet and silent is equally strange. They are begin- 
 ning to comprehend that they must be quiet at 
 family prayers. Nothing composes them so much as 
 music. We always sing a hymn with the harmo- 
 nium at prayers, with which they are delighted. 
 But though decidedly a care, and no slight trouble, 
 I would not for anything be without them ; they 
 will lose their wildness in time, and they are so 
 affectionate. Akielle is very high spirited, but has a 
 most loving heart. He often comes and throws his 
 little arms round me, exclaiming : ‘ My mother thou 
 art !’ But he is also extremely passionate. The 
 other day he was beating a boy bigger than himself 
 tremendously. I interfered, and he lifted up his 
 hand at me ; then I had to punish him. He only 
 said he would go home. I said, ‘Very well, Akielle, 
 go ; good-bye for ever.’ He burst into tears : ‘ 0 no! 
 
72 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 0 no ! I will never leave my Iya !’ and he was quite 
 inconsolable till received into favour. They are all 
 happy enough, and are a real pleasure to us, and often 
 rouse us a little, if we are inclined to be flat or weary. 
 My needle comes into constant requisition, for if 
 strings or buttons are not needing it, a ball bursts. 
 
 • “We have erected a large shed, and covered it 
 with palm leaves, as a temporary church, till we 
 can get a better one. In it we have the day-school, 
 and services on Sunday. It was very full both times 
 last Sunday. The people sit on the ground, and are 
 very attentive on the whole, at least quiet, some- 
 times they ask questions in the middle of the dis- 
 course, and appear much interested ; another time, 
 if you ask them what they have heard, ‘ they don’t 
 know, they did not understand.’ ” 
 
 “ June 16. — 
 
 ‘ Mercies, multiplied each hour 
 Through the day, our praise demand/ 
 
 “ I had a fall from my horse on Monday last, it 
 was accidentally pushed from a narrow pathway, by 
 a boy, down a half-filled hole. I was thrown under 
 it, and I quite expected broken limbs, yet, thanks to ' 
 our gracious Preserver, no harm came near me.” 
 Though at the time when it happened, this acci- 
 dent seemed to be of little importance, a few days 
 later it was found to be of a much more serious 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 73 
 
 character, and Mrs. Hinderer felt the effects of it 
 more or less to the end of her life. 
 
 Weeks of sore trial and anxiety speedily followed. 
 Scarcely had she recovered from the consequences of 
 her fall, before Mr. Hinderer was taken ill. Night 
 and day she watched and nursed him, often filled 
 with most serious apprehensions. 
 
 Of her feelings in those days of intense anxiety 
 she gave the following account in one of her 
 letters : — 
 
 “ July 1st — Sometimes the sunshine of prosperity 
 is our portion, and a gracious God very near ; but 
 we are often in trial and difficulty of some shape or 
 other, or sickness is our portion. My husband has 
 had the sharpest attack of fever he ever had, with 
 the addition of inflammation. Last night was the 
 worst ; I was up with him all night ; in the middle 
 of it I feared I should soon be left alone in a 
 strange land. He told me he thought he was 
 dying, and if such an event were at hand, expressed 
 what he wished me to do. It was a solemn time, 
 one I shall never forget.” 
 
 Mr. Refer was at the same time disabled by fever, 
 which deprived Mrs. Hinderer of his assistance ; 
 but, with heavy hearts, she and their faithful ser- 
 vant Olubi spent the night in watching, and admin- 
 istering such relief as was possible ; and in those 
 silent hours God £ave to His tried servant a sub- 
 
74 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1853 
 
 missive heart, calmly resting on His wisdom and 
 goodness. 
 
 i “ I could only lift up my heart unto God,” she 
 wrote, “and I am sure the black African boy by 
 my side lifted up his in all earnestness. The sen- 
 tence in Exodus iii. 7, 4 1 know their sorrows/ has 
 been very comforting to me ; and the hope which 
 my dearest husband has many times expressed to- 
 day, ‘that this will draw us nearer to our God and 
 Saviour.’ Our house and garden have been as quiet 
 as possible, an anxious look on every face, and not 
 a sound from the dear children.” 
 
 The narrative, gathered from her journal and let- 
 ters, is continued by the following extracts : — 
 
 “ July 2nd . — We have had a grievous night, 
 sickness every hour. All night, and this morning, 
 I have had agonizing doubts and apprehensions of 
 what is before me ; to-night I am a little cheered 
 and hopeful; the dear patient sleeping, and much 
 less sickness. I know what it is to wish for the 
 morning ; the darkness and solemnity of night are 
 painful; I know ‘the darkness and the light are 
 both alike’ to our God ; but the body gets weary, 
 and then nervous. Yet I am wonderfully well 
 through God’s mercy, not even a headache, which is 
 an unspeakable comfort, for I have for two or three 
 months suffered intensely from headache. But so 
 our gracious God ‘ tempers the wind to the shorn 
 
1853.] THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 75 
 
 lamb/ and gives abundantly the needful strength in 
 every trying hour.” 
 
 “ July 6th . — Since I last wrote I have been very 
 ill ; a sharp attack of fever, brought on, doubtless, 
 from anxiety and want of rest ; but I am thankful 
 to be about again, though weak. The good hand of 
 my God hath been over me, and I have had the 
 tenderest care from my still suffering husband. He 
 is, I trust, recovering, but very, very slowly; the 
 alarming symptoms have passed over, but he is in- 
 tensely weak; it is such a comfort to hear him 
 speak this evening a little above a whisper. He 
 ' has indeed been brought to the edge of the grave, 
 and is so altered, I think you would hardly know 
 him. I have sometimes almost been inclined to ask, 
 
 * Can it be he V It must be long before he quite 
 recovers ; but I am so thankful that there is a pros- 
 pect of this blessing. The interest and sympathy 
 of the people have been very touching ; coming with 
 a light step, and asking in a whisper, ‘ Babba o 
 | sandie V — ■* Is our father better V Our young war- 
 rior, Olumloyo, has come every day, and has been 
 truly heart-broken ; he told me ‘ I must pray much 
 for my husband/ The orange season is just over, 
 we could not get one in the market ; I mentioned it 
 to Olumloyo, when he sent his servants to the 
 farms, but they came back without any. He was 
 very sorry, ‘ Yet I must have some/ he said ; and 
 
76 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1S53. 
 
 he mounted his horse and galloped off to several 
 farms, and brought back eleven, with great delight. 
 He sat by the bed and saw the dear patient devour 
 one almost greedily ; the young chief was so pleased 
 , that tears filled his eyes. My husband tried to 
 thank him, Olumloyo lifted up his hand, ex- 
 claiming, ‘ Don’t speak : I am too glad.’ He came 
 this afternoon and saw my husband on the sofa ; he 
 was very much pleased, and told Olubi that many 
 people would be so glad to have the white man well 
 again, that there would be much rejoicing when he 
 1 could once more get out; they would fire many 
 guns, he himself would give a whole cask of 
 powder.” 
 
 “ July 10 tk, Sunday . — I must close this day with 
 a few words with my friends. I have been at 
 school twice, and at one service ; during the other 
 service, I stayed with my husband ; he had a com- 
 fortable morning, though rather a trying afternoon ; 
 but after tea he revived much, and said he should 
 like our usual singing. So now for the gathering, 
 I only wish you could have seen it. Mr. Hinderer 
 on the sofa, Mr. Kefer near him, our Christian visitor 
 on a chair ; in the wide door- way, on the ground, 
 his daughter Martha, a girl of ten years, our two 
 men Simon and Jacob, our horseman, cook's wife, 
 and one or two of Mr. Kefer’s servants; I at the 
 harmonium, with two little lamps fixed in wine- 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 77 
 
 glasses for convenience sake ; on a long bench, close 
 behind me, Olubi, Benjamin, Susanna, schoolmaster, 
 carpenter, and cook. Two of my boys, who are 
 very fond of singing, and could keep their eyes 
 open, stood one on each side of me, sometimes lis- 
 tening, and sometimes putting in a few sounds ; and 
 then we had a hearty singing truly. These people 
 have the art of catching an air quickly, and are 
 able to follow music ; and they sang the collect for 
 the day, the 7th Sunday after Trinity, beautifully ; 
 then we had the Lowestoft hymn-book box, and 
 sang ‘ Comfort/ ‘ Lydia/ ‘ Arabia/ and we finished 
 with 
 
 4 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.' 
 
 “ There was a request that I would sing to them 
 the 4 Missionary Call/ Afterwards I pointed to the 
 dear pictures [of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham] hanging 
 over the harmonium, and said to them there was no 
 sight would delight that dear lady and gentleman 
 much more than the present ; and told them of our 
 Sunday evenings at home. They were much inte- 
 rested, and said they were glad they had some one 
 who liked to sing with them in Africa, and who had 
 such a nice instrument. It did us all good; my 
 husband was cheered, and to me it was like a refresh- 
 ing pool in the midst of a 4 dry and thirsty land/ 
 My spirit had been sad and weary ; I had sighed for 
 
78 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 the refreshment of those times when I had gone to 
 the House of God in my own favoured country. I 
 had thought many times of those lines in Tupper’s 
 ‘ Proverbial Philosophy,’ 
 
 1 Take courage, prisoner of time, for there he many comforts. 
 
 Not few nor light are the burdens of life ; then load it not 
 with heaviness of spirit.’ 
 
 But there is a better word still, in a far better 
 book, ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He 
 shall sustain thee.’ And so, amidst trials and dis- 
 couragements, we have our bright sunshiny places ; 
 yes, many little streams are given us on our journey, 
 though we are sometimes cast down by reason 
 of the hardness of the way. Yet can we sing 
 again, ‘My mouth shall praise Thee with joyful 
 lips.’ ” 
 
 More than a month elapsed between the dates of 
 the last and the next quotation. Her silence is 
 accounted for by the recurrence of illness, a hin- 
 drance which already, in the four months since their 
 arrival, had made such serious inroads into the work 
 of the mission. The story continues as follows, to 
 the end of the year : — 
 
 “ August 20 th , — I am again permitted to write to 
 you, after a most severe sickness. What a wonder- 
 ful thing, in the midst of all, not to have been pre- 
 vented sending something every mail. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 79 
 
 “ With a weak hand I wrote a few lines last 
 month, telling you I had inflammation in the lungs ; 
 after that was gone I was much worse for three 
 whole weeks, touched nothing hut water, tea, a 
 little raspberry vinegar, and in very sinking mo- 
 ments, once or twice, I think they gave me weak 
 brandy and water. A whole week they had looked 
 for my end ; several times I seemed almost gone ; I 
 feel I was prayed back to life, for once I was quite 
 conscious, and felt the journey of life ending, and 
 that I should be with my Saviour, the body of clay 
 sleeping the sleep of death, with those who so lately 
 have been taken from amongst us, till the resurrec- 
 tion morn. My poor afflicted husband had sent a 
 special messenger to Abeokuta on horseback, to re- 
 quest their prayers, and on the day he arrived, they 
 appointed an hour in the evening for special plead- 
 ing on my behalf ; and that self-same hour, after an 
 intensely suffering day, I became easier and better ; 
 God listened to their cry, and while they were 
 speaking He graciously answered. Here I am, 
 weaker indeed, but getting on day by day, through 
 God’s infinite mercy, and oh, I trust, for some 
 good purpose to my own soul, and the souls of 
 others. 
 
 “ Everyone says this is a great encouragement for 
 the future, that I am become more ‘ Africanised/ 
 and shall be less and less affected by the climate. 
 
80 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 My dear husband, Mr. Kefer, and our good Olubi 
 shared in the night nursings. My husband had not 
 recovered from his illness, and had fever every even- 
 ing for weeks, and, after a few hours’ watching, was 
 obliged to throw himself on the sofa from exhaus- 
 tion. Mr. Kefer soon had an attack of fever, and 
 I was deprived of his help. Poor sleepy Olubi with 
 his master did all they could, and my needs were 
 abundantly supplied. Oh, that I could praise the 
 Lord for His goodness ! 
 
 “ God has raised me up again, and though I was 
 sorry at one time to be called back to the things of 
 time and sense, yet with returning health and 
 strength, I can but rejoice at being spared a little 
 longer, I trust for the glory of God, to my thankful 
 husband, to the little bright black faces which 
 attend our school, and to many a tearful eye which 
 has greeted me since I have been up. The weather 
 is cool, which is helpful to me, and I go out often in 
 a hammock. 
 
 “ I was amused to hear that you remarked, when 
 I said in my letter I laughed at something, that it 
 was the first time you had heard of my laughing in 
 Africa : I assure you I do laugh very often, it would 
 be against my nature not to laugh. I am now in 
 the best of spirits, cheerful and happy, and often 
 laugh at my snail-like pace, and what would you 
 say to see me, instead of jumping up two steps at a 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 81 
 
 time, and frisking about, crawling about our little 
 arm, and feeling it a long journey.” 
 
 “ August 26th . — I have had a treat to-day, my 
 i sixteen school-children to dinner. They were so 
 good while I was ill that I wished to give them a 
 treat when well again. We gave them a large bowl 
 of palaver sauce, with a huge quantity of beaten 
 yams ; afterwards pictures, then an examination as 
 to what they had learned in school, a little talk, 
 which was followed by a good game at ball, then 
 each had a present from my toy-box, such as a 
 knife, or a box for cowries. They were delighted 
 indeed, and after a little more eating of agidi, and 
 an orange, I sent them off by six o’clock, and then 
 we had visits from their parents to thank us. It 
 ! was a real pleasure to me to see them getting on so 
 nicely, four of them now begin to read the Yoruba 
 Testament; all have learned Watts’s little cate- 
 chism, which has been translated, and the command- 
 ments; two are also learning the English primer; 
 they extremely like to learn English sentences, and 
 names of things. I am always saluted by them 
 with ‘ Good-morning, ma’am/ When walking out 
 with my four boys, they tell me Yoruba names of 
 things, and then ask for the English in return, and 
 . they remember the English name much better than 
 I do the Yoruba. A mistake now and then occurs ; 
 one boy bad come to school for a short time, and 
 
 6 
 
82 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 had picked up a few words, but was called away 
 to the farm, and of course forgot them. The other 
 day he paid me a visit, and poor fellow ! had evi- 
 dently been trying to think of his former salutation, 
 but only the word ‘ Yes !’ could be remembered. I 
 was sitting writing in the piazza, when suddenly I 
 heard with the strongest emphasis, ‘Yes!’ and I 
 looked up at a countenance full of satisfaction at his 
 salutation. It was too ridiculous for my four boys 
 who were sitting on a mat over a picture-book; 
 they all laughed heartily, but took the poor fellow, 
 and very kindly taught him his forgotten English. 
 It was quite a scene. 
 
 “ My four boys go on most comfortably together, 
 and I am quite encouraged about them. Akielle, 
 the youngest of them, fell asleep once during the 
 Sunday evening singing, and was carried to his mat. 
 The next morning he came to me, saying, ‘ Iya, I 
 did not say my prayers last night, shall I now V I 
 am teaching them to sew and to knit, for I want 
 occupation for them, as the school only lasts from 
 nine to twelve. From five to six we generally 
 walk, play ball, and all sorts of things, and ‘ Iya 
 must play with them as well as work ;* their great 
 delight is truly doubled when my husband will run 
 and let them catch him. So with one tiling and 
 another, you can believe, I have not much idle time. 
 We have very pleasant Sunday evenings over the 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 83 
 
 Noah’s ark, or Mrs. Buxton’s beautiful Scripture 
 pictures. After that, the whole household come in 
 for singing. The children are now very good at 
 church. On Sunday, in speaking on the vanity and 
 helplessness of idols, Mr. Hinderer quoted the Psalm, 
 ‘ They have mouths and speak not,’ the boys burst 
 out laughing, and said it was ‘ true, very true ;’ 
 this was not very decorous truly, but it showed they 
 were attentive. The other day, one was with us in 
 a compound, where a man told us 4 God was good, 
 for He gave them orishas/ the child instantly re- 
 plied, ‘ No, God did not, the devil gave us orishas.’ 
 
 “ Our palm leaf shed has stood the rainy season 
 very well, and has been nicely filled, we recognize a 
 few regular attendants, and all like Sunday school. 
 One young woman has been a constant attendant, 
 and a frequent visitor. She bought a Yoruba 
 primer, and was very diligent in learning to read. 
 Her husband, who is one of the great men with a 
 multitude of wives, gave her into her father’s hands, 
 who is a thorough idolater, for coming to church 
 and ‘ taking book.’ They asked for the book, but 
 she refused to give it them, so then she was put in 
 chains for three days. On the following Sunday 
 she came to church. We did not see her for more 
 than a week, when one evening in the dark she 
 came to us to say she had been punished again, but 
 not so much. She said they told her to read the 
 
 6—2 
 
84 * 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 book she had, so she began the alphabet, which was 
 all she knew, and being unintelligible to them they 
 were angry. They have not prevented her coming 
 to us now, but they are very anxious she should 
 give back such a fearful thing as that book which 
 ‘ will do harm to her and her family/ 
 
 “ Mr. Kefer has been twice disturbed in public 
 preaching; ordered away from under the tree; ‘We 
 will not have you white men, you are the world’s 
 spoilers/ ” 
 
 “ Sep. 11th . — A very bright Sunday. I awoke 
 singing, 
 
 * Oh, may my heart in tune he found, 
 
 Like David’s harp of solemn sound.’ 
 
 I am thankful I did value my Sunday privileges. 
 I cannot help on Sunday longing once more for my 
 comer in St. Peter’s. I long to hear our beautiful 
 prayers in an English church. I am generally 
 rather low on Sunday in heart ; I can get hold of 
 so little Sunday feeling. The scenes and sounds 
 around us are so different from home ; drums, guns, 
 farms, markets, all the same as any other day, and 
 though I can heartily mingle my ‘Amen/ in our 
 simple shed, yet all seems strange ; but what a com- 
 fort our God is not confined to time or place ! I 
 srnly long for my soul to be filled more and more 
 with the quickening and enlivening influences of 
 His blessed Spirit; to rise above things temporal. 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 85 
 
 and to lay hold on things eternal, that as earthly 
 comforts and privileges fail, I may he so hidden in 
 the Rock, and live so near to the Fountain, that X 
 sigh not so much for the streams, and that I may 
 rejoice in the Lord in the midst of all. But one is 
 apt to get flat, and cold, and heartless sometimes, 
 and to go down, down. Oh, my dearest friends, we 
 need your prayers lest we faint and he weary and 
 feel the hardness of the way, instead of rejoicing to 
 he counted worthy, looking into the future. In my 
 late illness, one Monday night, a cloud hung over me 
 and hid all that was bright ; all at once it came into 
 my mind that it was the day of the monthly Mis- 
 sionary Meeting [at Lowestoft], when many were 
 not only praying for the heathen hut for those of 
 their own country who were dwelling in the midst 
 of them, that they might he comforted and refreshed 
 in hours of sickness and sorrow. I was quite 
 cheered, and revived a little ; the thought of your 
 constant remembrance of us w.as and is always a 
 comfort. 
 
 “Abudu came to us on Monday; a nice bright 
 little fellow. Ifa gave notice at his birth that he 
 was to be a ‘ book boy,’ so his father gave him a 
 Mohammedan name.” 
 
 “ Oct. ls£. — Mr. and Mrs. Townsend came to pay 
 us a visit ; we were very glad to have them with us 
 in our little dwelling, which I was almost inclined 
 
86 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1S53. 
 
 to think must be made of something elastic, for we 
 packed in very comfortably, and were truly glad of 
 a little white society. The people were astonished, 
 and frightened too, to see five white people together; 
 and when we all went out it was amusing and 
 fatiguing enough. We are still much surrounded 
 by visitors, who wonder at all they see ; they think 
 me much more industrious than I think myself; 
 they laugh to see me write, and wonder that I can 
 read so many books; and the wonderful things I 
 can do with a needle and scissors make them open 
 their mouths and say, f Ah, ah, ah !’ 
 
 u Our school does not increase at present, people 
 are afraid to send their children; they think ‘book’ 
 will make them cowards, but those we have are 
 going on very nicely. One Sunday, at school, I en- 
 deavoured to explain some of the texts which they 
 had learned, at least to talk about them. They 
 spoke a long time to each other about the eyes of 
 the Lord being over the righteous, but His face 
 being turned away from those who were wicked; 
 they looked very sorrowful, but soon one said , 4 It is 
 only the devil God does not look at.’ On the text, 
 Jesus ‘ did no sin, neither was guile found in His 
 mouth/ one said I was 4 good, very good, more good 
 than anybody; the devil was very wicked/ he 
 himself was ‘ a good boy, and Robert, and Akielle ; 
 Idowu was naughty sometimes/ but he evidently 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 87 
 
 was happy in the thought that they were all ex- 
 tremely good. It is very interesting to have them 
 talk out in this way, and it makes me very anxious 
 to get on with the language, that I may hear them 
 ; always, and "be able to answer them. You would 
 smile to see us trying to understand one another. 
 They are so fond of singing ; . after their evening 
 prayers they now begin to sing ‘ There is a happy 
 land ’ very prettily. Last night, after it was finished, 
 one of them clapped his hands and said, ‘That is 
 sweet.’ I sometimes feel sad at the thought how 
 little I do, how little there is I can do ; and then I 
 look at these little creatures, and hope they are 
 being trained for future good, so I take comfort. My 
 little black boys are my greatest occupation, so that 
 they and their doings, or mine with them, are in- 
 terspersed through everything, for I am mother, 
 playfellow, teacher.” 
 
 “ Nov. l§th . — This has been an eventful week. 
 On Monday, the 14th, we commenced building the 
 wall of our compound ; the foundation of our house 
 also is laid, and the corners built up a little way. 
 The first floor will be about six or seven feet high, 
 which will be used for stores, and we shall mount 
 up, and have three good rooms, and smaller rooms 
 made in the piazza. I can hardly fancy I am to 
 have such comfort, yet it is with a loose hand one 
 holds it. The uncertainty of everything, especially 
 
88 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1853 . 
 
 here, makes one only long for the * house not made 
 with hands, eternal, in the heavens.’ Yet, if it 
 pleases God to spare us a few years, it will be very 
 desirable, and we may accept it gratefully, an 
 earthly dwelling, secure from the rain and wind, 
 and room to turn round in. 
 
 1 “We have a class on Saturday for candidates for 
 baptism, some of our own servants not being bap- 
 tized. A woman of this town has joined it; she 
 has attended regularly every Sunday for four or 
 five months, giving up all Sunday labour. She 
 seems to have long desired to know the right way 
 to serve God, feeling that orishas were of no use ; 
 she joined the Mohammedans, but that did not meet 
 the want of her heart either. Now we do hope and 
 pray that in hearing of Jesus the Saviour, ‘the 
 Way, the Truth, and the Life/ she may find Him 
 her ‘ all in all.’ ” 
 
 “ Nov . 21 st . — This will greet my beloved friends 
 in a new year; this year will have passed away, 
 with its multitude of events, but its unnumbered 
 mercies cannot cease to be remembered. The un- 
 certain future is before us, shall we fear to tread 
 it ? No ! mercies past only encourage one to hope, 
 and to commit the keeping of our souls and bodies 
 unto our faithful Creator. Oh, for grace to live 
 nearer and nearer to Him. and to be found more and 
 more meet for the kingdom above ! I have found 
 
1853 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 89 
 
 it is not our circumstances or position in life which 
 will tend to this. 
 
 ‘ We need not bid for cloistered cell 
 Our neighbour and our work farewell.’ 
 
 Not the more passive life in Africa, or the more 
 active and busy movements of Lowestoft, will help 
 us in communion with our God, or lead us nearer to 
 heaven; the Holy Spirit must be our guide, our 
 helper, our defender, with watching and prayer in 
 ourselves.” 
 
 “Dec . — It is a heart-cheering sight to behold* 
 Sunday after Sunday, such a goodly gathering as we 
 have, and they are so quiet and attentive. I think 
 I told you we had a young schoolmaster, but we 
 have given him up, in order to have a man who can 
 go about in the town, and talk, and be of use to the 
 people. This was more necessary to us in this im- 
 mense town ; and, as they could not afford us both 
 from Abeokuta, we were glad to be able to choose 
 between the two. We have made a sacrifice, and 
 given up our faithful Olubi for the school. It is a 
 sacrifice, for he was the only one in the house we 
 could look to for everything, but he is a good crea- 
 ture, and very ready to give a helping hand when 
 school is over, and I believe he will make an ex- 
 cellent schoolmaster, he is so fond of children, and 
 lias so much heart in everything. 
 
 “ The dear children are ^°ry ready to receive in- 
 
90 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1854 
 
 str notion, and it was quite a grief to them when 
 they had a few days’ holiday ; they were not a little 
 delighted to have some lessons with me. It is so 
 interesting to watch their opening minds. I asked 
 one of my little boys if he liked to * sit down ’ with 
 me ? * 0 yes, indeed I do,’ was his answer. ‘ Why T 
 * Because I learn so many nice things here, and you, 
 Iya, love me, and are so kind to me.’ I asked, ‘ Do 
 you love God ?’ ‘ 0 yes, because He is so great 
 
 and good.’ ‘Do you love Jesus?’ ‘Yes, yes/ 
 ‘ Why ?’ I asked, but that seemed too much to ex- 
 plain, it seemed too deep, and he ended with saying, 
 ‘ I want to hear more of Jesus, and know more.’ ” 
 
 The first quotation from the memorials of the 
 next year begins with another sad record of illness, 
 but soon Mrs. Hinderer was able to resume her 
 work, encouraged by tokens that God’s blessing 
 rested on her labours. 
 
 “Jan. 20th, 1854. — I have again been laid very 
 low, in consequence, in some measure I doubt not, 
 of the late anxious nursing of Mr. Kefer. When a 
 fellow-labourer is brought down to the gates of 
 death, all one’s endeavours, anxieties, and sympa- 
 thies are called forth, and one feels the effects after- 
 wards, the body and the nerves suffer ; but we are 
 also passing through the trying season, the har 
 mattan. I have had lingering fever ; I feel very 
 weak, and unable to do anything ; the bed and the 
 
1854 .] 
 
 «2HE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 91 
 
 sofa are very much my resources, and I cannot get 
 round as I usually do ; however, we hope on, and 
 are as cheerful as is possible with a weary body of 
 clay. My dear husband is always cheerful and 
 cheering, never despairing, never doubting, never 
 distrusting ; even in the dark cloudy day he passes 
 on with all his burdens. I must confess I have had 
 a low time, and have been walking on the dark and 
 shady side of life. I have felt, ‘ What am I V and 
 could not bear to be looked at by the people who 
 are all day watching us. I felt they must think me 
 a very lazy white woman, but yet I think my pale 
 thin face and tottering limbs must have been an 
 excuse for me ; however, the happiest way of think- 
 ing was that this was my time of education and 
 preparation for future work, and so I endeavoured 
 to lie passive, only seeking to be made entirely re- 
 signed to do or to suffer my Father’s will. This is 
 a grace one especially needs in a missionary’s call- 
 ing. You come with a desire to do something; 
 you see your work before you, see thousands of chil- 
 dren, hundreds of people, and you are utterly help- 
 less in mind and body ; it is hard work, and only 
 One can give strength to bear it. Oh, that it may 
 all work in me the good He designs who sends it, 
 the spirit of patience, meekness, gentleness, forbear- 
 ance, and love. ' God has been gracious, and He has 
 promised never to leave nor forsake us. I do feel 
 
92 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 and believe this ; but I long for more of the spirit 
 
 I of repose, confidence, and assurance, in the suffering 
 day, and in the time of weakness. 
 
 “ Truly, the African climate is fearful, and it seems 
 to me that it will require the sacrifice of the gold that 
 perisheth, and of life to a considerable extent, before 
 it can be helped by her own sons. God calls for 
 this ; will men hear or not ? They will not repent 
 the sacrifice in the better world. Oh, that there may 
 be a true church here, boldly to lift up a standard 
 against error, in the name of the Lord of Hosts.” 
 “Feb. 21st . — Now I must tell you some of our en- 
 couragements, not perhaps conversions, but some- 
 thing approaching thereto. Many people in this town 
 are not exactly slaves, but are in pawn. Their parents 
 have wanted money, perhaps, and have given their 
 children as security, so that after a time the one in 
 pawn has to work so many days for his master 
 without any reward, and the remaining days, ac- 
 cording to the master’s generosity, for himself, to 
 earn enough for his entire food and clothing. A 
 poor fellow in this position came to church when- 
 ever his master’s working day did not fall upon a 
 Sunday, and became so interested in all he heard, 
 that he said he could not work on Sunday, he 
 should beg his master to give him that day always, 
 and he would give him one of his own week days. 
 Now that is something like self-denial, is it not ? 
 
1854 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 9a 
 
 “ One of onr church builders also is full of enquiry, 
 and says his heart cannot sit down, he cannot follow 
 his past fashion, neither can he take white mans 
 fashion altogether. 
 
 “ Our sawyer is a heathen from Abeokuta, whom 
 we begged to come and saw for us. His friends 
 sent for him the other day to go and make the 
 usual f country fashion’ with them. He sent them 
 word * No,’ since he had been here he had seen and 
 heard things so different. They begged, they threat- 
 ened, he said he could not help what they did, but 
 he could not join with them in their heathen wor- 
 ship. He attends church regularly, and Sunday- 
 school too, and is eager to learn to read. 
 
 tf There are some other hopeful signs. A country 
 priest who has troubled us, and tried to prejudice 
 others against us, came the other day, saying, e I 
 get no peace, I want to give my heart to God.’ 
 
 “ A famous priestess came to convert us, but re- 
 turned to think for herself, and has had some seri- 
 ous talks with Olubi. So we are greatly encouraged 
 in our work, and if thus permitted to do something 
 for Christ’s sake, what is a little suffering or an 
 earlier grave ? White and black will the sooner re- 
 joice together, and the time be hastened when all 
 shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest. 
 
 There is plenty to do, and I long to do it ; I am 
 certain there is more pain in sitting still than in 
 
94 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 the hardest work, but I find I must go ‘ softly,’ or 
 be laid by altogether. Africa is not England, I am 
 not strong, but not ill either, and as time rolls on, 1 
 hope to be stronger : and in the compulsory retire- 
 ment from continual active life, I trust there is 
 some ingathering for one’s own self, and for the 
 good of others, in my future course. 
 
 “ The house is making great progress. After my 
 return from Abeokuta, we go into it. We do both 
 look forward to it with real pleasure, and have 
 bright visions, with God’s help, of going to work in 
 good earnest in divers ways. Up to this time we 
 feel to have done nothing, or hardly commenced, 
 not at least in a way satisfactory to ourselves, but 
 with feeble means God will do His own blessed 
 work, and we hope and desire, from the depths of 
 our hearts, to be more entirely used for His honour 
 and glory, and for the good of Ibadan.” 
 
 Reference is made in the above extract to an 
 expected absence from home. Mrs. Hinderer had 
 been for some time so much out of health, that under 
 the advice of Dr. Irving, who had spent a fortnight 
 with them in March, she was persuaded to go to 
 Abeokuta to recruit. Mr. Hinderer accompanied 
 her, but after a few days returned to Ibadan, to 
 hasten the completion of the building of their 
 house. The following letter is dated, — 
 
 “ Abeokuta, April . — It was by no means easy to 
 
1854 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 95 
 
 1 get away from home, and I felt it much, the dear 
 boys were so sorrowful. They came a little way on 
 the road with us after many promises, before leav- 
 ing the house, that I would not go to England, when 
 I got as far as Abeokuta ; and when we halted under 
 a tree, to take a final leave for a time, I got off my 
 horse, and if you could just have seen it, you would 
 have said, African children have hearts, and very 
 tender loving ones too. One of my boys, about ten 
 or eleven years old, could bear it no longer ; he laid 
 his head on my side and sobbed, and as he could 
 get the words out, said, ‘ Go, dear Iya, and make 
 haste back,’ and then turned his face and steps to- 
 wards home. 
 
 “ You will not think me egotistical, but this I do 
 think, if I am come to Africa for nothing else, I 
 have found the way to a few children’s hearts, and 
 if spared, and I have health and strength, I think I 
 shall not, with God’s blessing, find it very difficult 
 to do something with them. An inundation of 
 seven, whom I expect to come to me when I return, 
 seems rather formidable, but I do not fear it if I am 
 well. If you can get at their affections, you can 
 get obedience, and I think that is generally secured 
 before hand. I have had many visits from them, 
 and they are watching as eagerly as anybody for the 
 completion of the house, that they may come and 
 ‘sit down’ in it. My boys that I have now, would 
 
96 
 
 THE GOSPEL IX IBADAX. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 never tell me an untruth, or touch a cowry or any- 
 thing they should not. This is truly wonderful for 
 heathen boys, brought up all their lives, hitherto, in 
 the midst of every kind of deceit. Dear fellows, I 
 feel sure the love and blessing of God is over them, 
 and their young hearts are opening, I humbly trust, 
 to receive Him as their only God and Saviour, and 
 I hope I am very thankful to have found favour 
 amongst them. I must add, though I may fill a 
 larger place in their affections, having more to do 
 with them, yet ‘ Babba/ my husband, shares in it 
 considerably. 
 
 “ There has been a fine gathering of black heads 
 for the morning service, attentive listeners to the 
 story of what was accomplished for them, and for 
 all, on this day, (Good Friday.) The text was ‘ It 
 is finished/ I thought of the sermon I had heard 
 from these words in my own tongue and country, 
 and I felt a weary thirsty spirit for past privileges. 
 No one knows what a loss it is. I felt with Keble, 
 
 I 
 
 in his poetry for yesterday, it was a real striving 
 * To keep the lingering flame in my own heart alive.’ ” 
 
 “ May 9. — I long to be at home again, and grudge 
 every hour from my beloved Ibadan ; only the as- 
 surance and advice of everybody, that I ought to 
 have some sort of change, could have moved me. 
 To-morrow we hope to be on our way to Ibadan, 
 and we go with joy and gladness of heart I cannot 
 
1854 .] 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN IBADAN. 
 
 97 
 
 be thankful enough to be able to return with re- 
 newed health and strength, and I hope never to 
 have occasion for any move again till we leave for 
 dear England once more. There is a great cry for 
 lya to go home again, and I certainly feel there is 
 no place in all Africa like that home. But we are 
 going, somewhat with the feelings of St. Paul, when 
 he said, ‘ Not knowing the things that shall befall 
 me there;’ but the ‘Fear not’ of Him who cannot 
 change, goes before us, and under its shield we can 
 indeed go on our way fearlessly.” 
 
 After her return, she made the following remarks 
 on her visit to Abeokuta : — 
 
 “ The kindness and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Townsend are never to be forgotten ; I enjoyed being 
 under their roof and with them, and was much in- 
 terested in all that is going on around them. Mrs. 
 Townsend cared for me as a sister, and as a proof of 
 its benefit, under God’s blessing, I will quote a 
 remark of my little maid Susanna. At first she 
 would say, ‘ Please, ma’am, too much bone live here,’ 
 but when we were about returning, (for she sighed 
 for Ibadan as well as myself,) ‘ Please, ma’am, bone 
 all gone away, I think we may go home now.’ It 
 certainly would not have been very pleasant to lose 
 all my bones, but there was some satisfaction in 
 having them covered, and I fully agreed with 
 Susanna on its being time to get back.” 
 
 7 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PEOGEESS OF THE WOEK. 
 
 All unseen, the Master walketh. 
 
 By the toiling servant’s side ; 
 
 Comfortable words He speaketh, 
 
 While His hands uphold and guide. 
 
 “ Grief, nor pain, nor any sorrow, 
 
 Bends thy heart to Him unknown ; 
 
 He to-day and He to-morrow 
 Grace sufficient gives His own.” 
 
 On Mrs. Hinderer’s return from Abeokuta, she was 
 welcomed by her husband and her black children to 
 the new mission-house, which had been completed 
 during her absence. This home, though simple and 
 somewhat rude, possessed comforts which were un- 
 known in the little native dwelling, and which were 
 looked upon as real luxuries ! The building of this 
 house, with its upper story and outside staircase (a 
 marvellous production in the eyes of the people), 
 and likewise the erection of a substantial church, 
 
CHURCH AND MISSION-HOUSE AT IBADAN. Paqe 93. 
 
1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 99 
 
 had hitherto occupied much of the time of the mis- 
 sionaries, who, besides making the plans and di- 
 recting and superintending the labourers, were often 
 obliged to render further assistance by working with 
 their own hands. From this time they were more 
 free to carry on their spiritual work. Mrs. Hin- 
 derer wrote from their new habitation : — 
 
 “ Ibadan , May 1 Uh . — Yesterday I reached my 
 loved Ibadan home, amidst a hearty greeting from 
 the dear boys. Laniyono, who was the most sor- 
 rowful when I left, gave a shriek of delight, and 
 sprang into my arms, with his legs round my waist, 
 hanging there to his heart’s content, shouting and 
 making the oddest remarks you ever heard ; that I 
 was never to go away again, seemed to be a cer- 
 tainty to his mind. But a tinge of bitterness is 
 generally mixed with every cup, so I found here. 
 Two of my boys had been taken away by their 
 parents in my absence : Adelotan is not allowed to 
 appear anywhere, but Abudu came at once to see 
 me. I put my hand on his shoulder, and he burst 
 into a flood of tears. 4 0 Iya, it is not me, it is 
 not me, it is my father who has done it/ Poor 
 child ! I could only soothe and calm him, and bid 
 him be patient. I believe he will soon get leave 
 from his father to come back. 
 
 “ Our new house, after all the toil in building it 
 promises to possess all the comfort we could expect 
 
 7—2 
 
100 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 or desire in this country ; it is water-tight ! has a 
 good-sized sitting and bed-room, white-washed walls, 
 and a good iron roof; comfortable piazzas, and all 
 very airy, and as cool as anything can be in Africa,, 
 which was my principal desire. It is wonderful 
 what my dear husband has achieved in my absence, 
 and now he rejoices to have his wife in it, and sa 
 does she to be there. We pray that a rich blessing 
 may be given us with it, and that though we have 
 the comfort of a dwelling, we may never forget that 
 this is not our home, but a tent pitched for the 
 day.” 
 
 “May VJth. — Bale, the head chief, paid us a 
 special visit to-day. He came in great state, with 
 drums and various strange instruments of music, 
 with his host of attendants, singing men and singing 
 women. He marvelled greatly at our house, and 
 could not imagine how it was made. He was quite 
 alarmed to think of mounting the steps ; but with 
 my husband pulling, and others pushing, we got him 
 up. I stood at the top to receive him, in his mass 
 of silks and velvets; he very graciously took my 
 hand, and we walked into the room, at the sight of 
 which he gave a great shout and wondered ; he then 
 took a fancy to the sofa, and sat there. We ad- 
 mitted upstairs his wives, his eldest son, and a few 
 of his great people, and then were obliged to move 
 away the steps, or the house, strong as it is, must 
 
1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 101 
 
 have broken down with the mass of people. We 
 gave him, and those in the room with him, a little 
 refreshment, English bread, biscuits, and a few 
 ; raisins. They looked at the bedroom, and all the 
 things in both rooms. Bale was extremely amused 
 to see himself in the looking-glass. I took the 
 women by themselves ; the washing-stand attracted 
 their attention, so I washed my hands to show them 
 the use of it. My soap was wonderful ; and that I 
 wiped my hands after I had washed them, was a 
 thing unheard of. But they took it into their heads 
 to follow my example, and all hands must touch the 
 soap, and go into the water, and there was a fine 
 splashing, and a pretty towel, for the indigo dye 
 comes off their clothes so very much, that I believe 
 the towel will be blue and white for ever. At last 
 we got into a state of composure again, and all being 
 quiet, Mr. Hinderer made a little speech, telling 
 Bale how glad we were to see him, why we built 
 the house, and what brought us to this country.” 
 
 “ May 22nd . — A woman of about fifty years of 
 age came to me. I noticed her in church, two or 
 three Sundays before I went away, and again she 
 was there yesterday. She brought with her a fowl, 
 and corn to feed it with, and yams ; she put them 
 before me as a present, and said, ‘ Iya, all my life I 
 have served the devil ; he has been my god ; but he 
 never gave me peace in my heart. My husband was 
 
102 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [1854 
 
 stolen away by war, the devil did not help me ; my 
 children all died, the devil could not help me ; but 
 since you white people have come, I have heard the 
 words of the Great God, which we never heard be- 
 fore, and they are sweet to me. I want to hear more, 
 and to walk in the right road, for it has been a 
 wrong road all my life/ She has thrown her hus- 
 band’s images into the water. After our last words, 
 4 God bless you, and give you peace in your heart !* 
 she uttered a most fervent and hearty ‘ Amen/ As 
 it is the constant practice to take fowls, cowries, and 
 other offerings to their gods, I thought it necessary 
 to tell her we did not desire she should bring a ‘ full 
 hand’ to us : she said she knew it, but begged we 
 would accept her little present, to make her happy. 
 I had a little chintz bag hanging up, with not a 
 handful of cowries in it ; she would not have had 
 cowries as a payment on any account, but the bag 
 she could not refuse; such a possession she never 
 thought to have, and she went off with it greatly 
 delighted. 
 
 “ Now, dear friends, farewell ; remember us in 
 our work, our weakness and infirmities, bodily and 
 mental, and may all your love, sympathy, and 
 prayers be returned in tenfold measure in blessings 
 on yourselves.” 
 
 “June 22nd . — We are both in very good health, 
 and both as busy as bees. A day is never long 
 
1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 103 
 
 enough for me ; a great deal falls to my share, and 
 I can fancy no one more happy than myself in 
 being equal to it in bodily power. 
 
 " My dear little boys give me great comfort and 
 satisfaction. I must tell you one story about them. 
 On Sunday week we had studied and talked over 
 the picture of Dorcas. Yesterday evening they 
 came to me for their prayers in my bedroom, and 
 particularly noticed the beautiful figure I have of 
 dear Mrs. Fry, which stands on my dressing-table, 
 and which always seems to say, ‘ Be ye followers of 
 them who through faith and patience inherit the 
 promises.’ They asked me who it was, I told them ; 
 and, as far as I could, of her love to all people, espe- 
 cially the afflicted ones, the prisoner, the slave, &c. 
 They listened attentively till big tears stood in the 
 eyes of one. I then asked if they had ever heard 
 of any one being so kind. One said she was like 
 Dorcas, full of good deeds; another that she was 
 like their own Iya, who could leave her own country 
 and friends and come to them, and love little black 
 boys and girls and people so much. ‘ No,’ I said, 
 ‘there was One whose example Mrs. Fry followed, 
 who did far more than either Dorcas or Iya.’ A 
 little fellow, the youngest of all, exclaimed, ‘ It is 
 Jesus, Iya means, who went about always doing 
 good, and then gave His life for all.’ Do you know, 
 I thought it was worth while to come to Africa, only 
 
104 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 to hear this from little lips which, such a short time 
 ago, were taught senseless words over wood, and 
 stone, and charms.” 
 
 “July 11th . — Early this morning the wife of one 
 of our native agents and our young schoolmaster 
 went into the town, to accompany a friend on the 
 road to Ijaye. On their way back they saw a little 
 boy, not three years old, looking cold, starved, and 
 filthy ; they went towards the poor little thing, who 
 said, ‘ Era mi/ — * Buy me, buy me ; I want to go 
 home with you.’ On enquiring they found that he 
 was the child of a slave ; the mother was sold many 
 months ago, far away; the master of the house where 
 the child was is gone to war, and so what was every- 
 body’s charge became nobody’s. One man, who did 
 just feed him for a time, got tired of him, and said 
 he had enough to do to feed himself, for he also was 
 a slave; so the poor child was cast out into the 
 street. No one would dare to take him, lest they 
 should be charged with stealing a slave, and for 
 three moons, as the people say, he had been there, 
 night and day ; a few days more, and he must have 
 died. All the food he got would be a bit of agidi, 
 or corn, which would be thrown to him by passers 
 by, as you would to a fowl. Olubi talked with the 
 people, but they only said they could not help it, 
 and wondered any one should care about a little 
 slave boy. 
 
SLAVE CARAVAN ON TIIE MARCH. 
 
 Page 104 , 
 

1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 105 
 
 “ Mr. Hinderer immediately returned witli Olubi. 
 Meantime a woman in the yard had washed the 
 child, and shaved his head; he had also been abun- 
 dantly oiled, and rubbed over with canewood. Mr. 
 Hinderer talked with the people, and at last they 
 said, ‘ Take him if you like ; if he live, he live ; if he 
 die, well ; no one make palaver with you / so my 
 husband hired a woman to carry him on her back, 
 and bring him to me; and here he is, a pretty- 
 looking little child, but w ith a countenance so full of 
 sorrow, and he is a poor miserable skeleton. After 
 a little more washing, I put on him a frock, and 
 wrapped him in a warm cloth, which he seemed 
 thoroughly to enjoy. I took him on my lap, and he 
 seemed quite at home there. We gave him a little 
 food, which he ate most greedily. We must be very 
 careful about his food for some little time, or he 
 would kill himself with eating. He soon fell fast 
 asleep in my arms. As I was watching his sweet 
 sleep, ‘ Take this child and nurse it for me, and I 
 will give thee thy wages/ seemed to ring in my 
 ears, and we do receive him as a precious little 
 charge. May I be enabled to bring him up for God. 
 He may be a bright and shining light. I wish his 
 poor mother could know he was well taken care of.” 
 “ July 20th . — The little boy improves in health, 
 but is not very good-tempered. The poor dear child 
 has all the effects of being starved and unkindly 
 
106 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [1854 
 
 treated, and at present all lie can think of is eating. 
 The other day I played with him a little, and he 
 condescended to look at me. On my saying, ‘ I 
 think you like me a little better to-day,’ the reply 
 was, ‘ What will you give me to eat V This dear 
 child has hardly a mind to appreciate kindness, 
 having only known cruelty and oppression.” 
 
 July 23rd was a day peculiarly interesting to both 
 missionaries and converts, who for the first time 
 assembled for worship in the church. Months had 
 still to pass before the building could be completed, 
 but they were glad to make use of the bare mud 
 walls, with their grass roof, as the old palm-leaf 
 church had been destroyed by the heavy tornadoes. 
 She writes on this subject : — 
 
 “ Now we have the outward walls, and we pray 
 God to build up a spiritual house within. Grant 
 that the sons and daughters of Ibadan may become 
 polished corners of the temple ! Hear Thou from 
 heaven Thy dwelling-place, and send out Thy grace 
 and Thy blessing ! 
 
 “ It is curious to watch people listening for the 
 first time to the new tidings, a little gentle remark, 
 then an expression of doubt, then such a hearty 
 ■ Amen.’ ” 
 
 “ August ISth . — My husband was going to visit 
 Laniyono, who had been taken away by his father 
 a week ago, at his father’s house to-day, but, hearing 
 
THE CHURCH AT IBADAN. Page 106. 
 

 
1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 107 
 
 Iris voice as in prayer, he waited, and heard him 
 pour forth his petitions most earnestly, ‘ I want to 
 love Thee, I want to be Thy child/ When his 
 voice ceased, he went in, and there he found the 
 dear child alone with his little heathen brothers and 
 sisters ; and, as he came away, they burst forth in 
 singing an English hymn, which he had evidently 
 taught them in the week. I think we may trust 
 that a work of grace is commenced in that dear 
 boy’s heart, and hope his being at home for a short 
 time may not be for harm, but for good. I went in, 
 a few days since, and they were all gathered round 
 their meal ; he was standing up, and, with eyes shut 
 and hands folded, repeated the grace we had taught 
 him, and all the children said ‘ Amen.’ ” 
 
 “ August 20 th . — Another bright Sunday ! how I 
 love to feel bright and happy on Sundays, they 
 have been such blessed days to me, and I am so 
 thankful to find their brightness returning. There 
 is so much more peace and quietness round about us 
 now ; our neighbours seem to feel it is a holy day 
 with us, and those who do not yet join in keeping it 
 with us are ashamed to be seen by us doing their 
 own work. No one thinks of coming to offer any- 
 thing for sale in our yard.” 
 
 “ On the 5th of October a real treat was given us 
 in the arrival of a beautiful box of things from Lady 
 Buxton. It was such a feast that the children were 
 
108 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1854 . 
 
 wild with, delight, whilst I myself was not much 
 less so. The children were greatly pleased with the 
 playthings, and not less so with Iya’s new dress. 
 They do so curiously enjoy any new thing for me, 
 and fail not to admire it abundantly. Even when 
 the letters arrive, they give a loud shout, and go 
 singing about, ‘ Iya gets book from her father and 
 mother, sisters and brothers, and friends, far far 
 away. Oh, it is good S’ followed by more shouts ; and 
 then they creep up for the empty envelopes, which 
 is their share of the feast. 
 
 “The beautiful Scripture puzzle and Scripture 
 pictures I hid until Sunday evening; and how I 
 wish our dear friends in England could have seen 
 the children’s interest when I explained them. I 
 did not give them anything until the 14th, the 
 second anniversary of our wedding, when we made 
 a feast for all those who were in our little day- 
 school. I gave each of the girls one of the nice little 
 handkerchiefs, and a pretty pin to fasten it, to their 
 very great delight; and they looked so neat and 
 tidy the next Sunday at church. The boys had 
 their share of guns and tops, but a pencil and piece 
 of paper is their crowning pleasure. Anything that 
 gives pleasure to the children has a soothing com- 
 fortable effect on my mind, it smooths the ripples 
 which arise on daily life.” 
 
 “ The month of November is marked by the visit 
 
1854.) PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 10. ( > 
 
 of our good and valued Bishop (Vidal). On the 9th 
 he arrived in Ibadan, accompanied by Archdeacon 
 Graf, Mr. Townsend, and Dr. Irving; so that, in- 
 cluding our three selves, we were seven white people 
 in Ibadan, quite an event ! On Sunday the Bishop 
 confirmed nine of our people, and delivered, through 
 an interpreter, a most striking address. 
 
 “ On Monday evening he addressed the confirmed, 
 and our native helpers. It was so solemn, so tender, 
 so impressive : Phil. ii. 1-18, is indelibly stamped 
 on our minds. The visit of our beloved and 
 honoured Bishop, his kind interest, and tender sym- 
 pathy' i n us and our work, have been as a refreshing 
 draught in a dry and thirsty land. We rejoice and 
 give thanks that such a head has been granted us ; 
 his brilliant example must have some effect upon us 
 all. Every grace mentioned in Gal. v. 22, seems to 
 dwell in him.” 
 
 In December, Mr. Hinderer, accompanied by Dr. 
 Irving, paid a visit to the country of Ijebu, which 
 had hitherto been inaccessible to Europeans. He 
 had been encouraged to undertake the journey by an 
 invitation, sent to him some months before, from the 
 king of that country. It was given in the form of a 
 symbolical letter, composed of ten cowries strung 
 together, and a seed of the osan fruit. The word 
 “ ewa,” — ten, is also a verb, and means “come ye,” and 
 the cowries, being strung in pairs, gave force to the 
 
110 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [1854 
 
 request that the white man of Ibadan and the king 
 of Ijebu should meet face to face. The word “osan” 
 is not only the name of a fruit, but also means 
 “ well,” and conveyed an enquiry after Mr. Hinderer’s 
 welfare. 
 
 Of this time Mrs. Hinderer writes : “ My husband 
 left on Friday. I felt parting with him, but was 
 glad he should go on such an errand, and trust they 
 may have much blessing in their journey. It will 
 be a wonderful blow to slavery and all sorts of 
 cruelties, if the banner of the Cross be erected, and 
 light and salvation be proclaimed and accepted 
 there. So here I am all alone. I think it says much 
 for a town in Africa, of one hundred thousand in- 
 habitants, that one white woman can be left alone, 
 in perfect safety, and with no fear. 
 
 “ These Yoruba people have some very nice ar- 
 rangements about their form of government. I 
 found out that there was an f Iyalode ’ or mother of 
 the town, to whom all the women’s palavers (dis- 
 putes) are brought before they are taken to the 
 king. She is, in fact, a sort of queen, a person of 
 much influence, and looked up to with much respect. 
 I sent my messenger to her, to tell her I should like 
 to visit her. She sent word she should be delighted ; 
 so on Monday the 18th, I went with the children, 
 and we found a most respectable motherly looking 
 person, surrounded by her attendants and people, in 
 
1854 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 Ill 
 
 great order, and some measure of state. I told them 
 why I came to this country, and entreated them to 
 come and hear the Word of God for themselves, and 
 send their children to us to be taught. We two 
 Iyas made strong friendship, by my giving, and her 
 receiving, a fine velvet head-tie, and a silk bag ; and 
 the lady settled that we were to be the two mothers 
 of the town, she the Iyalode still, and I the ‘ Iya- 
 lode fun fun/ the white Iyalode. I then spoke to 
 myriads of children; and after sundry shouts, a 
 variety of blessings, and divers shakes of my hand 
 which seemed to be a great honour and privilege, I 
 at last got away. Three days after my visit, the 
 Iyalode sent to salute me, begging me to accept 
 from her a goat, and a calabash of yams, to make a 
 feast for my children and people.” 
 
 This had been in many ways an eventful year, 
 and her journal, at the close of it, expresses the 
 feelings with which she regarded the past, and 
 looked forward to the future. 
 
 “ Sunday , December 31.— The last day of this 
 year. I have felt bowed before my God in humility, 
 in shame and confusion of face, and heart, and mind ; 
 the burden of my cry is f God be merciful to me a 
 sinner.’ * Hide Thy face from my sins, blot out all 
 my iniquities.’ Though I have felt sorrowful and 
 sad, under the sense of the intolerable burden of sin, 
 there has been great comfort in being brought thu? 
 
112 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 to His footstool, in heart-felt sighing and tears ; and 
 a sweet peace has come over my mind. I trust and 
 believe that the Lord God, the compassionate Friend 
 of sinners, will hear and bless me.” 
 
 The dawn of the new year brought with it 
 thoughts in harmony with those with which the old 
 year had ended, only with an additional strain of 
 hopefulness and filial confidence. 
 
 “ Jan. 1st, 1855. — Welcome new year ! I hail 
 thy approach as a special opportunity for a fresh 
 start in the journey of life. Oh, may it be a new 
 and blessed era. Upon the past I can only look 
 back with deep heart-felt sorrow and regret; not 
 that I forget the multiplied mercies and blessings so 
 tenderly bestowed, but my sins and infirmities and 
 failings are a grief, I can only bring them to Thee, 
 gracious Saviour; cleanse me, wash me, purge me 
 with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; wash me, and I 
 shall be whiter than snow. I feel such a sense of 
 utter unworthiness and sinfulness, that it can only 
 be by the tender constraining love of Him who 
 said, ‘ Come unto Me/ that I can venture to crave 
 His mercy. I truly feel my need of Him, and I 
 desire to feel my sinfulness more and more, and my 
 deep and continual need of help, strength, and 
 favour, every moment. I know my own peculiar 
 failings, but I do pray to be enabled to lay aside 
 these besetting sins, and every weight ; and to press 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 na 
 
 on my heavenward course, looking for the grace and 
 mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life 
 and to take courage, leaving the things that are 
 behind. Oh, I do seek this day help and blessing 
 for our work, our great and holy calling. O God, 
 Thou knowest the multitude of my thoughts within 
 me, and the many desires of my heart, and I would 
 cast myself on Thee who dost care for me, even me ; 
 and on this new scene of time I desire to enter 
 with hope and faith, committing myself, body, soul 
 and spirit, to Thy gracious care and keeping, with 
 all whom Thou knowest to be near and dear to me.” 
 “ Jan. 3rd, Wednesday . — I went with all our peo- 
 ple far on the Ijebu road, to meet my husband, but 
 alas, he did not come. We were a nice large party, 
 Odehinde joined us, which was very kind, and 
 shewed real love to his minister by losing a whole 
 day’s labour for the pleasure of meeting him. We 
 were all much disappointed.” 
 
 “ Jan. 4ith . — At 4 A.M., a man arrived with letters- 
 to say my husband expected to be back on Thursday 
 or Friday, but this afternoon, about half-past two, 
 to our great joy, he arrived with Dr. Irving, tired 
 enough, but delighted to be home. 
 
 “ I do enjoy having D. safe at home again, after 
 such a journey of mercies, and such a successful one. 
 We thank Thee, 0 Lord of heaven and earth ! Dr. 
 Irving left us on the following Monday.” 
 
 8 
 
114 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 Mr. Hinderer returned from this journey ap- 
 parently in good health, and there seemed to be no 
 reason to fear that any ill effects would follow, 
 although he had travelled under the rays of a burn- 
 ing sun ; but in a few days he was laid low with 
 fever. She writes : — 
 
 “Jan. 19. — Now, alas, I have my tale of sorrow 
 to tell. I told you my beloved husband had gone 
 on a journey, he returned on Thursday afternoon, 
 the 4th instant, worn and tired, but he soon got 
 quite refreshed. On the following Monday he was 
 so cheerful, talking of the pleasure of being at home, 
 and making plans for the future for visiting every 
 part of this immense town. In the afternoon he 
 was rather feverish, and went to lie down, but from 
 that bed he has never been up since, except for an 
 hour or so from restlessness, or because he thought 
 himself better.” 
 
 This was the beginning of a severe illness which 
 
 o o 
 
 for several days imperilled his life, and filled his 
 devoted wife with anxious and disturbing thoughts, 
 the more trying because she was overstrained by in- 
 cessant watching and nursing. What if she were 
 to be left alone in that far-off land ? or what if he, 
 with life restored, but with his constitution impaired, 
 were to be constrained to resign his work in Africa, 
 the very object for which life was precious to them 
 both ? The few words, which he was from time to 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 115 
 
 time able to utter, showed plainly that he was under 
 the impression that his days in the ‘battle-field’ 
 were over. 
 
 The helplessness of her situation added to Mrs. 
 Hinderer’s distress. The fever had been subdued by 
 the usual remedies, but on the 18th new symptoms of 
 an alarming character appeared, and she despatched a 
 messenger to her friends at Abeokuta. To her great 
 comfort and relief Mr. Crowther arrived on the 21st ; 
 his skill and care proved to be of the utmost ser- 
 vice. Through the mercy of God, Mr. Hinderer was 
 brought back from the very borders of death, and 
 in a few weeks he was sufficiently recovered to re- 
 sume in some measure his much-loved work. 
 
 On Sunday, February 11th, he preached for the 
 first time since his illness. On that day joy and 
 sorrow were especially mingled together, for while 
 their hearts were overflowing with gratitude for the 
 mercies they had received, the mail brought the pain- 
 ful intelligence that God had called from his labours 
 another, and he the most influential, of the little 
 band who had sailed together from England two 
 years before. 
 
 “ How shall I put down,” she writes, “ the sad, sad 
 tidings of the death of our dear Bishop ? He had 
 been amongst us, cheering and comforting us on our 
 way, had entered into our joys and sorrows, and 
 had entirely won our hearts. His ministrations will 
 not soon be forgotten and all his kind words and in- 
 
 8—2 
 
116 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK, 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 terest in everything. It was a most valuable season. 
 He said he quite loved my boys, and the last morn- 
 ing he took them into his room and prayed with 
 them. No one since I left you, my dearest friend,, 
 has ever given me such a kind word of comfort, 
 encouragement, and exhortation ; but now come the 
 heavy tidings that we may see his face no more on 
 earth, and we feel it deeply. Our Africans’ excla- 
 mation is, ‘The shepherd came to look after his 
 sheep, and his life has fallen a sacrifice to it.’ Poor 
 Africa! what sorrows and trials do pass over it, 
 wave upon wave ; its climate is sad. Of the four- 
 teen who sailed together in one ship two years ago,, 
 only four are left to labour here. May we be spared 
 awhile! We ought to desire to live, and to be en- 
 abled to toil and labour in this dark land. But for 
 this, I should long more and more to pass away to 
 the heavenly land. I often feel ‘ weary of loving 
 what passeth away — weary of sin and sorrow. 
 
 “ I have felt so disinclined for earthly things, but 
 the wheel of life must run on, and we must take our 
 turn at it while we may. It is not to be wondered 
 at if we give it a pull sometimes with heavy hands 
 and hearts ; still I feel the mercy, and a real mercy 
 and gift it is, to be so much fitted for my post. 
 Mine is a peculiar post of duty, one in which you 
 must be prepared to fill up every gap. I must be 
 ready to meet people of all sorts, to meet also their 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 117 
 
 varied minds, to amuse them, to be more serious, or 
 to talk decidedly on their duties, to judge whether 
 it would be best to make them a present or let them 
 go without. Then my house, with its multifarious 
 cares and vexations, my young servants, with their 
 fits and starts for doing things, then our African 
 children to make a home for, requiring the disci- 
 pline of peculiar training, then our compound-people, 
 the wives and children of our native agents, espe- 
 cially to look after in sickness and health, to find 
 the right time to give a hint or word of advice, and 
 then the nursings and doctorings which I have had 
 of Mr. Kefer, and my own dear husband, have been 
 by no means light, and now and then to be ill my- 
 self, with a hundred other things, is not light work. 
 Our home life is one of privation, and often of trial 
 and difficulty, but a very occupied one, and one of 
 much hope and interest. I have not time to be 
 idle, truly, and I think never a night has come 
 without my being thoroughly tired ; but the worst 
 of it is when night comes, not to get sleep, to wake 
 by twelve or two o’clock, and then have no power of 
 closing the eyes again, either from the heat, or from 
 being overtired in body or mind. The dear chil- 
 dren are my greatest outward comforts. I like to 
 hear them singing, not with the taste and mellow- 
 ness of our English children, yet with much heart 
 and real enjoyment. Early on Sunday morning it 
 
118 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 is sometimes delicious to me to hear them, as they 
 come up from the brook, singing, ‘ I was glad when 
 they said unto me, let us go into the house of the 
 Lord,’ and the hymn beginning — 
 
 ‘ When, 0 my Saviour, when shall I 
 Behold Thee all serene, 
 
 Blest in perpetual Sabhath day, 
 
 Without a veil between/ ” 
 
 The narrative proceeds in her own words : — 
 
 “ March 16th . — Dear Laniyono has a very bad 
 father, but his mother is an interesting young 
 woman, and has attended church for some time. 
 Last Saturday her husband took out one of his idols, 
 and ordered all his household to bow down before it 
 and worship, but his wife refused, at which the 
 man was much enraged, and said he would never 
 allow her to go to church any more. Poor Laniyono 
 had a tearful Saturday, and in the Sunday-school, 
 finding his mother was not there, he could hardly 
 take his turn in the reading lesson, for sorrow ; but 
 to his great joy when service commenced, in she 
 came, the father having gone out for the whole day. 
 How she will be able to go on we cannot tell, but 
 hardly, we fear, without persecution. 
 
 “ Mr. Hinderer hopes on Whit-Sunday to admit 
 a few of our candidates for baptism to that Holy 
 Sacrament ; and I trust they will not be members 
 of Christ’s flock in name only, but living members 
 
1S55.] 
 
 PKOGKESS OF THE WOKK. 
 
 119 
 
 of the same. The private persecutions are very 
 severe, but our little band have hitherto been ena- 
 bled to stand ‘ strong in the Lord, and in the power 
 of His might/ Three of my boys have been taken 
 away by their parents, through the orders of these 
 gods of wood and stone, or rather, of the country 
 priests. It has been a bitter trial to me, but my 
 husband tries to comfort me by the assurance that 
 good will come out of the present evil.” 
 
 On Sunday, March 18th, the following affecting 
 entry is made in her journal. It is almost too 
 sacred to be published, and yet it is difficult to 
 withhold it when it may render essential service to 
 other souls undergoing the like experience : — 
 
 “ I have tried to draw near to my God this day, 
 and had one comfortable half hour, between break- 
 1 fast and school, in prayer and tears. I have been too 
 cold, too hard, too far from my God. I have de- 
 served that He should hide His face from me. I 
 have not drawn nigh unto Him ; the heart-achings 
 from outward things have drawn me away from the 
 only place of comfort ; the sins and sorrows have 
 been a sort of excuse, but I do desire to struggle, to 
 wrestle. 
 
 * If I tarry till I’m better, 
 
 I shall never come at all/ 
 
 And to whom should I go, to what refuge should 
 T fly ? ‘ 0 Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for 
 
120 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [1S55. 
 
 me.* Be near to me, receive me, O my Saviour, 
 unworthy as I am, I cannot live without Thee. My 
 sorrows of heart the world knoweth not, but Thou 
 knowest ; pity, comfort, help me ; at Thy feet I fall, 
 restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation ; give me 
 Thy Holy Spirit to purify and cleanse this soul of 
 mine, to quicken and cheer me on my pilgrimage.” 
 
 “ March, 29th . — I long to be living nearer to 
 heaven, though I must stay on earth awhile. If the 
 wings droop, and one bends towards earth in this 
 heathen land, it is so hard to soar again.” 
 
 She was encouraged by the progress the children 
 were making at this time, they were quick and 
 ready in drawing lessons from the objects around 
 them. She wrote : — 
 
 “March 30th . — We stood by a beautiful brook, 
 where short palm-trees were growing luxuriantly ; 
 the children were much struck in comparing these 
 with a dry and withered one further off. I just 
 mentioned their having learned a Psalm with me, 
 which they might remember while looking at the 
 two trees ; they at once thought of the first, and 
 we had such an eager earnest talk. They went on 
 comparing things around us with scripture illustra- 
 tions. We gathered wild flowers on the way, and 
 seeing a bush with exquisite green leaves, I sent 
 them to gather some ; when I overtook them, I found 
 them with most solemn faces and a sighing ‘Ah! 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 121 
 
 Ah !’ The bush was full of thorns, one held up his 
 bleeding hands, and asked, ‘ Iya, could it be thorns 
 like these they made Jesus a crown off but it 
 would take too much time and paper to tell all 
 their little talks, very, very interesting though they 
 are to me. Yes, these are some of the comforts and 
 refreshments on our way through this barren land. 
 They often make my heart rejoice when I feel sorry, 
 and weep because I cannot do more where there 
 seems so much to be done. I have lately com- 
 menced visiting in the .compounds within walking 
 distance. I am warmly received, the best mat is 
 spread on the ground, upon which I sit as comfort- 
 ably as if I had never been used to a chair, and we 
 have a friendly conversation. I tell them why I 
 have come to this country — of God’s house being 
 open for them — of God’s love to them and to me, 
 and sometimes I ask them if they would not like to 
 hear one little word from God’s Book, and they are 
 sure to say ‘ Mo fe ,’ — * I like ;’ then I make them 
 repeat some text after me.” 
 
 “ April 6th. Good Friday . — I trust we have, in 
 a measure, enjoyed this solemn week, and truly 
 have we desired to lead our minds to meditation 
 and contemplation on our gracious Saviour’s cross 
 and passion. It is hard in a heathen land, away 
 from such privileges as we had at home, to have 
 the mind in full tune for such a season. Yet why 
 
122 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 * 
 
 should not we ? If we can only fix our eye on the 
 cross, on a bleeding Saviour, and not only so but on 
 a risen One also, and if we can each feel, He is my 
 Saviour, He has washed away my sins, He is mine 
 and I am His, we are as near to Him in the wilds of 
 Africa as in dear privileged England.” 
 
 The uncertainty of life was again brought 
 specially before them early in May, when the news 
 reached them that their kind friend, Dr. Irving, was 
 numbered with the dead. She wrote : — 
 
 “ May 4 th . — I look at our little church, and the 
 fence which is erecting around it to enclose a space 
 for burials, and think, though no white person sleeps 
 there yet, how soon there may be, how soon I may 
 lie there. May we only be ready ; and if so, through 
 the mercy and righteousness of a Saviour, when the 
 work appointed for us to do is done, and the sum- 
 mons is given, I do feel I could gladly exchange 
 * the tumults of earth, for the pleasures of heaven/ 
 The weakness, frailty, and suffering of the poor 
 body, the imperfect state in which one now is, the 
 constant feeling, ‘ when I would do good evil is pre- 
 sent with me/ all make me long for the time 
 when we shall serve our God and Saviour without 
 a veil between, without any impediment. At the 
 same time, if it pleases God to spare us, I hope I 
 should not only be content to live, but rejoice in it, 
 if I may live to His honour and glory.” 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 123 
 
 Before the month closed, the first grave was 
 opened in that little churchyard, and they laid their 
 faithful friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. Refer, in his 
 last resting-place till the morning of the resurrec- 
 tion. He was struck down by yellow fever, while 
 itinerating in the outlying towns and villages. He 
 had set forth in his usual health, May 22nd. On 
 the following Monday, his horse was led into the 
 town without a rider, while Mr. Refer was borne to 
 the mission-house in a hammock. When he saw 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer, he was just able to give 
 them a smile of recognition. In the evening they 
 gathered round his bed for prayer, but apparently 
 it was unheard by the departing spirit, which was 
 going to a happier scene, in which prayer would be 
 turned into praise. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer ’s anticipation, that the new church- 
 yard might soon be the resting place of one of the 
 missionaries, was thus early realised, though her 
 own life was prolonged for many years of glad and 
 faithful service. 
 
 Contemplating this event, which was so serious a 
 loss to the mission, she tried to catch such rays of 
 encouragement as might possibly diminish the 
 gloom. “ Now that we have the white man's grave 
 in Ibadan, ‘ may we not hope for a harvest/ as one 
 of our friends remarked, ‘now that the Lord has 
 watered Ibadan with the life of His servant V ” 
 
124 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 From this point, till the close of the year, the 
 story may be continued in her own language. 
 
 “ Sunday, June 1 5th . — Our one bell, the gift of the 
 Chelsea J uvenile Association, is very refreshing ; I 
 am so reminded of the lines my Saturday class at 
 home used to sing so prettily : — 
 
 ‘ Sweetly the Sahbath bell 
 Steals on the ear/ ” 
 
 “June 23 rd . — I have been gladdened this day 
 by receiving into our house a dear bright intelligent 
 little fellow, a slave ; he is delighted with everything, 
 asking, ‘ What is this ? and what is that ? * He is 
 very affectionate too — once he sprang into my 
 arms and put his arms round my neck, saying, 'You 
 won’t let me be sold away, will you ? for I want to 
 stop with you,’ and then looking me full in the face, 
 and laughing, he said, ‘ You can’t kiss me, because I 
 am black, and you are white/ I gave him imme- 
 diately two or three kisses, which amused him im- 
 mensely.” 
 
 “ Sunday , June 24th . — My dear husband had the 
 joy of admitting, by baptism, into the visible church, 
 five converts, the Ibadan first-fruits. Our church 
 was roofless, through the heavy gale, but in the neat 
 and orderly place where service has been since con- 
 ducted, knelt two women, two young men, and an 
 old man, to receive the seal and sign that they were 
 

GATEWAY OF AN AFRICAN TOWN. Page 125, 
 
1S55.] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 125 
 
 to be henceforth Christ’s faithful soldiers and ser- 
 vants. Instead of their usual blue cloths, they wore 
 each a white one ; and their countenances showed 
 great seriousness, and a thorough understanding of 
 the service in which they were engaged. The con- 
 gregation was very good, many heathen were pre- 
 sent, and all seemed struck with the whole service. 
 I think I never felt such a solemn silence as there 
 was on this occasion — many a tear glistened in a 
 bright black eye. It was very touching and beau- 
 tiful, and most encouraging. We could but think 
 many might come forth, from among these same 
 lookers on, to enlist under the same banner. Our 
 Sunday congregations are increasing, and the good 
 tidings are not without effect.” 
 
 “ July 21st . — A gatekeeper has sent us Wo fowls, 
 two large baskets of yams, a basket of fruit for the 
 children, and some kolas especially for me. This is 
 extremely kind, for the Matthews at the receipt of 
 custom get nothing from us ; we and our goods are 
 allowed to go free through every gate without pay- 
 ing tribute, so that this present is quite a token of 
 love. I think among the rich Africans I never saw 
 a more affectionate heart ; he wept bitterly when we 
 sent to inform him of Mr. Kefer’s death, and came 
 himself to express his sympathy. 
 
 “My husband wanted bamboos, which are very 
 scarce in this town, to repair the roof of the church. 
 
126 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 He went to quite a stranger, hearing he had some, 
 and was treated with all civility and kindness, and 
 when he came to settling the price of them, he was 
 content with a mere trifle; so unusual with these 
 people, who generally want white men to pay three 
 times as much as others ; and when we sent him a 
 little present in return for his kindness, he was so de- 
 lighted, that he says the whole bamboo field is ours, 
 and while bamboos grow, white man shall never 
 want any. These may seem little things to friends 
 at home, and hardly worth putting on paper, but 
 they are great things to us, for we hail with joy 
 and thankfulness any sign of kind feeling and willing- 
 ness to help us, knowing that when they get confi- 
 dence in us, and a friendly feeling towards us, they 
 will listen to the good word we are come to bring 
 to them.” 
 
 “ August 13 th . — We have had our first Christian 
 wedding, and very nice and simple it was. We 
 superintended the dinner; and the speeches (for 
 Africans can make fine speeches) were surprising to 
 me, so marked by their Christian tone. The bride 
 and bridegroom were quite touched by them and 
 their eyes filled with tears. 
 
 “ Our Sunday school numbers between forty and 
 fifty adults, all in earnest to learn, and it is surprising 
 what progress they make in reading. They buy 
 the translations of the Scriptures as soon as they 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK, 
 
 127 
 
 come out, and treasure them up as gold ; hut by the 
 rest of the people, till their own eyes are opened, 
 these are looked down upon as contemptible, and are 
 called book-followers, forsakers of their forefathers, 
 and despisers of their gods, who have given them 
 strength, power, and everything. It must be re- 
 membered that here, where things are only com- 
 mencing, where a book had never been seen, no one 
 man, woman, or child, could know a letter till we 
 came to teach them. To leave books anywhere 
 would be useless, and worse than useless ; we have 
 to be careful not even to throw down a little piece 
 of paper, for it would surely be taken and used as 
 a charm.” 
 
 When Mrs. Hinderer was left alone, her husband 
 having gone to Lagos on business, she wrote : — 
 
 “ Oct 1st — I am so thankful for the peace and 
 quietness which is given me. I lie down as quietly 
 at night as if I had every earthly guard. Now this 
 is not natural to me, but is given me by a loving God.” 
 
 “ Oct 5th . — My husband arrived to-day, alone and 
 unannounced. Such a delight ! I had given him 
 up till to-morrow, but soon I heard a terrific shout 
 from the children and people, ‘ Babba de/ and there 
 he was ! He comes well and happy, after a most 
 pleasant visit. He is so full of delight at being at 
 home again. But he brings the mail also, which 
 tells of the death of our beloved friend Mrs. Cun- 
 
128 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [1S55. 
 
 ningham. While we mourn for ourselves, it is 
 sweet to think of that pure and beautiful spirit in 
 the realms above, with her God and Saviour, where 
 all is peace, and joy, and love. I love to think of 
 her, what she was here below, and what she must 
 be now. I feel continually what a privilege it has 
 been to me to have had such an example and such 
 a friend ; to have lived under her roof, and to have 
 shared her counsel, advice, and affectionate love 
 and interest. May every thought of her make me 
 remember the account I must give of the privileges 
 and blessings I have enjoyed, and stimulate me to 
 follow her example in industry, perseverance, gentle- 
 ness, meekness, and every Christian grace which 
 shone so very brightly in her. I feel, in every step 
 of my African career, how much I owe to her and 
 to Mr. Cunningham, which can never be told !” 
 
 ‘ “ Sunday , Nov. 9th . — Eight of the dear children 
 living with me partook of the blessed ordinance of 
 baptism with six others. It was with peculiar interest 
 I presented them, one by one, to their loved minister, 
 to receive ‘ the outward and visible sign I hope and 
 believe they may be made partakers of "the inward 
 and spiritual grace/ They were Onisaga, Akielle, 
 Laniyono, Arubo, Elukolo, Abudu, Ogunyomi, and 
 Mary Ann Macaulay, a child from Sierra Leone. I 
 dressed them all in new white clothes, with an 
 earnest desire in my heart that they might be pos- 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 129 
 
 sessors of the robe made white in the blood of the 
 Lamb. O God, keep these little lambs of Thy fold, 
 shield them from all evil, and accept them for Thine 
 own, through the love of Thy Son, our Saviour ! 
 
 “ Many of our neighbours had had a meeting, and 
 made a solemn promise that, for a certain season, 
 they would not allow one of their people to come 
 near God’s house. They seemed to succeed at first, 
 but the spies carried the report of that Sunday, ‘ It 
 is no use we keep our people away, the white man 
 can still do his own work and way, whatever we do : 
 this day he has given fourteen the new name/ That 
 expression, ‘the new name/ was very striking to 
 me. How one does desire our gracious God may 
 give them, and those now baptised, that new name 
 which He has promised.” 
 
 She wrote as follows from Lagos, whither they 
 had gone, much broken down in health, to seek rest 
 and refreshment : — 
 
 “ Nov. 17th . — I am now writing in the room where, 
 nearly three years ago, I had my first African fever. 
 It is wonderful to sit here, and think on the way 
 in which we have been led ; many and great have 
 been the sorrows, trials and afflictions ; but how 
 great, how rich the love and mercy of our God 
 and Saviour : everything must be swallowed up in 
 the remembrance that truly goodness and mercy 
 have followed me all the days of my life.” 
 
 9 
 
ISO 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 “ Nov. 2 Qth . — The mail arrived with a most de- 
 lightful packet of letters. Though fortunate and 
 favoured every mail, I never had such a goodly 
 heap, forty-one letters, or notes ! and such boxes 
 and parcels of things for ourselves, the children, and 
 people. How very kind are friends, known and 
 unknown, in dear England. It is very pleasant and 
 refreshing to us to be so kindly remembered and 
 cared for by many, rich and poor, enabling us to 
 give so much pleasure, not only to the little ones, but 
 to chiefs and others, to whom it is necessary to 
 make presents; and these nice things from their 
 white friends’ country produce a very kind and 
 friendly feeling in the poor African’s heart, and they 
 often say, ‘ What good kind people they must be in 
 that far country.’ I wish the kind givers could see 
 the happy faces and sparkling eyes, when their 
 things are displayed. 
 
 “ But by this mail came another rich present for 
 Africa, two new missionaries, Mr. Buhler and Mr. 
 Hoch. They appear so fresh, and full of spirit and 
 energy, quite refreshing to us to see, who have been 
 melting away, as it were, in the past three years.” 
 
 “ Ibadan, Dec. 1 5th . — We reached our dear home 
 again, with our friend Mr. Hoch, brought safely 
 through the bush by the good hand of God upon 
 us. We arrived amidst warm greetings and wel- 
 comes from many, surprising others greatly by the 
 
1S55.] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 131 
 
 sight of another white man, when they had been 
 doing their best to get rid of us by their persecution 
 of our young converts. The fire and fury of perse- 
 cution has raged to a very great extent ; our hearts 
 have ached, and still ache, for the sufferings of the 
 little flock. Satan fights because his kingdom is 
 endangered. The country priests fight under their 
 masters banner, because their cruel lies and deceit 
 are being exposed. The second Psalm just describes 
 our state : — ‘ The heathen rage ; the people imagine 
 a vain thing ; kings set themselves ; the rulers take 
 counsel together against the Lord.* Their power of 
 endurance is wonderful. There is, no doubt, some- 
 thin £ of this in the natural character of the Africans: 
 but that there is something much deeper, is quite 
 evident ; even their persecutors ask, ‘ What is it V 
 and they think we have some charm in our eye, 
 and they are therefore trying to keep some of them 
 quite out of our sight. 
 
 “ The story of one young woman is most touching 
 and interesting. She stands with the courage of a 
 dependant child on the love, mercy, and help of a 
 great and gracious God. Her marriage was has- 
 tened by her parents, who thought it would prevent 
 her coming to church. Her husband treated her 
 even more cruelly than her parents, which had been 
 hard enough. When told by him, ‘You shall never 
 enter white man’s house again/ she said, ‘Very 
 
 9—2 
 
132 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 well ; as you wish it, it shall be/ 4 Neither shall 
 you go to his church/ To this she replied, ‘ I can- 
 not and will not submit ; it is God’s house ; I will 
 go/ She was then cruelly beaten with sticks and 
 cutlasses, and stoned, till her body was swelled ail 
 over ; a rope was tied round her neck, and she was 
 dragged, as an ox to the slaughter, to her father’s 
 house. Mr. Hinderer went to beg them to cease 
 their cruelties. He found her lying prostrate before 
 the idols, which had been brought out for her to 
 worship : she was held there by furious people, who 
 were shouting, 4 Now she bows down ! now she 
 bows down !’ She exclaimed, ‘ No, I do not ! it is 
 you who have put me here ; I can never bow down 
 to gods of wood and stone, which cannot hear me.. 
 Only in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only 
 Saviour of poor sinners, can I trust/ She was then 
 dragged up ; they took a rope to put round her 
 throat, saying, ‘ Well, we will take you away, and 
 kill you f She replied, * Kill me if you will, tho 
 sooner I shall be with my Saviour in heaven ; but. 
 I will not, I cannot, serve these foolish things/ 
 They did not kill her ; but for months she endured 
 every kind of ill-treatment, and at last ran away to 
 Abeokuta. The history of her journey is littlo 
 short of a miracle, and reminded me of the angel 
 opening the door for Peter. 
 
 “ One of her companions in suffering had run 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 133 
 
 away before ; she told me she felt she could stand it 
 no longer ; she was weak in body and mind, and she 
 feared they would lead her back to heathenism, so 
 she would go away the first opportunity. She is 
 the seventh child who has run away from her 
 father’s house ; the former six went on account of 
 the tyranny and cruelty of the father ; but now they 
 rally round him, and help him with cowries to make 
 charms, and to bribe the chiefs to be angry with us, 
 and say, ‘ What a bad girl this is to go away, and 
 'what a bad thing this church matter is.’ 
 
 “ Another young woman has been set free ; her 
 intended husband refused to have her, and made her 
 parents pay back what he had given for her, which 
 they gladly did for fear lest she should run away. 
 So she comes to church, and lives at home as 
 usual. 
 
 “ A young girl of sixteen years has been nearly 
 killed by her father for coming to church ; beaten 
 with a cutlass till she could not feed herself, or turn 
 on her mat. She has endured very much, but I 
 fear she is giving way now ; she does not come to 
 church. On a week-day she visited me ; I reminded 
 her of the words of our Saviour, which she had 
 learned with me , 4 Whosoever shall confess Me before 
 men, him shall the Son of man also confess before 
 the angels of God; but he that denieth Me be- 
 fore men, shall be denied before the angels of 
 
134 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 God/ She wept, poor child, but alas! I saw 
 her last Sunday go to fetch water from the brook, 
 which, with every other kind of work, she had 
 stoutly refused hitherto, even when they would not 
 let her leave the house. She has told them for 
 nearly twelve months, ‘ This is God’s day !’ Will 
 you not pray for her, and for these young beginners 
 in the ways of the Lord, that they may be kept, 
 helped, and strengthened ? 
 
 “ Another has equally and patiently suffered the 
 whip, the rope, and the chain, has been dragged 
 about from one town to another, to make her forget 
 about coming to church and serving God ; but she 
 was too much in earnest to forget by being carried 
 to a far country. After some weeks of absence, she 
 was brought back; her father promised her great 
 things, clothes, beads, honour, and added, * Now 
 you will never go there?’ pointing to the church. 
 ‘ Father/ she replied, ‘ I am just the same as before, 
 I will be a good daughter to you, I will earn cowries 
 for you, only let me go to God’s house, to hear His 
 word and follow it, for this I cannot give up/ The 
 father said, ‘ What strength do these white people 
 give ! what charm have they ! Nothing will make 
 these people give up !’ and he nearly yielded. ‘ It 
 is of no use/ he said, ‘ I am tired/ But his neigh- 
 bours came about him, and gave him no rest till he 
 promised to prevent his daughter coming to us, 
 
1855 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 135 
 
 The mother came and said that if we would persuade 
 her to worship idols as well, she might come to 
 church. The girl has since often been sent to Ijaye 
 to buy things; she was to go on Saturday, and 
 come back on Monday; but then they found she 
 could go to God’s house there, so that was given 
 up ; and one Sunday she was called out of church, 
 but did not go. On the following Sunday, hearing 
 her mother getting the chain ready to tie her, she 
 ran to us, and what a fearful noise we heard ! The 
 whole family came into our yard, and flourished 
 about their swords and knives, which we knew they 
 would not use : we left them till they were tired, 
 and then they went away. The girl was then ad- 
 vised to go home and sit down quietly for that day, 
 which she did ; and, though the house is close to us, 
 we heard no more noise. She visited me secretly a 
 few evenings since, and told me her heart was in 
 the same place, and that she would follow the way 
 God had sent us to teach, unto death. They have 
 told her they will carry her to those who sell slaves, 
 and who send them far away; her answer was, 
 
 ‘ Well, where you send me, I will go : God, the 
 great God, my God, is in all the world.’ You will 
 readily believe how keenly we partake with them 
 in their sufferings ; though we weep, yet do we 
 rejoice that they are so wonderfully supported ; and 
 we thank God that He has permitted His children 
 
136 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1855 . 
 
 to make such a good confession of their faith before 
 so many. 
 
 “The father of one of these young women has 
 this morning set her free to go to God’s house, and 
 to walk in the way she sees right ; for he says, ‘It 
 is true what that white man says, it is no use to 
 fight against God.* Another man is greatly troubled 
 at what he has done, and is quite in an agony 
 to see his child once more. The mother of a third 
 now begs me to help her to find her child, her 
 heart yearns after her whom she so fearfully perse- 
 cuted, under evil direction. In other houses the 
 cry is, about those who escaped, ‘ Oh, if it had not 
 been for you, this would not have happened.’ So 
 our God has graciously made His arm to be felt 
 among us, and many hear Him say, ‘ Why perse- 
 cutest thou Me ? it is hard for thee to kick against 
 the pricks.’ The Lord will not forsake His own 
 work ; when it pleaseth Him, He can put all His 
 enemies to silence. Even these poor deluded 
 heathen tell us, ‘ Have patience, white man ; your 
 words and ways are new, we are dark and have no 
 sense, tell your word day after day, it will go into 
 the ear, and bye and bye many will follow it.’ ” 
 
 Several of the young women described in the 
 preceding extracts, and who were at this time so 
 bold and courageous in confessing Christ, brought 
 dishonour afterwards on their profession, and 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 137 
 
 grieved the hearts of those who were now rejoicing 
 in their first zeal and love for Christ and His Gos- 
 pel ; but there is reason to hope that at least two 
 of them were afterwards brought to a better mind, 
 and now seek to glorify God, and lead a consistent 
 Christian life. 
 
 The first quotation to be made from the journals 
 and letters of 1856 relates to some of those children 
 who so affectionately loved their Iya, and who had 
 so securely possessed themselves of a place in her 
 heart. 
 
 “ Feb. 4th . — My little African boys and girls are 
 going on well so far, and are sheltered from much 
 ■evil, but need the rod of correction now and then. 
 The three younger boys must eat a fruit which I 
 told them not to eat, as it was not ripe. They 
 thought it was ripe, or that it would not do them 
 any harm. The consequence was, after a little 
 while, they were crying with smarting and im- 
 mensely swelled lips. One of the elder boys 
 laughed at them, and told them they would die. 
 They were now quite frightened, and did not know 
 what to do. So one of them, Akieile, said, ‘ What 
 naughty boys we have been ! we have been like 
 Adam and Eve, eating the forbidden fruit, let us go 
 and pray to God, and ask Him not to let us die this 
 time, and we will not do so any more/ and so they 
 went with all childlike simplicity and prayed, and 
 
138 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 , 
 
 then came to me to forgive them for not obeying 
 my word. The next morning to their great joy 
 their lips were better. It was a simple affair, but I 
 was glad to feel these little ones knew the meaning 
 of prayer, and I did indeed desire they might 
 always remember the Throne of grace and mercy, in 
 all their future paths, with the same simplicity and 
 confidence. 
 
 “ You must share my sorrows as well as my joys. 
 Another little boy has been taken from me by his 
 heathen parents, a child who has been a long time 
 with me. The worst is, I can never see him, he 
 does not come near me, so that I cannot tell whether 
 his heart is still with us, or whether he has been 
 turned to former fashions. It is a sore trial to me, 
 I have felt I would rather have laid him in our quiet 
 burial ground. Oh how many drops of bitterness 
 there are in the missionary’s cup ! but the great and 
 glorious Ruler of heaven and earth can bring good 
 out of evil. My only comfort at first was in the 
 remembrance of the words of the best Friend of the 
 lambs of the fold ; one sparrow ‘ shall not fall to the 
 ground without your Father therefore will He not 
 care for my little boy !” 
 
 Other records follow, all interesting and instruc- 
 tive, and exemplifying the natural facility she pos- 
 sessed for graphic description : — 
 
 “ March 2nd . — It is raining tremendously, we have 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 139 
 
 had a fearful tornado, both last evening and this. It 
 is such an enjoyment to be able to shut up our 
 house now all round, it is quite a luxury in these 
 tornadoes, and we only wonder how we lived with- 
 out this necessary comfort.” 
 
 “May . — It is fearful to see. the poor heathens’ 
 intense love of life, they will do anything, spend any- 
 thing and everything, to be assured by priests and 
 orishas that they shall live long ; and their principal 
 salutation, by way of desiring a special blessing, is 
 * Olurun bunolemi ’ — ‘ God grant you long life !’ and 
 no wonder, for what is their hope beyond the grave ? 
 it is so very dark to them ; they never like to talk 
 about it. But from what one can gather, it seems 
 to them something so completely unknown, they 
 have no idea what is to follow death. They have I 
 think a belief in the transmigration of spirits, by 
 the fact that there is one kind of animal which the 
 bush- hunter never kills, because he thinks it is one 
 into which the spirits of hunters will go after death. 
 Others are supposed to inhabit palm-trees. This is 
 I think confirmed by the practice of consulting the 
 orisha at the birth of a child, with a view to 
 ascertaining which of his ancestors now inhabits 
 that child, and when ifc is decided, the ‘ country 
 fashion’ of that ancestor must be followed by 
 the child. Then there is the custom of the spirits 
 appearing, called egungun, the bone people; the 
 
140 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 ancestors are supposed to be called from the other 
 world, to come and speak with their relatives. 
 They are not to be seen in the grove, but their 
 voices are to be heard ; and to gain this, yams, 
 fowls, sheep, goats, and cowries must be brought, 
 which of course become the property of the country 
 priests, whose hands are full through these delusions. 
 There is an egungun grove not far from us, and the 
 yells and groans and miserable sounds are terrible. 
 I have felt it sometimes as most awful in the solemn 
 stillness of the night, while watching my poor hus- 
 band or others in illness. 
 
 “ There are bad spirits too, who are supposed to 
 cause most of the evils of life, and those who have 
 reason to fear them wear rattling clinking irons 
 round their ancles, which are heard at every move- 
 ment of the foot, and the noise is supposed to 
 frighten the spirits away. When a pair of these 
 jingling feet walk in, during our Sunday services, it 
 gives one a thrill of horror, it is so demon-like. 
 These poor people year after year, day after day ? 
 are seeking for relief from the greatest burden of 
 the heart, but are so slow to believe the word of 
 Jesus, ‘ I will give unto you eternal life so deaf to 
 the exhortation, ‘ Come unto Me that ye may have 
 life ; without money and without price/ Oh that 
 the Spirit of God would descend and enlighten 
 these dark souls, and breathe upon these dead 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 141 
 
 bones ! Then would this wilderness rejoice and 
 blossom as the rose. 
 
 “ I think no preacher or teacher of the gospel can 
 feel so entirely his own weakness and helplessness, 
 the entire dependence he must rest on the Spirit and 
 blessing of God, as the missionary amongst the 
 heathen. It is not the planter or waterer, but God 
 alone, who must do His own work; but as He 
 chooseth to use means, He commits the outward work 
 to earthen vessels, in His inscrutable wisdom. May 
 we in the day of toil, in the ploughing and sowing, 
 labour cheerfully and with a rejoicing hopeful spirit, 
 leaning on the strong arm ; and if the reaping and 
 ingathering day into the church militant be given 
 us here below, may we give the honour and glory 
 where alone it is due, as we surely shall if the fruit 
 of the seed sown now is not seen till we have 
 become inhabitants of the better land. 
 
 “We are now in the midst of the rainy season, 
 and very cooling and refreshing it is. A few days 
 since, I went with the children to the rice farm. A 
 shower came on, but we had set our minds upon it, 
 therefore I would not mind pushing through the 
 wet grass; but there was a brook to cross, and, ‘ What 
 will Iya do now V was the cry. There was a large 
 stone on which the people wash clothes ; this stone 
 was placed in the middle of the brook, and by it I 
 could step nicely across. There was a little boy 
 
142 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORE. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 there, a stranger to us, watching the whole affair, 
 who seemed to think it very extraordinary I could 
 not walk through the water like other people. Now 
 their little black skins are as full of roguery and 
 mischief as any little boy at home, so in our absence 
 he prepared an adventure for our return. There lay 
 the stone, but underneath, the little urchin had 
 placed a smaller and uneven one, so when I stepped 
 on it, over it goes, and plump go my feet into the 
 water, and then he comes forward with his salutation 
 of sympathy/ Pele, pele, pele o/ — ‘ Softly, take care, 
 don’t hurt yourself.’ We should not call this very 
 civil, but I could not help thoroughly enjoying the 
 bit of fun for the little rogue.” 
 
 Fun, and quickness of perception, with a tinge of 
 poetry, were remarkable and attractive features in 
 the character of the little untutored children of 
 Ibadan. An amusing example may be quoted, in an 
 incident which once occurred to Mr. Hinderer. A 
 little girl came to the Kudeti brook to seek water, 
 but in vain, for the brook was dry. While she was 
 there, Mr. Hinderer rode by in his cool white cloth- 
 ing. Seeing the white man, she at once in a most 
 humorous manner charged him with being the cause 
 of her disappointment, and improvised the song : — 
 
 “ Oibo ke Kudeti 
 0 we roro 
 Ko je ki n’romi we 
 ’E kilo fun ko ma we iru re mo.” 
 
1856.] PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 143 
 
 which has been translated thus : — 
 
 “ The white man of Kudeti’s hill, 
 
 Has used the black child very ill ; 
 
 He washed his clothes so white, you see. 
 
 That not a drop is left for me. 
 
 Oh ! tell him when he comes next day. 
 
 To wash his clothes some other way.” 
 
 Mrs. Ilinderer notes in her journal for May 6, 
 “ Ogunyomi finds her mother.” The story of both 
 mother and child was written in German for children, 
 and from it the following account is gathered : — 
 
 In 1854, a war broke out between Ibadan and 
 Efon. Until that time Ogunyomi was a happy child 
 at home, living in peace with her father, mother, 
 and two brothers, in the town of Efon. When the 
 war began, all the able-bodied men were compelled 
 to join the army, and amongst them was Ogunyomi’s 
 father. He was never heard of again, and most pro- 
 bably had fallen in battle. His town was destroyed, 
 the men and youths were killed ; and the women 
 and children, after wandering about in despair and 
 misery, were taken prisoners, and sold for slaves. A 
 few, stronger than the rest, contrived to escape mto 
 the bush, and amongst them were Ogunyomi and 
 her mother. Fear drove them farther and farther. 
 Their only food was roots and leaves. When they 
 had threaded their way for two or three days, through 
 the dark and pathless thicket, they began to hope 
 
144 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. [185fr 
 
 that they were safe from their enemies. But they 
 were afraid to speak above a whisper, lest they 
 should be heard and overtaken. Exhausted with 
 hunger and fatigue, they at last lay down to rest, 
 under the shelter of a great tree. At once two men 
 sprang suddenly upon them, one seized the mother, 
 and the other the child. Their tears and entreaties 
 were useless, they were torn from each other, and 
 hurried off in different directions. The little girl, 
 who was only seven years old, was taken to Ibadan, 
 and put up for sale in the market. A Christian 
 man, who himself had once been a slave, touched by 
 her sorrowful face, took her in his arms, and tried 
 to comfort her. Hearing that she was soon to be 
 taken down to the coast and stowed away in a slave 
 ship, he longed to purchase her and set her free ; 
 but it was beyond his power. He therefore went 
 to the mission-house, told her sad story to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hinderer, and entreated them to redeem her. 
 They gladly gave him money for her ransom, 
 and in a few minutes the kind-hearted man brought 
 the little girl to her new home. The poor child had 
 never before seen a white face, and she screamed 
 with terror when she found herself in the presence 
 of the missionaries. The other children in the com- 
 pound gathered round her, and told her how happy 
 they were, and that all who lived in the mission-house 
 were safe from slavery. She soon learned, herself, to 
 
1856.] PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 145 
 
 love her “ white mother/’ and was constantly found 
 at her side. When strangers came to the house, 
 she clung closely to her, fearing lest they should 
 carry her away. But her great delight was to sit 
 on the floor near to Mrs. Hinderer, and puzzle over 
 the alphabet, or the still greater mysteries of needle 
 and thread. Singing was a pleasure to her, and she 
 quickly learned simple prayers and easy texts. She 
 was a child of a happy disposition, and often her 
 hearty laugh rang through the compound. But a 
 change came over her. Her laugh was heard no 
 more, and her countenance was sad and troubled. 
 Mrs. Hinderer asked, “ What is the matter, Ogun- 
 yomi ? is any one unkind to you ?” “ Oh, no,” she 
 
 said quickly. “ Then what makes you sad ?” She 
 burst into tears, and sobbed out, “ Iya mi, iya mi !” 
 — “ My mother, my mother !” Mrs. Hinderer tried 
 to comfort her, and promised to have a diligent 
 search made for her mother. But, in a large town 
 of more than a hundred thousand people, this was 
 no easy task, especially as slaves usually received a 
 new name ; besides which, it was not known whether 
 the poor woman was in Ibadan, or had been carried 
 away to some other place. Meanwhile she said to 
 Ogunyomi, “ You have learned to pray to God, He 
 loves to receive the prayers of little children. Pray to 
 Him, if it be His will, to restore your mother to you.” 
 From that time forward, to all her prayers she 
 
 10 
 
14G 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 added the simple petition, “ 0 God, give me back my 
 mother.” Ogunyomi gradually became happier, but 
 there was still an expression of sorrow upon her face, 
 stamped there by her longing after her lost mother. 
 
 When she had lived about six months in the 
 mission- house, she went one morning, as usual, with 
 the other little girls, to draw water from the neigh- 
 bouring brook. The children were laughing and 
 playing together, when a woman passed by, and, being 
 attracted by the unusual sight of their white clothes, 
 she stood still for a moment, and watched them as 
 they played. One voice appeared to be familiar to 
 her. She raised the basket from her head, placed it 
 on the ground, and listened attentively. Yes, it was 
 her child’s voice ! Trembling in every limb, she 
 cried out “Ogunyomi!” Ogunyomi turned round, 
 stared for a long time at the woman, and then, with 
 the cry “My mother, my mother!” threw herself 
 into her arms. The other children ran to the house, 
 exclaiming “ Ogunyomi has found her mother.” It 
 was difficult to believe the joyful news. The poor 
 woman was at first afraid of the white people ; but 
 when she heard from Ogunyomi how kind and good 
 they were, and that they had rescued her from 
 slavery, she was at a loss for words wherewith to ex- 
 press her joy and gratitude. She threw herself on the 
 ground and sobbed aloud. When her mind was some- 
 what more composed, she listened with interest to the 
 
1856. j 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 147 
 
 story of her child, and then explained that she her- 
 self had been sold for a slave in Ibadan, but that 
 happily she had been bought by a kind master. She 
 was obliged to hurry away, but she was comforted by 
 the thought of Ogunyomi’s happiness, and rejoiced 
 in the prospect of being able to see her, whenever 
 •she might have permission from her master. 
 
 Ogunyomi’s heart that night overflowed with 
 gratitude to God, who had so graciously heard and 
 answered her prayers. 
 
 For many weeks all went on well. The mother 
 often came to see her child. Then her visits ceased, 
 without any explanation. Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer 
 were troubled for the child, and, after much enquiry, 
 they discovered that the mother was seriously ill, 
 and that all hope of her recovery was gone. For 
 Ogunyomi’s sake they paid the poor woman’s ran- 
 som, and removed her to the mission-house. For 
 ten months she was nursed and cared for by these 
 new friends, and then, to the joy of all, especially 
 of her own child, she recovered. When her health 
 was sufficiently re-established, she was employed 
 as cook for the children, and found much happiness 
 in the altered circumstances of her life. 
 
 At the end of May, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer visited 
 the King of Oyo. The following letter, telling of 
 their visit, begins with an amusing description of 
 the journey: — 
 
 10—2 
 
148 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 L185& 
 
 “June . — Our visit to Oyo, the kings city, is 
 happily accomplished, and now I sit down to tell 
 you about it. 
 
 “ On May 28th we started, I travelling partly on 
 horseback and partly in my hammock. It was 
 very, very hot, and nob having been out for some 
 time, I soon felt very tired, and was thankful for 
 willing carriers, two of our own people, and two 
 from our young friend’s house, the Balogum Olum- 
 loyo. I was much amused on the road by the con- 
 versation of these two men ; they were so extremely 
 polite to one another, that I had the benefit of quite 
 a grammatical exercise. A fallen tree lies in the 
 road, the foremost one mentions this fact, the other 
 thanks him. Then follows, * Have you passed over 
 the tree V * I have passed over the tree/ Then they 
 salute one another for the load they carry ; I joined 
 them in this, which pleased them. At last I forgot 
 them, and was thinking, thinking, thinking, oh, of 
 so many things ! when they called me back from 
 my thoughts by saying, ‘ Iya, do you sleep ? for you 
 have not saluted us so long/ I apologised for my 
 forgetfulness, and promised to do better. They 
 said, ‘ It helps us to carry you, and makes us think 
 you are a light load, when you salute and talk to 
 us/ The road was very bad, and bye and bye the 
 foot of one slips into an unseen hole ; off goes the 
 end of the hammock from his head, but he catches- 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 149 
 
 it in his strong hands. I gave a shriek, expecting 
 to go out head first, when he coolly asks, ‘ Iya, why 
 did you lift your voice V I told him fear caught 
 me ; he said, fear must not catch me any more, for 
 he would not let me fall. At last we reached Ijaye, 
 •after full seven hours’ journey, and glad indeed we 
 were to he under the shelter of a mission-house, with 
 Mr. Mann. We intended to start for Oyo next day, 
 hut Mr. Mann’s invitation to stay and rest a day 
 was too tempting, so on the third day we left for 
 Oyo. The road lay through grass fields, hut it was 
 such a nice sandy road that I enjoyed riding nearty 
 •all the way, and it was rather a cloudy day too. 
 which is such a luxury in this country. In six 
 hours we reached the king’s city, and Mr. Hinderer 
 was received by the people as an old friend. 
 
 “ Our Daniel Oluhi had been there several weeks 
 Mr. Hinderer had placed him there to commence 
 teaching till the appointed person came up. He was 
 very glad to see us, and so were all the people of the 
 compound. A nice little place the king had given 
 Mr. Hinderer, for any one to reside in till a proper 
 house was built. This had all been repaired and 
 made comfortable, by the king’s orders, so that we 
 had quite a home to go to ; a great deal larger than 
 the native house here, in which we lived more than 
 a year. We had hardly changed our clothes, and 
 begun to refresh ourselves, before the king’s mes- 
 
150 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. [1856L 
 
 senger came to say we must go to the palace ; and, 
 before he had done speaking, came another and 
 another, saying the king was in haste to see us. A 
 good deal of this was court etiquette. So we made 
 haste, and were received in great state, but the 
 king’s face was quite uncovered; and he received 
 Mr. Hinderer with great joy, saying he was his 
 friend, his beloved friend, and had not forgotten 
 that his name was Dabidi (David). 
 
 “ He praised him for bringing his wife, and then 
 asked if he might salute me ; then he asked me of 
 my welfare, how I had left Ibadan, and if I had 
 heard lately from my own country of my father and 
 mother, brothers and sisters (for in Africa every one 
 who comes from your town is your brother or sister), 
 and was the good Queen of England well ? I an- 
 swered that ‘ all was peace/ — f Alafia ombe mbe he 
 was pleased, and said his heart rejoiced to see us, 
 and then with true gentlemanly thought and polite- 
 ness, he said he would not keep us longer, as we must 
 be tired from our journey: we must go and eat and 
 rest, and to-morrow see him. On Sunday we had 
 nice services in the piazza, though I was obliged to 
 be on my stretcher in a corner, having fever, but I 
 rejoiced to see quite a goodly gathering of regular 
 attendants, whom our Olubi had drawn together. 
 There were many others besides. My husband read 
 several of our church prayers and the litany, that 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 151 
 
 beautiful litany which draws such a hearty response 
 in every language ; and then he spoke to them on 
 ‘ the forgiveness of sins.’ In the afternoon we had 
 the same gathering, and so passed the day.” 
 
 Before leaving Oyo, Mr. Hinderer had a conver- 
 sation with the king, and described to him the purpose 
 of his visit, to which he listened attentively, and 
 then turning to his people, said, “The white man 
 is my beloved friend, he shall teach God’s word, and 
 preach it in my town; what do you say ?” They 
 answered, “ It is good, we receive white man with all 
 our hearts/’ The king treated his missionary friends 
 with the greatest kindness, during the few days 
 which they spent at Oyo, and was sorry to part with 
 them. They departed full of thankfulness to God for 
 giving them favour in a heathen town, and praying 
 that the blessing of the Gospel of peace might be 
 granted to the people. 
 
 A little girl in Oyo took a great fancy to Mrs. 
 Hinderer, and begged to be allowed to go home with 
 her. Her name was Konigbagbe. When the time 
 came for starting, the mother asked if it was true 
 that her child was going to “sit down with the 
 white woman?” Mrs. Hinderer said she would 
 very much like to take charge of her. The woman 
 was pleased, and said, “ Only you must ask the king 
 first, as we live in one of his houses, and none of us 
 may leave the town without his permission.” The 
 
152 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 king gladly gave his consent, and said, “ I think she 
 is very wise, and I only wish that I were a little 
 girl that I might go too.” From that time Konig- 
 bagbe lived in the mission compound at Ibadan, and 
 when she was old enough she became Mrs. Hin- 
 derer’s servant. 
 
 “We reached Ijaye, and started the next morning 
 early for Ibadan, and found all well, and a joyful 
 welcome. On Sunday we were surprised and re- 
 joiced to see a large attendance at the church, of 
 men and women. The agreement the persecutors 
 made to prevent any one coming, is now broken, 
 and the road is once more free again. The Lord, 
 the God of hosts, hath done great things for us, and 
 for the honour of His name, whereof we are glad.” 
 
 But sorrow soon succeeded this joyful return to 
 Ibadan, for in the following month Mrs. Hinderer 
 wrote : — 
 
 “ But now hath the bright picture become dimmed. 
 We were just rejoicing and girding up our loins 
 with fresh zeal and vigour for our work, when my 
 dear husband is laid very low with yellow fever, 
 just what poor Mr. Refer died of. He has not been 
 well the last six months, not three weeks without 
 fever. For ten or twelve days he is well, and goes 
 out preaching, and then is sick again. After all 
 this, 1 did not think he would have a severe illness, 
 but it has come, and he is now as weak as a baby. 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 153 
 
 It has pleased God once more to spare his life, yet 
 seeing how he is, and the danger of another attack, 
 we all feel it is a real duty that he should go at once 
 to England for health’s sake, so that I am now 
 nursing him, and packing, and preparing to leave 
 poor Ibadan by the mail which will leave the end of 
 next month, July; so a month after you receive 
 this, you may expect to see us, if it please God to 
 give us a safe and prosperous voyage. I am sure 
 you will feel for us in the real sorrow and trial it is 
 to have to go so suddenly. It is such a sorrow and 
 such a wrench, which even the joy of seeing our 
 beloved friends again cannot mitigate. I cannot 
 write more ; it is well I shall have hard work these 
 next few weeks.” 
 
 “ June 19 tk . — It has come out to-day that Olubi 
 and Susanna have fallen in love with each other, 
 and wish to be married before we leave. So here 
 is another iron in the fire, but one that gives us real 
 satisfaction. I must now prepare for the bride’s 
 outfit.” 
 
 Susanna was the child of a Christian convert at 
 Abeokuta, who had committed her to Mr. Hinderer’s 
 ■care. On Mrs. Hinderer’s arrival, Susanna was 
 taken into the mission-house, where she remained 
 as a servant until the time of her marriage. 
 
 The history of Olubi is remarkable. As a boy, he 
 was strongly opposed to Christianity. He was dedi- 
 
154 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 , 
 
 cated at his birth to the idol Abatala, and his mother 
 was a devoted priestess of her god Igun. When 
 the Gospel was preached in Abeokuta, his native 
 place, he was full of indignation. From day to day 
 Mr. Muller gathered hearers together in the prin- 
 cipal streets, and the boys anger increased. “ This 
 white man preaches,” he said, “ that we must give up 
 our idols. If I were a war chief, like my uncle Ogu- 
 bonna, I would kill him ; and if ever he comes into 
 my street, I will do so myself.” The missionary came 
 again, and without knowing anything about the boy, 
 stood under a tree close to his house, and preached 
 the words of eternal life. But where was Olubi ? 
 In some act of worship, rendered to his idol, he had 
 injured himself, and now he was lying on his mat, 
 suffering and helpless. He heard a great noise of 
 people assembling, and saw the white man come, 
 but he could not move, and was unable to carry 
 out his threat. This went on for many days. 
 Olubi would gladly have been far away from his 
 home, but that was impossible, and he could not 
 avoid hearing what the missionary preached. “ After 
 all,” he began to think, “ it is not anything so very 
 bad that he is saying.’ * Ana when he recovered, he 
 said, “ I will go and see how these white people 
 worship.” Accordingly, he went to the mission 
 school, and enjoyed what he heard so much that he 
 told his mother he must go again. She threatened 
 
1856 .] 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 155 
 
 him and beat him, but the boy went to the school, and 
 began to learn the Lord’s Prayer. Soon after this, 
 the yearly festival came round, when, according 
 to custom, great preparations were made for reli- 
 gious observances. Olubi went with his mother to 
 the idol’s house, and they spent seventeen days to- 
 gether in sacrifices and worship. Before they re- 
 turned to their home, he said to his mother, “ I am 
 sure that I shall not be with you next new year at 
 Obatala’s house, for I shall follow white man’s 
 fashion.” This revived his mother’s displeasure, 
 and she refused him food and cowries for many 
 days ; but his father-in-law treated him with kind- 
 ness, and even went so far as to accompany him to 
 the church. The boy soon began to be a regular 
 attendant at the school, God’s word touched his 
 heart, and he joined the class of candidates for bap- 
 tism. His mother opposed him to the utmost of 
 her power, but he was enabled to stand firm, and in 
 due time he was baptized by the name of Daniel. 
 It was now his most earnest desire that his 
 mother might be brought to a knowledge of Christ ; 
 and happily his prayers for her were graciously 
 answered. She was attracted to the church in Abeo- 
 kuta ; God’s word came with power to her heart, 
 she cast away the beads and charms of her heathen 
 superstition, she forsook her idol Igun, and wor- 
 shipped God alone. Both she and her husband 
 
156 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 were subsequently baptized, and became regular 
 partakers of the Holy Communion. Olubi served 
 Mr. Hinderer with fidelity and affection, and after 
 several years he was judged to be the most fitting 
 person to take charge of the first mission school in , 
 Ibadan, 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 u Leading little children, 
 
 And blessing manhood’s years, 
 
 Showing to the sinful 
 
 How God’s forgiveness cheers ; 
 
 Scattering sweet roses 
 Along another’s path, 
 
 Smiling by the wayside, 
 
 Content with what she hath.” 
 
 There was much to be done before Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hinderer could leave Ibadan, and the interval was 
 a time of sadness alike to them and to their people. 
 Mrs. Hinderer wrote in her journal : — 
 
 “ I must pass over all those trying preparations ; 
 they were very sorrowful. O my children, I 
 shaU never forget your weeping, and how you held 
 me to keep me back, so that grown up people wept 
 at the sight. We reached Lagos in July, to be 
 ready for the mail, and had a miserable time there ; 
 but on the 1st of August we went on board the 
 
158 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 steamer, homeward bound, though I think I then felt 
 that I was rather leaving home. I was ill from the 
 day we left Lagos till the very day we reached 
 Plymouth. When the captain kindly helped me 
 up the steps on landing, he said , 4 Thank God, Mrs. 
 Hinderer, that I land you in England ! I never ex- 
 pected this, but always had the misery of thinking 
 that we should bury you in the deep sea.’ On a 
 Saturday evening we arrived in London, and lodged 
 near the Church Missionary House. We much en- 
 joyed our peaceful Sabbath, though feeling the cold.” 
 
 Two short extracts from her letters indicate the 
 varied feelings called forth by her return to her 
 native land — 
 
 “ Through God’s great mercy here we arrived last 
 evening. It is hard to believe that I am not asleep 
 and dreaming, but my heart is tenderly awake to 
 the changes which have taken place among us in 
 these last four years. The only resting-place under 
 it all is the sweet thought — 
 
 * The saints above how sweet theii; joys, 
 
 How bright their glories be !’ 
 
 “Can you understand my relief to have my 
 dear husband under medical care and skill, after 
 all we have gone through ? He has had much 
 suffering, and certainly was never really well the 
 last year and a half; but I do trust in a short time 
 he will be in a very different state. I am thankful 
 
1856 .] 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 159 
 
 to feel very fairly well; a little tired sometimes; 
 and I find I am not the strong person I was before 
 I went to poor Africa.” 
 
 When Mr. Hinderer’s health was sufficiently re- 
 stored, they removed to Lowestoft, where, unhap- 
 pily, Mrs. Hinderer was almost immediately pros- 
 trated by a severe and painful illness. In her 
 hours of suffering, she was cheered and refreshed 
 by the love and sympathy of many old friends, 
 rich and poor ; but she felt acutely the absence of 
 the friend, whom she had loved and honoured as a 
 mother, and who had done so much to shed a glow 
 of brightness over her earlier days. To that revered 
 name she referred in her journal, after her recovery 
 from this illness. “ The churchyard I used to love 
 to go to, and by dearest Mrs. Cunningham’s grave I 
 could weep and pray.” 
 
 The following brief sketch of the character of this 
 beloved friend was given by Mrs. Hinderer in a 
 letter written about this time. 
 
 “ We may look far and wide for her equal. I do 
 not know what shone most brightly in her ; every- 
 thing appeared in its full beauty and force. Her 
 extraordinary powers, with her sweet humility, and 
 every Christian grace ; her meekness, gentleness, 
 forbearance, that loving charity, which can hardly 
 be equalled ; I never saw such pure generosity. I 
 think I knew more of her gifts and helps while 
 
160 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1856 . 
 
 living with her than almost anyone. Writing for 
 her, and waiting upon her as I did, I could not help 
 knowing her ; and besides, she would speak to me 
 about things and people in many a quiet hour over 
 her drawing. Never did I see, nor can I expect to 
 see again, such an exemplification of that charity 
 which ‘ thinketh no evil;’ always so willing and 
 ready, and I may add determined, to look on the 
 best side. In this evil world it was impossible such 
 a kind heart should not be encroached or imposed 
 upon. When talking one day of a person who did 
 not seem worthy of her kindness, she only tried to 
 speak of what might be good and hopeful. I re- 
 member asking her if she did ever see any evil or 
 wrong in anybody ? She looked up from her 
 drawing, a little amused, and smiling said, ‘ Why 
 yes, dear, I see it, but I like to shut one eye, and 
 open the other only a very little way, when there is 
 anything wrong ; and besides, I like honey so much 
 better than poison, that I like to seek only after the 
 honey/ It is indeed a wonderful privilege, and 
 how great a responsibility, to have been under the 
 influence of such a spirit, and such a daily and 
 hourly example !” 
 
 She also missed the loving welcome that she 
 would have received from her father, of whom she 
 wrote thus in her journal 
 
 “ Just before starting for England, I heard of my 
 
1857 .] 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 161 
 
 dear father’s rather sudden but peaceful and happy 
 death. I cannot mourn for him, for I believe him 
 to be one whom his Saviour loved, but one deeply 
 tried and afflicted in this world ; he now rests in 
 Jesus ; 
 
 ‘ From the burden of the flesh, 
 
 And from grief and fear released.’ ” 
 
 Circumstances had taken her away from her 
 father’s care at a very early period of her life, but 
 she always loved him with tender affection, and 
 entered into the heavy trials of his life with feelings 
 of sorrow and sympathy. 
 
 Early in the next year they were again in London, 
 and, while enjoying the society of friends, they 
 availed themselves of many opportunities of use- 
 fulness. Mr. Hinderer spoke at missionary meet- 
 ings, and Mrs. Hinderer told the interesting story 
 of their life in Africa, at working-parties, and 
 other private gatherings. 
 
 It was in April of this year that they became 
 personally known to those to whom has been com- 
 mitted the sacred trust of preparing these memorials 
 for publication. When Mrs. Hinderer was on the 
 eve of sailing for Africa, in December, 1852, a selec- 
 tion of passages from holy scripture was sent to liei 
 by a member of the family, who had been deeply 
 interested by the narrative, in the Church Mission- 
 
 11 
 
1G2 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1857 . 
 
 ary Intelligencer, of Mr. Hinderer’s early exploring 
 expeditions, and of his first visit to Ibadan. This 
 token of sympathy was offered under the influence 
 of an observation made by another missionary, that 
 many who are engaged in that important service, 
 might be cheered and comforted in their loneliness, 
 by a short letter, or a few verses of the Bible, even 
 written by those who are personally strangers to 
 them, if sent as an expression of interest in their 
 work. 
 
 In due time the following welcome acknowledg- 
 ment was received by the otherwise unknown 
 correspondent : — 
 
 “ Ibadan, July, 1853. — Your very kind little 
 note, and the pink sheets containing so many sweet 
 and encouraging passages of Scripture, which you 
 were kind enough to write out for me, have often 
 and often been before me, and have been doubly 
 refreshing as coming from one whom I have never 
 seen or known. It was so very, very kind of 
 you to write to me, and to take the trouble of 
 copying so much for me, a stranger; they have, 
 I assure you, been a comfort and pleasure to 
 me. 
 
 This led to an occasional interchange of letters, 
 and to a box of clothing being sent to Ibadan by the 
 members of the Halesowen missionary working 
 party, for the African children, together with a 
 
£ 857 .] 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 163 
 
 scarf, intended as a present for one of the 
 chiefs. 
 
 After the lapse of four years, in April, 1857, the 
 friendship which had been commenced by a letter, 
 was ripened by personal intercourse. A visit 
 of three weeks at Halesowen Rectory established 
 an abiding affection and lively interest on both 
 sides. Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer at once took a place 
 in every heart, which subsequent correspondence 
 and visits, in after years, only made more and more 
 secure. 
 
 From Halesowen they went into Yorkshire, and 
 then returned to London. A letter, written a few 
 weeks later, accounted for their next movements: — 
 
 “ I was all this time often in much suffering, but 
 wonderfully helped through in times of necessity, 
 for meetings and working-parties, and I had a most 
 kind and helpful physician in Dr. Johnson. He 
 recommended mineral baths, so this hastened our 
 intended visit to Germany ; and on J une the 5th 
 we started, and had a most delightful and refreshing 
 tour.” 
 
 Travelling by the Rhine and railway to Basle, 
 they proceeded to some of the principal places of 
 interest in the Bernese Oberland, thoroughly en- 
 joying the beauties of the Alpine scenery; and 
 spent the rest of their time in Wurtemberg, partly 
 at Berg, for the benefit of the waters, but chiefly 
 
 11—2 
 
164 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1857 . 
 
 with Mr. Hinderer’s relations and friends in Schorn- 
 dorf and its neighbourhood. This was a season of 
 much happiness and refreshment of spirit. Among 
 many cheering proofs of sympathy with them “ for 
 their work’s sake/’ Mrs. Hinderer relates the follow- 
 ing : — 
 
 “ The sincere and earnest piety of these simple 
 Christians is very beautiful. One poor woman said 
 to me, ‘ For five years and sixteen days I have not 
 failed to pray for you and your husband every day.’ 
 
 Just five years ago D was in this country, and 
 
 told them about Africa, and that we were going' 
 soon together ; and from that time the good woman 
 had borne us on her heart before God. Oh, what a 
 comfort it is to know their prayers are heard by our 
 Father in heaven ! Oh, how blessed it is to labour 
 for Him, and, for the little we give up, so abundantly 
 does He reward !” 
 
 They were again in England in September, and 
 soon began to make preparations for their return to 
 Africa. Mrs. Hinderer wrote : — 
 
 “We rejoice to go to our work, and to our dear 
 people in Ibadan ; their earnest desire for us is very 
 pleasing. We had cheering accounts on the whole, 
 last mail. The few disciples are drawing others to 
 hear the blessed words of the Gospel ; but another 
 thing touches our hearts. Our good friend Olumloyo 
 is killed in battle; we have shed tears for him. 
 
1857 .] 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 165 
 
 Alas, alas, he heard the Gospel, and acknowledged 
 its sweetness and its truth, but could not follow it. 
 Yet we may hope, perhaps ; with God all things are 
 possible, and perhaps at the eleventh hour He per- 
 mitted him to call upon Him. Almost the last in- 
 terview with his little boy Akielle was that at the 
 annual feast, when the child was enabled to be a 
 witness for the truth.” 
 
 The story of that festival, so far as it concerned 
 Akielle, is simply told by Olubi, in a letter from 
 Ibadan : — 
 
 “ You will be glad to hear Akielle begins to show 
 light to his parents. A few days ago his father sent 
 for him ; the boy went, and found all his family en- 
 gaged making yearly sacrifice; sheep were slain, and 
 the blood sprinkled about, a number of the people 
 rubbing their foreheads in the dust, and the orishas 
 of the family all brought out. The little boy 
 thought to himself he had better go back, but the 
 father, seeing him, called him near and said, ‘Now, 
 Akielle, I want you to worship with us; here is 
 Erinle’ (pointing to one of the idols), ‘here is the 
 god who gave you to me.’ The child, quite in 
 African character, replied by asking some witty 
 question, ‘If Erinle gave me to you, father, how 
 many children has he left for liimself V The father 
 was puzzled, and said, ‘ Perhaps none/ ‘ Well, then/ 
 said the boy, ‘ I don’t think he would have been so 
 
166 
 
 VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1357 . 
 
 foolish as to give me to you, if he had none left tc 
 himself/ Then the father said, ‘ Well, you must 
 worship with us/ The boy answered, ‘ No, father, I 
 cannot/ ‘ Why can’t you X ‘ Why, father, because 
 the Word of God says, “ Thou shalt have none other 
 gods but me.” * As they remained quiet, the child 
 went on and repeated the second Commandment. 
 He was then asked several questions, which he an- 
 swered readily and respectfully, when the father 
 ended by saying, ‘Well, Akielle, there is one thing 
 you shall do/ The little fellow now thought, ‘ My 
 father is going to flog me, or make me worship these 
 things;’ but the end of the sentence was, ‘ You shall 
 go back to the mission-house, where you have been 
 taught/ So he came back with great pleasure.” 
 
 On Saturday, October 24th, 1857, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hinderer again set sail for Africa, on board the 
 “Candace,” and landed at Sierra Leone on the 
 seventeenth day of their voyage. While there, 
 Mrs. Hinderer wrote : — 
 
 “ I long to be in Yoruba again, yet I am glad to 
 have stayed here. I am very well, but my poor 
 husband had a sharp attack of fever for one night 
 and day; not the acclimatizing fever, we do not 
 expect to have that here, but soon enough when wo 
 get further up. Oh, may we be preserved to labour 
 on; we more and more rejoice in our work there, 
 and feel its blessing and privilege as well as the 
 
RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 1858 .] 
 
 167 
 
 duty ; only, dear friends, pray for us ; we need it 
 more and more.” 
 
 From Sierra Leone they went up into the neigh- 
 bouring mountains, halting at many of the villages 
 by the way; and making an interesting visit to 
 Mrs. Clemens and her school at Charlotte. Mrs. 
 Hinderer’s own words will best describe their short 
 sojourn at Regent, the scene of Mr. Johnsons 
 labours, in the early days of the mission : — 
 
 “We passed through Regent, the place itself is a 
 picture. I cannot describe it ; it is equal to some 
 parts of Switzerland, and that is saying much. 
 There was no missionary there then, but we went to 
 the empty mission-house, and there we found an old 
 man, with his woolly hair quite white. It seems he 
 lived there all alone, to take care of the empty 
 house. I asked him if he remembered Mr. J ohnson, 
 and I touched a chord in the old man’s heart. ‘ Ah, 
 me know Massa Johnson, me know him ; I been live 
 with him all the time he live here.’ I wish I could 
 give you the whole account, but we talked together 
 for an hour and a alf; and the old man took us 
 into the garden, and showed us a very large orange- 
 tree. He gave me plenty of fruit, and said, ‘Eat 
 these oranges, and take the seeds, and plant them in 
 the Yoruba country, and call it Massa Johnson’s 
 orange-tree. Massa Johnson plant this tree, I stand 
 by him, and vou now, a stranger, eat the fruit and 
 
168 
 
 EETURN TO IBADAN. - 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 the dear old man never tired of talking of Massa 
 J ohnson, and we talked of heaven, the home of the 
 blessed and faithful missionary. He added, ‘ Ah, I 
 done old now; poor old Josiah here a little while, 
 but soon Massa Jesus, my Jesus, will say, ‘Now, 
 old J osiah, come up here/ and then I see my Saviour, 
 I see my dear Massa Johnson — though he been bury 
 in the sea — and we no die no more / and when we 
 parted, ‘ Goodbye, Missis, me no know you, but I 
 glad I been see you ; God go with you, and bring us 
 all to heaven at last.’ This was a delightful visit ; I 
 am only sorry I cannot do justice to it with my pen.” 
 Early in January, 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer 
 began the last stage of their journey, proceeding from 
 Lagos to Ibadan, a distance of about eighty miles, 
 by the most frequented route, which is a rugged 
 path through bush, and forest, and occasional tracts 
 of coarse grass, six or eight feet high, interspersed 
 with trees. The bush is a dense thicket of shrubs, 
 and saplings, and tangled climbing plants, adorned 
 with a profusion of beautiful flowers, and many a 
 gaudy butterfly adds life and brilliancy to the scene. 
 The stately cotton-tree, the graceful palm, and other 
 gigantic forest-trees, tower above this mass of lux- 
 uriant vegetation, and by their deep shade afford a 
 welcome protection to the traveller from the glare 
 and heat of a tropical sun. The track is, in most 
 parts, only just wide enough for a horseman, or for 
 
JOURNEY FROM LAGOS. Page 168. 
 
- 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 169 
 
 foot-passengers in single file ; and now and then in- 
 convenient obstructions are encountered in the form 
 of trees which have fallen across the path, or of a 
 new growth of the bush asserting its ordinary rights. 
 The loveliness of the country, diversified as it is by 
 hill and dale, is most striking, wherever a point of 
 view can be obtained. The fertile soil will reward 
 the labours of the cultivator whenever peace may 
 settle itself in the land, and the people have again 
 replenished it. Such towns and villages of the 
 Ijebus as have escaped the hands of the destroyer, 
 are off the usual track, sheltered in the depths of the 
 jungle or forest. 
 
 The next letter was written from Ibadan. 
 
 “ Jan . 27, 1858. — We are too busy settling in 
 this dear place to write much by this mail. Thank 
 God, we are in excellent health, after having suffered 
 a good deal in Sierra Leone and Lagos. We stayed 
 at Lagos till we could send up and have people 
 from the interior to fetch us and our loads, and then 
 was it not a treat to see Ibadan faces once more ? 
 We had a delightful journey through the bush, the 
 people so pleased to be taking us back again, and 
 when we halted for the night, with our tent pitched, 
 and three or four fires about, and all resting after 
 our day’s journey, it was so nice to talk for an hour 
 or more, and hear all about Ibadan doings in our 
 absence; and on the fourth day, when we were 
 
170 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 within sight of the town, we were all at once 
 startled by such a shout as that bush has hardly 
 heard before. Our children and people had come 
 out to meet us, and just caught sight of us. Oh, it 
 was such a happy meeting ! Besides our own people 
 there were many of our heathen neighbours and 
 friends, whose welcome was most hearty, the 
 horsemen galloped and danced backwards and for- 
 wards, and guns were fired, so that altogether we 
 were nearly deafened. I was in a hammock, and 
 my carriers had hard work to get on, and my hus- 
 band was nearly pulled off his horse. As we went 
 on, the numbers increased, till we were brought to 
 our own door, on Saturday, January 9. 
 
 “ It was delightful to be in our old house again, 
 everything was made so neat and clean, and a nice 
 meal prepared for us. But all this j oy had its sorrow ; 
 we missed our friend, Olumloyo, and the people also 
 talked of him, saying how pleased he would have been 
 to have met us, and how far he accompanied us on 
 the road when we went away, and could not bear to 
 part with us, and then tears glistened in many an 
 eye, for he was much respected; but tears could 
 not last long that day. For three weeks or more 
 we had visitors constantly, and such kind presents. 
 We have still quite a farm yard from them. I wish 
 you could see our beautiful ducks, with their green 
 and gold feathers sparkling in the sun, quantities of 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 171 
 
 chickens, goats, and three sheep. Besides these we 
 had corn and yams given us. The chiefs and people 
 seem as though they could not give us welcome 
 enough, and say they were afraid we should not 
 come again, as we had so many troubles from the 
 persecution; but now they love us more than ever. 
 Far better than all, many people are coming regularly 
 to church, and are anxious to be taught the Word 
 of God. Some have been attending a few months 
 and are now bringing their idols to us, saying, ‘ These 
 things cannot save us, we want to follow Jesus/ 
 and then desire that their names may be put down 
 as candidates for baptism. We have now a large 
 basketful of idols, and last evening a man who had 
 been a large dealer in slaves, brought the irons with 
 which he used to chain the poor creatures, saying, 
 ‘ that having been made free by the blood of J esus, 
 he never should want such cruel things again.’ 
 
 “ We very soon went to pay our respects to the 
 four chiefs of the town ; they had sent some of their 
 servants on the road to help us. They were so pleased 
 to see us. Some time ago these same chiefs were afraid 
 to touch our hands, lest we should convey poison to 
 them : or that our eyes should meet, lest they die. 
 Their cruel country priests and Mohammedan Alufas 
 had told them that these things would surely happen 
 if we were allowed to go near to them. But now, in 
 the face of their deceivers, they took our hands, and 
 
172 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 expressed their joy in every way, and the head chief 
 would make me sit on his own mat, quite close to 
 him. But I am sorry to tell you that chief is now 
 very ill, and, wonderful to say, Mr. Hinderer is 
 allowed to go and see him. We hope he will be 
 spared, as he is rather better than he was. We sent 
 him a mattress and pillow, and though the chief has 
 a very fine one, Mr. Hinderer saw he needed some- 
 thing more comfortable. The poor man was so pleased, 
 and tried to thank him, though he can hardly speak. 
 
 “ The dear children were all well, and so happy 
 to have us back ; they have been kindly taken 
 care of in our absence, and we thank God for 
 our helpful Catechist and his wife, and our good 
 Olubi. Susanna and Olubi were in full force, very 
 happy, and they have a most charming little boy ; 
 his name is Daniel, he is the best tempered child 
 possible, full of fun, and very amusing. Ogunyomi 
 and her mother are extremely happy, and little 
 Arubo, little still. Some of them, we have every 
 reason to believe, are truly converted by the Spirit 
 of God.” 
 
 “Feb. 15. — My writing time gets less and less, 
 and this terribly hot weather does not help one to 
 push for it. We are thoroughly parched, and must 
 now send far for water. The hot seasons are indeed 
 increasing in intensity, but what a mercy that we are 
 preserved in health, though we look, like everything 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETUKN TO IBADAN. 
 
 175 
 
 else, bleached and colourless. My own special flock 
 of twenty-seven children occupy much of my bodily 
 and mental strength, my former ones requiring 
 further instruction, the others a breaking in, and 
 training ; but it is an encouraging work, and when 
 my strength is gone, some one will be ready to 
 stand in my room. Our Sundays are now quite 
 cheering, such a nice attendance of so many earnest 
 listeners.’* 
 
 In this and many other extracts from Mrs. Hin- 
 derer’s journals, she appears as taking a lively in- 
 terest in children, and especially those who were 
 under her care in the mission compound. They are 
 introduced as illustrating that love for children 
 which was a distinguishing feature of her character. 
 Through all her life in Africa it appears to have 
 been her special vocation to minister to the happi- 
 ness of the young, to civilize them by kind and 
 winning treatment, and gently to lead them to 
 Christ, and it was one of her greatest joys to per- 
 ceive that the good seed so lovingly sown had taken 
 root in some of their hearts. 
 
 “April 26. — Mothers often come to see their 
 children who live with us, and they generally bring 
 something they like to eat ; they think here as we 
 do at home, ‘ mother’s cake is very sweet.’ Three 
 Sundays ago a woman came, and on her head was a 
 calabash with eatables for her child. The little boy, 
 
174 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 of about nine years, looked wistfully at them as 
 they were placed before him, but said, ‘ Mother, you 
 have bought these things to-day, and this is God’s 
 day. In this house we never buy things on this 
 day, we go to God’s house and learn about God. I 
 cannot eat these things, you must take them away ; 
 but oh, mother, I do wish you would come here 
 every God’s day, to learn His way, and to keep His 
 Sabbath day.’ 
 
 “ A conversation between our young schoolmaster 
 and an old woman, a late convert, will not be un- 
 interesting. The old woman came depressed and 
 sorrowful, but went away cheered and comforted. 
 She had been much troubled by her heathen rela- 
 tions and friends. She said, ‘ I am such a poor 
 weak old woman, I am sure this way you have all 
 spoken to me about, is the only way to be saved : I 
 feel it in my heart, but my people come about me, 
 and tell me this and that will happen to me, for 
 giving up the gods of my fathers, it makes me fear 
 lest they should draw me back to heathenism again. 
 Will God keep me and teach me the right way V 
 The young man replied, * Listen ; God is willing 
 and able to keep you ; trust in Him, pray to Him. 
 If you could come out in the evening, you would 
 see my master has brought out a very fine lamp. 
 He lights it, but the wind would soon blow it out ; 
 the many flying creatures would soon put it out ; 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 175 
 
 but there is a fine glass shade all round it, and 
 something even to put on the top (ours is an Indian 
 punkah lamp), now the wind comes, creatures come 
 and beat against the glass, and want to get to the 
 light, but they cannot. Why ? Because it is pro- 
 tected. Now, friend, you are just like that lamp : 
 you have a little light in your soul, which is for 
 your good, and your enemies want to put it out ; 
 •but they shall not, for you are protected. God will 
 protect you, and by His Spirit make the light burn 
 brighter and brighter. Trust in Him, and fear not 
 what man shall do to you.’ ” 
 
 In May, Mrs. Hinderer was seriously ill, but 
 next : month she was able to write, “ I begin to sit 
 up now in my comfortable chair, and am getting on 
 gradually. I must try to take life more quietly, 
 though it is hard in such a place for work. I am 
 glad to be able to leave the future, to lean on the 
 strong Arm, He will do all things well, and it is His 
 will for us to do or to suffer.” 
 
 “ July 2 6 th . — I sit down to write again, thank 
 God, in good health. We have been on the eve of 
 civil war, may God preserve us from it ! It is only 
 since the Word of God entered this town, it has 
 been free from it. My children can tell me dread- 
 ful tales of these wars, which before used to happen 
 two or three times a year, when the women and 
 children would run into the farms, or hide in their 
 
176 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 houses for two or three days. Well may so many of 
 the people say, ‘ Ah white man, you are our friend, 
 you have brought peace into this town/ How 
 cheering it is to see many (yet few) wishing to hear 
 and read the Word of God, which tells of the peace 
 which passeth all understanding, and which tells of, 
 and leads to, the land where wars, and sorrows, and 
 sins shall be known no more. Our chiefs were 
 never more friendly to us than at the present mo- 
 ment; they say ‘we are seeing which is truth/ 
 Ground is cheerfully given, and they are desirous to 
 have other stations. The two men my husband 
 chose in Sierra Leone are very satisfactory, and are 
 much liked. They are now having the ground 
 cleared in two places in this town, about four miles 
 apart from each other. We stand in about the 
 middle. In the dry season the building is to begin, 
 and then Johnson will live in one, and Allen in the 
 other, so that in less than a year, we trust there will 
 be three bells on a Sunday, calling to the house of 
 God. Several persons from both these quarters 
 come to our church now.” 
 
 The following letter gives more particulars of her 
 illness, and tells of Mr. Hinderer’s journey up the 
 country. 
 
 “ A ugust — In May I began to be ill, and a most 
 serious illness I had. I had not been so prudent, 
 perhaps, as I ought to have been. They used often 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 177 
 
 to tell me I was doing too much. For six weeks I 
 could not leave my bedroom. One whole week I 
 knew no one or anything. Many times they 
 gathered round my bed for last moments, but it 
 graciously pleased God to listen to their cry, and to 
 restore me. I do not know what my illness was, 
 but it seems principally caused by my great and 
 constant sufferings at sea; and on coming back, 
 with so much to urge me on, I did a little too much. 
 But I am now quite strong, the cold season came on 
 just when I began to mend, and it has tended 
 greatly to my restoration. We never had it so long 
 or so cold before, but though so good for me, I am 
 sorry to say it does not agree with the natives, and 
 I have still many sick people to attend to. 
 
 “ I am just now alone; my dear husband is on his 
 long and important journey eastward. Having been 
 permitted to labour here for seven months, with unin- 
 terrupted health, to get things to rights and set other 
 things going, and my health being so thoroughly 
 re-established, he felt quite happy in starting the 
 2nd of this month. He has been gone nearly three 
 weeks, I do not expect him before four or five more. 
 I am getting weary to hear from him, it is long now; 
 but as he gets further and further away, it is impos- 
 sible. One cannot help getting a wee bit anxious, in 
 this land of sickness and death, but he is in good keep- 
 ing, and it is such a favour to be permitted to commit 
 
 12 
 
178 - 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 eacli other to the gracious care of such a Father, 
 such a Friend. Truly I do not grudge him to his 
 Master’s work, and this is one part of it, for which 
 he is peculiarly fitted. Yet I must constantly feel 
 the absence of one so ready to take every burden, 
 and lessen every care for me. He carries a happy 
 loving heart and cheerful face ; and so thoroughly 
 understands these people, and has such tact in deal- 
 ing with them. Olubi went with him to the first 
 resting-place, and came back next day ; he dearly 
 loves his master, and was sorry not to follow him, 
 but he also likes taking care of me in his absence. 
 He and his wife and little boy are very flourishing ; 
 the child is quite my pet and plaything, when I have 
 time to play ; he is a funny quick little fellow, and 
 though only fourteen months old, has long run alone, 
 and imitates all I say and do. 
 
 “ My thirty children are very prosperous, very 
 good, very naughty, and very noisy, just as it 
 happens; then there are lots of people to be cared 
 for and watched over : the sick also fall to my share, 
 and I have had many the last six weeks. I have 
 gone about this town to a greater extent than ever 
 on my good little pony’s back ; I must do it, our con- 
 verts cannot go to heathen doctors, where they must 
 make sacrifice, or perhaps be quietly poisoned. But 
 a very amusing part is, some of these doctors come 
 to me now, when they are sick, and get confidential 
 
1858.] KETUKN TO IBADAN. 179 
 
 when they have received some good, and bring me 
 bark, and leaves, and roots, telling me what they 
 are good for ; but with the request I will not make 
 them known, which of course I do not, and I have 
 found some of them very useful. What do you 
 think Olubi found, when he returned on the 3rd, in 
 •this town, in the bush, near a running brook ? A 
 little baby not a week old ; it had been thrown away 
 by some cruel mother. It was shrieking ; no one 
 dared to touch it in this heathen land, but Olubi 
 picked it up, and brought it home, as nice a child as 
 you can see. We know nothing about it, perhaps it 
 was a twin child ; the gods do not like twins, so one 
 is often got rid of, and perhaps the poor mother had 
 not the heart to kill her child, and so thought, if the 
 pigs or vultures ate it, the gods would be appeased, 
 and take its spirit to a good place. I always make 
 a point of helping a woman who has twins, if she 
 brings them up carefully, which some do in spite of 
 the idols ; but this poor little boy only lived with us 
 three weeks. We did all we could, but it seems he 
 had taken a violent cold, and he must die. I was so 
 sorry D. was not at home to baptize him ; we should 
 have named him ‘ Moses,’ but I was glad the poor 
 little thing should be cared for, and die, and be 
 buried, instead of the pigs and vultures feasting 
 upon him, though I did wish he might live. We 
 •buried him under a shady tree in the bush. We 
 
 12—2 
 
180 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 have had a great loss here in the death of our native 
 catechist, he was a faithful labourer, and we miss 
 him much. How wonderful are the ways of Provi- 
 dence ! 
 
 “ We are going on very steadily, and have much 
 to cheer us on our way. It has its rough and thorny 
 places. May God give us grace to thank Him for 
 them, for He knows, though we may not see it, that 
 they also are for our good. We have twenty-nine 
 communicants, thirty-nine candidates for baptism, 
 and twelve beside who asked to be taken as candi- 
 dates for baptism last Saturday. Then we have 
 some baptized who have not come to the Commu- 
 nion yet, and we have several inquirers. Thus the 
 Lord’s work is going on, and ought we not to be the 
 more encouraged as it is truly hard ground to work 
 upon ?” 
 
 “Sep. 23rd . — My husband came home from his 
 journey in excellent health, and much cheered and 
 refreshed by his interesting tour. It is wonderful 
 to see him ; he has not had a day’s illness since we 
 came to Ibadan (in January), I quite feel it is in 
 answer to prayer. We enjoy seeing our little church 
 grow. One of the converts, who lives more than 
 three miles from this station, has been so earnest 
 that he has brought many from his quarter to hear 
 the Word of God ; and, thank God, many have not 
 heard in vain. Being so far off, they bring their 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 181 
 
 dinners, and stay here all day ; but in the even- 
 ing those that live anywhere near, before they dis- 
 perse for the night, meet at his house, and have 
 prayer together. They pray for their minister and 
 teachers, for themselves and for the heathen. Touch- 
 ingly simple and childlike must their petitions be, 
 when we think that such a little while ago they 
 were all enveloped in heathen darkness. A blessing 
 will come, and does come, from such a state of things 
 •as this. Though there are so few to do the work of 
 the Lord, in this immense place. He is graciously 
 doing it Himself in the hearts of His dear children 
 gathered here, and will do much by them, the little 
 seed, the small piece of leaven. The jewels are 
 preparing, and bye and bye they shall adorn their 
 Redeemer’s crown, in His kingdom above.” 
 
 “ Oct 18 th . — We had the men of our congregation 
 to a little treat one day this month. We showed 
 them our magic lantern, which delighted and sur- 
 prised them much ; then we gave them sweet tea 
 and biscuits, with a little yam, after which they 
 made nice little speeches, comparing their former 
 state with their present, and spoke of the happi- 
 ness of believing and trusting in God, and Chris- 
 their Saviour, and they thanked me so nicely for 
 the pleasure and information we had given them 
 Then they talked of their former days of heathenism 
 and how they used to gather round their war captain. 
 
182 RETUKN TO IBADAN. [185& 
 
 and after a grand feast prepared for them, they 
 would promise to fight for him, ‘But/ said one, 
 ‘ now you, our dear minister, our friend, our father* 
 and you, our mother, call us so kindly, and shew us 
 such wonderful things, and tell us about them. It 
 is God who has given such sense to people to make 
 such things, that we may get instruction from them, 
 and then you have given us such nice refreshment, 
 and we are very pleased ; but you do not want us 
 to fight and catch slaves for you, so we will now end 
 by asking our minister to put up a prayer for us to 
 the great God, that we may be His children and His 
 faithful servants/ All knelt immediately, and with 
 a full heart my dear husband ‘put up a prayer* for 
 them and for ourselves, and there was such a beau- 
 tiful and hearty ‘ Amin’ at the end from every heart 
 and lip. Our dear children are progressing in many 
 things, but we have our hopes and fears, our joys 
 and sorrows, there is much of true labour, but a 
 blessed one, a work which brings its reward even in 
 this life.” 
 
 In a letter dated Oct. 20, Mrs. Hinderer spoke of 
 the comfort they found in the native teachers : — 
 
 “ God be praised, we are enabled to go on in our 
 work, and with some cheer and joy. We are thank- 
 ful for our present native helpers. You know a 
 little what Olubi is ; and Johnson and Allen, whom 
 we brought from Sierra Leone, are turning out as 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 183 
 
 well. They are truly attached to us, and are so 
 thankful for advice and instruction. They have 
 also learned to read Yoruba, and address the people 
 now very well.” 
 
 And again on Nov. 19th, she wrote of them : — 
 
 “ They are real helpers, satisfied in their calling, 
 liking the place, and attached to us. Johnson is a 
 sterling man, so straightforward, a rare quality in 
 an African, I am sorry to say; a man well acquainted 
 with his Bible, loving and reverencing it : and he 
 quotes it so readily and appropriately. He is quite 
 his master’s right hand, for work among the people, 
 and in trying to get up another station. He is now 
 watching and caring so nicely for the new candi- 
 dates, and they much respect him. Several of them 
 have chosen him as the witness at their baptism. 
 Allen is a younger man and very well disposed, and 
 our regard for him increases. He addresses an 
 assembly of people remarkably well, whether in the 
 church or the street, and is becoming much more 
 active. You ask about our singing; it is hearty, 
 but not beautiful. The Africans have not sweet 
 voices, but their enjoyment in it makes up for a 
 good deal. 
 
 “ My dear husband was cheered by his interesting 
 service yesterday (Advent Sunday), nine women 
 and five men gathered round him for baptism, and a 
 most interesting sight it was, trusting as we did 
 
184 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 they were truly converted persons. They looked so 
 earnest, and had been well instructed ; their answers, 
 during the time of preparation, were often quite 
 touching, and in the service, instead of ‘ That is my 
 desire,’ two or three burst forth with " I will, I will, 
 I will,’ folding the hands in their earnest way, and 
 again to ‘Dost thou believe?’ "Yes, yes, sir, that 
 only I believe and trust in.’ All the fourteen were 
 idolaters not long ago. We now have the idols which 
 some of them used to worship ; but some worshipped 
 the god of water, others the god of war, and another 
 the god of thunder.” 
 
 “ Nov. 24tth . — I do wish you could see my children, 
 we take real pains with them, and they are in some 
 order, and are getting on very well. They are 
 always about us, and out of school hours I can never 
 stir vdthout a flock round me. 
 
 “ God give us grace to labour on for Him, and for 
 the poor heathen around ! He has mercifully owned 
 and blessed our labours in this town. We are happy 
 and thankful in our Master’s service, and only en- 
 treat you most earnestly to pray for us, that we may 
 be kept faithful unto the end, and that our heavenly 
 Father may do His own work, notwithstanding the 
 infirmities and sinfulness and helplessness of poor 
 frail man !” 
 
 “ Christmas Day . — We have had a pleasant day 
 altogether, though in the broiling heat it is next to 
 
1853 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 185 
 
 impossible to believe in its being Christmas time. 
 Every one of our people came to-day to church, and 
 all came up to salute us first, and were delighted to 
 receive each a Christmas present of a nice new print 
 bag, to put their books in. My children had a fresh 
 supply of clothes, which made them look so comfort- 
 able. We had a nice little service, and, in about an 
 hour after it, all dispersed, and my children sat down 
 to a plentiful supply of food, with all sorts of things 
 in their palaver sauce, which I gave them the plea- 
 sure of choosing for themselves yesterday. We then 
 sat down to our own meal, and the children went 
 out to salute some of their friends and relatives, 
 while D. and I had a quiet afternoon, quite to our- 
 selves, and we had such a long talk together as is not 
 often our portion. Since tea we have had a pleasant 
 time with the children, and a nice bright short 
 little service, and plenty of Christmas hymns, and 
 then they went to bed.” 
 
 “Lee. 28th . — On Friday my dear husband starts 
 for Sierra Leone. Those places he visited eastward 
 wish for teachers, so he proposed to go to Sierra 
 Leone to select Yoruba men from the congregations 
 there, who will make good scripture readers. 
 
 “ Death has entered our dwelling this month, and 
 taken away my youngest little African girl, a little, 
 little sorrowful creature whom we found here on 
 coming back. Her name was Sophy Ajele, she was 
 
186 
 
 EETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 taken by our catechist, in our absence, because ber own 
 mother wanted to sell her ; her case had to be taken 
 before the chiefs, and they decided, as the father was 
 willing, that she should be brought up by us. Poor 
 little thing, her early days seem indeed to have been 
 sad ones ; for three days at a time her mother would 
 give her no food. Then the parents went away to 
 Ijaye, and I never saw them till the end of last 
 month, when the mother came very quietly, as we 
 afterwards found, to steal the child away ; but she 
 found her full of measles. Then she pretended to 
 be so grieved for the dear child, and cursed me for 
 * letting ’ her get sick ; we had at last to drive her 
 out of the yard, but alas ! not before she had given 
 the child something very bad, which produced a 
 complaint for which no means we could use did any 
 good. In a few days the mother came again, and 
 we were obliged to have her driven out of the com- 
 pound ; it was quite afflicting to see the dear child 
 clinging to me, and crying : ‘ Oh, do not let my 
 mother take me away, she will only sell me ; you 
 are my mother !’ and then take my hand and say, 
 ‘I can go to sleep if you sit by me/ The two 
 Sundays she was ill I could not leave her, and 
 thankful was I for health to be with her almost 
 night and day. She was a very silent child, but 
 very obedient, and so attentive to any instruction ; 
 I never had to punish her but once, and I shall not 
 
1858 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 187 
 
 l 
 
 
 forget her sorrow. She was very patient in her 
 illness; during the early part she was so happy, 
 lying or sitting on her mat by my chair, with all 
 the pictures to herself; but when she became too 
 weak for that, she chose out her favourite picture, of 
 Christ blessing little children, and putting it by her 
 side she gave me the others, saying, ‘ Iya, let this 
 always stop here, and when I am better I can look 
 at it.’ A few days more, and my little Sophy had 
 gone, I humbly believe, where she would see her 
 dear loving Saviour face to face, that same Jesus 
 who so loved little children when on earth. I sup- 
 pose she must have been about eight years old. She 
 was so small and so grave, that any one might have 
 thought her sullen ; but sorrow had evidently given 
 her that expression. Nothing she liked so much as 
 stories from the Bible, and hearing about the love of 
 Jesus, but she would never speak a word on any 
 subject, and seldom asked a question, which the other 
 children are not slow in doing. She never cared for 
 play like the others ; when school or meal-time was 
 over, her only pleasure seemed to be to have her mat 
 or little stool, and sit by me to sew or look at pictures. 
 She would never miss morning and evening prayers, 
 and even when full of measles would come in. She 
 said very little in her illness ; but once, when I said 
 to her, f Sophy dear, you are very ill, perhaps it is 
 God’s will you should not get well again, would you 
 
183 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1858 . 
 
 like to die V She replied, ‘ I should like to go to 
 Jesus, but I do not want to die.’ Poor dear child, 
 she shrank from that last enemy, but it was made 
 very easy to her ; she sweetly fell asleep, so gently, 
 so beautifully, like a little babe on its mother’s 
 arms. The other children were much affected at 
 the loss of their little companion. That same even- 
 ing we all followed her to the silent grave, where 
 we laid her just as the shades of night were coming 
 over us. The speedy burial, which we must have 
 in this country, is a very painful thing. The busy 
 wheel rolls on again, but we miss our little Sophy. 
 My remaining children are well now ; I have had 
 five ill, and poor little Ogunyomi has been at death’s 
 door, but mercifully raised again. I find these 
 African people and children are very delicate, they 
 have very little constitution. 
 
 “ Our house is very comfortable now, a light grass 
 roof over the iron makes it cooler; all is boarded, no 
 more mats, and we have been painting the whole 
 outside, the boards white ana the shutters green, 
 and it really looks so bright and pretty, that people 
 come from far to see what we have done, they seem 
 to wonder what will happen next. I must tell you, 
 because you kindly pity us more than we deserve, 
 about bread, we have such nice flour this time, and 
 we make delicious bread ; this makes up if we 
 should now and then have the barrel low or spoiled. 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 189 
 
 I feel so ashamed to have mentioned that such is 
 the case sometimes, when I think of our dear Red 
 River friends, and their real sufferings.” 
 
 The new year, 1859, found Mrs. Hinderer alone in 
 Ibadan, if such an expression is admissible in speak- 
 ing of one whose active life found few solitary hours, 
 excepting those necessary for repose. Mr. Hinderer 
 was still in Sierra Leone. 
 
 Her story continues : — 
 
 11 Jan., 1859. — We had a very happy new year’s 
 day in Ibadan. We had always intended to carry 
 out the suggestion which came originally from 
 America, that at twelve o’clock in the day, in all 
 parts of the world, that hymn should be sung : — 
 
 * Jesus shall reign where’er the sun.’ 
 
 “ As my dear husband was obliged to leave before 
 the new year, our people begged that I should have 
 it, and at half-past eleven the room and piazzas were 
 full. I read a few selected passages of scripture, 
 and we had prayer, then entire silence for several 
 minutes, and when the clock struck, we all burst 
 out in that beautiful hymn. We had two or three 
 prayers afterwards, and separated with full hearts. 
 I felt there was much blessing in this little gather- 
 ing, and the remarks, prayers, and tearful eyes 
 showed that I was not alone in this belief. We 
 have much for which to bless and praise our God at 
 
190 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 this time in Ibadan ; oh, may He continue it ! It 
 was a deeply touching day to me, I felt I was not to 
 see my dear husband again, and I could not bear 
 the sight of his clothes. But in a day or two I was 
 better, and set about a thorough house-cleaning, and 
 papering the parlour, which I have now accom- 
 plished, and have made ready to start on the 20th 
 to Abeokuta for a little visit, and to Lagos, follow- 
 ing my good husband’s parting advice. Only 
 Konigbagbe and Durojula will be my companions on 
 the journey, with two persons to carry my box, bed, 
 &c. It is rather an adventure, but more pleasant 
 and amusing than not in prospect. Dear Lord, bless 
 my going out and coming in, keep us all under the 
 shadow of Thy wing.” 
 
 In an account of this expedition written a few 
 weeks later, Mrs. Hinderer related the following story 
 of one of the little girls who accompanied her : — 
 
 “When my husband was in Sierra Leone, one 
 lovely moonlight night, we had the usual Monday 
 prayer-meeting on the grass in front of our house ; 
 and, when all had dispersed, the children and I still 
 lingered on, and they talked, not thinking I listen ed, 
 about the prayers. One said this person’s prayer was 
 too long, and another said whom she liked to hear 
 pray on a Monday night, when one of my girls, sitting 
 very quietly, replied, f Well, prayer is always sweet 
 to me, I like praye 7 : from every one, and nobody’s is 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 191 
 
 too long ;’ and then they talked of the difference of 
 onr prayers from those offered to idols.” 
 
 After giving some details of the journey to Abeo- 
 kuta, Mrs. Hinderer continued : — 
 
 “ At night we took shelter under a shed. About 
 twelve o’clock I woke, and found my little girl at 
 prayer; I supposed she thought it morning, and 
 time to get up, for one good heathen practice is kept 
 up now that they are Christians — in the morn- 
 ing, on waking, every person salutes his or her idol 
 before anything else; and now, though you may 
 wake any of our people in the morning, they do not 
 speak to or salute you until they have bowed in 
 prayer to thank God for His mercy, and to ask His 
 blessing for the day. So, when we were on the road 
 the next day, I asked my little damsel if she had 
 thought it was morning. ‘ O no, ma’am; but I 
 think I hardly ever woke in the night before, so I 
 thought it would be so nice to pray now.’ This was 
 said in the simplicity of her heart, and 1 was pleased 
 to have this truthful testimony that prayer was 
 ‘ sweet ’ to her. Truly do I desire it may be her joy, 
 comfort, and resort to the end of her life here, when 
 prayer shall be changed for never-ending praise.” 
 Writing from Lagos, she spoke of the pleasure she 
 had experienced in these two visits : — 
 
 “ A little society is so refreshing to the spirit. A 
 little communion, and interchange of thought and 
 
192 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 *. 
 
 words with Europeans, can hardly he appreciated 
 except by those who live far away in a heathen 
 land. I spent more than a week at Abeokuta very 
 pleasantly, and then I came down to this place.” 
 
 She was attacked by illness at Lagos, and re- 
 ceived much kindness at the hands of her friends Mr. 
 and Mrs. Maser ; but she longed to return to Ibadan, 
 as will be seen by the following extract, dated Feb. 
 27th:— 
 
 “ The mail has arrived, which brought my dear 
 husband, and to-morrow we are homeward bound. 
 That is a joy ! there is no place like Ibadan in all 
 Africa, to our taste, and I am quite home-sick !” 
 
 In crossing the strait which flows between the 
 continent and Lagos, their canoe went to pieces, 
 and, though they escaped with their lives, their 
 stores were sadly injured, and many things lost. 
 Wet clothes by day, and a damp mattress at night, 
 were productive of serious injury to one in so 
 delicate a state of health, while, independently of 
 these things, she was scarcely equal to a four days' 
 journey to Abeokuta. 
 
 “But,” as she expressed her grateful feelings, 
 March 16th, “with good nursing, medicine, kind 
 friends, and our merciful Father’s love, I was re- 
 stored, and reached Ibadan, through the great kind- 
 ness of our Christian people, who, on hearing of my 
 sickness, came to carry me in a hammock every step 
 of the way.” 
 
1859.] RETURN TO IBADAN. 193 
 
 “ March 28th . — How pleasant it is to write from 
 this place again ; we are so thankful to be settled 
 once more in our home and our work, having had a 
 most delightful and refreshing few days’ visit from 
 our dear Bishop [Bowen]. He has left us this 
 morning, and has left a blessing behind him. I wish 
 I could give you a vivid description of him ; he is a 
 most delightful man, and well fitted for his work in 
 Africa. Oh, may our God preserve him to us, and 
 to His Church on earth ! The Bishop has good 
 health, he has gone through some sharp attacks of 
 fever, and is able to endure much in the way of 
 travelling, and is very free from excitement. He 
 has been in every quarter of the globe, preserved 
 from fears and anxieties ; and you can see constantly, 
 with all his vigour and energy, the man who is 
 ‘ stayed ’ upon his God. He has been greatly afflicted 
 by the loss of his sweet wife, so mercifully given, so 
 wonderfully adapted to himself and to his important 
 calling, and then so quickly taken from him. It is 
 a grievous affliction, but the peaceable fruits of 
 righteousness are not withheld, and he is comforted 
 by the God of all comfort and consolation. He has 
 been so kind to us, interested in the work, visiting 
 the chiefs, and doing good in every way; ready to 
 listen to our lamentations and rejoicings, so capable 
 of advising or reproving, quick of speech and decided, 
 but with such true Christian courteousness. I think 
 
 13 
 
J 94 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 that is the feature in his character which strikes you 
 particularly, and a sweet spiritual tone pervading 
 all. You feel the better for a reproof from him, it 
 is a kindness, the "precious oil* which does not 
 bieak the head. We had some delightful little 
 seasons of prayer by ourselves, with our children, 
 and our people. On Sunday he confirmed twenty- 
 two persons, and gave a most beautiful address, so 
 earnest, faithful, and suitable. The church was 
 nicely filled, and you might have heard a pin fall, 
 all seemed solemnized. In the evening he had all 
 the native agents ; he gave an exhortation, and his 
 prayer was the pouring out of the full heart of one 
 " who holds communion with the skies/ It has been 
 a ray of sunshine which will not quickly fade.” 
 
 “ Good Friday , 1859. — I must write a few lines 
 at the close of this most solemn day. It is very in- 
 teresting to feel it has been kept by a little band 
 who have long been struggling, in heathen darkness, 
 to find a mediator between poor sinful man and the 
 holy God. The glorious Gospel has come to them, 
 and they have been enabled to lay hold on the one 
 only and true Mediator, to believe in Jesus, who 
 left His Father’s glory and came down to suffer and 
 die for poor sinful man of every tribe, nation, and 
 people. My dear husband had service this morning ; 
 every person who comes to church was there. Then 
 he had a prayer-meeting in the afternoon, in which 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 195 
 
 there was much life and heart. Two of the converts, 
 and one of the scripture-readers, prayed most ear- 
 nestly and beautifully; they were evidently not 
 strangers to prayer, they knew what it is to lift up 
 their ’ earts to God their Saviour. This has been a 
 great cause of thankfulness to my dear husband, for 
 it is joy to the true missionary when his children 
 walk in the truth, walk in the light, grow in grace. 
 
 “ On Easter Sunday several were admitted to the 
 Holy Communion ; it was a goodly sight. We see 
 the dawn of the waste and desolate places becoming 
 the heritage of the Lord. Thus we are cheered.” 
 
 “ April 27th . — Our old friend the King of Oyo is 
 dead ; there were not so many persons put to death 
 as is usual on such occasions, not more than four 
 men. But forty-two of his wives poisoned them- 
 selves, for the honour of accompanying him to the 
 other world. Oh, heathenism ! what can it not do 
 what cannot its superstitions lead to !” 
 
 In writing to the Lowestoft school- children, May 
 11th, Mrs. Hinderer described the training of her, 
 little African flock as a- work of much difficulty, 
 and added : — 
 
 “ But who can wonder at their failings, when we 
 think how they have been brought up ? No clothes, 
 no books, nothing to take care of, food easily pro- 
 cured, and in plenty, without trouble or thought to 
 themselves, and with very little to their masters or 
 
 13—2 
 
196 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1850 . 
 
 parents, so that eating is the principal thing with 
 them, and in this they have at home no order, no 
 regularity. They eat whenever they like, sleep 
 when and where they like ; so they have plenty to 
 learn when they come to us, and, poor children, I 
 dare say they do not like it much at first. You 
 would have been rather amused at our washing 
 palavers. I would have them wash every morning, 
 but this was to them an unheard-of absurdity ; and 
 it had come to this, that any child who refused must 
 have no breakfast : but if you had seen them you 
 would have thought they were all going to bo 
 whipped. However, they have overcome that diffi- 
 culty now, and are so fond of the regular refreshing 
 wash that they would almost go without their 
 breakfast rather than without their bath. There is 
 plenty of work with and for them, to get a littlo 
 order, rooms cleared up, clothes right, water fetched,, 
 and necessary duties performed by them. I get so 
 tired by half-past eight that I often do not want any 
 breakfast, yet I am encouraged, I know these aro 
 the very things these children require to be taught.” 
 “July 2 6 th . — What tidings does this mail bring 
 to us ! that our most beloved Bishop Bowen’s course 
 on earth is finished ! He reached home well, and in 
 a time of sickness and trouble worked incessantly, 
 and sunk under an attack of the general epidemic. 
 This beloved servant of God preached his last 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 197 
 
 sermon on the 22nd May, a most solemn one, from 
 Col. iii. 1, 2, and on the Saturday evening following, 
 the 28th May, breathed his last. We are true mourn- 
 ers ; we could not have service this afternoon. Our 
 people were so heartily grieved they could not take 
 a service, and dear D. was too utterly broken 
 down ; the people had assembled, so Olubi went and 
 told them what we had heard. There was true 
 sorrow, not the loud wailing of the Africans in 
 general, but quiet weeping ; and all dispersed to their 
 homes. To-day, every man and woman who comes 
 to church has been to salute and sympathise with 
 us. Some have just got into the house, and instead 
 of a word you hear a sob, and they have turned 
 round and gone home. Others have tried to speak 
 words of comfort, or sat down in silence. One young 
 woman who is not baptized, but in preparation for 
 it, came and laid her hand gently on my shoulder, 
 saying, with tears, * Iya, it is true the fathers pass 
 away ; they go, but God is still here, He will never 
 go away.’ 0 beloved, honoured friend, we will 
 not grudge thee thy blessed rest, the arrival at thy 
 congenial home with thy beloved Saviour and the 
 sweet partner of thy short African pilgrimage ; but 
 oh, we mourn bitterly and deeply for ourselves and 
 for Africa, for who can see thy like again! Two 
 such treasures as our most dearly-loved Bishop 
 Yidal, and this Bishop Bowen, cannot be seen in 
 
198 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 185 ?. 
 
 this afflicted land. ^ Dear Lord, heal, bind up our 
 broken hearts, and make us followers of Thee and 
 of them. 
 
 "I have been having a visit from some Fulani 
 people ; they are Mohammedans, and take care of the 
 cows. No Yoruban may milk a cow, so there are 
 always some Fulani slaves, belonging to the chiefs, 
 to take care of these creatures. They all live to- 
 gether, and are very independent, but staunch 
 Mohammedans. They are excessively fond of music, 
 and when I bring out my musical box, or play the 
 harmonium, they are so happy, and would stay all 
 day. But if I sing to them, they are more than 
 happy, and will sit with tears in their eyes. They 
 are intensely loving to me, and have much more 
 sentiment than any other tribe of Africans that I 
 know. They were saying to-day, after some hand- 
 grasping and coaxing, ‘ Ah ! Iya, we are both alike, 
 we are strangers in this country ; we both speak a 
 different language from this people, so we are one/ 
 I replied, ‘ That is just what I want, that we should 
 be one ; there is much in which we are alike, but 
 something remains. I want that we should both 
 love and serve the great God who made us, and both, 
 when we die, reach heaven/ To this there was a 
 ready assent; but I said, ‘ We want help to reach 
 there, and not all the gods of the poor heathen can 
 carry them or us there/ ‘ O no, no/ was the 
 
1859 .] 
 
 KETUKN TO IBADAN. 
 
 199 
 
 re ply; ‘and we cannot bear to look upon these 
 foolish idols which the people here trust in : we are 
 not half-Mohammedans, like many here.’ f Ah ; but/ 
 I said, ‘my good friends, neither can Mohammed carry 
 us there;' and I went on to tell them of Jesus; but 
 that name was not sweet to their ear. Yet I got 
 them to learn, by repeating after me, St. John iii. 16. 
 Alas ! they did not want to go to heaven by the 
 hand of Jesus, and quickly began to talk of the 
 weather, and other things. So you see it is with us 
 as with you at home, a ‘ sowing beside all waters.' 
 But how great is our privilege ! it is said, ‘ Blessed 
 are ye that sow beside all waters.' " 
 
 In the next letter, written to Mr. Cunningham, 
 Mrs. Hinderer showed how fondly she cherished the 
 remembrance of the happy time she had spent in 
 Lowestoft Vicarage, which had been such a help to 
 her in preparing for missionary work. 
 
 “ July 7th . — Our little church goes on steadily 
 and we look on in hope, but not without some fear 
 and trembling ; yet we desire to labour on in faith 
 and hope, and with thankfulness ; we are in good 
 health, fully occupied, and very happy. I have felt 
 so much lately what a blessing, what a gift, is good 
 spirits and a cheerful heart. If we had not this 
 blessing, I think we must break down sometimes ; 
 and how constantly do I feel what a blessing, help, 
 and preparation your dear vicarage life was to me, 
 
200 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 with you and dear Mrs. Cunningham at the head ; 
 and all one saw, and learned, and felt there ; the 
 regular occupied life, the kindness and love which 
 reigned there! Sorrow and care came, but there 
 one saw how it was to be borne, and a cheerful, 
 blessed spirit presided, loving and loved, all under 
 the banner of J esus : so much happiness existed, 
 because He was the honoured and beloved Head. 
 Well, I ought to be better than I am for all I 
 learned there ; but I always feel I owe everything 
 of the earthly blessing to that dear home, my dear 
 mother dying when I was so young, that I was 
 tumbled up and down in the world a good deal. I 
 am sure the blessing of a light and cheerful spirit 
 (you know in what sense I mean it) is not to be 
 told, especially in African life. Dear friend, you 
 have been a blessing to many ; but ‘ the day shall 
 declare it.’ Trials, clouds, difficulties, heartaches, 
 are the portion now very often ; but bye and bye all, 
 all will be well. Now it is a mingled cup indeed, 
 but what a mercy it is not all sorrow. No ! life is 
 full of blessings, but it is light and shadow, cloud 
 and sunshine, tears in the evening, joy in the 
 morning. But in our home above it will be all joy, 
 all peace, perpetual happiness, because there we 
 shall be in the presence of J esus, and there shall be 
 no more sin, and we shall be delivered from this 
 body of sin and death. O when we dwell on 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 201 
 
 this, we long to be gone, to stretch our wings, and 
 fly away ; but it is blessed to labour and to wait. 
 The children are going on well : yoi^r Francis 
 Lowestoft Akielle grows a fine fellow, very like his 
 poor father, a nice boy, but I call him the head- 
 talker, and head noise-maker. He begins to write 
 well. Dan Olubi is a nice little fellow, so well- 
 behaved ; he is with me all day, eats with us, and 
 talks away to his heart’s content, but he knows 
 there are times when he must be silent. He is so 
 fond of pictures, and picks out all sorts of things 
 you would think such a child would never see, and 
 shows them to me. He helps me with Yoruba 
 famously ; his last acquirement was to find out in 
 your likeness that you are reading a book, and when 
 we were singing to-day, he shouts out, ‘ O Iya, 
 come look, the great gentleman is singing also !’ and 
 then he clasps his hands in extreme delight. At 
 church he sits with me like a little mouse; but 
 sometimes he whispers, ‘ Has not dear done talking 
 yet V He is now asleep on my back, countiy- 
 fashion, and a very convenient one ; by this disposal 
 of him, I am able to have him often when I could 
 not otherwise.” 
 
 In August Mrs. Hinderer had another serious 
 attack of illness. As soon as she was sufficiently 
 recovered to be left alone, Mr. Hinderer set out on 
 another missionary journey, from which he returned. 
 
202 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 as she expressed it, “ cheered and hopeful, bright 
 and happy/* 
 
 The following touching history of a little boy in 
 the mission-house was written by Mrs. Hinderer, to 
 interest children in her work of faith and love : — 
 
 “ Oct 25th — I must tell you a story of one of my 
 little boys finding his mother, or, rather, of his 
 mother finding him. Any one is free to enter our 
 front yard, and to look, and talk, and be spoken to 
 as much as they wish ; but to the back yard we do 
 not allow visitors, as it is necessary to keep that 
 part more private. A few mornings ago, a woman 
 came in to sell cooked yams ; another woman fol- 
 lowed her, wishing to buy a piece for herself, as 
 soon as she should put the large calabash down from 
 her head. The children all began singing, 4 You 
 must not come here, wait in the other yard, the 
 yams will soon come to you/ So she was going 
 away ; but, on looking at one of the little boys, she 
 thought by the marks on his face that she knew 
 something of him. She called him by a certain 
 name, but the little boy did not know it. She 
 asked him some questions, and at last she said, 
 
 ‘ Don’t you know me V He said, 4 No, I never saw 
 you before/ And then she said, bursting into tears, 
 
 * I am your mother/ She had lost all her four 
 children by war, and this little boy was so small 
 when he was taken away that he had quite for- 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETUKN TO IBADAN. 
 
 203 
 
 gotten his mother, and what his name was. There 
 was great joy, as you may believe, in which we all 
 shared ; and soon the little boy began to recognise 
 that it was his mother. You will like to know 
 what his name was, though you will not understand 
 it, and I must see his mother again before I can 
 quite tell you the meaning. It was Atipui. Arid 
 now, how came we by this little boy \ A few years 
 ago, a man of this town bought him, intending to 
 make him his slave ; but the man afterwards came 
 to church, and became a Christian, and though he 
 had several people whom he had bought, he did not 
 like to hold them as slaves any longer. They come 
 to church with him, and one of them is already 
 baptized; they work for him, and live with him, 
 but are quite free. This was very noble of the 
 man ; there are very few of the Africans who do 
 such a thing. So he brought to me the little 
 boy, to whom he gave the name of Ope, (Thanks) 
 saying if I would take the little boy to live with 
 me, and bring him up with my others, he should 
 like it. I was very glad to do this, so here he has 
 been these two years, and he has learned to read 
 very nicely, and begins to write, and is a very 
 happy little boy indeed. The mother is living in 
 the town; the man who had her as a slave, had 
 made her his wife, and is very kind to her. She 
 will be able to come and see her little boy whenever 
 
204 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 she likes. When she heard he would never be a 
 slave again, she did not know what to do with her- 
 self for joy. And now, who can tell, perhaps that 
 poor woman, through finding her child, may also 
 find a precious Saviour for her soul. Pray for her, 
 that she and her dear boy may hear and believe the 
 blessed Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
 Christ, and that she may be amongst those who 
 bless God for sending white people to this country 
 to teach and preach good tidings.” 
 
 “Oct — We are in the deep waters again, but 
 ‘they shall not overflow * is the sweet promise. My 
 dear husband is exceedingly ill with a terrible cough, 
 which has lasted nearly three months ; he has also 
 violent fever, such an attack as he has not had for 
 some years, and he suffers agony from boils, a malady 
 to which Europeans are subject in this country, but 
 which he has entirely escaped until this year. It is 
 a real trial to him to be so much laid aside, but he 
 manages to get through a good deal of home work, 
 and to take the services generally. He has been 
 much interested in having persons come to him to- 
 gether, and separately, for special instruction, before 
 joining us at the Lord’s table on Advent Sunday. 
 He is now having his candidates for baptism, and 
 hopes to baptize seventeen or nineteen on Christ- 
 mas day. That he should have this work now is 
 very comforting to him, as he is not able to speak 
 five words in the streets.” 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 205 
 
 “ Nov. 30. — Olubi wanted to go to Abeokuta this 
 month, so he took his fortnight’s holiday then in- 
 stead of at Christmas ; but he is back now, and 
 school has commenced, which gives me a little rest. 
 I have tried to make the holidays pleasant to the 
 children, and we used to go out, in the cool mornings 
 or evenings, nice little expeditions. One day nearly 
 forty of us went to a farm, about three miles off, and 
 stayed the whole day, carrying palaver sauce with 
 us, and buying yams in the farm, and cooking them 
 there in true gipsy fashion. They had fine games 
 under beautiful shady trees, scrambling for cowries, 
 blind man’s buff, and all sorts of games, Yoruba and 
 English. I cannot play with them as I could at home, 
 but they like having me there. I am so thankful 
 to see more energy and liveliness about them ; their 
 play was much more earnest and pleasant, and so 
 I think has their school work been. The people in 
 the farm, slaves and servants, were much amused 
 to see them, and said, ‘ These children do indeed 
 know how to play.’ It was such a pleasure to see 
 the boys climbing up trees, though they did tear 
 their clothes, and the girls running, dancing, and 
 jumping about in healthful games, instead of that 
 general lying down, listless, apathetic plan of being 
 content with half-a-dozen riddles, which they have 
 said so many times. The little ones, who could not 
 walk so far, had dinner and play at home another 
 
206 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 day ; and at Christmas, we are looking for a treat of 
 making presents. I expect two or three boxes by 
 that time, or New Year. I do so enjoy their pleasure 
 in getting presents, and the whole picture. 
 
 “ Last Tuesday it was a nice cloudy morning, so 
 after breakfast I went to see four of our Christians 
 who were sick. I had to travel at least four miles 
 about this town to see them, but my little pony and 
 I are capital friends, and when it is not so very hot, 
 I am glad to be out. Visiting our people is not so 
 easy as in Lowestoft, and how different is our power! 
 I am always about in the house and compound, but 
 if I walk outside a little way, my knees bend under 
 me. So it seems with us all ; my husband seldom 
 can walk any distance, so our ponies are our legs, 
 and great comforts they are. They do not cost 
 much, and are kept very cheaply.” 
 
 She described the simple, happy celebration of 
 Christmas, 1859, by the Christian converts, adding: — 
 “ But the great interest of the day was the baptisms 
 in the morning ; the grey-headed were there to receive 
 the sign, to seek the grace, to become faithful soldiers 
 and servants of the Lord J esus. I could only think 
 of the words, ‘Ye who sometime were far off are 
 made nigh.’ There were also some young married 
 women, and eight youths from fifteen to nineteen 
 years of age. Their preparation and examination 
 has been extremely interesting to my husband ; the 
 
1859 .] 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 207 
 
 boys seem to have grasped the root of the matter, 
 and are so happy. It is remarkable in the African 
 character, but one hardly sees anything of sorrow for 
 the past, nor are we able to draw from them that 
 they feel any. They are wonderfully light-hearted 
 people, and when they receive the Gospel, they lay 
 hold of it truly, and renounce heathenism most 
 earnestly, and go on rejoicing. There is something 
 very interesting in this, in the simple laying hold 
 of the Gospel, yet we should sometimes like to see 
 a little melting of the heart, under the wonderful 
 love which God has shown. We often fear rather a 
 tendency to self-righteousness. But oh, it was a 
 goodly sight, and heart-cheering, to see that little 
 band of sixteen round the font, enrolling themselves 
 as followers of Jesus, coming out from among the 
 heathen darkness and sinfulness of this town; we 
 did indeed pray that they might be faithful unto 
 the end. 
 
 “On the same morning Olubi received a fine 
 Christmas present, another little boy. Little Dan 
 likes him very well, but clings to ‘Missisi’ more 
 than ever ; all the week I have washed, fed, 
 and done everything for him ; he is quite my child. 
 The school is going on very well ; Olubi teaches all 
 the children from nine to twelve, and sometimes my 
 husband or I go in to give a lesson. At twelve, the 
 girls come to me, and Olubi has the boys alone till 
 
208 
 
 RETURN TO IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1859 . 
 
 two ; then he is free, but my work goes on with all, 
 one way and the other, till eight o’clock in the even- 
 ing. I often write till nine, and then go to my room 
 tired, for there is no sleep after half-past five in the 
 morning, and from that time till I go to bed, hardly 
 any rest. I have the comfort of feeling my days are 
 pretty well occupied, though often, it seems, with 
 things of small import, yet those things must be 
 done, and so I desire to possess a quiet and com- 
 fortable mind about them.” 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 Ci Hungry, their soul is faint, 
 
 Thou hear’st their cry ; 
 
 Thirsty, their soul doth pant, 
 
 Lo ! streams are nigh ; 
 
 Cloth’d by Thy bounteous hand, 
 
 Strong in Thy strength they stand, 
 
 0 Thou Most High !” 
 
 R. B. H. 
 
 In January, 1860, the strength of the mission was 
 increased by the addition to its number of Mr. 
 Jeffries, who had been sent out by the Church 
 Missionary Society from England, and whom Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hinderer gladly welcomed to the appointed 
 scene of his labours. But Mr. Hinderer’s health had 
 been much impaired by serious illness, and there- 
 fore, after having nursed Mr. J effries through his first 
 fever, they set out on a journey to Abeokuta, whither 
 they had been invited by their friends, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Townsend, for rest and change of scene. 
 
 14 
 
'210 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 The time which they had thus selected was un- 
 favourable to repose. The town of Abeokuta was 
 almost immediately agitated by rumours of an in- 
 vasion by the barbarous king of Dahomey, and soon 
 they judged it prudent to hasten homeward, while 
 yet the country might be safely traversed. On the 
 eve of their journey, Mrs. Hinderer wrote the follow- 
 ing description of her feelings in expectation of the 
 near approach of war, so unlike the peaceful con- 
 fidence with which she was afterwards enabled to 
 live for years in the midst of it. 
 
 “Abeokuta, Sunday Evening, February 19th, 
 1860. — We are just now set in the midst of many 
 and great dangers. Dahomey is close upon us ! it 
 is said he is not far from the walls, and in the morn- 
 ing an attack is expected. This has been a most 
 anxious trying day, yet the congregation in church 
 was very large, and the Psalms in the morning, 
 and the prayers, were truly comforting, and Mr. 
 Townsend was able to get calmly through a com- 
 forting sermon on ‘ I know that my Redeemer liveth.’ 
 Almost the only peaceful place has been the church. 
 All roads are being shut up, to prevent people from 
 running away. The reports coming in all day are 
 most distressing. I am sorry to say I am terribly 
 upset by it, the anticipation of war unstrings all my 
 nerves. My husband is rather anxious about me, 
 because I have such sudden pains in my left side 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 211 
 
 when the shouts and reports come ; and he is deter- 
 mined to take me on the road to Ibadan, if possible, 
 to-morrow. I cannot tell you that I am calm and 
 composed, when I am not ; would that it were so ! 
 yet amid the turmoil and disquietude and infirmity 
 of this poor body, I am permitted an under-current 
 of peace : I know ‘ This God is our God for ever and 
 ever, He will be our Guide even unto death/ ” 
 
 They accomplished the journey safely, but found 
 Ibadan full of excitement in the prospect of war 
 with the neighbouring town of Ijaye. 
 
 “ February 28th . — We reached home, God be 
 praised, safely, but it was a desolate journey, the 
 road forsaken on account of wars everywhere. We 
 did not know whether we should not be fired upon 
 from the bush any minute, and my poor husband suf- 
 fered much, but we have every cause to be thankful 
 we came, and our people are glad to have us at home 
 in these troublous times. The sea of life is by no 
 means smoother here than it was in Abeokuta ; the 
 chiefs of this place and of Ijaye have quarrelled, and 
 caught each other’s people, and sold them. Most 
 passionate messages were sent backwards and for- 
 wards. Calabashes were presented to one and 
 another, with the request that the chief of Ijayo 
 desires such and such an Ibadan chief’s head in that 
 calabash ; then these people send back, * We want 
 Are’s head in this calabash first.’ Now the roads to 
 
 14—2 
 
212 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [I 860 . 
 
 Ijaye have all been shut, and Ibadan kidnappers 
 have been catching everybody, man, woman, or 
 child, who ventured out in the Ijaye farms. Whe- 
 ther there is to be real war we cannot tell, there are 
 various reports, but it is an anxious time. What a 
 mercy it is when we have grace and faith to lean 
 on the Strong Arm ; how truly we can then feel, 4 1 
 will not fear what man can do unto me/ 
 
 “ When you receive this, I hope many of our pre- 
 sent anxieties will be over, but you will think of, 
 and pray for us. I cannot tell you how soothed 
 and comforted we often feel, in the remembrance of 
 so many beloved ones "praying truly and earnestly 
 for us.” 
 
 The faint hope entertained, that the questions 
 which had arisen between these towns might be 
 amicably settled, had vanished before the despatch 
 of the next letter, which told of the declaration of 
 war, accompanied by deeds of cruelty. 
 
 “March 16th . — A general war is now proclaimed, 
 and all whose business it is must go. Tremendous 
 sacrifices have been made, and alas ! on Saturday j 
 night, a human sacrifice ! a man of about twenty- I 
 five or thirty. In the day he was paraded through I 
 the markets, that people might see what a fine fellow 
 he was ; for all the town is taxed to pay the ex- 
 penses. Some of our people who saw him say that I 
 he looked as proud as possible of the honours that 
 
HUMAN SACRIFICE IN YQRUBA. 
 
 Page 213 . 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 21S 
 
 awaited him. From being a poor slave, on that day 
 he is all but worshipped, and has the power of 
 saying and doing all he likes, except escaping his 
 death in the evening. But, poor fellow, he believes 
 all kinds of glory await him in the other world, the 
 world of mystery. The moment he is killed, all 
 prostrate themselves in prayer (what prayer !), then 
 follow feasting and rejoicing, and before the body 
 spoils, certain generals must be off on the road to 
 the war. The head of the poor victim is left to the 
 fowls of the air, but the body receives great honour 
 from the women; they rub and decorate it with 
 everything precious, believing that this same man 
 is to return to the world again as an infant, but 
 that he will then, when he grows up, surely be a 
 king. So hundreds of women pay honour to this 
 dead body, each praying she may be the mother 
 when he visits the world again. Yesterday the 
 people were making other sacrifices at the graves of 
 departed warriors, earnestly entreating their help 
 from the other world. 
 
 “ 0 the blindness, the darkness, the foolishness 
 of heathenism ! and in the midst of all this we are 
 living ; and when pressed down under the thought 
 of these and a thousand other sorrows and horrors, 
 we can hardly help asking sometimes, are we of any 
 use in such a country ? But then we are comforted 
 by the thought that beginnings must be made ; we 
 
214 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [i 860 . 
 
 are now, in a feeble way, hacking at the great un- 
 wieldy stone ; it is a rough unsightly one, and 
 we in our day shall hardly get beyond that part of 
 the work ; generations may pass before it is comely 
 and pleasant to look upon, yet we shall all rejoice 
 together in the end. I must finish my letter, for 
 roads all about are shutting, and I may have no 
 opportunity of sending down for the next mail. We 
 have no personal danger to fear, but discomfort 
 enough ; no communication with our friends, soon 
 food will be dear, and of course all trade of every 
 kind stopped. We partake, and must partake, of 
 these calamities, and we feel heart- sick at the thought 
 of all the bloodshed, all the sorrows, all the woes 
 which will follow ; but the Lord reigneth. He pre- 
 serves us now, gives us favour in the eyes of these 
 savages, and permits us still to work on for Him. 
 He is and will be the wall of fire round about us. 
 Our people are happy to have us remaining quietly 
 amongst them, and we all feel peaceful, having no 
 fear, and go on just as usual.” 
 
 In order to its being understood how town could 
 rise up in arms against town, without interference 
 on the part of any national authorities, a few words 
 of explanation may be necessary. 
 
 About the year 1817 or 1818, when the Yoruba 
 country owned the supremacy of a king, and had a 
 regularly constituted government, the Mohammedan 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 215 
 
 Foulahs and Houssas invaded the territory, taking 
 possession of Ilorin, and making it their place of 
 encampment. This was the first preparatory step 
 towards the dismemberment of the nation ; for the 
 new Ilorin people were always on the watch for 
 opportunities of weakening the country, by sowing 
 seeds of discord between its towns. 
 
 At a somewhat later period, the tribes which con- 
 stituted what might be called the provinces of the 
 Yoruba country (Egbas, Ijebus, and others), were 
 drawn into actual conflict, one with another, not 
 without encouragement from Ilorin. The causes 
 were thirst for power and pre-eminence, mutual jea- 
 lousies, and the prospect of gain in the slave-market 
 at Lagos, to which the surprised and captured in- 
 habitants of many a town and village were marched 
 off for sale by the pitiless conquerors. It may give 
 some idea of the desolation which these slave wars 
 produced, if it be mentioned that the town of Abeo- 
 kuta was peopled by refugees from no less than one 
 hundred and forty-five towns and villages, the sites 
 of most of which have since been overrun by the 
 bush, so that all traces of their existence have dis- 
 appeared. The prevalence of these internecine wars 
 had left to the king of Yoruba little more than a 
 royal name. The larger towns had assumed a posi- 
 tion of independence ; the smaller towns attached 
 themselves to the larger, in hope of finding protec- 
 tion at their hands. 
 
216 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 Even after the strong arm of Great Britain had 
 destroyed the slave-market at Lagos in 1853, and had 
 thus put an end to the exportation of slaves from the 
 principal port in the Bight of Benin, the ancient 
 unity of the Yoruba kingdom was not re-estab- 
 lished, nor was goodwill towards each other restored 
 amongst the towns. A spark might easily produce 
 a conflagration, and there was always too much 
 readiness to kindle the flame. There was therefore 
 nothing strange in the fact that in 1860 Ibadan and 
 Ijaye discovered grounds of dispute with one another; 
 and war having once begun, it dragged on its slow 
 and varying course, in characteristic African style, 
 through many successive years. It was, in fact, war 
 without many battles, and was rather a state of 
 hostility, treachery, lying in wait for stragglers, and 
 capturing prisoners for slaves. Occasionally there 
 were severe engagements, involving the loss of 
 many lives ; but far more frequently, when reports 
 had arrived, telling of a “terrible battle,” it was 
 eventually ascertained that less than twenty men 
 had fallen on either side. The war-chiefs of Ibadan, 
 with their eager “war-boys,” and as many other 
 men as could be pressed into the service, were 
 partly entrenched behind a fortified camp near 
 Ijaye, and partly spread over the country in all 
 directions, they and their enemies alike watching 
 for every opportunity of plundering property and 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 217 
 
 kidnapping people. It was impossible even to 
 conjecture when or how such a condition of things 
 would be brought to an end. 
 
 It would be out of harmony with the purpose of 
 these memorials to enter here into the details of this 
 native war. But it seemed necessary to touch upon 
 the subject so far, because the effects of the war 
 were felt sooner or later in every department of the 
 missionary work in Ibadan, and in every incident 
 of the daily life of Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer. It was 
 painful to be in the midst of such scenes as those 
 described in the foregoing letter; it was far more 
 painful to prove by experience, that the people 
 generally were too much engrossed by thoughts of 
 war to be disposed to receive the message of the 
 gospel of peace ; while the bearers of that message 
 became, through the troubles which befel them, the 
 objects of contempt to the more bigoted of the 
 heathen around them. But the presence of the 
 missionary was needed more than ever by those 
 who as yet were but children in the faith, to inspire 
 them with calmness and confidence, in the midst of 
 the many disturbing influences which were at work, 
 in those unsettled days. Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer 
 resolved to remain at their post, ready to do or 
 to suffer whatever might be their appointed lot; 
 and from time to time cheering signs were vouch- 
 safed to them that the blessing of God rested upon 
 
218 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 the work of His servants, carried on under circum- 
 stances of such peculiar difficulty. The Christians 
 learned new lessons of faith and love in the school 
 of affliction; while from among the heathen, one 
 here, and another there, was gathered in, and added 
 to the little hand of believers. 
 
 The year 1860, in which the war broke out, was 
 marked to Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer, personally, rather 
 by its perplexing rumours and alarms than by 
 actual privations; but their position immediately 
 became one of extreme isolation. All intercourse 
 with their missionary brethren in the Yoruba 
 country was rendered impossible ; for the people of 
 Abeokuta, and the rest of the Egbas, took the part 
 of Ijaye in the war. Letters from England, also, 
 which had usually been forwarded to Ibadan from 
 Lagos by way of Abeokuta, could now only reach 
 them by new tracks and uncertain opportunities; 
 while the possibility of receiving supplies of such 
 things as had hitherto been reckoned amongst the 
 necessaries of life was entirely at an end, within a 
 few months after the commencement of the war. 
 The Egba kidnappers watched every approach to 
 Ibadan ; and any goods sent up from Lagos were 
 always in danger of falling into their hands. 
 
 In looking to the future, they could not but 
 foresee that heavy trials were before them, if this 
 state of things should continue; but they hoped 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 219 
 
 that amongst the many conflicting rumours which 
 reached their ears, those which told of peace being 
 near at hand would prove true. In any case, they 
 were content to commit themselves to His keeping, 
 in whose name they had gone forth to dwell among 
 the heathen, and who had again and again been to 
 them “a very present help in time of trouble” 
 
 At first, the most pressing cause of anxiety to 
 Mrs. Hinderer arose from her husband’s constant 
 sufferings, to which frequent reference is made in 
 the following extracts from her letters; letters, it 
 will be remembered, which were written to intimate 
 friends, to whom in unburdening her cares and 
 sorrows she found relief, at a time when the sym- 
 pathy of loving hearts, and the aid of their prayers, 
 were peculiarly precious. 
 
 “April ls£, 1860. — I never like writing on Sun- 
 day, but as we know of some one going on Monday 
 morning, and in these times opportunities are so 
 rare for sending letters, I gladly spend a little time 
 in communicating with you. Our Sunday services 
 are over, the children’s picture lessons ended, and a 
 hearty cheerful singing ; and they lie fast asleep on 
 their mats. War troubles are just the same, but 
 we are thankful that food is as yet cheap, and 
 likely to be so for some months, and perhaps then 
 war will be over; but these foolish people like to 
 go on for two or three years and then ‘ sit down * 
 
220 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 for two or three more. However, we won't think 
 of what they may do ; to live a day at a time is the 
 Christian’s privilege. My children’s appetites do 
 not lessen because of war, and as soon as there were 
 rumours of this time coming, I laid in a large store 
 of yams, palm-oil, and other things, and we have a 
 good stock of cowries. You think of us, I am sure, 
 in our varied and sometimes trying circumstances. 
 We rejoice in the love and care of our heavenly 
 Father, which we daily and hourly feel in this 
 heathen land, and we thank Him for the gift of so 
 many dear friends at home, to sympathize with and 
 pray for us. I always feel so nearly drawn to you 
 all, on the blessed Sabbath-day, home ties are so 
 strong on this day; there is so much here unlike 
 our home Sabbaths, the language, the people, every- 
 thing. But oh ! it is a blessed day of rest from so 
 many of the secular cares and labours which must 
 attend a missionary life, a time when the mind can 
 be, and is, drawn more towards spiritual things. 
 I often feel a little tried by the thorough Martha 
 life I am obliged to lead ; with twenty children in 
 the house, others out of it, and my husband, who is 
 generally so active, now for many months disabled 
 and suffering, my hands are more than full, and I 
 am afraid my heart too, not in the pleasure of a 
 Martha’s life, but in the worry, and cares, and 
 fatigues attending it. Yet I don*t see for myself 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 221 
 
 where it is to stop, until the end of the journey, for 
 I am quite sure the more we do the more we find 
 to do. I am very thankful for the health and 
 strength I enjoy; my husband says he looks at mo 
 with wonder sometimes. He took a service to-day, 
 after many weeks' silence, and got through well; 
 but his health is in a serious critical state ; he has 
 now confirmed asthma, which must greatly hinder 
 him in his work.” 
 
 “ Ajpril 20 th . — We are going to venture to send 
 some of our people down to Abeokuta next week, as 
 by that time the mail will have arrived, and we want 
 the refreshment of letters from home more than ever 
 in these times, so we must get some letters ready to 
 send down by the same opportunity. It is well white 
 people are yet in favour, for no soul except our very 
 own people could walk that road now, it would be 
 death, and it is very good of our people to venture 
 to do it. There has been a long groaning for war, 
 and now here it is begun ; and where is the ending 
 we know not. If it were not for the assurance that 
 our Father in heaven knows all, and will do all 
 things well, and the help He gives us, and little 
 gleams of encouragement in the work, we should be 
 utterly discouraged. Three women came this week 
 to have their names put down as candidates for bap- 
 tism. One we felt sure was not in earnest, so her 
 name was not entered. The second was a nice 
 
222 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 sprightly-looking woman without a particle of 
 beauty, her woolly hair wanting to get grey, but in 
 its transition state now, a dingy yellow ; but when 
 her countenance lighted up, and somewhat of the 
 earnestness of her soul was shown in her ready and 
 hearty replies to all D/s questions, you could no 
 more see her ugliness. The name given at her birth 
 means, * Honour or riches shall never cease/ We 
 talked of the honours and riches of the world, and 
 of those she was now seeking in Christ our Saviour, 
 the nothingness of the one, the truth of the other. 
 At the sacrifices and worship at her birth, honour 
 and riches were promised, but what has she seen of 
 them ? sorrow, trouble, pain, and poverty, instead ; 
 and what would they have done for her in the life 
 to come ? But what God promises in Christ J esus 
 shall never fail us : He will never deceive us. She 
 was intensely interested in this little talk on her 
 name. The third was. a younger woman very 
 different in manner, timid and shy, but we found 
 her heart was in the right place. She said to D., 
 "Father, I heard you say in church last Sunday, 
 that you would baptize little babies next Sunday, 
 so I could not stay longer ; I have come to church 
 nearly a year, and I want to be a Christian, so please 
 put my name down, that I may be among those 
 whom you will baptize some future time.’ My hus- 
 band was surprised at the clearness of her knowledge 
 
YOEUBA MOTHER AND CHILD. 
 
 Page 222 . 
 

I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 223 
 
 of the way of salvation, and he gladly put down 
 the names of Olaotanmo and Ifawe, rejoicing in the 
 hope that their names were written in heaven. You 
 will remember Ifa is the chief god of the Yorubas. 
 Many names are given in honour of him. Ifawe 
 means ‘ Ifa washes/ This led us to speak to her of 
 the only efficacious washing of our guilty souls in 
 the precious blood of Jesus. D. will baptize eight 
 little babies next Sunday. I am busy with some of 
 my children, making little white gowns and caps 
 for them. Olubi's child is to be called Jonathan 
 Christmas, as he was born on Christmas day.” 
 
 In the same letter she tells of two incidents 
 which had brought unjust reproaches upon the 
 Christian religion and its teachers. A woman who 
 had been preparing for baptism died. Her illness 
 was chiefly occasioned by the cruel persecution 
 which she suffered from her relations. She was 
 visited by several Christian women, and in simple 
 language expressed to them her faith, telling them 
 that she was like a little child who did not know 
 and understand things fully, and adding, " But I do 
 believe in J esus, the good Saviour, and I try to lay 
 my soul on Him.” After her death, her relations 
 taunted the missionaries with their inability to bring 
 her to life again, and said, “ What is the use ? 
 people give up all the good ways of their fathers, 
 they cast away their idols, and anger the gods, and 
 
224 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 then they die just the same as others !” Another 
 woman, who was also a candidate for baptism, was 
 prevailed upon, after enduring beating and starvation 
 which reduced her to a skeleton, to return to idolatry,, 
 after which she became strong and well again. Mrs. 
 Hinderer added : — 
 
 “ These two cases, being so near together, have 
 been, and are, a great triumph to the poor heathens. 
 They exult in them, and look on us, and almost say 
 Where is now thy God ? It has been some trial tn 
 our faith, but we know in Whom we have believed, 
 we know that He will do what is right ; we are to 
 walk by faith, not by sight. This, the dark heathen 
 cannot understand ; the present, what he sees, what 
 he holds, is all in all to him. And we take comfort 
 in believing we shall see poor Maonni, babe as she 
 was in the faith, yet, through the love of J esus, in 
 His kingdom above. So we go on day by day, 
 * faint ’ but I trust ‘ pursuing/ ” 
 
 A characteristic illustration of African life is 
 presented by the next letter. After relating some 
 difficulties which Mrs. Hinderer met with in dealing 
 with some of the young native Christians, she 
 added : — 
 
 “ These are troublesome people, you must either 
 let them go on just as they please, or hold them 
 with a strong hand; I think they like you better for 
 the latter. At all events they respect you more. I 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 225 
 
 must give you a little anecdote on the word ‘ respect.’ 
 One of our people beat his wife very badly, and she 
 came to me to heal her bruises. When we remon- 
 strated with the man on his conduct, he answered, 
 * I tell you, you no understand the business at all. 
 White people no understand husband and wife 
 palaver at all. I tell you, in this country, if man 
 no flog his wife now and then, she no ’spect him 
 at all, no ’spect him one little bit/ ” 
 
 In the same letter, dated May 17th, Mrs. Hinderer 
 tells of the commencement, on Ascension day, of a 
 week-day evening service, and speaks of her increas- 
 ing anxiety and distress on account of her husband’s 
 severe illness. 
 
 “May 29th . — Troubles increase . . . but sufficient 
 unto the day is the evil thereof, and the God of 
 mercy and power reigneth. I sometimes wonder 
 we are not more anxious ; but we are mercifully 
 kept in peace and quietness, though wars and 
 rumours of war are around.” 
 
 “June 20th . — We have finished a house about 
 two miles off, in the town, where a native teacher 
 has been for some time ; and now Mr. J effries is 
 settled there, under the same roof, and they will 
 soon, I think, get up a little church, the outward 
 walls and the spiritual building; and in another 
 direction we are hoping to commence another station 
 for a native teacher. It is a comfort, and an earnest 
 
 15 
 
226 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 for good, that our Master’s work can go on in such 
 times as these. Dear Mrs. Buxton’s box has arrived, 
 and Mr. Charles Buxton has sent us a splendid box 
 of tools. We have not got them all yet, for if we 
 do get a few people to go down, they will not bring 
 even half a load, because they may have to run 
 from kidnappers.” 
 
 “August 7th . — Our war position is much the 
 same, yet a little worse, which is rather a relief, as 
 
 it gives hope of a quicker end We have a 
 
 wonderful in-gathering in Ibadan, yams and corn, 
 beyond all our expectations a few months ago ; so 
 that we have plenty of food, and not dear ; but our 
 people are troubled for want of cowries, and we 
 have to open our store in faith ; and hope that they 
 will last till peace comes. European comforts, and 
 what in a general way appear and are necessaries, 
 we must do without, and be thankful for what yet 
 remains in our hand. With tea, coffee, sugar, we 
 think ourselves rich, and are glad to be able to share 
 them with Mr. J effries. What we shall most regret 
 is our flour, when that is gone. You can soon be 
 weary of yams, if you have to take them as the 
 staff of life. But by Christmas we hope war will 
 be over.” 
 
 After referring to some of the many real causes 
 for anxiety, with regard to the welfare of the mission, 
 in this time of war, Mrs. Hinderer continued : — 
 
3.860. J 
 
 TRIALS ITT WAR-TIME. 
 
 227 
 
 “August 11th . — It looks dark indeed, just now; 
 but we know He liveth who will make all work 
 after the counsel of His most mighty will. It is a 
 wonderful mercy that we are kept in such peace and 
 quietness of mind in these troublous times. To be 
 nervous and over-anxious in such a country must 
 be a wonderful trial. How thankful we ought to 
 be, and I trust we are, to be preserved from it. The 
 work is also going on ; only four of our church- 
 people are in the war, and they were obliged to go ; 
 and we have new comers, and three of the greatest 
 persecutors, two women and a man, have joined 
 the class of candidates for baptism, and the man is 
 to be baptized soon, with eleven or twelve others. 
 Our children are all going on very steadily and 
 amiably. 
 
 “My dear husband still suffers much, but he is 
 thankful to be able to get on as well as he does ; 
 his presence is very necessary at this time. I con- 
 tinue in excellent health, and am very busy, and we 
 are permitted to sing a joyful song of praise and 
 thanksgiving unto our Father and our Redeemer, 
 who has called us here, and makes us happy.” 
 
 “October 13th . — I must write and yet have 
 little inclination. Our future looks very dark. 
 To-day we hear that our only coast-road is 
 going to be shut. This threat may blow over, 
 .as others have done; but it looks more real 
 
 15 — 2 
 
223 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 now This mail brought me letters from a 
 
 missionary sister on Mount Zion ; we all seem com- 
 panions in suffering and anxiety. However, our 
 one Ark of refuge is the same, in whatever quarter 
 of the world our trials come. If only safe in Christ 
 our Saviour, all will be well. Yet of course the 
 body shrinks from suffering, and any anticipation of 
 it is too much for words. We are weary with war,, 
 sounds of war, talks of war, anticipations of war ^ 
 but we have been mercifully kept and comforted.” 
 The misconduct of some members of their little 
 flock gave a yet deeper tone of sadness to the 
 letters of this date; but one of them concluded 
 in terms which showed that, though “ cast down,’* 
 they were “ not in despair.” 
 
 “ We have a cup of sorrow, but we are cheered 
 and supported by our unseen Friend, and we are 
 cheered sometimes by the sweet thought that Ho 
 may have a blessing in store for us and His work 
 here ; therefore He suffers us to be so deeply tried 
 just now. We see no end to the war troubles. 
 Another feature has appeared; our farms in all 
 directions are troubled with kidnappers. If this 
 goes on, we may be troubled for food. I have been 
 obliged in faithfulness to tell you some of our dark 
 side, but we are thankful for some signs of a 
 brighter one, and we do rejoice too in our way and 
 our work, and are permitted to know what it is to 
 
I 860 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 229 
 
 Toe * sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing.’ God be praised 
 we do not work in a desponding mood.” 
 
 These were the last letters written in 1860. The 
 report that the coast-road was to be “ shut,” proved 
 to be too true; and months passed before the mis- 
 sionaries in Ibadan had any communication with 
 the outer world. Trials of another kind now began. 
 The store of cowries which had been laid in at the 
 commencement of the war was rapidly diminishing, 
 and there appeared to be no means of replenishing 
 it. The traders, who at other times were glad to 
 take dollars in exchange for cowries, could no longer 
 make their way to Ibadan, with the attendant train 
 of followers requisite in a country through which, 
 for want of roads deserving of the name, goods 
 could only be conveyed on men's heads ; and where 
 the value of the current coin, the cowry shell, is so 
 small, that between £1 and £2 worth ( i . e. f a “ bag,” 
 or 20,000 cowries, the rate of exchange varying ex- 
 tremely, according to the state of trade) is a “ load,” 
 or as much as a man can carry. On his first visit 
 to Ibadan, Mr. Hinderer himself had travelled with 
 a trading-party consisting of no less than 4,000 
 people. 
 
 There were no Christmas festivities this year. 
 “We could not afford it,” wrote Mrs. Hinderer; 
 “ but the day was made bright to the children, and 
 the Christians were full of sympathy, and assembled 
 
230 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1860 . 
 
 in goodly numbers in church, washed, and oiled, 
 and dressed in their very best, their woolly hair 
 freshly plaited (which sometimes is not done for 
 months together), and looking as cheerful as pos- 
 sible; and they parted, having passed a blessed, 
 happy day.” 
 
 The close of the year found her in solitary charge 
 of the large household, Mr. Hinderer having gone 
 to the war camp, to ask the chiefs for the loan of 
 some cowries to supply their nearly exhausted 
 stores. “ Sorrowful sighing” was mingled with the 
 fervent desires which found expression in her journal 
 at this season : — 
 
 “ December 31s£. — The last hours of this year of 
 years are now fast drawing to a close, my children 
 gone to sleep, my husband in the camp, and I have 
 had a quiet day. Wonderful have been the mercies 
 of this year of trial ; sad have been the wars and 
 fightings about us. Oh, we have a cup of sorrow 
 to drink ; but no more of this ; only Thou, 0 God, 
 have pity upon us! We have had no communica- 
 tion with anyone outside Ibadan for three months, 
 and no mail for three months, a grievous loss, espe- 
 cially as there was no letter by the last from my 
 dearest friend, the vicar. I am hungry to hear of 
 my dear friends, but almost more anxious for them 
 to hear of us ; they will all be thinking of us in our 
 war calamities in a heathen land. But I pray God 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 231 
 
 to comfort them concerning us, and to keep them all 
 in peace in the hollow of His hand, as He so merci- 
 fully does us, in the midst of all our troubles. 
 Farewell, 1860 ! All the sins and sorrows, all the 
 omissions and commissions, I take to my merciful 
 Saviour, and lay them at the foot of the Cross, and 
 beseech Him to pardon and forgive, to wash all 
 away in His precious cleansing blood ; and oh, dear 
 Saviour, give grace for the new period of time 
 which will so soon commence. Give, oh, give me 
 grace to live to Thee, to love and serve Thee in this 
 dark land. Oh, have mercy upon us all in this 
 house and compound, especially upon my dear 
 children, in whom I so long to see a work of grace. 
 Have mercy upon the little church gathered out 
 here from among the heathen; give them life, 
 breathe upon the dry bones ; rouse us all from our 
 coldness and deadness, and make us all burning and 
 shining lights !” 
 
 The new year dawned. 
 
 “ January ls£, 1861. — We have had a nice day, 
 and in some measure I enjoy beginning a new year ; 
 but I miss my ever dear kind husband. How often 
 we are separated at Christmas or new year ; even on 
 our visit to England it was so ; but we are one in 
 heart, and meet in spirit, when absent in the body. 
 Whenever he is away, it is in the path of duty. 
 My heart’s fervent desire is that our dear Lord and 
 
232 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 Master’s work may flourish in Ibadan this year. 
 Lord, make Thine own work prosper in our hands, 
 and let us have the joy of seeing a fruitful vineyard 
 here ; but, above all, make our own souls to flourish, 
 and keep us faithful, and vigorous, and earnest in 
 the work to which Thou hast called us, whether we 
 see fruit or not. But oh ! for the salvation of souls 
 we do cry unto Thee ; and oh ! hear me for my dear 
 children.” 
 
 Her first letter in 1861, addressed to Mr. Cunning- 
 ham, was written with much uncertainty whether 
 she would be able to send it : — 
 
 “ January 4 th, 1861. — D. having to go to the 
 camp on December 31st, wrote an address for 
 Olubi to deliver in his name on New Year’s Day, 
 which he did very well. We met together in 
 the morning. Three persons prayed, and we sang 
 hymns, and the address was given ; in this way we 
 started our new year, hoping you were engaged in 
 much the same manner in one of your schoolrooms, 
 and that we might be bearing one another on our 
 hearts before our heavenly Father, at pretty much 
 the same time ; you gathering together in the dark 
 and cold, we in the glaring sunshine of Africa ; but 
 each and all in our right places, where our wise and 
 loving Father would have us to be. We feel so 
 much at this time under the sweet influence of the 
 Father’s boundless love, and this, blended with the 
 
YORTJBA VILLAGE. P(LQl 232 . 
 

 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 233 
 
 grace of Christ our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit’s 
 favour, will make, and does make all, all to be well. 
 
 “We are quite shut up by war, but are always 
 hoping we shall soon be in a better condition. Our 
 God has been wonderfully gracious to us in pre- 
 serving our health and spirits. My dear husband 
 often suffers much with his cough, but he is not 
 worse, and just now he is very much better. I have 
 gone on with remarkable health, sometimes worn 
 and weary with work and cares, as many a labourer 
 is in dear old England ; and of course all things are 
 increased in wear and weight in a climate like this, 
 but, God be praised, I have no illness. Our living 
 is rather poor at this time; we cook yams in all 
 sorts of ways, to make them palatable. I can eat 
 palaver sauce and beans ; D. cannot, but he likes 
 Indian corn-flour made into porridge, which I do 
 not, so we get on very fairly. There is plenty of 
 this kind of food in the town, but our great trouble 
 is the want of cowries, for, in the present state of 
 things, there are no traders from whom we may buy 
 them. Here we all are — ourselves, Mr. Jeffries, our 
 school, our native teachers, in all seventy persons — 
 and everyone has for more than two months eaten, 
 and is now eating, from our store of cowries which 
 we were enabled to lay in. That store is now nearly 
 exhausted, though we have been as careful as pos- 
 sible, only allowing our two selves a pennyworth of 
 
234 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [1861. 
 
 meat in our soup, and glad to eat beans, with a little 
 onion and pepper to flavour them, and pinching in 
 the salt as if it were gold dust ; but we have plenty 
 of its kind to eat, and there is no poverty among 
 the natives yet.” 
 
 “ February . — Our work in general goes on steadily, 
 but war is not conducive to its progress ; the people 
 are wild, restless, and unsettled.” 
 
 Mr. Hinderer’s appeal for help had been received 
 by the chiefs with many expressions of regard for his 
 character and useful work, and of willingness to 
 grant his request. But “Ifa must be consulted;” 
 and a few days later the answer was given that Ifa 
 forbade them “to lend the white man cowries;” 
 and, though a present of cowries was shortly after- 
 wards received from the head chiefs, such help could 
 not be expected again. There was, throughout the 
 war, considerable jealousy of European influence, 
 which was supposed to be exercised in behalf of the 
 Egbas, the enemies of Ibadan. The existence of 
 this suspicion which, as attaching to Mr. Hinderer, 
 was utterly groundless, may account for the alleged 
 unfriendliness of Ifa. Some of the consequences of 
 the refusal of aid will be seen in the following 
 letter : — 
 
 “ March Mh . — All my children who have parents 
 Or homes I have sent away to-day, making arrange- 
 ments with them for the purpose; and we were 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 235 
 
 comforted by the nice way in which the people took 
 it. One woman offered to take one of my children, 
 who has no other home, in order to help ns ; we 
 have now tried alt ways and means, but little is left 
 in hand. We have tried to borrow, but none will 
 lend; they say, and very naturally, ‘We cannot 
 tell how long this war may last ; it may be finished 
 in a few weeks, or it may last some years/ Balogun, 
 who promised to lend (a very easy thing for an 
 African), now tells us we must have patience. He 
 and all these poor heathen say, God will not and 
 cannot suffer us to want, and truly in Him do we 
 trust ; and, now that we have tried all proper means, 
 I do not believe He will put us to shame, but, for 
 His great and blessed Name’s sake, He will help us, 
 till many shall say, ‘ They that wait upon the Lord 
 shall want no manner of good thing/ But it is a 
 long trial which our God sees meet to continue upon 
 us. Some poor heathen look on and say, What is 
 the use of their serving God ? they die, and they 
 get trouble ; and Ifa and Sango, &c., &c., often help 
 us. The Mohammedans say, God loves us very well, 
 but we do not worship Him the right way, and do 
 not give honour to His prophet. But we know that 
 Jehovah- Jireh liveth, and He will not forsake us. 
 We do sometimes think of what might be, if these 
 people were really to turn against us, but we are 
 wonderfully delivered ‘ from fear of evil/ We had 
 
236 
 
 TRIALS IN "WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 the comfort of getting our three months’ mails in 
 January, and a few days ago we received your 
 letters written in December. Thus we have had all 
 1860 letters, so do not be discouraged about writing; 
 we shall get them somehow or other, and think of 
 the refreshment they must be to us.” 
 
 In her journal of about the same date, she spoke 
 of herself as being in a low state of health, the effect 
 of poor living and anxiety ; while Mr. Hinderer 
 suffered yet more seriously. They had then been 
 nearly six months without flour. Their food con- 
 sisted principally of horse-beans, the produce of 
 their own little garden-plot, flavoured with palm-oil 
 and pepper ; and even of these the supply became 
 so limited that they only allowed themselves a 
 handful of beans daily. They could smile afterwards 
 at the remembrance of having sometimes cried them- 
 selves to sleep with hunger, “ like children ;” but the 
 suffering was terribly real at the time. 
 
 In the extremity of their need they thought of a 
 new expedient, to sell such of their little possessions 
 as would find purchasers in the Ibadan market. 
 Everything that could be spared was quickly ex- 
 changed for food; again and again the house was 
 searched, in hope that something more might be 
 found. Amongst other things thus lighted on were 
 some old tin match-boxes, biscuit-boxes, and the 
 linings of deal chests, which had been put aside as 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 237 
 
 useless, but were now regarded as a mine of wealth, 
 being certain of meeting with ready customers ; and 
 the children spent hours in polishing them up for 
 sale. When other stores were exhausted, they were 
 obliged to part with household utensils, and even 
 articles of clothing, all of which were sold for much 
 less than their real value. 
 
 In after years, the details of the story of this time 
 of privation and suffering were related with touching 
 simplicity, the one feeling associated with the re- 
 membrance of them being that of thankfulness to 
 Him who had sustained the faith of His servants, 
 and brought them safely through those deep waters 
 of affliction. 
 
 The native teachers and their families were de- 
 pendent on Mr. Hinderer for food, when their 
 salaries no longer reached them, and this increased 
 their difficulties till the summer of 1861, when 
 they were able to maintain themselves by cultivating 
 farms. 
 
 The Christians would gladly have helped their 
 minister, but most of them were poor, while the 
 heathen generally knew little about the troubles of 
 the “ white man.” Bale, the chief who looked 
 upon them as his own “ strangers,” or guests, was 
 suffering from paralysis, from which he never rallied, 
 and the other chiefs were intent on war, and left 
 them to take care of themselves as best they could. 
 
 / • 
 
238 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1661 . 
 
 Nevertheless, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer received, from 
 time to time, many tokens of good-will, and sub- 
 stantial help, both from Christian and heathen 
 neighbours ; and such manifestations of their 
 heavenly Father’s love and care cheered their 
 hearts and strengthened their faith. In her journal 
 of Feb. 18th, Mrs. Hinderer noted with thankful- 
 ness the gift of two bags of cowries from one of 
 the Christians, and the loan of two more from 
 Olubi’s aunt, who was a heathen ; and similar gifts 
 were acknowledged in letters written during the 
 ensuing months. 
 
 The following incidents, among many others, may 
 serve as illustrations of the way in which unexpected 
 help often came, in that time of need. 
 
 One morning, when her husband was absent from 
 home, Mrs. Hinderer assembled the children as usual 
 for prayers, and the petition, “ Give us this day our 
 daily bread,” came from a full heart, for there was 
 nothing in the house which she could eat. The 
 children, indeed, sat down to a hearty breakfast, but 
 though she was faint with hunger, she could not 
 touch their coarse food. While they were eating, 
 she wandered to the gate of the compound to get a 
 breath of air, and stood for some minutes watching 
 the people going by, to the farm or the market. 
 Amongst others who passed, was a woman carrying 
 a bunch of Indian corn on her head, to whom she 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 239 
 
 addressed, according to custom, the native salutation, 
 and as she went on speaking the woman stood still, 
 and stared with amused surprise, exclaiming at 
 length, “ How wonderful it is that you white people 
 know how to talk our language.” Mrs. Hinderer 
 explained to her in a few words why she had come to 
 Ibadan, and what she wanted to teach the people. 
 Having listened awhile, the woman asked, just as she 
 was turning away, “ Can you eat our corn ?” and on 
 learning that it would be acceptable, she gave Mrs. 
 Hinderer a handful, which she hastened to roast and 
 eat, gratefully acknowledging in this simple food, 
 provided by a stranger’s kindness, the speedy answer 
 to her prayer for “ daily bread.” 
 
 When the stock of cowries was diminishing, Mrs. 
 Hinderer ordered less and less milk for her house- 
 hold. The woman who supplied it, and who had 
 always been most friendly to the missionaries, 
 though she would not hear a word of the message 
 which they brought, began to suspect that some- 
 thing was going wrong, and at length resolved to 
 enquire how matters stood. She would not be 
 satisfied without a distinct explanation, and Mrs. 
 Hinderer told her plainly, that she had no cowries 
 to spare, and that, being unable to procure more, she 
 couldnotbuy the regular quantity of milk. The woman 
 answered in a decided tone, “ You must send as usual 
 every day.” Mrs. Hinderer told her that it was im- 
 
240 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 possible to pay for it at present, but she only said, 
 with still more determination than before, “ You must 
 have your full quantity of milk every day as usual, 
 and if you do not send for it, you will give me the 
 trouble of sending it to you” For a whole year 
 this charitable woman supplied them with her best 
 milk, without payment, and when, at the end of that 
 time, Mrs. Hinderer sent her a bag of cowries, as an 
 acknowledgment of her kindness, though far from 
 being an adequate payment for the milk, she at once 
 returned it, and on being urged to accept it, 
 answered with much feeling, “No, no! I did it 
 because you were strangers in a strange land, and I 
 will not take anything for it.” 
 
 To return to the narrative. On the 6th of March 
 Mr. Hinderer set forth on an expedition to Lagos, 
 in hope of procuring cowries and a stock of 
 European provisions. It was not until after much 
 consideration, and earnest prayer, that he re- 
 solved to undertake so perilous a journey. But 
 their need was urgent, their present precarious 
 means of subsistence could not last much longer, 
 and no other way of obtaining help appeared to be 
 open to them. 
 
 The story of his journey cannot properly be 
 omitted ; as many of its circumstances are noticed 
 in the letters which are to follow. His only compan- 
 ions were two of the boys, none of the adult Chris- 
 
1S61.] TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 241 
 
 tians daring to accompany him, so great was the dread 
 of kidnappers, while the war was in progress. The 
 little party, however, did not meet with a single 
 person in passing through the bush, which was the 
 part of the journey most to he dreaded ; and they 
 reached their destination safely, on the third day 
 after leaving Ibadan. At Lagos, Mr. Hinderer made 
 arrangements with a trader, who undertook to 
 supply him with cowries in Ibadan ; and on the 
 23rd of March he sent off some flour and other 
 provisions, in charge of a trading party, who in- 
 tended, if possible, to make their way to Ibadan, 
 and under whose protection he had hoped to travel. 
 But on the eve of their departure, he was seized 
 with a severe attack of illness, and thus was 
 mercifully preserved from the calamities which 
 befel the caravan. For they were attacked by the 
 Ijebus ; some of them were killed; and in the affray 
 the goods were pillaged and wasted, and of all that Mr. 
 Hinderer had sent, little more than one load reached 
 its destination. On the 23rd of April, being suffi- 
 ciently recovered to mount his horse, he commenced 
 his homeward journey, the perils of which had 
 greatly increased during his stay at Lagos, for the 
 king of Ijebu, who had always been jealous of 
 Europeans getting a footing in the interior, had now 
 set a price upon his head, and had sent men to 
 watch the road by which he would travel to Ibadan. 
 
 16 
 
242 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. [1861. 
 
 Knowing all this, he nevertheless set forth on his 
 perilous journey, and travelled in quieb confidence, 
 trusting in the God who had so graciously protected 
 him hitherto. The hearts of the boys were not so 
 tranquil; they trembled, and not without cause. 
 For some miles onwards, from the spot where the 
 caravan had been attacked, the road was strewn 
 with bones and skeletons, and Mr. Hinderer’s horse 
 was several times terrified by the sight of skulls 
 lying on the narrow path through the forest. But 
 again they saw no one on their long day’s journey, 
 though once they passed close by the smouldering 
 fires of the Ijebus, who could only be supposed to 
 have retreated to a hut at some distance, for shelter 
 from a heavy shower of rain, which fell that morn- 
 ing, though rain at that season was most unusual. 
 On the evening of that day they reached some out- 
 lying Ibadan farms, and the boys gave a shout of 
 joy and thankfulness, acknowledging now that they 
 had thought, “ Truly our last day in the world will 
 be this day.” They were soon fast asleep in an 
 empty hut, in which they found shelter for the 
 night. Mr. Hinderer was kept awake by the 
 rustling of a snake in the roof. Early the next 
 morning they entered Ibadan. Truly the Lord had 
 preserved His servant in his going out and in his 
 coming in. When the king of Ijebu heard that he 
 had reached his home in safety, he declared that it 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS m "WAR-TIME. 
 
 243 
 
 was God who had protected the white man, and 
 none hut God. 
 
 Of all the trials endured by Mrs. Hinderer during 
 her eventful life, none probably surpassed her agony 
 of suspense through the progress of those weeks, in 
 which she had watched in vain, day by day, for the 
 return of her husband. She had heard no tidings of 
 him, beyond such as were conveyed by one little note 
 from himself, telling of the commencement of his 
 illness, while she had sufficient knowledge of the 
 peril to which he was exposed, to justify her utmost 
 fears as to the possible evils which might befal him. 
 When at length she heard the sounds of the horse's 
 feet, and the excited shouts of the people, announ- 
 cing his arrival, her heart seemed to fail and faint, 
 and consciousness almost forsook her ; even the 
 sorrowful exclamations which followed, “He so 
 weak !” “ He not able to get off his horse alone !” 
 
 were heard by her as in a dream ; and it was not 
 until he had been tenderly lifted from his horse, and 
 carried into the house by two men, that she awoke 
 to a perception of the blessing which had been 
 granted to her, in his safe return. 
 
 Her journal of that day, April 29th, contains 
 these few but expressive words, “ My beloved hus- 
 band came home safely, having escaped many 
 dangers, through God’s great mercy. Oh, what 
 thankfulness fills our home again !” 
 
 16 — 2 
 
244 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [186k 
 
 Her feelings during his absence, and on his 
 arrival, were poured forth more fully in her letters. 
 
 “ March 13 th . — On the 6th of this month, after 
 having talked and thought long about it, my hus- 
 band started for Lagos, to try what he could do to 
 get some things up, and to make arrangements with 
 some of the merchants to get cowries. Our two 
 eldest boys only accompanied him, taking a few 
 clothes, and a little food for the road ; and he hung a 
 rug across his horse for his bed by night, for three 
 and a half days’ journey, and went in faith and 
 courage, trusting in the Good Shepherd of Israel. 
 It is a greater trial to me than usual, because 
 I can hear nothing of him till he comes back; 
 but I am mercifully kept in peace, and though 
 I have many troubles and cares, especially just now, 
 I feel so helped in my path of duty, and so delivered 
 from fear or apprehension, that I can only adore the 
 goodness and mercy of our faithful covenant-keeping 
 God. In these times of trouble and difficulty, how 
 wonderfully precious is the sense of dwelling under 
 the shadow of the Almighty, hid in His tabernacle, 
 held by His right hand, the very hairs of our head 
 numbered, not even a sparrow falling to the ground 
 without His notice ! Wonderful, wonderful com- 
 passion and love to the children of men. Yes, 
 under His banner, we are able to dwell among the 
 heathen. 
 
1361 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 245 
 
 “ My children, who go home to eat and sleep, come 
 to school daily, and they go on very well. I shall 
 be glad to get them back again ; yet it may be of 
 some good, settling their characters a little, showing 
 what is in them, and also bringing good desires into 
 action ; and they may be a little salt, a little leaven, 
 in their own houses. God grant it ! The rest are 
 very good and amiable at this time, trying to help 
 me to spare cowries, and of their own accord doing 
 things which at another time they would not have 
 thought of; and they seem to feel, in their own 
 consciences, the reward of doing a good action. I 
 am so thankful to have comfort and refreshment of 
 spirit from them ; it is too great a pain when they 
 show a naughty rebellious spirit. 
 
 " Some of our converts are very kind in bringing 
 us yams, and even a few cowries now and then, and 
 we are glad to accept the value of twopence ; but 
 all this we hope one day well to reward. There are 
 no riches in Africa ; slaves and wives make a man 
 great in this country, but the Christians are among 
 the poor generally, for, as in our Saviour’s time, ‘ to 
 bhe poor the Gospel is preached,’ and by them more 
 frequently received. By great care, our little handful 
 of cowries yet stays by us, which I thought must 
 be finished long ago. I look upon them as blessed 
 almost as the widow’s barrel of meal and cruse of 
 oil, and I do feel sure the daily bread will be given ; 
 
TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 246 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 yet we cannot but feel the trial which this present 
 state of war and confusion brings to us. 
 
 “ Our work outwardly is not progressing at this 
 time, which is the heaviest part of our trial and 
 discouragement. A blessing is promised to the 
 sowing in tears, but even the sowing is checked by 
 these troubles ; but oh, a better time will come; may 
 it be hastened ! 
 
 “ I hear to-day that there are kidnappers on the 
 road by which my dear husband has to pass when 
 he comes. May the Lord preserve him, and the two 
 boys with him. Oh, if it were not for the upholding 
 hand, my heart would faint altogether.” 
 
 “ April 12th . — My dear husband is not yet home, 
 and I can hear nothing of him. On the 28th, a war- 
 party went down, and I fully expected he would be 
 in Ijebu to join that party. When, on their 
 return, they were attacked and had a battle, I was 
 almost thankful he was not there ; but he had sent 
 a little note to tell me he was ill, and could not 
 mount his horse. He bid me not to be cast down ; 
 in a few days he hoped to be well again. This was 
 written March 2 3rd, and from that day to this I 
 have not heard a word, only all kinds of horrible 
 reports from that road. But next week the Ibadans 
 are going, it is said, and I write a few letters for the 
 chance of getting them down by them, and am 
 living upon the hope that somehow dear D. will be 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 247 
 
 able to return with them, or that at least I shall 
 hear something of him. Thus I have told you our 
 tale, but I cannot tell you of my real anxiety. Not 
 to know whether he is ill or well, or whether he has 
 fallen into the hands of the Ijebus, or what really 
 detains him, it is more easy to be imagined than for 
 me to describe. I feel worn out with anxiety, 
 apprehensions, and even hopes. The day I get 
 through pretty well, cheered by hope that the end 
 of that day will bring him ; but I cannot tell you 
 what it is when the evening closes in, and I have 
 to exist for another day of vain hope. I would 
 rather touch on the mercy which is granted from 
 day to day, and from hour to hour, by a merciful 
 Father. He has at times graciously enabled me to 
 endure, as seeing Him who is invisible. One day 
 especially, it had been such a day of hope and ex- 
 pectation, but the evening closed in without its 
 realization; and the disappointment was so great that 
 I went to my room and wept bitterly, mind and 
 body being exhausted, when my eye lighted on the 
 words, ‘ He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea. 
 in seven there shall no evil touch thee ; in famine 
 He shall redeem thee from death, and in war from 
 the power of the sword.’ 
 
 “ Oh, how unspeakably comforting were these pro- 
 mises ! It was as if the blessed Saviour spoke to me 
 in my ear, now only to my heart, and I had a night 
 
248 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 of sweet rest and peace, under the shadow of His 
 loving wing. Since then my distress has never been 
 so great ; there has been more of entire rest in the 
 sense of His mercy and love, and in the belief that 
 He is a wall of fire round about His people, and that 
 He will do all things well. Yet, as day after day 
 goes on, knowing that nothing over which he had 
 any control could keep my dearest husband from me, 
 I do feel at times indescribably anxious.” 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer afterwards spoke of the evening 
 referred to in the preceding letter as having been 
 a time of extreme distress ; she was overwhelmed 
 by alarm for her husband’s safety, and by the sense 
 of her own loneliness, and the weight of her cares. 
 Her sobs were overheard by the children, and they 
 entreated Olubi to go to her and comfort her, but in 
 vain ; for he had heard of the designs of the king of 
 Ijebu against Mr. Hinderer, and he was afraid, lest 
 instead of consoling her, he might unawares reveal 
 to her a cause for anxiety beyond her utmost fears. 
 Thus she was left to bear her sorrow alone. She 
 took up her Bible, but with the bitter feeling that 
 even there she would find no comfort. She turned 
 to it again and again, but still with no heart to 
 read it; and it was after this, while it lay open 
 beside her, that her eyes caught the words which 
 brought the message of peace to her troubled soul 
 The next letter is in a very different strain. 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 249 
 
 “ May 3rd . — I begin with the joyful news that 
 my dear husband is safe at home once more in 
 Ibadan. He arrived last Monday, to my great sur- 
 prise, and very great thankfulness, but he is now in 
 bed, in much suffering and fever. But how he has 
 suffered in Lagos ! He received the greatest kind- 
 ness and careful nursing from our dear missionary 
 friends there, Mr. and Mrs. Maser; he had the 
 benefit also of a good doctor, and then good food. 
 If he had had such an illness here, he must have 
 sunk, and even now it is sad to see him, so broken- 
 down and worn. The people’s shouts of joy were 
 speedily checked by their exclamations * Master sick 
 for true !’ He has not only suffered bodily, but has 
 had many anxieties of mind. The journey was 
 one of real danger : the Ijebu king sent word to 
 him in Lagos, and to the Consul, ‘ if the white man 
 goes back to Ibadan, he will surely take off his head, 
 as he cannot sell a white man.’ My husband was of 
 course greatly troubled, and tried to think of many 
 ways to get back again, but at last he felt f There is 
 no road for me but the Ijebu road, and by that I 
 must go ; and after all, my time is in God’s hand, 
 and not in the Ijebu king’s/ so he started with 
 his two boys, as he went down, and reached here to 
 our intense joy. Oh, I was weary and nearly sick 
 with watching, as I could not tell whether he was 
 living, or had fallen into the cruel hands of our 
 
250 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 enemies ; yet I was greatly comforted by the God of 
 all comfort and consolation. My poor husband was 
 sadly unequal to such a journey; excitement and 
 anxiety lent him strength to get through it, but 
 another illness attacked him immediately, and for 
 thirty days he has been fearfully ill. But he was 
 so thankful to be at home, and I to have him, that 
 we could feel nothing but thankfulness. He is, I 
 trust, in some measure recovering now, but he is 
 sadly broken down, and often thinks his days for 
 work in this climate are numbered. Sometimes we 
 feel we should like to go in search of some health, 
 which is so sadly denied him here ; but the door is 
 so entirely shut upon us, that I feel thankful that he 
 is happy in its being his Lord’s will that he should 
 remain at his post, and that he has no craving to get 
 away, but hopes for some measure of strength to go 
 on ; and it is a comfort to us to feel we are of real 
 use in keeping things together, though he is often 
 so sadly afflicted. I cannot be thankful enough for 
 my own health, and that we are both favoured with 
 good spirits. My work is never done, and the days 
 never long enough, and God's love and mercy are 
 great. He seems so near to us in this time of 
 trouble that we are never cast down for long, and 
 He enables us to rejoice in Him. We never knew 
 so much trouble as now, short of cowries, proper 
 food, especially for I)., hie poor health separation 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 251 
 
 from all people except in Ibadan, and from regular 
 communication with you all ; and yet I do not think 
 we were ever more cheerful or hopeful, because of 
 that blessed hand which is so kindly over us and 
 near to us. He seems to be feeding and caring for 
 us day by day, as clearly as He did Elijah by the 
 ravens. When He giveth peace, who then can make 
 trouble ? We know and feel the troubles, crosses, 
 losses, and privations, yet it is with us as the 
 Psalmist says, ‘They went through the flood on 
 foot/ yet even ‘there did we rejoice in Him.’ I 
 know that this great blessing, which can only come 
 from Him, the Author and Giver of all good things, 
 will make you happy, and that you will give thanks, 
 as well as pray, for us. 
 
 “The affection, attention, and kindness of our 
 people and our native teachers, in this whole time 
 of trouble, while my husband was away, and now 
 in his sickness, have been really cheering and com- 
 forting to us. 
 
 “We have not much missionary news to tell, in 
 these sad times of war. All minds are set on its 
 troubles and excitements, but we are thankful our 
 church is but little shaken by it. Yery few, not 
 more than four, have been obliged to go into the 
 war, but we have no new convert this year. My 
 dear children have been very good lately, their 
 conduct, habits and desires have much improved. I 
 
252 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. [1861. 
 
 have laboured to make these children industrious, 
 whether at work or play, for the natural idleness of 
 Africans in general is trying. It often seemed a 
 labour in vain, but I have been really repaid this 
 year. They have known our trouble for want of 
 cowries, and felt our every endeavour that they 
 should not want, and this they did not behold with 
 an African’s usual indifference, but have done every- 
 thing to help me. I have not bought one bit of 
 wood this year, they have gone in the afternoons 
 and fetched of their own accord, which at another 
 time they would not have thought of doing ; they 
 wash the clothes for the whole school, and do many 
 such things. It seems a small thing to write, but it 
 has really pleased and comforted me. 
 
 “We have the prospect of a plentiful harvest, 
 which begins to be reaped this month, and our 
 burden is lighter respecting our people and teachers, 
 as we made them all plant for themselves, so they 
 will get com this month, and yams next, which will 
 feed them for some time. I am thankful to have 
 some flour for my dear husband, that was saved 
 from the great losses. He spent one way and another 
 eighty pounds in Lagos, and all we have got for it is 
 a little flour. One hundred and twenty dollars of it 
 he gave to a merchant, who promised to give us 
 cowries for it in Ibadan that same month, but he 
 Aid not appear, and there has been no opportunity 
 
186*.] TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 253 
 
 to come since. We hope we shall get the dollars, or 
 their value, some day, hut it is now we want them. 
 However, patience is the lesson we have to learn at 
 this time. I am afraid the war will yet last awhile, 
 but we cannot tell ; we can only live in faith and 
 hope. It is marvellous how we have been helped 
 hitherto ; if we attempt to look at the future, it is 
 painfully dark and anxious. Yet having been so 
 graciously kept and helped to this day, it seems a 
 real sin to dare to fret for to-morrow, and we are 
 enabled generally to cast our burden on our Father 
 in heaven, who so tenderly careth for us.” 
 
 Some of the good fruits which ripened in the 
 season of adversity are noted in a letter which 
 appeared in the Church Missionary Intelligencer , 
 for December, 1861. 
 
 “ It was a time of trial to us all, but I am sure it 
 has been for good. A love has been drawn out from 
 all our people towards their minister, which they 
 were hardly aware of before. Then it has called forth 
 a spirit of prayer, which must and does bring good. 
 There were many little gatherings together for 
 prayer in the week, but in secret from me, lest I 
 should suspect what they knew of, my husband’s 
 danger ; and now they have found such a full and 
 ready answer to their earnest petitions, which has 
 caused a joy and thankfulness which can be seen 
 even in their faces, and much more in their expres- 
 
254 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 sions. There is a good deal of earnest prayer, I 
 believe, called forth in Ibadan in this war-season, 
 the natives regularly hold a daily meeting at six 
 o'clock, and there is a tone and spirit in it which 
 there was not before. Then there are the Monday 
 evening meetings, and our monthly prayer meetings, 
 and also on a Wednesday afternoon our teachers all 
 meet, with a few of the most earnest and true of the 
 converts, and what gives us comfort and hope of 
 their being heard is, that the spirit is so different to 
 what it was at first. At one time it used to be 
 painful to hear certain individuals pray, it was so 
 entirely for what they individually wished; but 
 now it has come round so entirely to ‘ Do Thou, O 
 Lord, what seemeth to Thee best : make all to work 
 for good to this whole country, and for the coming 
 of Thy kingdom/ ” 
 
 Of the joy manifested on Mr. Hinderer’s safe 
 arrival, she wrote in the same letter : — 
 
 “ It was a happy day, indeed. The news flew 
 like lightning through the town, and our house was 
 crammed by the converts and others, truly rejoicing. 
 It reached the war-camp also, and the next day we 
 had several messages from the chiefs and others of 
 our friends. There was such an excitement, because 
 all had heard of the king of Ijebu’s intention to kill 
 him. I was the only one who did not know it.” 
 And again : — “ One of the men, not yet baptized. 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 255 
 
 though cowries are scarce in his hand, sent us a bag 
 of cowries for joy that his minister had come home 
 again.” 
 
 “ August 1st — There is a chance again of com- 
 municating with dear friends in England. A few 
 days ago we had the joy of receiving our month’s 
 mail, letters written in April, including the beau- 
 tiful specimen of dear E — ’s work I do- ei>jov <nd 
 
 wonder at it, and if I wonder, what do not my little 
 Africans ? They look this way and that way, ex- 
 pressing a doubt that a little girl could do it, and 
 then wondering how many years she was at it, and 
 how it could be kept so clean is a marvel. They 
 think it an utter impossibility that any of them 
 should arrive at such a perfection of needlework. I 
 hope it will make them try to work better than 
 they do, but considering that they are the first chil- 
 dren in Ibadan who ever handled a needle, I am 
 fairly satisfied with their progress. 
 
 “ I have more than enough to do in the common 
 and uncommon business of African life, such work 
 having lately increased for me, in having to look 
 after the growing, as well as the using, of food. 
 We are still in our cowry scarcity, and must be 
 till the war is over ; but we are wonderfully helped 
 on by little presents of yams and corn, and by dis- 
 posing of things. One of the war gentlemen has 
 bought my large cloak, which was given me in 
 
256 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 England, and which I cannot wear except on the 
 voyage home. I got 20,000 cowries for it (about 
 £1), much less than it is worth, but the cowries are 
 worth more to us now than six times the value at 
 another time, so we laugh and say we have all been 
 living on Iya’s cloak. This week we are living on 
 >■ the proceeds of my onion beds : onions are much 
 uss-d here, and I determined by a little care to try 
 and improve on my beds, and I have had fine ones. 
 One of our church people sells them for us. It is 
 wonderful how we get on all this time, and where 
 we should be glad of five bags (about £5), are made 
 content with five strings of cowries ( 5d ). The 
 
 Lord is, indeed, our Shepherd, and cares for His 
 sheep, feeding us day by day, and giving us peace 
 and quiet and comfort in Himself. On June 30th, 
 we had a very interesting baptism of eighteen chil- 
 dren, a few were infants, others our day-school 
 children, and five of my own special charge. I 
 think it was a season of good to us, they appeared 
 solemnized, and expressed very nice and simple 
 desires. The congregation was much impressed, and 
 the eyes of some mothers standing round glistened 
 with a tear-drop. It was an imposing sight in their 
 white garments. Oh, for the heavenly baptism ; we 
 do indeed pray for it.” 
 
 “We have nice weather now, but I take good 
 care not to be too free in the enjoyment of it: the 
 
1861 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 257 
 
 thermometer never below seventy-five in the night, 
 and at eighty in the day. But oh, these people are 
 shivering so, it is painful to see them. Fancy 
 Susanna, Olubi sending last night to beg me to lend 
 her a blanket, for she was ‘ truly dying with cold/ 
 She told me she really suffered from it, though in 
 their rooms a thermometer could soon reach ninety 
 degrees, for they shut up every chink and corner, 
 yet was she sensitive to the present season, called 
 by them cold. Poor things, to get themselves 
 cowries they have lately sold their blankets ; every 
 African who can possibly afford it has a blanket, 
 and I have come round to the belief that it is a 
 necessity. As to my children, they would jump at 
 a box of clothing such as is sent to the Red River. 
 I try not to bring them up tenderly in that respect, 
 but our house and the whole town is full of coughing 
 and sneezing just now, as if every one had influenza, 
 and I am obliged to give them fires. For the 
 benefit of our house and clothes we have had fires 
 upstairs, also a few times in an iron stove, and how 
 the children have enjoyed it ! ” 
 
 At the end of the year, in writing to a friend in 
 affliction, she said : — 
 
 “ December 31st. — Pain, sorrow, suffering is in all 
 the world, not only in this poor Africa no, into the 
 brightest happiest home it enters, but a precious 
 
 17 
 
TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 . 
 
 258 
 
 help is always at hand for those whose heart and 
 desires are above, and who look for His glorious 
 appearing, even in this weary sinful earth ; at Whose 
 coming, sorrow and sighing shall flee away, and sin, 
 the cause of all. We sometimes seem to have our 
 cup rather full of sorrow, but oh, great mercy 
 abounds. We are upheld and supported from day 
 to day, and comforted sometimes by what our eyes 
 see, and by what we yet hope for. . . . 
 
 “We hope this week to get a few dollars, and our 
 mails of July, August, September, October and 
 November ; this will be a new year’s treat to us in- 
 deed. In them we shall doubtless have the ‘ change- 
 ful song’ of the old church-bells, but it will be sweet 
 to have some communication with dearly-loved ones, 
 and to be brought into union with the civilized and 
 Christian part of the world. 
 
 “It is quite possible we may spend Christmas, 
 1862, in England, but if this war lasts twenty years, 
 we cannot get away ! Many people ask, why do 
 we not go down, as we are so sick, etc. ? But even if 
 we our two selves could escape on the road of 
 danger, how can we leave our children, our native 
 teachers and their families, in all this trouble V* 
 
 A letter written on New Year’s Day, 1862, con- 
 tained a review of the trials and mercies of the last 
 few months : — 
 
 “ Jan. 1st., 1862. — Your kind hearts are, I well 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 259 
 
 know, longing for tidings of us. We are weary for 
 letters also, having had none since those written in 
 June ; we cannot help longing for home letters to 
 perfect our New Year’s Day, but we hope soon for 
 the great treat of receiving the July, August, Sep- 
 tember and October mails, and some dollars to buy 
 cowries with, for our daily needs. 1861 has passed 
 away with its cares, sorrows, pains, and though last, 
 not least, its many mercies ; 1862 has commenced ; 
 we sometimes think it looks sad, dark and heavy, 
 and we fear to tread it, but we know who is the 
 same f yesterday, to-day, and for ever/ — through war, 
 sickness, all things, yes, through death itself. This 
 has been the subject of my husband’s address at our 
 early morning service. There is a prayer meeting 
 every morning at six or earlier, but on this morning 
 we have it at seven, to give time for our people who 
 are far off in this large town, and all came so bright 
 and happy, truly enjoying it. They were here long 
 before seven, for kind greetings, good words, and 
 blessings. My thoughts and musings are many on 
 this day, but I must come to our matter-of-fact his- 
 tory, especially as I have only three thin sheets of 
 paper besides this. War, so-called war, is still going 
 on, with very little of real war, but roads shut up, 
 and parties out kidnapping. We, of the mission in 
 Ibadan, are the chief and almost the only sufferers ; 
 depending on the coast as we do, and with no road : 
 
 17—2 
 
260 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 . 
 
 European necessaries and comforts we have long 
 been without, and cannot have again. My last pair 
 of shoes are on my feet, and my clothes are so worn 
 and so few, that if the war does not end soon, I shall 
 have to come to a country cloth, and roll up like a 
 native. These would be small troubles if we were 
 in health, but my dear husband is a sad sufferer, 
 and every bit of remedy or alleviation, in the way 
 of medicine, has been for some months entirely 
 finished. I have had two most severe attacks of 
 fever, one in August, and one in November. I only 
 began, to get out on Christmas Day, to the great 
 pleasure of our people, who said it would be no 
 Christmas at all if I were not with them. And I 
 have been getting better ever since, creeping up hill, 
 and falling by degrees into all my various duties ; 
 but recovering is slow work, when even a cup of 
 tea can now only be taken sparingly, by way of a 
 luxury, as very little is left. Goat meat and yams, 
 though good enough at other times, are not very 
 nourishing or congenial now, and the season is fear- 
 fully hot. We do sometimes feel weary and cast 
 down, and then cheer and comfort are given ; we are 
 mercifully helped on from day to day. Our Master’s 
 work is really going on ; faults, infirmities, falls, are 
 in our little church, but there are some truly travel- 
 ling heavenward. November was a month of trial ; 
 evil doings among some of the Christians were 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 261 
 
 revealed to us, and they were only sorry because 
 they were found out. Candidates for baptism were 
 unsatisfactory, and we were ready to cry, "We labour 
 in vain, and spend our strength for nought/ when 
 our merciful Father, instead of punishing us for our 
 murmuring and want of faith, gave us a wonderful 
 sign that He Himself was in our midst, to own, to 
 bless, to save, in the death-bed of one of our con- 
 verts, whose conduct had been consistent in the few 
 years since he joined himself to those who profess to 
 be on the Lord’s side. He left behind him a beauti- 
 ful testimony to the truth and reality of the religion 
 of the Gospel, calling the converts together, exhorting 
 them, and taking leave thus : ‘For me it is no more 
 hard ; through my Saviour the fight is fought ; 
 through my Saviour the battle is won ; and I now, 
 through His love, go to be with Him ; but for you, 
 my brethren, it is hard ; you have to go on in an 
 evil world, in a land where the devil is very strong ; 
 but hold on to Jesus, and all shall be well.’ The last 
 day he had strong convulsions, but, at intervals, 
 happy looks and words, and when he could no more 
 speak, on Olubi raising him, and asking if all was 
 still well, with a happy smile he pointed his finger 
 upwards, then folded his hands, as if in prayer, on 
 his chest, and left his companions only to say, 
 4 Blessed, indeed blessed, are those who die in the 
 Lord.’ It was a great comfort to us to have such 
 
262 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 . 
 
 a witness for the truth, and such a blessed entrance 
 given to the mansions above ; a soul safe from sin, 
 Satan, and the evils and cruelties of a heathen 
 land, of which none can have any idea but those 
 who live in it. Thus a new song was put in our 
 mouth, and in the refreshment of that we go on 
 our way. 
 
 “ There is a great talk that this war will come to 
 an end before many months. We try to hope it, and 
 if so, and we get a road and money and clothes for 
 our children, (of which there are plenty waiting at 
 Abeokuta) and everything to set all going comfort- 
 ably, we may by the end of this year reach England, 
 which refreshment we much need ; but if the war 
 lasts years, we cannot possibly leave, as far as we 
 now see. But we look to Him, and lean upon Him, 
 who is the Physician for body and soul, and who 
 can keep us in sickness or health, in pain, and war, 
 and troubles of various kinds, for His own good 
 purposes. We pray that we may not be weary or 
 faint, but seek only His will in all things, to go or to 
 stay, patiently and willingly.” 
 
 “March 3rd . — On the 13th February came our 
 precious six months’ mails ; I had fifty letters for 
 my share, and how happy was I. We are most for- 
 tunate, in all this war and confusion, that up to 
 this time we have received all our letters from 
 home. 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 2G3 
 
 “ There has been much small-pox among our 
 school-children, but all are going on nicely, it is 
 made nothing of in this country; it has been raging 
 in the town this year, and we know of only one 
 death. 
 
 “On January 15th, one of my little girls fell 
 from some steps outside our house, broke the inner 
 bone of the arm, and dislocated the wrist. We did 
 our best to put it to rights immediately; and because 
 we could not make splints, and did not like to wait, 
 my husband cut up the strong board cover of a 
 German book, and I bandaged it up. My lotion 
 was vinegar and water, and all went on admirably. 
 The third night she was in dreadful pain, but after 
 that she had no more. Those first nights I was very 
 anxious about her, not trusting my surgical doings ; 
 so I never left her, and would not let any one touch 
 her but myself for three days. After that, she was 
 very happy in my room, with her picture-book and 
 doll ; and when I released the bandages she could 
 again move her hand quite freely. I was greatly sur- 
 prised at the perfect cure; all now to be seen is 
 that the wrist is a little thicker than the other. So 
 we have been helped over this trouble. 
 
 “ I must tell you of a most useful gift. I have 
 three pairs of new shoes ! American shoes too, and 
 from further in the interior. An American Baptist 
 missionary sent me them from Oy-o ; they were his 
 
264 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 . 
 
 dear wife’s, who died four years ago, after having 
 been less than three months in Africa. Thus our 
 daily wants are supplied, even in such a matter as 
 shoes. Ah, how may we 
 
 ‘ Praise God for all that is past, 
 
 And trust Him for all that’s to come.’ 
 
 I am in good health, and my dear husband has 
 longer intervals of rest from his trying cough than 
 last year. If this war should end, and we could get 
 a few comforts and necessaries about us, we shall 
 almost forget weakness and want, and might yet be 
 able to go on a year or two longer here. How happy 
 this would make us, to carry on our work under 
 the more favourable circumstances of peace ; but we 
 shall be rightly directed to go or stay, I truly believe; 
 sueh goodness, such help, has mercifully been given 
 us. The war has been a sad hindrance to us in many 
 a way; preventing the completion of the second 
 station in this town, where Mr. Jeffries is residing, 
 and also the making of a third station, where a 
 native teacher lives. We have managed to build a 
 little house for him and his family lately ; he was 
 only in a borrowed room in a large compound, and 
 that was not so pleasant ; but as we and he have all 
 helped, we made it for very few cowries, and it will 
 be well worth what it has cost, even if we have to 
 make the proper place next year. We sadly want 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 265 
 
 the opening of the roads which the end of this war 
 will bring ; my children are so out of clothes, such 
 a shabby little party they are,' and there are so 
 many nice boxes waiting for us, clothes, books, and 
 slates, &c. ; when I think of it all, I am sure we 
 shall not have time to go home. I am nicely well, 
 if only my dear husband should get as well ! But 
 all will be rightly, wisely, kindly ordered for us. 
 Oh, how sweet it is to feel that every step is 
 ordered for us, if we only seek grace to walk 
 in it.” 
 
 There appeared to be good grounds for hope that 
 peace would be concluded after the taking of Ijaye, 
 which occurred in March, 1862, bringing such utter 
 destruction upon the place, that, within a year, 
 nothing but desolate and overgrown ruins remained 
 to mark the spot where a flourishing town, contain- 
 ing upwards of sixty thousand inhabitants, had so 
 lately stood. But, in the long contest, all the 
 surrounding tribes had become involved in disputes 
 with one another, some taking the part of Ibadan, 
 and others that of Ijaye. The seat of war was 
 eventually transferred to the Ijebu territory, which 
 extended over the greater part of the country 
 between Ibadan and the coast. The enemies of 
 Ibadan well knew that to isolate would be to 
 weaken it, and that to cut off its communication 
 with Lagos, the market from which its supplies of 
 
266 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 . 
 
 ammunition were procured, might issue in its 
 destruction. With this view, in fact, hostilities 
 were still carried on with more or less of activity, and 
 with varying success. 
 
 The effect of this new turn of affairs upon Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hinderer was to increase the difficulties of 
 their situation. To the number for whom it was 
 necessary to provide was now added Mr. Roper, 
 who had been sent out by the Church Missionary 
 Society, and was captured in the taking of Ijaye. 
 Mr. Jeffries, about the same time, returned to the 
 mission-house to be nursed through a severe attack 
 of fever. This fresh anxiety, and the increased 
 weight of daily care, pressed heavily upon Mrs. 
 Hinderer when she wrote again : — 
 
 “May 30th . — We are living just as we can, others 
 helping us, out of their poverty. We get a yam 
 here, and a yam there, and a little corn in the same 
 manner. One of our converts yesterday lent us 
 some cowries, which must, by pinching, last us 
 three or four weeks, if possible ; he had to borrow 
 them from a heathen friend, before he could lend 
 them to us. Dearest friends, you will think of us, 
 and long to help us, but there is nothing left for 
 your kind hearts to do for us, but to pray.” 
 
 The next letter was more cheerful : — 
 
 “August 15th . — I have a corner in the piazza, 
 which I call my study. It is a funny little place. 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 267 
 
 but very pleasant to me. Here I read and write, 
 and receive any favoured visitors. Where there is 
 wall, it is washed with a kind of red earth, but 
 where it is of boards, they are very rough, and over- 
 lap one another. I took it into my head a little while 
 ago to ornament it, for an amusement, and to enjoy 
 it afterwards ; so out of an old London News I have 
 got some pretty English scenes, domestic groups, 
 children, and animals, all of which are an immense 
 delight to my little and big children, and form a 
 never-ending subject of conversation when they are 
 admitted there.” 
 
 This last extract was from a letter written in 
 readiness for the earliest opportunity of sending 
 down to the coast, which occurred towards the end 
 of September. With it Mrs. Hinderer despatched 
 another letter, telling that they were cheered again 
 by a prospect of peace ; telling also of the death of 
 their young fellow-labourer, Mr. Jeffries. Worn 
 out with sickness and privations, he slept in peace 
 on the 22nd of September. “ The next morning 
 before five,” wrote Mrs. Hinderer, “ we committed all 
 that remained of him to the grave, by lamp-light, 
 in the blessed hope of everlasting life.” From that 
 time Mr. Roper took charge of the Ogunpa station 
 of the Ibadan mission, until his return to England 
 in 1865. 
 
 In the midst of so many and varied trials, it is 
 
268 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. [186a. 
 
 pleasant to read of literary occupations beguiling 
 the time, and turning it to account : — 
 
 “ November V7th . — My husband is much interested 
 in translating the ‘ Pilgrim’s Progress/ We indulge 
 in the hope of taking it home to print before long, 
 and we think it will be particularly interesting and 
 useful to our Africans. This work has been a great 
 pleasure to him, and helps to reconcile him to the 
 quiet life he has been obliged to lead of late. 
 Through Gods mercy, I do not think I have had 
 even a day’s ailing since last November. Pray for 
 us, and give thanks also, for God’s mercy endureth 
 for ever.” 
 
 The hope of peace was much diminished in De- 
 cember, and the perplexities of daily life were on 
 the increase. Happily faith could still discern and 
 trust the mercy of God : — 
 
 tc December 9th . — We and our people have sold 
 everything which we can turn into money, and the 
 thought and burden of all that is upon us is getting 
 almost more than we can bear. A few days ago I 
 did get cast down, but our gracious God was mer- 
 ciful to us, as He ever is; our troubles are many, 
 but His support is mighty. My dear husband’s state 
 is most serious; some nights ago he had hours of 
 fearful coughing, and every moment seemed as if it 
 might be his last ; and we have not the least, the 
 simplest, remedy to relieve him. He was much ex- 
 
1862 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 269 
 
 hausted for two or three days, and one of onr people, 
 who could ill afford it, brought us a bag of cowries 
 (about one pound’s worth), and told us to take it and 
 use it freely to buy meat and more strengthening 
 things than beans, &c., which we are generally con- 
 tent with. That bag of cowries, which was to have 
 been for our comfort, and especially for my poor 
 husband, we had to give up, to rescue the daughter 
 of the scripture-reader of Awaye from being sold. 
 [She had been captured by the Ibadan people.] I 
 nearly cried, yet we were thankful we had it, and 
 could thus rescue the poor girl ; and so gracious, and 
 merciful, and faithful has our God been, that we 
 have, after all, been living better than for some time 
 past. We sold a counterpane, and a few yards of 
 damask which had been overlooked by us ; so that 
 we indulge every now and then in one hundred 
 cowries’ worth of meat (about one pennyworth), and 
 such a morsel seems like a little feast to us in these 
 days. I have been buying to-day ten baskets of 
 corn, and hope to buy five more to-morrow, for our 
 children especially ; and I was sadly afraid I could 
 not even buy one basket in store this season ; and so, 
 time after time, is our want of faith put to shame, 
 and also our faith revived and strengthened. Those 
 baskets of corn are such a delightful sight to me this 
 evening, that I can scarcely help running just to 
 take a look at them, and be thankful. 
 
270 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1862 - 4 . 
 
 “ I have made out an almanack, by the help of the 
 Prayer-book; I shall gladly throw it away if the 
 proper ones reach us by some good chance. 
 
 “ This letter, if it reaches you, will have gone from 
 here to Lagos such a roundabout way, twenty-five 
 days’ journey at least, instead of three; but these 
 people are inveterate traders and walkers ; where 
 they can buy and sell, there is not a distance which 
 will prevent their going.” 
 
 The last days of 1862 were brightened by a visit 
 from Captain J. P. L. Davis and the Rev. J. A. 
 Lamb, from Lagos, and the Rev. G. F. Biihler, from 
 Abeokuta. They had made their way to Ibadan 
 with much difficulty, in the hope of being able to 
 promote the restoration of peace, and at least to 
 relieve the pressffig necessities of the missionaries. 
 But their negotiations were unsuccessful, and there 
 was a long pause between the report of this generous 
 though unavailing effort for their relief, and the 
 next tidings of Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer which reached 
 their anxious friends in England. When at length 
 they wrote, it was only to tell of renewed dis- 
 appointment. Who can wonder that they some- 
 times experienced the truth of the words of wis- 
 dom, “ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick V 
 During the next two years several attempts were 
 made by the missionary brethren at Abeokuta and 
 Lagos to send succour and relief to them, but with 
 
1863 - 4 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 271 
 
 little or no success. Letters sometimes passed 
 safely to or from the coast, but other supplies were 
 almost always intercepted. On one occasion Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hinderer were tantalized by a handful of tea 
 being brought in to them from the bush, telling a 
 tale of help which had travelled some distance, but 
 had failed at last to reach them. The Governor of 
 Lagos, Captain Glover, RN., was unwearied in his 
 efforts to relieve them, and three times was on the 
 point of penetrating to Ibadan himself ; but he was 
 absolutely refused permission to pass through the 
 Ijebu country. 
 
 The utter isolation in which Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer 
 were thus left was a great aggravation of their trial 
 through this prolonged affliction. But their hearts 
 were stayed on God; His presence cheered their 
 saddest days, and through His grace their faith 
 failed not. 
 
 Few and scanty were the letters of 1863 and 1864. 
 There was no heart to write, till the rare opportunity 
 of sending off letters actually arrived, and then there 
 was but time for few and hurried words; or, if a 
 letter was written in anticipation of some happy 
 chance, there might be long delay before it could be 
 despatched, and then only by circuitous routes and 
 uncertain means. Many letters, in fact, were lost 
 during that period, while others did not reach their 
 destination till long after they were due. One, for 
 
272 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1863 - 4 . 
 
 example, dated January, 1864, was not received in 
 England until the following October. Of direct mis- 
 sionary work there was little to relate. The war 
 proved a hindrance to each new scheme devised for 
 assembling and instructing the people. Preaching 
 in the streets was impracticable. Of his experience 
 in visiting from house to house Mr. Hinderer wrote: 
 — “ The first word may be the Gospel, but the second 
 or third is sure to have to turn to this all-absorbing 
 war/’ A new week-day service, in a distant part of 
 the town, was tried, but shortly afterwards a press- 
 gang system was brought into action, and the people 
 feared to show themselves. The plan of visiting and 
 assembling the people in farms outside the town was, 
 for the same reason, equally fruitless. Little remained 
 to be done except to carry on the regular Sunday 
 and week-day services. 
 
 Mr. Hinderer gladly turned the leisure time thus 
 forced upon him to profit for his people, by con- 
 tinuing his translations, until another difficulty, 
 resulting from the war, brought this good work 
 to an end. Paper became so scarce that he almost 
 grudged the use of a scrap for making notes for 
 his sermons. His letters were written on paper cut 
 out of old blank books, partly eaten by white ants, 
 and even the fly-leaves of printed books were soon 
 exhausted. 
 
 Meanwhile the school- work could not be carried 
 
] 863 - 4 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 273 
 
 on satisfactorily, the children being in some measure 
 scattered abroad ; and there was but a scanty supply 
 of books and school-materials for the use of those 
 who were able to attend. The slates were broken, 
 and the little girls could learn no more sewing, for 
 the contents of the work-box were at last reduced to 
 two rusty needles, and half a ball of cotton, too pre- 
 cious to be used by any one except “ Iya ” herself. 
 
 These details, trifling in themselves, may yet serve 
 the purpose of filling up the picture of this life of 
 privation, and almost of destitution. A few further 
 particulars will be found in the following letters, 
 which show also the unfailing patience and cheerful 
 submission of spirit with which these varied and 
 perplexing difficulties were met : — 
 
 “March 1 6th, 1863. — We liv< a day at a time; 
 we eat to-day, and trust for to-morrow. The prayer, 
 
 * Give us this day our daily bread,’ is not unanswered. 
 All are busy planting their farms, and, thank God ! 
 there is a good prospect of plenty of food ; rains are 
 beginning, and corn already, five days after planting, 
 shoots up, and in June we shall be eating it. We 
 feel your prayers are answered every day on our 
 behalf, in the care and love and presence and com- 
 fort given. We are not yet delivered, but kept and 
 even comforted in our trial in a land of captivity.” 
 “September 29th . — In August we had the joy of 
 receiving precious packets of letters, and with them 
 
 18 
 
274 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1864 . 
 
 dollars and calico, and things to sell for cowries, and 
 a little tea, and other comforts for ourselves. Food 
 too is plentiful, and very cheap, and cowries are 
 much more in circulation than last year, so we feel 
 quite rich again, and I hope truly thankful. It is 
 an utter impossibility for us to get away till this 
 war is ended, and I see no chance of that now ; but 
 being so mercifully helped again, I hope we are 
 enabled to bear our trials better, and are more cheer- 
 ful and happy than we were inclined to be a year 
 ago ; and oh, it is such a comfort, we are sent here, 
 put here. We met with some lines by Trench, on 
 Sunday evening, which were quite refreshing ; they 
 begin thus : — 
 
 ‘ Thou cam’st not to thy place by accident, 
 
 It is the very place God meant for thee, 
 
 And should’ st thou here small scope for action see, 
 
 Do not for this give room to discontent.’ 
 
 “ And so here we are. The Lord give us to feel 
 the privilege of doing or suffering His holy will. 
 Six years, next month, since we left England this last 
 time. I wonder how many more it may be before 
 we see it again.” 
 
 “March 22nd , 1864. — I have a new occupation 
 now. About seven weeks ago a little babe of a oout 
 six: months was put out by a brook in some gi ass ; 
 whether because it is a slave, or its mother died, or 
 an idol priest ordered it, we have no idea. No one 
 
1864 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 275 
 
 in the whole town w r ould dare to take it, and it 
 remained there three nights and days, in the night 
 shrieking bitterly (which effectually frightened the 
 wild beasts away), in the day comforted by every 
 mother who passed by giving it suck. As soon as 
 we heard of it, we took it, and are bringing it up 
 by hand. It has been quite ill from all the changes, 
 and the night dew giving it cough, so that our poor 
 little baby gives us much trouble and anxiety. As 
 she will only take to myself and my eldest girl, she 
 fills my hands extremely. She is very passionate, 
 but when better, she can laugh with us, and seems 
 clinging. We love her very much. We call her 
 ‘ Eyila,’ which means 'this has escaped/ or 'is 
 saved/ 
 
 “ Oh, dearest friends, this sad war will not let us 
 meet. I did hope by this spring-time to be in your 
 midst ; but our Father knows where we are, and 
 why ; I am thankful for the gift of a more reconciled 
 spirit, submissive to all, feeling that His hand, His 
 providence, is at work, though we may seem in the 
 dark sometimes, and tried, and tossed, and dis- 
 couraged.” 
 
 “ November 18 th . — About five weeks since I had 
 such an attack of fever as I should have thought 
 only a new-comer could have had, and such as I 
 have not had for some years. I thought at one time 
 I was to have a short journey home, the gates of 
 
 18 — 2 
 
276 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1861 . 
 
 which, through the love and mercy of Jesus, no one 
 could shut. I wonder that I should have liked 
 coming back to the storms and sorrows of life, but I 
 did like the thought of working in better times in this 
 country, and my dear husband seemed to want me, 
 and a few people and children in Ibadan; and I 
 should like to reach England once more first, and 
 see dear friends and faces, and get refreshed in body 
 and soul, and then to come back to work with fresh 
 heart and zeal. We do get so cast down at times, 
 we are so let and hindered in our work, our hearts 
 faint, and our hands hang down. No materials for 
 our schools, not even a Bible for each child, and we 
 have such hard work and toil in only just holding 
 things together ; yet again we are comforted in the 
 thought that we are not altogether useless, and we 
 are enabled in the dark hour to stay ourselves upon 
 our God, and receive innumerable helps and comforts 
 from Him, our faithful covenant-keeping God. And 
 we are very cheerful too, though sorrowful some- 
 times. My little black boys and girls are doing 
 well on the whole, and my blackest of black babies 
 is very flourishing, and a real pleasure to us, always 
 ready to come to ‘ Iya.’ She can call me f Iya’ now, 
 though she makes no farther progress in talking, 
 and none in walking, her feet are so tiny. She could 
 not understand my being ill, and when I could not 
 take her. she would sit on my bed and play, and if I 
 
1865 .] 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 277 
 
 say, 4 Kiss Iya,’ she throws her pretty little arms round 
 me, and kisses me, and laughs, as much amused.” 
 
 Soon after the close of another year of trial, she 
 wrote as follows : — 
 
 “January 1 4th, 1865. — Because there is only 
 time to write a scrap, and my heart longs to send 
 you a letter, I am almost tempted to leave it for a 
 better opportunity, but I do not like that either ; so 
 I send just what I can, and not what I would. Just 
 now we hear of a person starting in an hour for 
 Lagos, how or where we cannot tell, and I sit down 
 for many such like scraps to let our dear and 
 anxious friends hear of us, though we have no 
 better news. We are both very poorly, so exhausted 
 by the long stay, and we cannot get out till war is 
 done ; and it is such a sickly, dry season ; we feel 
 sometimes so weak in the morning, after a night of 
 fever, that we say, "Well, this day we must do 
 nothing, but just try to keep ourselves alive/ but 
 the day brings its work, and with it its cheer some- 
 times, as well as its care, and we rejoice in the even- 
 ing coolness. We have had close and private ex- 
 amination and conversation with our dear people, at 
 the close of 1864, and are much cheered and com- 
 forted, though we add none to our numbers. Our 
 young men are truly hopeful, we see much of a real 
 work of grace in their hearts.” 
 
 Those who look back along the course of these 
 
278 
 
 TRIALS IN WAR-TIME. 
 
 [ 1865 . 
 
 five years of native warfare, with all the conse- 
 quences which ensued to the European missionaries, 
 cannot but admire their faith and comparative cheer- 
 fulness, and adore the goodness of God who gave 
 them all their strength by the continual presence 
 and help of His upholding and sanctifying Spirit. 
 Under the combined influences of a pestilential 
 climate, extreme privation, and anxiety of mind, their 
 health was constantly wasting and wearing out, and 
 with it was declining the power of sustaining the 
 work of Christ in Ibadan. But it is seen throughout, 
 that God cares for His children as a gracious Father, 
 and comforts them when they are cast down. To 
 this alone is to be attributed that prevalent sub- 
 mission and trust which pervade this otherwise sad 
 history of painful experiences. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. LAST YEARS IN 
 IBADAN. 
 
 “ Look not behind ; seek to recal no more 
 The long dark shadows of past grief and fear ; 
 
 Look not beyond, thou canst not see the shore 
 Now through the gloom, yet may the port be near. 
 
 Let vain regrets and sad forebodings cease, 
 
 He will give strength and peace.” 
 
 An unexpected opportunity of deliverance out of 
 Ibadan was presented to the missionaries in the month 
 of April, 1865. Their kind friend, the Governor of 
 Lagos, had set his heart on devising some plan for 
 their rescue, and he found a trustworthy volunteer 
 in Captain Maxwell, who undertook the charge of 
 the expedition. Accordingly, in company with a few 
 chosen men, and avoiding the ordinary route, this 
 brave young officer cut a new pathway through the 
 bush, and after a tedious journey, arrived one night 
 at the mission-house at Ibadan, with supplies of 
 food, and a hammock for the conveyance of Mrs. 
 
280 
 
 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 [ 1865 . 
 
 Hinderer. He urged the necessity of starting on 
 the return journey the next morning at day-break, 
 before the enemy could discover the new track. 
 There was little time for thought or preparation. 
 Prompt decision and action were necessary. It was 
 agreed that the mission could not be left to itself at 
 a moments notice, and that Mr. Hinderer must there- 
 fore remain at his post for the present ; but it was 
 no less clearly Mrs. Hinderer s duty to make use of 
 the means of escape thus mercifully brought within 
 her reach, and the trial of parting thus suddenly 
 from her husband was softened by the hope that he 
 would shortly be able to rejoin her. 
 
 It was now ten o’clock, and the travellers were to 
 be on their way at five in the morning. Mrs. Hin- 
 derer spent the night in preparing for her journey 
 to the coast and for the voyage to England, and in 
 giving directions for the comfort of her household. 
 The children were not told that their “ Iya ” was to 
 be taken from them, lest their grief should add to 
 her distress, and unfit her for the exertions which 
 must be made in those few precious hours. But 
 Konigbagbe learned how matters stood, and her 
 anxiety on account of her beloved mistress was not 
 pacified until she had obtained permission to accom- 
 pany her to Lagos. In another hour she appeared, 
 equipped for the journey, with her bundle on her 
 head. 
 
1865 .] 
 
 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 281 
 
 The morning came, and the children awoke to 
 learn the sorrow and loss which awaited them. 
 Many bitter tears were shed, when Mrs. Hinderer 
 entered her hammock, and the little band of travellers 
 set forth. By forced marches they accomplished a 
 six days' circuitous journey in a little more than 
 three, notwithstanding the difficulties and perils to 
 which they were exposed. The roughness of the 
 path often made it necessary for Mrs. Hinderer to 
 walk for a considerable distance ; in some parts, as 
 they advanced, they found the track already over- 
 grown, and scarcely to be distinguished ; and at 
 times they passed within hearing of the voices of 
 the enemy. On the third morning, having reason 
 to fear that they were pursued, they left an un- 
 touched meal, and marched on for hours in hunger 
 and unbroken silence. On the fourth day they 
 entered Lagos, worn and weary, but with a deep 
 sense of the mercies which they had received in the 
 protecting care of God. 
 
 The poor girl Konigbagbe, unused to such travel- 
 ling, had suffered dreadfully by the way, her feet 
 were torn and swollen ; but she had carefully con- 
 cealed her sufferings from her mistress, and felt that 
 she was amply repaid by being permitted to minister 
 to her to the last, and having seen her embark on 
 board the next steamer for England, she returned to 
 Ibadan. 
 
282 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. [1866. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer arrived at Liverpool on the 18th of 
 May. Two months later, Mr. Hinderer, having 
 arranged matters in some measure to his satisfaction 
 at Ibadan, was also enabled to return to England, 
 leaving the mission under the care of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Smith, missionaries from Badagry. 
 
 After staying some time in London, for commu- 
 nication with the Church Missionary Society, and for 
 the transaction of business connected with the 
 mission, they spent the autumn at Halesowen, and 
 made visits in other places, increasing an interest in 
 their work wherever they went. At this time Mr. 
 Hinderer was much occupied in completing his 
 translation of the Pilgrim’s Progress, and pre- 
 paring a book of hymns in the Yoruban language, 
 many of them original, and the rest translated 
 from the English. Under medical advice, re- 
 quired by Mr. Hinderer’s state of health, they 
 passed the winter in the south of England, 
 and the first two months of 1866 found them at 
 Dawlish, where they experienced much kindness 
 formed new friendships, and received a lasting me- 
 morial of the interest they had excited, by the gift 
 of a harmonium for the church at Ibadan, and of 
 clothing and other presents for the children. Early 
 in the spring they quitted Dawlish, and having 
 visited friends at Bedford, and in various parts of 
 Norfolk, rested for a while at Lowestoft. The home 
 
1866 .] 
 
 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. 
 
 283 
 
 in that town, which had endeared it to Mrs. Hin- 
 derer, had long since bee.n broken up; and full 
 as the place was of associations both sacred and 
 happy, there was also a mournful consciousness 
 that its strongest attractions had passed away. 
 The news of Mr. Cunningham’s death had reached 
 her in Ibadan in 1863, but no reference to that 
 event has been found in any of the letters available 
 for this memoir, nor is any help supplied by her 
 journal, in which she had ceased to make any entries 
 soon after the commencement of the native war. 
 But her latest letters to him had abounded in 
 expressions of sympathy, on account of his fail- 
 ing health and his consequent withdrawal in 
 great measure from the ministerial work which was 
 so dear to his heart; and this volume contains 
 abundant testimony to the warmth of her gratitude 
 and love to that invaluable friend, and to her appre- 
 ciation of his noble and holy character. 
 
 During their stay in England, Mr. and Mrs. Hin- 
 derer frequently received letters from their home 
 in Africa. The first which reached them after Mr. 
 Hinderer’s return, brought tidings of the death of 
 Arubo, whom eleven years before they had rescued 
 from starvation, and whom they had brought up in 
 the mission-school; and while at Lowestoft they 
 heard that another lamb had been taken from their 
 little dock to the fold of the Good Shepherd, little 
 
284 SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. [1866. 
 
 Eyila, whom, from the time Mrs. Hinderer had 
 received her as a baby, she had nurtured and 
 cherished with a mother's love. The news of her 
 death brought with it the deepest sorrow. Opening 
 her heart to a friend, she exclaimed : — 
 
 “ May 1 5th . — My sweet, my darling Eyila, has 
 left earth and gone to her Saviour in heaven. She 
 died of small-pox, March 14th. Her last words to 
 her faithful nurse, Abayomi, were, ‘ Come, let us go 
 home, I am going home, I am going home, but too 
 much thorn in the road, too much thorn/ Sweet 
 little babe, the thorns are passed, and she is at rest 
 and peace with Jesus, who will show me my babe 
 again, my dear Eyila. But I do feel it exceed- 
 ingly, and so does my husband. We came here to 
 this dear old place last Thursday, and I feel it so 
 sad, so empty, so strange ; and now that my little 
 babe is gone, my African home will seem so bereft. 
 Arubo gone, and dear Eyila. ‘ How grows in Para- 
 dise our store f One of the children wrote me word, 
 ‘ Baby used to sing so sweetly, “ Ogini fun Babba,” 
 — the " Gloria Patti/’ and one day sang part of it 
 when she was ill, and could not get further/ ” 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer had parted with this much-loved 
 child just twelve months before, not knowing that 
 she then looked upon her for the last time. 
 The little one could not understand her absence at 
 first, and on the morning after her departure came 
 
1866.] SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND. 285 
 
 joyfully into Mr. Hinderer’s room, thinking her Iya 
 would he waiting to give her the usual greeting ; 
 but when her bright eyes looked for her in vain, 
 she climbed on Mr. Hinderer’s knee, and throwing 
 her arms round his neck, sobbed convulsively. She 
 could only explain her grief by leading him to the 
 door, to make another vain search for her Iya on 
 the road by which she had seen her set out. They 
 were to meet again, not on earth but in their 
 Father’s courts. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer wrote more calmly, May 29th : — 
 
 “ I think much of my little Eyila, and the blank 
 of not meeting her when I get back to Africa ; but 
 it is indeed well for her, and though I shall sadly 
 miss her, I can be truly thankful she should escape 
 all the sorrows, cares, and sins of life." 
 
 In June, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer went to Wur- 
 temberg to visit their relations, and afterwards 
 stayed a month at Heiden, a little village in a 
 beautiful situation overlooking the Lake of Con- 
 stance. In September they were again in London, 
 where a few weeks were fully occupied in prepa- 
 ration for their return to Africa. 
 
 The last Sunday in England, the 20th of October, 
 was spent at Halesowen Rectory. The eagerness 
 and joy with which they were looking for- 
 ward to a return to their work was observed by 
 all as most remarkable, after the privations and 
 
286 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. [1866. 
 
 sufferings they had endured (during the years 
 of their seclusion in Ibadan. But to the work of 
 Christ in that town they had given their hearts, 
 and devoted their lives ; and now they were 
 animated by the hope of resuming it with renewed 
 strength, and with fresh zeal and vigour of purpose. 
 On that Sunday, Mrs. Hinderer gave a short farewell 
 address to the children in the school, ending by 
 requesting them to do for her what St. Paul asked 
 of the Corinthians, “Ye also helping together by 
 prayer for us.” 
 
 On the 24th of October they set sail for Africa, in 
 the “ Calabar,” and after an unusually quick passage, 
 arrived at Lagos on the 19th of November. The 
 following letter gives an account of the voyage, and 
 of their reception in Ibadan, which they reached by 
 the road through the Ijebu country, which was 
 open to them through the influence of the Governor 
 of Lagos : — 
 
 “Dec. 29th . — We had a very favoured voyage, and 
 reached Lagos on the 19th ult. I had a good share 
 of sea-sickness, but was not so thoroughly ill as 
 before. It was very sweet to think of you all 
 praying for us, and our gracious God heard and 
 answered. We rested a short time there, and then 
 prepared our things for the interior. About forty 
 Ibadan people came to carry them for us. We slept 
 one night at Ikorodu, and then began our three 
 
RUSTIC BRIDGE IN THE IJEBU COUNTRY. Page 286. 
 
1866 - 7 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 287 
 
 days’ land journey, which was very well accom- 
 plished, except that on the second day my husband 
 had an attack of fever, and being worse the next 
 day, was obliged to rest many times, which made 
 us arrive late in Ibadan, to the disappointment of a 
 great many. All the church people had come out 
 some miles on the road, and the children could not 
 eat for excitement. Late as we were, some of them 
 waited, and the shouts and screams, who can 
 describe ? As we neared our dwelling, the children 
 burst forth in singing, ‘ How beautiful upon the 
 mountains and as we went up the steps of our 
 house, they sang, * Welcome home.’ It was very 
 pretty of them. Our house was filled for days. I 
 had much to do, for our things had got wet, having 
 been carried up in baskets. In our absence, the 
 white ants took a fancy to our bed-room, and I did 
 not know it. One portmanteau had been covered 
 with tarpaulin, so I knew that it could not be wet, 
 and did not mean to open it for some time, but 
 wanting something out of it, after three days I 
 opened it, and oh, the dismay! you can hardly 
 imagine the scene, my dresses were completely eaten 
 through, and the linen also.” 
 
 On Thursday, December 27th, Mr. and Mrs. Him 
 derer gave a feast and presents to the school-chil- 
 dren, and after morning service, on the first day of 
 the new year, they provided dinner for the converts. 
 
283 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 The opening of the year 1867 found Mrs. Hinderer 
 already suffering from fever, but at the close of the 
 month she was able to write to friends in Eng- 
 land : — 
 
 “Jan. 80 th. — I am but slowly recovering from 
 such a severe attack as I hardly ever experienced. 
 People try to encourage me by saying, having had 
 this, I may expect unusual health. It has been a 
 great trial and disappointment to be so very ill, and 
 still to remain so weak ; there seems so much to be 
 done, which only I can do. It was a great comfort 
 to have my husband recovered before my illness 
 began; his hands are more than full, with five 
 classes in a week, beside services, but he is happy if 
 only strength may be given. 
 
 “ I miss my Konigbagbe sadly; she has a little 
 ugly baby, but as good-tempered as herself, and she 
 and her husband go on very well. Mrs. Olubi 
 has her hands full with her four children, and 
 assisting me in the sewing-school. They are all 
 delighted at having us back.” 
 
 A letter from Mr. Hinderer, written about this 
 time, introduces the story of a child to whom frequent 
 reference will be found in subsequent quotations, 
 but of whom these particulars are not given in Mrs. 
 Hinderer ’s own letters. 
 
 His letter is dated : — 
 
 “Jan. olst. — My dear wife probably has men- 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 289 
 
 tioned the baptism of eighteen adults, three lads, 
 and four children. Most of them have rejoiced my 
 heart on examining them, especially a boy of about 
 eight years of age, whom I wanted to wait till he 
 was a little older, fearing that he was too young to 
 make up his mind as to whom he would serve. But 
 he went to his guardian, a relation of his, who re- 
 deemed him from slavery, and is himself a convert, 
 saying, ‘ You must take me to the white man, and 
 beg for me, and tell him I am not too young to serve 
 God; I will not serve the devil; Jesus I want to 
 follow, and I want to be baptized now/ He told 
 his grandmother of his intention, the poor old 
 woman was very angry ; whereupon he told her all 
 he knew about Jesus, how He suffered and died for 
 us. The woman was not to be moved. The boy 
 burst out crying, and said, ‘ How can it be possible 
 for people to hear such good words and not to be- 
 lieve V Who shall hinder that such should not be 
 baptized ? He was baptized by the name of Samuel, 
 which he himself chose.” 
 
 In the following letters, Mrs. Hinderer continues 
 the story of their life, with its numerous occupations 
 and interests, and gives instances of the various 
 ways in which the Word of God was heard and 
 received by many, who bore witness to the truth 
 of it in their dying hours. 
 
 “ Feb. 21st . — Thank God, I am now getting into 
 
 19 
 
290 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 work again. Three of the boys are learning the 
 harmonium ; it is a work of patience, in a hot country, 
 only to have to hear it. I have Akielle and Oyebode 
 every morning for lessons, general history, geography, 
 Nicholls’ Help, &c., the girls for sewing from twelve 
 to two o’clock, and I am now forming a class of 
 women who live near us, to teach them to sew, once 
 a week. These are some of the regular doings, and the 
 irregular may be called legion ; doctoring, mending, 
 housekeeping, receiving visitors. Ogunyomi I use 
 in the house ; her temper is her great trial, but we 
 get on, and she has love in her heart which helps 
 through. I give her reading and writing lessons 
 every evening, except Monday and Saturday, with 
 two or three other girls. Olubi has been to Abeo- 
 kuta, as his mother was in her dying illness. He 
 had the satisfaction of attending and comforting 
 her in her last days upon earth, and seeing her de- 
 part in peace, in full faith and trust in her Lord and 
 Saviour. 
 
 “Poor Arubo, they say, when he had seen the 
 last of me, burst into floods of tears, and bye and 
 bye exclaimed, ‘I shall never see Iya in Ibadan 
 again but I think he did not expect us to return, 
 on account of the great trials we had through the 
 war. We have a good many growing up around us 
 now, and we have many an anxiety concerning them. 
 However, we must work on, waiting for fruit.” 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 291 
 
 “April 2nd . — We have had such a month of 
 awful sickness in the town, death in every house, 
 small-pox quite a pestilence, and no rain. The heat 
 is intense, it is a weariness to look day by day at 
 the cloudless sky, but we had one shower the night 
 before last, which, I trust, will do some good, yet 
 we thirst for more. Two white head-ties, from 
 Dawlish, adorned the heads of two young brides 
 yesterday. Susanna Abayomi was one, the girl who 
 minded my dear little Eyila, so well. 
 
 “ You might almost hear a pin drop to-day, the 
 town is so quiet. It is the second burial for Bashorun 
 [the head chief]. His horse is to be killed on his 
 grave; no market is allowed. At twelve o’clock 
 feasting is to begin, and thousands will go to it. 
 They may steal and do as they like to-day without 
 being punished, in honour of Bashorun. Such are 
 their schemes to bury the thought of death ; they 
 eat, drink, and fire guns, that death may not be 
 what it really is after all — a fear and terror to them.” 
 
 “April 30 th. — ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is be- 
 coming much appreciated by our people. My class 
 of women on Sunday afternoons are greedy for it ; 
 we each read a paragraph, and talk about it ; and on 
 the Sunday evenings, after a little Scripture- repeating, 
 and hymn-singing, I read it with my girls, and D. 
 with the boys ; they are perfectly charmed. Ogun- 
 yomi is suffering fearfully from a whitlow: she said 
 
 19—2 
 
292 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 * 
 
 if we could always read Pilgrim she might forget 
 the pain. Their open mouths and exclamations, 
 when the full meaning of something in it presents 
 itself vividly before them, are most entertaining. 
 Many are preparing their money to buy it, and then 
 it will go to farms and houses, and be quite the 
 family book, but it is a little expensive for them ; 
 three shillings, or four thousand cowries ! and food 
 is very dear, from a scarcity of rain last year, and 
 none yet this year. All the newly-planted corn is 
 dried up, and the yams in a poor condition.” 
 
 “ June 6 10th . — Our whole town is in an uproar, 
 for seven days making the annual feast for Egungun, 
 so-called spirits from the other world. The eating 
 and drinking, dancing, and drumming, are awful. 
 Next will come the worship of the god of the farms, 
 when all will eat new yams ; after which we have 
 peaceful nights again for months. In the midst of 
 all this noise and confusion, these dark and evil 
 doings, our dear Lucy Fagbeade, Ogunyomi’s mother, 
 fell asleep in Jesus. She was a very sincere woman, 
 who extremely disliked much talking and noise 
 about things in religion. On the third day before 
 her death, some of the Christians gathered round 
 her, and asked what she saw. Poor Lucy was 
 vexed, and spoke roughly, ‘ I see nothing/ and 
 again, * I shall see when I have done with earth, 
 and not till then/ Afterwards, when alone with 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 293 
 
 me, she said, ‘ Oh, Iya, I have no faith in what 
 people say they can see, all my hope is in the blood 
 of Jesus to wash me clean ; I can only go behind 
 Jesus, and beg Him to beg God for me/ and she 
 covered her face with her hands, as if she would 
 hide herself then and there. She was conscious to 
 the last minute ; within the last quarter of an hour, 
 with great difficulty of speech and breathing, taking 
 my hand, and smiling, she said, "Iya, thank you, 
 thank you ; it is hard, but I am not alone / and 
 pointed upwards. Her dear minister’s visits to her 
 room were always pleasant to her, and often, in the 
 night, she would ask for a short prayer, from her 
 husband or daughter ; and in suffering, a few verses 
 from ‘ God’s Book’ always comforted and soothed 
 her. Eleven years ago we redeemed her from 
 slavery, when she was apparently sick unto death, 
 that her child might nurse her, and soothe her dying 
 hours ; and God has spared her eleven years, and 
 redeemed her soul by the precious blood of Christ, 
 and has now taken her to dwell with Him for ever. 
 God be praised ! She lived in the compound, be- 
 came cook for the children, and was always useful, 
 cheerful, happy, and thankful. Ogunyomi feels her 
 mother’s death, they were so much attached to one 
 another ; but all the mercies shown to her, her simple 
 Christian life after so many years of dark heathen 
 
294 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 practices, and her happy death, soften her mourning, 
 and make her happy in the midst of all. 
 
 “ I have little Bertha Olubi to live with me for 
 the present. I like a little child about the house, it 
 is so cheerful, and she is happy enough and trouble- 
 some enough too sometimes. I always think that 
 the trouble of a child is rather good for my nature 
 and disposition. Her little woolly head is the most 
 difficult to keep neat. Their heads, when their 
 mothers cannot do them, are done by regular hair- 
 plaiters in the town, which has to last some weeks 
 without being undone ; which plan I do not approve, 
 so I make my girls plait their hair once a week. I 
 do Bertha’s after a fashion of my own. You must 
 use a great wooden comb, and drag it through the 
 hair straight upwards ! then I part it down the 
 middle, and three or four places on each side, and 
 then take each little tuft, and drag and plait it as 
 tight as possible, and it hangs down in many short 
 little plaited tails. It would hurt you and me, but 
 their hard heads are used to it, and Bertha often 
 falls asleep while I am doing it ! 
 
 “ Many strangers come to church on Sunday, to 
 see if it is true that many of their townspeople 
 have joined the Christian religion. A few Sundays 
 ago seven persons were baptised. In one we were 
 particularly interested ; a blacksmith, who seems to 
 have partaken of the true change, and on whom the 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 2.95 
 
 Spirit of Life has breathed. Okusehinde, one of 
 our scripture readers, was the means of bringing 
 him into the blessed fold. We have ninety-six 
 communicants; at our last, eighty-eight were pre- 
 sent, and those absent were ill, or in other towns. 
 So we have much to make us hope, but we are 
 longing to see new ones coming forward to enlist on 
 the Lord’s side.” 
 
 The following account of “ A Sunday in Africa ” 
 was written by Mrs. Hinderer for the Church 
 Sunday School Magazine. 
 
 . . “ Though our house and church are surrounded 
 by heathen neighbours, some friendly to us, and 
 some not, I always feel there is a good deal of 
 respect shown to us and our day, by these same 
 heathen people. We are very rarely annoyed by 
 any one coming to offer anything to sell on that day ; 
 there is far less noise around us than on other days. 
 Some very near to us have given up, of their own 
 accord, using their cloth-dyeing establishments, and 
 little markets, going to other occupations further off, 
 and this not from any request on our part, for we 
 did not feel we had the least right to ask it of them. 
 Our quiet orderly services seem of themselves to 
 procure respect — so different from anything of their 
 own, whether heathen or Mohammedan. 
 
 “ Our church is very simple, but quite neat, 
 70 feet by SO, its hard, stony, mud walls straight 
 
29 G 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 and smooth, coloured with a pale red wash ; 
 containing benches fastened in the ground, neat 
 communion-table, rails, and pulpit, cut and manu- 
 factured by Africans, under our superintendence. 
 We also moulded a very pretty font, forming it as 
 well and as neatly as we could with wet clay ; we 
 painted it white. 
 
 “ How very cheering is the sound of our first bell, 
 at half-past eight on Sunday morning, rung so 
 cheerfully and heartily by one of our little African 
 boys ! The bell is on the outside of the church at 
 one end, with a neat little roof of boards over it, to 
 protect it from the hot sun and heavy rains ; this 
 also takes off the barn-like look our church might 
 otherwise have from its thatched roof. We have 
 plenty of air and light, many windows without 
 glass, the shutters always open, only closed at night 
 and in heavy rains. A heavy tornado does trouble 
 us sometimes ; the storm is so furious that prayer or 
 preaching has to cease for about a quarter of an 
 hour, as there would be no possibility of a word 
 being heard. 
 
 “ The first bell rings at half-past eight : from then 
 till a few minutes before nine, when the second bell 
 rings, we can look out and see our people coming, 
 with their nice English bags of coloured print, or 
 their own grass bags, on their heads, containing 
 their books ; some with only the Primer, others. 
 
3867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 297 
 
 more advanced in the new art of reading, with 
 various portions of the Word of God ; St. Luke, the 
 Psalms, Proverbs, and Genesis, being among the 
 great favourites. Now the whole of the New 
 Testament is complete, and bound in one volume, 
 and our people will, I know, be much delighted 
 with such a volume. We see the people hastening 
 towards us as nine o’clock approaches, for the one 
 hour for school is too precious to be wasted by 
 being five minutes too late. The school consists of 
 men and women, who are most anxiously and dili- 
 gently reading, and learning to read ; men on one side 
 the church, and women on the other. We have to 
 use our more advanced day-scholars as teachers for 
 some classes, and it is very pretty to see the thank- 
 fulness and attention of these men and women, 
 some with grey hairs, to their young teachers, and 
 they often bring them presents of honey or fruit, to 
 tempt these children to go on teaching them when 
 the school is over. We have about eight or nine 
 classes of different stages ; and a very interesting 
 assembly, at the bottom of the church, of those who 
 cannot learn to read. We gather these together, 
 and first tell them a short simple Bible story, and 
 let them tell it us again, to see that they remember 
 it, and take it in. Then we teach them a text, or a 
 verse of a hymn, and the last quarter of an hour is 
 always given in all the classes to teaching by repe- 
 
298 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IRADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 tition some catechism, and sometimes for change we 
 have the whole school together to go over the Creed, 
 the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, to 
 make sure they are not forgotten. Oh, what bright, 
 eager, earnest, black, shining faces we have in our 
 African Sunday school ! 
 
 “ At ten o’clock we have to leave off, to give them 
 opportunity to make ready for service at half-past 
 ten ; for the babies come as well as the mothers, and 
 they are allowed the freedom of creeping about, or 
 being nursed by others not much bigger than them- 
 selves, during school-time ; but for church they 
 must be packed on their mothers’ backs to go to 
 sleep. In that half hour, many of the women and 
 most of the men gather in groups, talking over what 
 they have been reading, or making enquiries and 
 remarks on some things which have struck them in 
 their reading by themselves in their own houses, in 
 the course of the week. 
 
 “ At half-past ten service commences ; our singing 
 is hearty, our responses very hearty, and the atten- 
 tion to the sermon is also gratifying. We are out by 
 twelve. Our town being so large, many members of 
 our congregation come a distance of between two or 
 three miles ; so they bring their dinners with them, 
 spread their mats in our verandahs, take their meal 
 and a little sleep, and a great deal of conversation. 
 At three precisely we meet again for an hour’s school, 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 299 
 
 the proceedings much the same as in the morning* 
 except that the last quarter of an hour is generally 
 given to questioning them on the sermon, which 
 shakes up their attention, and always gives us oppor- 
 tunity of explaining some things more particularly. 
 This is followed by service, and all is over by half- 
 past five, when everybody hurries to get back to 
 their houses before dark, as it is always dark by a 
 quarter-past six. 
 
 “We have often many heathen visitors; some 
 attracted by the sound of the bell, which they may 
 notice for the first time ; others by our hymn-singing, 
 or chanting, which causes them to wonder what is 
 going on inside that large and straight building. A 
 person enters, and finds the white man speaking or 
 praying, and does not take immediate hold of that, 
 feeling it is sure to be in an unknown tongue, as 
 among the Mohammedans; so he amuses himself 
 with looking at the people, then the roof, the smooth 
 straight wall, the benches, the windows, till bye and 
 bye, all at once, he finds the sounds that have been 
 falling on his ear are in his own native tongue ; then 
 come the fixed attention, the open mouth, the gazing 
 eye; and different sentences from our beautiful 
 church service find acceptance in his wondering 
 mind ; the hands are rubbed as a sign of approba- 
 tion, with a quiet expression of it in the word ‘emof 
 — f wonderful !’ When ‘ all sorts and conditions’ of 
 
300 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 people are prayed for, the ‘kindly fruits of the 
 earth ’ in their season asked for, and so on, he some- 
 times cannot wait for the response, and does not 
 know that one is to come, but bursts forth with his 
 own hearty ‘ Amin, Amin !’ clapping his hands and 
 his chest ; and then perhaps goes away to talk with 
 his heathen companions over what he had heard, 
 and to commend the religion of the white man; 
 wondering greatly at much that he has heard, espe- 
 cially at our praying for our enemies. 
 
 “ Our evening is spent by the children gathering 
 round us, to whom we can hardly give any attention 
 in the day. They repeat passages of Scripture 
 learned by heart from us, and we sing English and 
 Yoruba hymns, to sweet English tunes, with the har- 
 monium. 
 
 “ Blessed, happy Sundays ! Wearied and tired we 
 often are, and very glad, when the day is done, to lay 
 our poor bodies down to rest in the sweet thought — 
 
 * Yet shall there dawn at last a day, 
 
 A sun that never sets shall rise, 
 
 Night shall not veil its ceaseless ray, 
 
 The heavenly Sabbath never dies !’ 
 
 And there and then shall be gathered a blessed 
 assembly from among all nations, and peoples, and 
 tongues.” 
 
 “ July 23rd . — We have nothing of particular in- 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 301 
 
 terest to communicate this month, except that An- 
 tonio has been called to the kingdom above. ‘ I am 
 going to Jesus, who lived and died for me,’ were 
 nearly his last words. He was an emigrant from 
 the Brazils, where he had' been carried as a slave, 
 and, on coming back to this country, did not get on 
 with his relations, who treated him very badly ; so 
 ten years ago he begged us to let him lodge in a 
 little room in our compound for a few weeks, which 
 came to ten years, though he lived principally on his 
 farm. Living in our compound, he always attended 
 church, and from one and another the good tidings 
 of salvation were set before him. At length the 
 seed sown sank down into his heart, and he became 
 a changed man. He felt himself too old to learn to 
 read Yoruba, and I did not know, till I was leaving 
 for England, that he could read Portuguese ; but he 
 never had any book but the Bomish calendar of 
 saints. We sent him a Bible, which has been the 
 greatest pleasure to him ; he feasted on the read- 
 ing of it, and longed to teach me Portuguese, 
 that we might talk about it; but then came his 
 wife’s illness, then my illness, then his own, so we 
 shall never talk Portuguese, but we shall be able to 
 speak the language of Canaan, when we meet in 
 that land where there is no more death. His nice 
 wife died on New Year’s Day, with the name of 
 Jesus on her dying lips. So heaven’s gates are 
 
302 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 opened to take in some of these poor souls, long 
 living in heathen darkness and in Satan’s chains, for 
 whom we pray and labour, and for whom Christ has 
 died. To Him be all honour and glory. 
 
 “ I have now his two orphans, his eldest girl 
 Talabi, who has lived with me these ten years, and 
 the little babe of two years, who was given to me by 
 his mother, begging me to nurse him for her. The 
 day she died, some of the heathen relations gave us 
 great trouble ; they wanted to get the children, just 
 to become slaves to them, but with quite a battle we 
 maintained our right to them, and God gave us the 
 victory. But this girl is a wonderful trouble, ten 
 Topsies in one ; and I have much anxiety, now that 
 she is growing up. How vain is all our work, all 
 our teaching, until the Spirit of God touches the 
 heart. ‘ Sow the seed ’ is the command ; we are not 
 told when the reaping-time will come. It is a life 
 of continual struggle, fighting with evil spirits and 
 powers of darkness, but we have seen the presence 
 and blessing of God in our midst. He has given us 
 to see the gathering out of a few souls from heathen 
 darkness, to see them walking in the light, and to 
 see them finish their course with joy. 
 
 “ Little Samuel is going on very nicely, and goes 
 to our second day-school. For a time his mother 
 was in the compound in which he resides, but he has 
 been greatly grieved that she has left it to dwell 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 303 
 
 among the heathen. He cried much, because he 
 hoped she would hear the Word of God ; but f now/ 
 he says, ‘ she throws salvation away from her.’ ” 
 “Aug. 14 th . — His mother is now redeemed, and 
 has every opportunity of coming to church, but she 
 stoutly refuses, and says her fathers’ gods are quite 
 enough for her. But the little fellow told me last 
 Sunday evening, with a feeling of hope, c Though my 
 mother will not come herself, she says she will not 
 prevent me ; that is good, is it not X ” 
 
 The closing months of the year 1867, brought 
 anxiety to the minds of the missionaries in Ibadan. 
 The whole Yoruba country was in a most unsettled 
 state. At Abeokuta the churches were despoiled, 
 and the European missionaries were compelled to 
 make Lagos their refuge. There was a threatening 
 of war, in which it was apprehended that Ibadan 
 would be involved. The thought of being again 
 shut up, and of encountering a recurrence of the 
 privations and trials under which they had so 
 recently suffered, was sufficiently appalling. To 
 this was added an apprehension that the wild 
 hostility, which had risen up against Europeans and 
 Christianity in Abeokuta, might communicate itself 
 to the heathen people at Ibadan. But above all 
 these evil things rose the remembrance of past 
 mercies, and the sense of security in committing 
 themselves into their Father’s care and keeping. 
 
304 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1867 . 
 
 Again and again were tlie chiefs of Ibadan urged 
 to follow the example of their neighbours, by 
 expelling the white people from the country ; but 
 God gave His servants favour in the sight of the 
 heathen rulers, and after a meeting had been held 
 to decide the matter, they were reassured by a> 
 promise of protection. “We have let you do your 
 work, and we have done ours, but you little know 
 how closely we have watched you, and your ways 
 please us. We have not only looked at your mouths 
 but at your hands, and we have no complaint to 
 lay against you. J ust go on with your work with 
 a quiet mind; you are our friends, and we are 
 yours” 
 
 Finding the Ibadans unwilling to join with them 
 in their cruel design, the Egbas and Ijebus again 
 closed the road to the coast, and the old difficulty 
 of procuring supplies and of sending or receiving 
 letters returned, with all its distressing conse- 
 quences. 
 
 The following letter again tells of sickness : — 
 
 “ Nov. 19 th . — My dear husband has lately had a 
 sharp attack of fever, which is general at the com- 
 mencement of the hot season ; which trying season 
 we have now to look for, through the next six 
 months ; but perhaps, before the end of that time, 
 we may, through mercy and love, have reached the 
 rest where storms shall never burst, suns shall 
 
1867 .] 
 
 LAST YEAKS IN IBADAN. 
 
 305 
 
 never smite; and the inhabitant shall no more say, 
 ‘I am sick/ The weight upon us is sometimes 
 very great, and but for the sustaining Hand we 
 must sink.” 
 
 In November, Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer were cheered 
 by the hearty response of the converts to an appeal 
 made to them six months previously, to contribute 
 weekly towards the maintenance of their native 
 teachers. The falling off which occurred that year 
 in the income of the Church Missionary Society was 
 now urged as adding strength to the claim. The 
 people decided that the first years offerings, gathered 
 in the Apo Oluwa, “ Bags for the Lord,” should be 
 sent to the Society, and the amount remitted was 
 £20 5s. 7 d. It was also resolved that the Native 
 Pastorate Fund should be commenced in the follow- 
 ing year. 
 
 Mrs. Hinderer told of the gathering in of these 
 sums from young and old : — 
 
 “Nov. 30 th . — We have had a very busy week 
 collecting cowries. Since our return we have been 
 trying to teach our people to give. Every month 
 we have a prayer-meeting, and now every third 
 month we have united with it a kind of missionary 
 meeting, to give the people an account of' the work 
 of God in other lands, and we have advised them to 
 have large pots, with small mouths, in which to put 
 their odd money any day, and once a week to put 
 
 20 
 
30G 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [1S63. 
 
 in it something special. This has been the week to 
 gather them in. Some of them have done exceed- 
 ingly well, and entered heartily into the plan; 
 especially the children, who have jumped at many 
 devices for making cowries to drop into the Apo 
 Oluwa. Some have not made much effort, but alto- 
 gether we are much pleased, considering there is not 
 a rich person among them, that we shall have more 
 than thirty bags of cowries to offer to the Church 
 Missionary Society. As each bag contains 20,000 
 cowry shells, you may think my business has not 
 been small” 
 
 The climate, together with so many years of suf- 
 fering and privation, had told seriously upon the 
 health of both Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer, and the pain- 
 ful conviction was forcing itself upon their minds 
 that their days of service in Africa were numbered. 
 They longed that younger life and power might be 
 found to carry on their work, but until peace should 
 be restored there was but faint hope of any Euro- 
 pean missionary being permitted to make his way 
 to Ibadan. The only remaining hope for the mission 
 rested upon the native Christians themselves, and 
 among them there was much to encourage them. 
 
 In entering upon the new year, 1868, the state 
 and prospects of the Church in Ibadan, were the 
 subjects of their anxious deliberations. They 
 reviewed, and determined to set in order to the 
 
1868 .] 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 307 
 
 utmost of their power, each department of the 
 mission, and Mr. Hinderer thenceforth devoted his 
 best energies to the special preparation of the cate- 
 chists for ordination, and to the training of some of 
 the younger members of the church for active and 
 efficient service as teachers. 
 
 The general work of the mission was making 
 steady progress. More than a hundred baptized 
 Christians assembled for worship in the church at 
 Kudeti, the original and central station, and there 
 were in addition many listeners, of whom there was 
 always hope that some would resolve to confess 
 Christ, and join themselves to the company of be- 
 lievers. Then there was a rude temporary church 
 at Oke Aremo, in which more than ninety gathered 
 together in the name of Christ, and where also 
 many others attended, and heard the Gospel 
 preached. In the remaining station, that of Oke 
 Ogunpa, the seed which had been sown appeared to 
 be producing little fruit. William Allen, the native 
 catechist, who had been labouring there for eight 
 years, was much disheartened. What course was 
 now to be taken ? Should the work in that part of 
 the town be given up ? Such a thought could 
 hardly be entertained, but it was evident that some 
 new plan must be resorted to. With the earnest 
 hope that a new teacher might be the means of 
 awakening the people out of ignorance and super- 
 
 20—2 
 
308 
 
 LAST YEAKS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 stition, it was decided that Daniel Olubi should 
 remove to Oke Ogunpa, while his work at Kudeti 
 and Aremo should be transferred to William Allen. 
 
 It was a trial to Olubi to leave the mission com- 
 pound, as is shown in the following few but ex- 
 pressive words, which were published in the Church 
 Missionary Record of 1869. 
 
 “On removing to this station, though it is in 
 Ibadan, and only two miles from my former home 
 in Kudeti, I must remark it has been a great pain 
 to myself, my wife and children, to go from under 
 the roof of our dear master and mistress. For near 
 nineteen years I have lived in one capacity or other 
 with the Rev. D. Hinderer ; and my wife, before I 
 married her, lived with Mrs. Hinderer ever since 
 she came out in 1852, and we have indeed found 
 them not only kind and good, and a faithful master 
 and mistress, but a true father and mother and 
 friends. So no wonder we all feel this parting ; but 
 it is for our Master’s service. May God long pre- 
 serve them !” 
 
 The rest of the story of this year, with its hopes 
 and encouragements, trials and sufferings, may be 
 told in Mrs. Hinderer’s own words, by the following 
 extracts : — 
 
 “Jan. 28th , 1868. — We are going to lose Olubi; 
 which is a trial ; we are so used to him. His wife 
 has been with me more than fifteen years, and their 
 
1868 .] 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 309 
 
 children have been my great pleasure. We are 
 placing him in the third station, about two miles 
 from us, in the north-west part of the town, where 
 Mr. Jeffries died, and Mr. Roper lived in hard 
 times. I am getting through this hot season very 
 fairly, but the last three weeks I have had a cough 
 which is very wearying to me ; all, no doubt, the 
 loosening of the pins of the tabernacle in which we 
 * groan being burdened ;* but through mercy we look 
 for a time when we shall serve God without sin, 
 without such infirmities, without sorrow. We have 
 had such strong harmattan, which even curled up 
 all the pens ! Yet the mornings were fresh and 
 cool, thermometer at 66°, but at noon 93°; it has 
 gone again, and we have only melting heat.” 
 
 “ April 21st . — In our work we are going on with 
 some measure of discouragement, crosses, and toil, 
 but a bright side too is given, one of hope and en- 
 couragement ; and we feel that the Lord is owning 
 and blessing His work, and gathering out a little 
 company for Himself. Last week, we buried a child 
 of fourteen years, after some weeks of great illness. 
 She was the most silent and reserved child I ever 
 met with ; I never knew whether she heard any- 
 thing, or not, and could never get from her more 
 than a ‘Yes’ or ‘No;’ or ‘I don’t know;’ but all 
 at once, in her illness, she was like the dumb man, 
 whose tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. We 
 
310 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 could only look on and wonder, and give praise to 
 God. Her father is one of the most sincere Chris- 
 tians, her mother only brought into the church by 
 circumstances ; her three elder brothers are baptized, 
 and two of them are communicants. She was bap- 
 tized as a child when four years old. The dear girl 
 poured out her whole heart, saying she had been 
 taught by us all, but never felt the power and bless- 
 ing of it, till she lay on this sick bed, and then God 
 showed her, in her heart and soul, the blessing of 
 salvation, and she laid hold on eternal life. She 
 knew she had a Saviour in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 She had precious words of comfort and encourage- 
 ment for her father and her brothers, but she warned 
 them also, telling two of them that she believed 
 they were in earnest, but that she feared another 
 was tempted a little from the straight road, when 
 going about trading, and spending much time where 
 God is not worshipped, and Sunday utterly un- 
 known. To her mother, in the most loving way, 
 she said, * Mother, with your feet you have gone to 
 God’s house, not really for the good of vOur soul, 
 but for other purposes; this is not enough, you 
 must strive with your whole heart after God, and 
 His great salvation through Jesus/ Their heathen 
 relations, and neighbours, who were constantly in 
 and out, were greatly struck by hearing her talk 
 about death, and said, * This must be a wonderful 
 
1868.] LAST YEAES IN IBADAN. oil 
 
 religion, which could make anyone not afraid to die f 
 A short time before her death, worn out by pain and 
 weakness, she exclaimed, ‘ Oh, for patience ! but if 
 it pleases God to let me go soon, how glad I shall 
 be !’ Her heathen aunt, sitting by her, said, ‘Where 
 would you go V ‘ Oh, go to God, go to Jesus, die 
 adding : ‘ die here, and go to live with God/ The 
 woman was awed by the idea of a child desiring to 
 die, and she came to the burial, and on Sunday to 
 church, for she said she wanted to ‘learn how to 
 die, like Moleye/ 
 
 “ I have so much to do at home, I never go be- 
 yond the compound, except to sick people, unless I 
 am quite obliged. I feel that going out knocks me 
 down more than anything. Some of my girls have 
 married, and some of our boys, after many years of 
 labour for them, have gone after their own ways and 
 pleasures ; so there are not so many in and about the 
 house ; only seven girls and five boys in the house, 
 and eight in the compound, but we have about 
 thirty-six in our day-school, and at our second 
 station thirty-eight, and all have to be attended to 
 and cared for, in divers ways. 
 
 “ My husband’s health is far from good, and some- 
 times we have feared a thorough break-up ; then re- 
 newed strength comes again, and he is so quietly per- 
 severing, that he gets through a great deal. He is 
 much interested in instructing the native teachers, 
 
312 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 and two or three hoys, who have grown up with 
 us within the last fifteen years, and who hid fair to 
 he very useful members of society ; of course they 
 came out of heathen households, and it is a great 
 happiness to see them turning out well. We have 
 been favoured to bring up some to do God’s work in 
 their own country, which has ever been an aim and 
 object with us. God gives us such comfort in our 
 native teachers, they are so earnest, kind, and affec- 
 tionate to us, only desiring to relieve, help, and com- 
 fort us.”* 
 
 “ May 1 4itk . — The seed of the kingdom is being 
 largely sown at this time, in this huge mass of 
 heathen darkness, in various ways. A few of the 
 older members of the Church are quietly, but truly 
 and earnestly, bearing witness among heathen re- 
 lations, friends, and neighbours. 
 
 “ Little Samuel has been very ill; I often felt he 
 would go, and dared not ask for his life, there are 
 
 * Of some of these teachers, including Olubi, so often men- 
 tioned in these pages, Mr. Hinderer wrote about this time : — 
 
 “We have the comfort of seeing some of our native teachers 
 promise to become efficient ministers of the Gospel, and fore- 
 most among them is Daniel Olubi. He seems to be increas- 
 ingly faithful, diligent and pious, and I hope, ere long, he will 
 be ordained by Bishop Crowther. He was nearly overcome at 
 the thought, when I mentioned my intention of recommending 
 him for ordination : the weight of the responsibility, and the 
 thought of his insufficiency lie heavily upon him.” 
 
1868.] LAST YEARS IN IDA DAN. 313 
 
 so many snares and temptations in this dark heathen 
 land, and the child’s heart seems so truly in the 
 right way now; but God is raising him up again, 
 may it be for His honour and glory. 
 
 “These signs among us of the moving of dead 
 bones, of the shooting forth of tender leaves, in the 
 midst of a more sorrowful side, ought to be enough 
 to make us content and thankful only to be per- 
 mitted to sow beside all waters, and I often feel 
 ashamed when I have allowed myself to speak of 
 anxieties and discouragements.” 
 
 “ July 30th. — Mr. Hinderer has been suffering 
 from congestion of the lungs, which gave him often 
 a severe and cramp-like pain in the heart; he is 
 better, but never well, and is never out of pain. We 
 have many weights on our hearts about the mission, 
 but ‘ the Lord sitteth above the water-flood.’ ” 
 
 “ Sep. 12th . — With a weak and suffering body, D. 
 is getting up a nice church in Aremo, our second 
 station, and a more simple one is now completed in 
 Ogunpa, the third station, where Olubi is. I have 
 been very ill the last six weeks, and have spent all 
 but four or five days of them in much fever and 
 suffering. How that I am creeping up the hill, I 
 should be glad of many little things to help me, 
 which I should have, if the road were open, but I 
 am getting on without them, and it is almost more 
 trial to my ever kind husband, to be unable to get for 
 
314 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 me these helps and comforts. Our prospects are na 
 better, we cannot help often fearing we shall break 
 down, before better and more peaceful times come. 
 Last Sunday I was up, but could not go out ; many 
 passages in Job were helpful to my spirit: — ‘He 
 openeth their ear to discipline/ &c. Too often we 
 ‘see not the bright light' in the clouds, and are 
 much cast down and discouraged. Truly, the future 
 is very dark, but in the midst of all, we may be 
 sure, ‘ the bright light is in the cloud/ and it must 
 be for our Masters good purpose, that He has placed 
 and keeps us here so long.” 
 
 “ Oct 23rd . — I am now much better, but recovery 
 seems sadly slow. I am a good deal worn out in 
 body and spirit, and probably I shall never be strong 
 again. I am so tender, I can only sit with pillows 
 round me, and just crawl from one room to another, 
 and I am dreading the thought of the heat, which 
 must soon come, but ‘ sufficient unto the day is the 
 evil thereof.’ ‘ Give us this day our daily bread / we 
 are not told to ask for to-morrow’s bread. My hus- 
 band is quite wonderful. After all his care and 
 anxiety for me, I feared for him, but now he is so 
 much better than for months before. Oh, how the 
 Father stays the rough wind in the day of the east 
 wind ! 
 
 “We have had such trial in two of our big boys 
 turning out so wickedly, full of charms and poisons, 
 
1868 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 315 
 
 and determined to do everything with the heathen. 
 Many thorns are in the pillow, but there is another 
 pillow on which to lean the aching heart and head. 
 What should we do without that ? 
 
 “ As to the work, we try to be hopeful, but it is 
 far below what we want it to be. There is some 
 movement. The heathen talk about the Christian’s 
 religion, they ask questions far more than they used 
 to do, and listen to the teaching in the streets, and 
 often drop into church. In a remarkable manner, 
 some, on their dying beds, have borne witness to the 
 faithful teaching, and have shown that they believed 
 its truth, and regretted that they had shut their ears 
 to it. About a fortnight ago, a man died : he had 
 only been once to church, but Olubi and Okusehinde 
 had often visited him, and he had heard them in the 
 streets. He was interested, but said it was impos- 
 sible for such as him to follow our way, yet he could 
 never get it out of his mind ; and then he fell ill, 
 and sent for my husband. It was the first time a 
 heathen man had sent for him. He was very weak, 
 but his conversation was such as gives joy to the 
 heart. He anxiously enquired if there was any help 
 for him, now life was ending, since he had displeased 
 God all his days. After some conversation and 
 prayer, he seemed to have a bright glimmer of hope, 
 and folding his hands, said, ‘ May God have mercy, 
 and if there is such a Saviour as the white man 
 
316 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 says there is, may He help me.’ When they saw 
 him again he could not speak, but put his hands to- 
 gether and lifted them up. Two days after he died. 
 We think that He who took the dying thief in His 
 arms of love and mercy did not turn away from 
 this poor man. Such gleams of hope coming, though 
 rarely, are a wonderful help over the many dark and 
 rough places.” 
 
 “ Oct. 2 6 th . — Only last Thursday we received the 
 March mail. An Ijebu man, who has a house in 
 Ibadan, assured the governor he was coming here 
 direct, so he gave him that mail to bring to us ; but 
 what is the difference between a day and a year to 
 an African ! He stayed six months in Ijebu, but 
 tells us, he took such good care of the parcel, he 
 slept on it every night, that no one should take it 
 away. 
 
 “ I am getting on but slowly, and do not feel so 
 well to-day. I think I am no more what I have 
 been ; my rather remarkable rallying power after an 
 illness seems gone; still I may get round again. We 
 have just had such a storm of wind and rain, which 
 has spoiled all my lovely orange-blossoms. The 
 trees have been such a pleasant sight, with an abun- 
 dance of ripe fruit, though we have gathered, and 
 given away baskets full ; at the same time, all the 
 ends of the branches have been so rich in bright 
 fresh young leaves, and those elegant sweet-smell- 
 
1868 .] 
 
 LAST TEARS IN’ IBADAN. 
 
 317 
 
 ing blossoms ; but now the beauty has gone within 
 half an hour. It is so with things of earth; but 
 after this comes the new fruit.” 
 
 “Nov. 30th . — On Advent Sunday eight adults 
 were admitted, by baptism, into the visible church. 
 One was a very old man, one of the royal family 
 now settled in Oyo, formerly Katunga, which Mungo 
 Park and other travellers visited in its glory. This 
 old man saw all these travellers. He was an heir 
 to the throne, and his name Adeyemi, signifies, ‘ a 
 crown fits me/ but the earthly crown had indeed 
 failed him. Among the different wars, he has been 
 taken captive by three different tribes, and has 
 undergone many hardships. Five years ago, being 
 old, and nearly useless, he redeemed himself for a 
 few bags of cowries, and reached Ibadan, where he 
 practised his great medicine and charm knowledge. 
 He found a sister here, who gave him a room in her 
 compound; but, when he was very ill, she put him 
 out in the street to die, as it would be impossible 
 for her to bury one who had been heir to a crown. 
 The poor old man dwelt under a tree, and struggled 
 through his illness, and the passers by, knowing or 
 learning who he was, gave him cowries, or a little 
 food. One of our young schoolmasters who, sixteen 
 years ago, was one of the first African children we 
 took into our house, became much interested in him, 
 and, while administering to his bodily needs, would 
 
318 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1868 . 
 
 talk to him about his soul. But the old man was 
 greatly enraged, and heaped curses on the youth for 
 daring to speak to him of a way better than his 
 own, stoutly defending the worship of his idols, and 
 only wishing to go to the heaven where they would 
 take him. To the surprise of all, he recovered. 
 Another relation took him in, and our schoolmaster 
 still visited him. At last light broke in upon his 
 poor dark mind, and he now seems to be rejoicing 
 in his Saviour, and the prospect before him. 
 
 “ On the day of their baptism, the candidates had 
 been sitting on the front benches in the church, in 
 their white garments, and, as they walked down the 
 aisle to the font, we all sang a hymn, which my 
 husband had composed in Yoruba, on ‘Be thou 
 faithful/ to the tune we call ‘ Halesowen/ It was 
 very touching to see the old man at the font, lean- 
 ing on his long staff, as we might imagine J acob to 
 have done before Pharaoh, his lips quivering with 
 old age, and his eyes gleaming with pleasure and 
 perfect child-like belief and trust, making the re- 
 sponses, of which he certainly put in some which 
 were not in the book. 
 
 “ The others have a history more or less interest- 
 ing, which gives us every reason to believe that they 
 have laid hold of the hope set before them. This is 
 the bright side of our life in this country, and often 
 such a time has cheered and comforted us, while 
 
1868 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 S19 
 
 passing through many storms and waves. We feel 
 as if we could never give up until we cross to the 
 other side of the river. 
 
 “We cannot tell you now the darker side of our 
 life, its present and prospective difficulties. It is the 
 burden appointed us to carry, and we shall not be 
 left alone to bear it ; yet we do feel it heavy, and 
 often groan under it. But the day hasteth on, the 
 shadows of evening are stretched out, and oh, if 
 infinite mercy and love receive us, we shall then 
 think the heaviest weight, care, and sorrow to have 
 been but light indeed. I am not in a good state of 
 health, and my spirits have undergone such a change ; 
 I believe the latter is but the effect of the former. 
 A thorough change would be the best remedy ; but 
 when the ‘ grasshopper is a burden,’ the body shrinks 
 from a four days’ journey, in this broiling sun, to the 
 coast ; yet I dare say it will be accomplished, and in 
 some measure I am making ready for it, putting 
 things to rights, and getting to the end of some of 
 our lesson-books with the boys. 
 
 “ I think I told you I had little Bertha Olubi 
 back ; I thought a child might rouse me a little. Her 
 little sister ‘ Tilda’ grows so nicely, and is so enter- 
 taining. She and her mother came to stay a day or 
 two with me. The child, seeing me not so lively as 
 usual, threw herself on my lap one evening, and 
 said, in Yoruba of course, ‘ Iya, do laugh,’ and 
 
320 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [I 860 . 
 
 then made up the most ridiculous little grinning 
 face, to show me how to laugh, which had its full 
 effect ; and then she danced, and clapped her hands, 
 singing, ‘ I have made Iya laugh ! I have made Iya 
 laugh!’” 
 
 In several of these extracts from the letters of 
 1868, the health of Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer, which 
 had long taken a sadly prominent place in the his- 
 tory of the mission, presents itself to view more fre- 
 quently than any other subject. They have been 
 inserted for the purpose of showing that, as the year 
 advanced, the impressions which influenced them at 
 its commencement had deepened, and that, while 
 sometimes they felt that they could “never give 
 up,” in calmer moments they regarded the time 
 when their retirement from the mission would be 
 a matter of necessity and duty, as even near at 
 hand. 
 
 Another year opened, and a little gleam of sun- 
 shine brightened its commencement. They were 
 permitted to distinguish it by taking one of those 
 steps of progress which would give the Church of 
 Christ a surer footing in Ibadan : — 
 
 “ On New Year’s Day, 1869, the church at Oke 
 Ogunpa station was opened. It is very neat and nice, 
 and stands on a hill. It has a good congregation of 
 about a hundred Christians to begin with ; it is an 
 ofishoot of our own church. It is remarkable that 
 
1869.] LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 321 
 
 we get so many converts from that quarter of the 
 town, which is nearly two miles distant from ours. 
 They used to come to us, and bring their dinner. 
 After a while we made a large shed in that quarter, 
 and gave them a service in the afternoon. Now, for 
 many reasons, we felt it was time they should have 
 a separate church. Some of them were getting into 
 years, and felt it burdensome to come so far to 
 church ; and we also felt that having a church there 
 would be a fresh inducement to try and draw others 
 in. 
 
 “ All the three congregations assembled at the new 
 church, and they had a cheering and refreshing ser- 
 vice. Afterwards some three hundred persons par- 
 took of a feast which we make for them every year ; 
 having had the children a few days before. It was 
 a very happy day. 
 
 “ I had been so busy all the week before, buying 
 things for it, and was up there the whole of the 
 previous day, superintending the preparation. Oh, I 
 was tired, but my spirits can carry me through 
 much fatigue. 
 
 “ Laniyono and Konigbagbe are the schoolmaster 
 and mistress there, and they did work. Koni is so 
 energetic ; she had my best powers spent on her, and 
 she is capital. Laniyono is doing well, persevering 
 and industrious. 
 
 “ Olubi is working on hard ground, and is first- 
 
 21 
 
322 
 
 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1869 . 
 
 rate. I have groaned and grudged giving him up, 
 but it was right ; only we both lost a right 
 hand.” 
 
 In less than two months after this bright and pro- 
 mising beginning, it was found necessary to dismiss 
 Laniyono as a false professor, and a dishonour to the 
 Christian name. Many had been the disappoint- 
 ments and sorrows of Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer in their 
 missionary work, but none, perhaps, was ever more 
 keenly felt than this, when a youth, over whom they 
 had watched with a fathers and mother’s care and 
 love, from a very early age, who had appeared to 
 give promise that the work of grace wrought in his 
 youthful heart was ripening as he advanced in years, 
 had terribly fallen, at the very time when he was 
 selected to fill a place of trust and usefulness, and 
 that he should have brought dishonour upon the 
 religion of Christ, which was still, in so great a 
 degree, on its trial in the land, and seeking to make 
 its way amongst the people. 
 
 Of this sorrow, felt so acutely, Mrs. Hinderer 
 might have written with increased emphasis, what 
 she wrote in a previous time of disappointment of a 
 similar nature, though in some measure less aggra- 
 vated : — 
 
 “ These are deeper and more heart-searching trials 
 than anything from the poor heathen. We often say 
 our dear Saviour’s most painful hour on earth was 
 
1869 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 323 
 
 when He could say, ‘ He that dippeth with me in 
 the dish hath lifted up his heel against me.’ ” 
 
 At Christmas there had been reason to hope that 
 Mrs. Hinderer might he able to go to Lagos, to seek 
 the refreshment and medical treatment which had 
 become so needful. But rumours reached Ibadan 
 that a plot had been formed against her life, should, 
 she venture upon the journey, and she had just given 
 up all thought of moving, when, on New Year’s Eve, 
 a messenger arrived, sent by their faithful friend Cap- 
 tain Glover, and instructed to bring them both in 
 safety to the coast. It was impossible for Mr. Hin- 
 derer to leave Ibadan in haste, and without com- 
 mending the native teachers to the protection of the 
 chiefs, who were all, at this time, with the army in 
 the war. The entire overthrow of the mission might 
 have been the result of so precipitate a movement. 
 But Mis. Hinderer was in so precarious a state of 
 health that without hesitation it was decided that 
 she should make use of the opportunity offered. 
 She set out, Jan. 5th, on this somewhat perilous 
 journey, which she described in a letter from 
 Lagos : — 
 
 “ I kept the messenger a few days, to make ready 
 again; and by moonlight one morning, before the 
 plotters would be awake, we set off. We came as 
 fast as possible ; I was not allowed to put my foot 
 into a house. We slept in the bush; found the 
 
 21—2 
 
324 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 [ 1869 . 
 
 Governor’s boat, which had been waiting some days 
 in expectation ; went rapidly over the lagoon, and 
 in the evening of the third day we landed in Lagos, 
 and I was once more a free woman ! 
 
 “ Little Dan Olubi is with me, bright and sharp 
 as a needle ; Oyebode I have also brought, to learn 
 something of printing, that we may be able to make 
 use of our press. I can send them home by Abeo- 
 kuta any day, as that road is open to all but white 
 people.” 
 
 “ Lagos , Jan. 2 5th , — I must write when I can, to 
 be ready for the mail, which seems to come and go 
 in a marvellously short space of time. I cannot yet 
 recover myself, my daily life upset ; such a wonder- 
 ful separation from my husband; I cannot hear 
 from him, nor send to him, as I should like ; but I 
 am thankful to have been able to send him, by my 
 carriers, some of the necessaries, if not the comforts, 
 of life. Here there is so much coming and going, I 
 feel bewildered, and do not get settled; and as to 
 my health, I have made no progress as yet. The 
 doctor says I have had a thorough shock to the con- 
 stitution; that I am one of a hundred to be in the 
 country at all, and that I must go home. I wish I 
 could have a clear direction, as Moses had, ‘ Ye have 
 dwelt long enough in this mount ; turn you, and 
 take your journey and go.’ On the whole, we have 
 had a rough path in our missionary life, but it has 
 
1869 .] 
 
 LAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 325 
 
 been always brightened by hope. We have been 
 mercifully helped through difficult places, and mar- 
 vellously favoured to ‘ carry music in the heart/ 
 The darkest day has always had sunshine in it, and 
 at this moment, in Ibadan, there is much cause for 
 hope in many ways. Never were chiefs and people 
 more kind to us in their way ; never were we more 
 respected than now ; and never did people more 
 patiently listen to teaching, though we do not see 
 the fruit of it as much as we should like. 
 
 “ When we look at what is wanted and desired, 
 we may say, what is the result ? but on the whole, 
 we have been permitted to see much that makes 
 our hearts glad and thankful. We came to a town 
 where the name of Jesus had never been heard; 
 that name, and the salvation which He gives, have 
 been proclaimed through the length and breadth of 
 it; many are thinking and talking of it; a small 
 company have believed and rejoiced in that name, 
 and have died in faith, and trust, and hope ; others 
 are walking in the light of it, and others taking 
 first steps in the Christian life. To leave it all is 
 such a sorrow to our hearts, that if we had even 
 bodily strength it must tell upon us. May our God 
 graciously direct our steps ! In all probability I 
 shall have to go to England in two or three months, 
 but indeed the to-morrow is very dark. I do not 
 like leaving my husband alone, but we agreed, 
 
326 LAST TEARS IN IBADAN. [186£ 
 
 before parting, to yield to what seems right and best, 
 trusting to be directed b our heavenly Father.” 
 The much-desired direction came, in an unwelcome 
 way, through an attack of sickness, more severe 
 than ever ; and by the next mail she wrote a few 
 hurried lines to prepare her friends in England for 
 her arrival early in the ensuing month. 
 
 “ Feb. 3rd . — There is a mail leaving to-morrow, so I 
 just add a line. I have been very ill, and the doctor 
 and others have wanted to send me off by it ; but 
 as I am better, I have pleaded to remain till this 
 time next month, that I may send to and hear from 
 my dear husband. He will be quite prepared for 
 the decision. I have jut parted with my two boys 
 Dan and Oyebode ; it is better to have them back 
 at their own place ; but we have had a sorrowful 
 parting, they cried bitterly. . . 
 
 “ I hope we shall meet before long, but oh, these 
 present moments are rough and thorny, many are 
 the pangs. God comfort, help, lead, and direct. It 
 is so sad to feel I shall never see poor dear Ibadan 
 again, and all my babies. Well, well, there is a 
 land above, * No seas there shall sever/ You will feel 
 and care for me in the heavy trial of leaving my 
 husband behind, and going home alone.” 
 
 She wrote by the same mail to another friend : — 
 “ Our people’s and children’s letters are most 
 piteous. It has been the mission and work of our 
 
1869 .] 
 
 jtiAST YEARS IN IBADAN. 
 
 327 
 
 hearts. Pray for poor lonely me, as I shall be on 
 my voyage when you get this letter ; and for my 
 dear husband. ‘ I will guide thee with Mine eye,’ 
 is my resting place. Pray for poor Ibadan, and the 
 little ‘ garden ’ there.” * 
 
 * It is pleasant to record that early in 1869, Akielle, Mrs. 
 Hinderer’s fi st scholar ( see p. 69), was appointed master of the 
 school at Kudeti, soon after which he married Ogunyomi, who 
 became a true fellow-helper in his work. About the same time, 
 Oyebode was entrusted with the school at Aremo. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 RETURN TO ENGLAND. CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 “ 0 glorious end of life’s short day of sadness ! 
 
 0 blessed course so well and nobly run ! 
 
 0 home of true and everlasting gladness ! 
 
 0 crown unfading ! and so early won ! 
 
 “ Though tears will fall, we bless Thee, O our Father, 
 
 For the dear one for ever with the blest ! 
 
 And wait the Easter dawn when Thou shalt gather 
 Thine own, long parted, to their endless rest.’’ 
 
 It. H. Baynes. 
 
 The story of Mrs. Hinderer’s voyage and arrival in 
 England is given in a letter to her husband, written 
 on the 7th of April, from Bootle Hall, a week after 
 she had landed in Liverpool. 
 
 “How I wish you could at this moment know how 
 kindly and tenderly I am housed and sheltered in 
 this home of love and comfort. We had a favoured 
 journey over the mighty deep, and reached Liver- 
 pool on April 1st, four or five days before the time, 
 though we had very rough seas and contrary winds. 
 
1869 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 329 
 
 but mercifully no gale, of which there have been so 
 many. I got on wonderfully, and was never so 
 kindly treated. I was nursed and cared for as if I 
 had been a child. . . I look forward to recover- 
 
 ing now I am at home, but I have had much of illness 
 since we parted in Ibadan ; it was a struggle only to 
 get sufficiently better at Lagos to bear the voyage. 
 These dear people, Mr. and Mrs. M., took no end of 
 trouble to get me from the ship. . . In putting 
 
 myself and boxes to rights, I got so ill that at times 
 it was a question with me whether I should not 
 suddenly depart. I was thankful when they 
 brought their carriage and took me off ; and I have 
 had every luxury and comfort. If I had been as 
 ill in Ibadan as I have been since I left it, I do not 
 think I should be alive ; so we must be thankful I 
 got away when I did. Now, if I have rest and 
 care and kindness, all of which I may expect, I 
 think in time I shall be all right again ; people are 
 only ready to do too much for me. Fancy poor me, 
 knocking about in the bush the other day, and now 
 not allowed to take a first class railway journey 
 "without an attendant, and all sorts of luxuries !” 
 
 The journey, for which such thoughtful provision 
 had been made, was accomplished on the day after 
 the date of the above letter, and ended at Hales- 
 owen Rectory, where she remained with her friends 
 for several weeks. They had the privilege of 
 
330 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 [ 1869 . 
 
 nursing and tending her through a time of severe 
 suffering, and could not but wonder at the spirit 
 and energy which still continued to animate her as in 
 other days. Often would she take pleasure in tell- 
 ing the story of her last years in Ibadan, sustaining 
 and strengthening the interest which many in that 
 parish had previously taken in the mission. It 
 seemed impossible to restrain her from overtaxing 
 her strength, whenever for a few hours her pain had 
 abated; though there was warning enough from 
 distressing experience, that such efforts would be 
 followed by anguish and exhaustion. She still 
 yearned after her much-loved work, and she often 
 expressed an earnest longing that it might yet 
 please God to restore her to such a measure of 
 health as would enable her to return to her labours 
 in Africa, for at least a few more years. But those 
 who were with her constantly, and observed her state 
 day by day, were satisfied that such a revival was be- 
 yond the reach of hope, and were filled with distress- 
 ing apprehensions that she might not even survive 
 till her husband’s expected and much-desired arrival 
 in England. Happily, these fears were not realised. 
 God in His mercy heard the petitions of many 
 anxious hearts, and granted her a perceptible return 
 of strength. As soon as she appeared to have been 
 sufficiently revived to bear the fatigue of another 
 journey, she ventured to travel northward as far as 
 
1869 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 331 
 
 Rickerby, near Carlisle, where friends who held her 
 in warm regard were longing to welcome her arrival. 
 There she enjoyed the renewal of early friendship, 
 and was soothed by the kindness which anticipated 
 every want, and ministered considerately to the alle- 
 viation of her sufferings. She wrote of the pleasure 
 she derived from the beauty and brightness of the 
 garden, with its rhododendrons in full bloom, and 
 the green park beyond ; and having described these, 
 she added : — 
 
 “ I may take all the pleasant, and all the bright, 
 and all the pretty, — keeping myself prepared for the 
 more usual and commoner every-day life which has 
 to follow." 
 
 Soon she had again to tell of serious illness, but 
 her trustful spirit could say : — “ He who appoints 
 the daily lot doeth all things well." 
 
 From Rickerby she went for a few days to London, 
 and thence proceeded to Lowestoft. She could not, 
 as in former years, go in and out among the cottages 
 of the poor. Her time was chiefly spent on the 
 beach, where she had the full benefit of the fine sea 
 breezes, from which she derived refreshment and 
 strength. But in one of her letters she described a 
 visit she had made to one old friend, whose loving 
 care of her in childhood had secured a place in 
 her affections. , At first the aged woman failed to 
 recognise her, but was at length convinced, and was 
 
$32 CLOSE OP LIFE. [1869. 
 
 then overwhelmed with emotion. As soon as she 
 tould sufficiently command her feelings, she made 
 the homely and plain-spoken comment, “ Well dear, 
 I am Mary still, and I don’t hold to deceiving 
 anybody, but my opinion is, dear, that you are 
 booked, and not long for this world.” Mrs. Hinderer 
 told her that she hoped she was <; booked ” in the 
 better land, but that she fancied she would have to 
 wait a little longer before being called to dwell there. 
 
 In September she received the joyful news of Mr. 
 Hinderer’s safe arrival in Lagos ; and before the end 
 of the month they had the happiness and consolation 
 of meeting again in London. She had been “weary- 
 ing ” to see him, watching eagerly for the arrival of 
 each mail ; and now they were permitted to meet 
 once more, after months of separation, which had 
 been to each of them so full of trouble and suffering ; 
 and to sing a new song of thanksgiving to their 
 gracious Father, who had protected and comforted 
 them, and preserved their lives. 
 
 Mr. Hinderer had returned to England in sadly 
 impaired health. During the last six months of his 
 residence in Ibadan he had repeated attacks of fever, 
 and the native Christians were so fully alive to his 
 critical condition, that, though with heavy hearts, 
 they encouraged his departure before the return of 
 the next hot season, as necessary to the preservation 
 of his life. The wants of the native church were 
 
1869 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 333 
 
 his only anxiety and cause for hesitation, knowing 
 as he did that it was impossible for a European to 
 take his place, until communication with the coast 
 should be re-established. But he believed that 
 he might entrust the mission with confidence to 
 three efficient native agents, who were not only 
 united in the bonds of brotherly love, and anxious 
 to strengthen each other’s hands, but also were 
 respected and trusted by the converts, and were 
 making their way among their heathen countrymen. 
 They had received from the chiefs a promise of pro- 
 tection for themselves, and for the Christian congre- 
 gations. Shortly before his departure from amongst 
 them, Mr. Hinderer had the satisfaction of completing 
 the church at Aremo. Up to the last moment he 
 had cherished a hope of witnessing the ordination of 
 two of his tried and instructed native teachers, to 
 whose care he committed the flock at Ibadan ; but 
 this expectation was disappointed, and he had left 
 them still awaiting an opportunity of being or- 
 dained.* 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer were detained for some 
 time in London, for the benefit of medical treatment. 
 In addition to her other bodily afflictions, the sight 
 of Mrs. Hinderer’s right eye was impaired, and soon 
 was irrecoverably lost. The eminent oculist who 
 
 * On Advent Sunday, 1871, Daniel Olubi was admitted to 
 deacon’s orders, at Lagos, by the Right Rev. Henry Cheetham, 
 Bishop of Sierra Leone. 
 
CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 [1870. 
 
 334 
 
 attended her, attributed this privation to the in- 
 jurious influences of the climate in Africa. But now, as 
 always, looking upon the mercies which she received 
 as outweighing her trials, she had written of this new 
 calamity, during its progress, in a submissive spirit: — 
 “ Perhaps it is only a little weakness, but it goes 
 on and increases, and I am only really comfortable 
 when I shut my eyes. The oculist said, if I had 
 remained in Africa, to get lower than I was, if I had 
 lived I should have gone blind there ; so there is 
 much mercy and blessing in everything ; and what 
 a favour that my eye has no great pain. A little 
 weakness and weariness and discomfort; truly it is 
 a loss, indeed, but the left eye is quite good, and we 
 may hope that with God’s blessing it will keep so.” 
 In November they removed to Norwich, and 
 for a short time enjoyed a quiet, happy life, near the 
 Cathedral. A friend, whose recollections of Mrs. 
 Hinderer’s trustful anticipations in the prospect of 
 her work in Africa have already been quoted, 
 writes of her at this time : — “ All the years of her 
 perils and sufferings having passed away, once more 
 I remember her, in her last visit to Norwich. She 
 was there with Mr. Hinderer three months, shattered, 
 yet still so bright. I saw much of her at that time ; 
 the same characteristics were there, faith, earnest- 
 ness, brightness, cheerfulness, unselfishness. She 
 told African tales to factory girls, spoke of dangers 
 
1870 .] 
 
 CLOSE OP LIFE. 
 
 335 
 
 and toils and triumphs to listeners at a mothers* 
 meeting; took snap-dragon to the patients in a 
 convalescent home; on Christmas eve distributed 
 gifts from a Christmas tree to old and young; paid 
 visits, and cheered many. Yet she was fading. I 
 saw her a day or two before she went to Martham, 
 and then I saw her no more.” 
 
 It was evident to Mr. and Mrs. Hinderer, as well 
 as to their friends, that the thought of a return 
 to the mission could no longer be entertained. But 
 the one desire uppermost in their hearts was that 
 while life was spared, and when some measure of 
 health had been restored, life and strength might be 
 employed in the work and service of their heavenly 
 Master. In January, 1870, she wrote : — “ I do long 
 that it may please God to show us soon what we 
 ought to do, and direct us to a dwelling-place ;” and 
 after telling with satisfaction that Mr. Hinderer had 
 been able to take part one Sunday in two services, 
 she added : — “ So I hope we shall soon get into regu- 
 lar work, just enough for us half- worn-out pilgrims 
 to do.” Before the end of that month the desired 
 opportunity came, in the offer of the curacy of 
 Martham, in Norfolk. This seemed to bring with it 
 the occupation, and the home, which in submission 
 to the will of God they had desired. 
 
 Before settling at Martham, they once more spent 
 a few days with their friends at Halesowen. All were 
 
336 
 
 CLOSE OP LIFE. 
 
 [ 1870 . 
 
 then struck by Mrs. Hinderer’s vivacity, and her appa- 
 rent improvement in health. She had left them, but a 
 few months before, thin and worn, and with a look of 
 age far beyond her years, but now her face was full, her 
 complexion clear, and there was something like the 
 appearance of a return to youth. She attended the 
 mothers’ meeting, and once more delighted that assem- 
 bly of poor women by her presence and conversation. 
 
 The beginning of March found them settled at 
 Martham. Mrs. Hinderer described the village as 
 “ large, with a green, and bright pleasant cottages 
 and houses. There is work enough, with more than 
 1,200 souls.” May 4th, she wrote : “ We are now 
 getting quite established at Martham. It is so 
 entirely not our doing, and not our particular wish, 
 that we cannot but hope it is the appointment, for the 
 time, of our gracious God, and that He will mercifully 
 accept a work for Him at our hands. We are quite 
 encouraged already, the people welcome us very 
 heartily in our house-to-house visitation, and the 
 Sunday and day schools are much improved. I am 
 hoping to get up two little mothers’ meetings in the 
 week, but oh, with everything any of us try to do, 
 how entirely it is nothing without the breath from 
 above, the breath of life. That is what we want ; 
 oh, that we may have it !” 
 
 Again on the 24th of May : — 
 
 “I love to think of you at this sweet time of 
 
1870 .] 
 
 CLOSE OP LIFE. 
 
 337 
 
 year at pretty Tirley. You are more lovely than 
 we in Norfolk, I dare say, but I do think just now 
 we are delicious, and D. and I think we never could 
 live anywhere but in the country, amidst millions of 
 primroses, bright green fields, and the delicious fruit 
 blossoms. Perhaps, being away from them so long 
 makes us more in rapture just now, but certainly it 
 is a glorious season. We like our appointment 
 here, more and more. We are able to work so 
 pleasantly, and what we do seems appreciated, which 
 certainly is helpful. My little mothers’ meeting is 
 quite a success; we are twenty-five, and I had 
 thought if I got ten or twelve it would be worth 
 while to go on. My second [mothers’ meeting] 
 looks hopeful also, in the little outlandish hamlet ; 
 but there the women are more in the fields just 
 now. I wish I could have you all know our little 
 abode. You would like a sight of our magnificent 
 church ; it certainly is lovely. Then the churchyard 
 is so pleasant now, with its carpet of white and 
 gold, perfectly covered with daisies and buttercups. 
 My eyes have been better, but wind affects them 
 sadly. I see I may not play any tricks with myself. 
 Getting on so bonnily of late, I thought I might 
 venture further, and walked too far yes-terdaj’, and 
 had such a night of pain. I must go to my hamlet 
 this afternoon.” 
 
 She was little aware, when writing these words, 
 
 22 
 
[ 1870 . 
 
 338 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 how near was the end of her trials and her service 
 upon earth, and how soon that pretty churchyard 
 would be her own last resting-place. The meeting 
 to which she went in that distant hamlet was the 
 last of such gatherings which she attended. They 
 had been a great source of pleasure to her, and a 
 favoured opportunity for the people, who had been 
 had been as much drawn towards her by her loving 
 sympathising spirit, during three short months, as if 
 she had been living and visiting amongst them for 
 years. 
 
 She had planned to spend a few hours of the 
 following day, May 25th, at Lowestoft, but she was 
 unwell, and only able to sit up for a few hours. 
 Days of much anguish and acute suffering ensued. 
 Remedies were used without success ; and at the end 
 of the first week of this attack of illness, it was too 
 evident that she was rapidly sinking. But while 
 the body was failing, the inner man was renewed 
 day by day. Her mind was fixed on the great 
 change before her, and on the joy of departing to be 
 with Christ. The first prayer she breathed audibly 
 was, “ Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’* 
 Some time after, she asked, “ Will He forgive all my 
 sins, and receive me V Without waiting for an 
 answer, the momentary doubt was lost in the blessed 
 assurance, “Yes, He died for me, that I might live.” 
 She made an effort to fold her hands, and repeated. 
 
1870 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 389 
 
 “ Nothing in ray hand I bring ; 
 
 Simply to Thy cross I cling.” 
 
 To Mr. Hinderer’s question, " Are you happy V* 
 she replied, “ Happy ? yes, in Christ. Bright pro- 
 spect ; yes, bright ;” and later, seeing him troubled 
 and sorrowful, she asked, “ Why are you so un- 
 happy ? I am so happy it is nearly finished adding 
 to a kind friend who was ministering to her, “ It is 
 sweet to die.” On waking up from a comfortable 
 quiet sleep, she exclaimed, “ A land that I will show 
 thee ! not like that little piece of Canaan !” She 
 was joyful and peaceful in the midst of severe suffer- 
 ing, and desired that those who were nursing her 
 might rejoice with her in the belief that she was 
 going to be with the Lord. “ Are you not glad,” she 
 asked, “ that I am going home, going to be with the 
 Lord for ever V On one of the days, when she was 
 in a state of extreme debility, Mr. Hinderer repeated 
 the hymn : — 
 
 “ Jesu, lover of my soul.'* 
 
 She seemed to enjoy it; but when he was about to 
 begin another, she answered, speaking with difficulty, 
 " No, that will do — in silence upon my God.” For 
 several days she scarcely uttered a word, but on 
 Monday, June 6th, she was roused by the visit 
 of a neighbouring clergyman, who spoke words of 
 
 22—2 
 
340 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 [ 18 J- 0 . 
 
 peace and refreshment to her soul, and she made an 
 effort to sing : — 
 
 “For ever with the Lord ! 
 
 Amen, so let it be !” 
 
 During the remaining hours of the day, she could 
 only return a feeble response to any words of Scrip- 
 ture, read or repeated to her. Relief and ease 
 were at length granted, in answer to prayer, and 
 she seemed to be settling into quiet sleep ; but it was 
 the sleep of death ; and at twenty minutes before 
 nine o’clock her happy spirit entered into rest. 
 
 So passed away, in her forty-fourth year, one 
 whose health had been utterly ruined by the pesti- 
 lential climate of Africa, the dangers of which she 
 had encountered for the love of Christ. She had not 
 held her comforts or her life dear to herself, if only 
 she might do her Lord’s work, and bring at least a 
 few hearts to the knowledge of His name. Her 
 desire was granted, she now rests from her labours. 
 Some are gone before, and some shall yet follow, 
 who will be her crown of rejoicing in the presence 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ, at His coming. 
 
 It will not be out of place here to give a few 
 extracts from letters written, in English, by members 
 of the native flock in Ibadan, who received the 
 news of their beloved Iya’s death on the 16th of 
 
1870 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 341 
 
 July. These are but a small selection out of many 
 tender and touching expressions of love to her, and 
 of sympathy with their bereaved friend and pastor ; 
 of deep sorrow that they could neither see her, nor 
 hear from her, again ; and of grateful appreciation of 
 the work which she had so affectionately and perse- 
 veringly carried on amongst them : — 
 
 "... The dear Iya’s death took us much by sur- 
 prise. Both ourselves and the Christians, for the 
 whole week, have been deeply sorrowful. . . . She 
 has faithfully finished her course, and is now received 
 into glory, to be for ever with her Lord and Master, 
 whom she so faithfully served and followed. Her 
 conjoint labours with you here, in the establishment 
 of Christ’s kingdom, upwards of sixteen years, will 
 ever be to her praise. The sons and daughters she 
 had kindly brought up, and cared for in the Gospel, 
 will ever lament her loss ; and her good deeds, as 
 books, will ever be read among us. ... We are fully 
 persuaded that you will remember the living church 
 which God has mercifully gathered here in this 
 place, through your instrumentality. The steady 
 growth, and the faithful teaching in her, by your 
 sons and daughters in the Gospel, will enable you to 
 comfort yourself.” 
 
 "... He has done well, because Iya is now freed 
 from this world of sin and sorrow for a better one, 
 (where there is no more pain, no more trials,) to repay 
 
342 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 [ 1870 . 
 
 her labours -with a crown of glory. Dear Babba, 
 take comfort, Iya shall rise again ; by this assurance 
 only we can take comfort and be glad.” 
 
 “ . . . ‘ It is the Lord ; let Him do what seemeth 
 Him good.’ ‘ In all our affliction He is afflicted,' 
 and what we know not now we shall know here- 
 after. My whole heart bled for you, my dear Babba, 
 for you are left alone, yet not alone, for Christ is 
 with you. Our dear Iya, though she died, she yet 
 speaketh. Her work in Ibadan will still live, and 
 bear testimony of her, till such time that she will 
 say, 4 These are they whom Thou hast given me.’ 
 Our prayer is, though He smite may He heal, by 
 drawing many unto His fold. "We hope the dear and 
 loving friends, who always remember us poor Afri- 
 cans, may still continue their love to us in the 
 absence of Iya.” 
 
 The preceding extracts are taken from letters 
 written by individual members cf the flock. One still 
 remains, which conveyed the outpouring of the 
 hearts of the whole Christian community : — 
 
 “ Our Dear Pastor, — We are very sorry that 
 our first letter to you is that of sympathy, and that 
 . because of our dear and loving white mother in the 
 faith, whose face we are not privileged to see again 
 in the body, but whose image is deeply impressed on 
 us, and whose memory will be lasting. We deeply 
 lament your loss and our loss, but it is the hand of 
 
1870 .] 
 
 CLOSE OF LIFE. 
 
 343 
 
 our loving Father; His will must be done. "Let 
 Him do what seemeth Him good.’ ‘Blessed be His 
 Name.’ Our comfort is that we shall one day meet 
 in that land where ‘sorrow and sighing shall flee 
 away.’ You both have brought Jesus with you into 
 our town, but you have left Him among us ; for this 
 we are thankful. Having then this Jesus, and 
 being enlightened by His Spirit, our hopes are 
 brightened ; and we mourn not, therefore, as those 
 that have no hope. Dear Babba, we commit you, 
 both body and soul, to the kind keeping of the great 
 Jehovah. Mourn not your loss, for it will be joy at 
 the last day. She is gone to her rest, and is 
 now among the redeemed that gather around their 
 Saviour, singing praises to His name. May we all 
 be her boast and rejoicing at the last day. Truly 
 her labours of love will never be forgotten among 
 us. Let us ‘ work while it is called the day, for the 
 night cometh when no one can work.’ And may we 
 walk in faith, that we may meet where we shall 
 part no more ! 
 
 “We remain, dear Babba, 
 
 “ Your sympathizing sons and daughters in the faith, 
 “The Ibadan Church Members.” 
 
 the END. 
 
 BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORD, SURREY. 
 
NOTE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. 
 
 The Gospel of Christ having been first preached in Ibadan 
 in 1852, and the good work having been faithfully 
 prosecuted through the seventeen following years, the 
 Church has been of necessity left, for the last eight 
 years, to hold its ground, and to make progress, by God’s 
 blessing, without personal aid from Europeans, and with 
 no other human help than that of men who were born 
 in heathen darkness, but who, in God’s good time, and 
 by His grace, had been taught to rejoice in the light of 
 His truth. 
 
 It has pleased God to bless and strengthen their faith 
 and constancy. His word has taken root, and is fruitful. 
 The Rev. Daniel Olubi, ordained in 1871 by the Bishop 
 of Sierra Leone, is the native pastor ; and he is assisted 
 by two catechists at Ibadan, and by three other Christian 
 men at Ilesa, Oyo, and Ogbomosho. In the latter place, 
 the catechist is maintained at the cost of the church in 
 Ibadan, so that by its zeal the Gospel of Salvation is 
 being published “ in the regions beyond.” 
 
 The Rev. D. Hinderer visited this chief scene of his 
 missionary labours last year, and rejoiced to witness the 
 stedfastness of the people, and their growth in faith and 
 in the fear of God. 
 
 Reports of later date are encouraging and hopeful. 
 May the Lord be pleased to give increased prosperity to 
 the work, which His grace has begun, and has thus far 
 maintained, to the happiness of many. 
 
 1877. 
 
 R. B. H. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
| r »f| t ?llli h ||| l |J 9i fi« l Seminar y-Speer Library 
 
 1 1012 01034 0463 
 
 DATE DUE 
 
 HTT2 
 
 9 1999 
 
 
 
 
 .Uwvi 
 
 
 
 FEB - - ; 
 
 liUU 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 | 9 2Wi 
 
 
 
 M ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 
 
 HIGHSMfTH #4 
 
 15230 
 
 
 Printed 
 In USA