More Livingstone

Another quote about Dr. Livingstone:

"[A prayer] - not, to be noted, for his own safety (he never prayed for that) - but only for the furtherance of his enterprise and the salvation of hethen Africa."

And a quote by Livingstone:

"...And [in India], as well as in other lands where missionaries in the midst of masses of heathenism seem like voices crying in the wilderness - Reformers before the Reformation - future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. We prepare the way for them. May they not forget the pioneers who worked in the thick gloom with few rays to cheer except such as flow from faith in God's promises. We work for a glorious future which we are not destined to see - the golden age which has not been, but yet will be...
"For this time we work; may God accept our imperfect service."

His attitude in the last quote reflects my attitude towards Japan, though I am far from a pioneer. Yet it may be that my work is to prepare the way for another. And look at the results of the preparation of men like Livingstone! The gospel has exploded in Africa, and the center of gravity of the church has shifted there and to East Asia. These words were prophetic indeed.