A CULTURED AND PIOUS HOME. 17 of the ministers of the Dom, or cathedral, and one of H.M. chaplains. This clergyman took a great fancy to the young Scotchman, and invited him to come to his house on Friday evenings, when he gave about a dozen theological students a course of private lectures on Anglo-Saxon literature, which was followed by supper and music, after which ancient German hymns were sung, Herr Baur leading with a glorious voice, while the students sang in parts, making the effect very fine. In May, 1874, he went to board in the family of Herr Hofprediger Baur, as he had already become to him, and to the Frau Hofprediger, their “lieber Sohn Mackay." He considered that his residence in this cultured and pious home was a great advantage to him, not only for acquiring the language better than he could by living alone in lodgings, but because here he met, once a week, at the Bible readings, the élite of the Christian society of Berlin, the most distinguished being, perhaps, Gräfin von Arnim, sister of Prince Bismarck; Gräfin Hacke; also Graf and Gräfin von Egloffstein. The latter took a great interest in him, and was amongst his most regular correspondents during the whole of his African career.1 'The Countess von Egloffstein writes regarding this time :"On hearing the most unexpected and sad news of your noble brother's death, I recall the time when we made his acquaintance in Berlin in the house of Hofprediger Baur, where we met with dear friends for Bible reading. It was in this way A. M. M. 2 At the Bible Class held on Sunday evenings in connection with one of the churches, Mackay found a congenial friend in the president, the late Rev. G. P. Davies, the British and Foreign Bible Society's agent in the city, who frequently drew him out to lead the discussion on the passage, while all present took part, in a more or less active way, in asking questions, suggesting ideas, explaining difficulties, etc.; while many of the Americans, chiefly students of divinity or medicine at the University, who had travelled in the Holy Land and elsewhere, could often bring to the point exceedingly interesting information from their own observation. Mr. Davies also inter that we learned to appreciate your brother's knowledge of the Word of God, and the warm interest with which he tried to enter more and more into the wisdom which God has given to those that fear Him and love Him. He was such a thorough Christian, perfectly given to follow his Master, and he made us think of Miss Havergal's words 'Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;' and when he told us that he wished to combine missionary work with that of ar. engineer, and to serve his Master in the Dark Continent, we were not surprised. It seemed so natural that this young, serious, and faithful Scotchman should give himself wholly to work in the Master's vineyard. Life was to him a gift used for Jesus! "I believe, also, that the other friends in the circle formed the same impression of his willingness to surrender himself to God's service. To the question: "Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?' he answered steadfastly and humbly: 'Here am I; send me,' and added: 'All that Thou commandest me, I will do; and whithersoever KINDRED SPIRITS. 19 ested Mackay in his wife's mission to cabmen, and two or three hours were spent every Sunday morning delivering to them tracts and portions of Scripture in their own tongue. When Mackay went to reside at the house of Herr Hofprediger Baur, he found him actively engaged on a German translation of the Life of Bishop Patteson, with whose family he was on intimate terms. To find a kindred missionary spirit in this home was a great joy to the young Scotchman, as the following letters will show how, in a very quiet but remarkable way, the call to the mission field had come to himself within six weeks after he left his native land for Germany. Thou sendest me, I will go;' and he could thus offer himself, understanding the words of St. Paul: 'Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.' "Your dear brother has indeed fought the good fight, and his warfare is now accomplished. We never forgot him in our family; and the link uniting us, as children of God, found expression in letters which were frequently exchanged between the Nyanza and Germany, and in prayers for the brave, noble, and severely tried hero in Africa, who was so often alone in danger and in grief. But he counted all things for loss, for the excellency of Christ Jesus, his Lord, and under His wings he was safe, and never alone, for his Saviour was with him. "In full and glad surrender He gave himself to Thee; And evermore to be!' "May you, his beloved family, be comforted by the thought of his great and blessed satisfaction-the reward of heavenly bliss which he now enjoys.”—L. Gräfin von Egloffstein. TO HIS SISTER : "BERLIN, 3rd Aug., 1874. "Well, it is through you, or what you wrote me on 11th Dec. last, that what I now have to write you exists. "You told me then that you had been at a social meeting of our Literary Association in Chalmers Memorial Church; that there you heard Dr. Burns Thomson give an interesting account of Madagascar. Dr. B. Th. also urged the young men of the Association to give themselves to the work and go out as medical missionaries there. Well, I am not a doctor, and therefore cannot go as such; but I am an engineer, and propose, if the Lord will, to go as an engineering missionary. Miserable chimera! you will no doubt call such an idea. Yet immediately on the receipt of your letter I wrote Dr. Bonar, offering myself to such work, and asking his advice. He wrote me that he thought the ideas difficult to combine-mission work with engineering,-but that he would be glad to make inquiries for me as to how I might get an opening there in such a capacity. Now, my dear sister, I know the plan is entirely new, and will be difficult to work. Of course I am as yet far from prepared to undertake such a task, especially alone; and of course many obstacles stand in the way. You will ask me how am I to get there. I am not careful as to that, for I have one word against such a problem, viz. 'Jehovah Jireh.' You will ask what am I to do when CHRISTIANITY AND CIVILIZATION. 21 I get there. Well, I hope especially to connect Christianity with modern civilization. In England it is true that as Christianity made progress, so civilization advanced; and as civilization advanced, Christianity became more deeply rooted, and shines now as the light of an enlightened people. You will the more readily agree with me that the two should go together, if you read how Mohammedanism makes such tremendous progress in Africa chiefly because it carries with it a higher civilization than that which existed in the countries to which it comes. My chief energies I hope to be able to spend in establishing a college to train the young men in Religion and Science together. Of course, I expect to execute public works, as railways, mines, etc., which, for one single-handed, is an enormous enterprise. It is more to help the missionaries that are there already that I go, than to supplant them; also to prepare the way by which others more readily can go there and stay. The undertaking is very great; give me your advice. For the last few months I have been studying Malagasy, and find it a beautiful language, as you have told me. Rev. Mr. Davies, to whom I have spoken of my intention, is delighted with the scheme, so is Hofprediger Baur and other friends. If spared, I should hope to go after two or three years, at least, --perhaps much sooner. Advise me as to this. I have much to learn before I go. "Do not think me mad. It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. It will indeed |