Thinking black; 22 years without a break in the long grass of Central ...

424 THINKING BLACK
The deep-voiced sycamore-drum calls them in, an ugly,
verminating throng almost in puris naturalihus—there
behold ! the uttermost man in the uttermost parts of
the earth. (Yonder, too, on the throne of God, do not
forget the Christ Who can save to the uttermost.) Sup-
porting me on my near right is the Chief, as Chairman,
with whom I propose a loud Socratic dialogue, not as
preacher, but merely inquirer, with note-book respectfully
open. No skimming, skirting, and shirking of difficulties
here ; I simply ask and he simply answers ; why not ?
" A big horse takes a big fence," and this big black is on
for big business. Note, please, also, that I have given
on the strength of Paul's above-quoted words—the bold
initial guarantee that I will neither intrude nor innovate
one new-fangled idea in the meeting. The theme for the
day is " God I " and having got a thousand voices to hush
the ineffable Name three times, we settle down to Bible-
business. Well, to anticipate, it turns out that the
subject of our choice is a gold-mine ; not only about God
is it but from God too. Asked their name for Him, the
answer comes sharp and short from the Chairman-Chief,
" Vidie Mukulu" i.e. the great King. And here comes
the opening in question No. 2 :
" You, the King of these
parts, tell me, please, what your kingship involves."
Answer—a long string of kingship paraphernalia : Primo,
a King has laws ; secundo, a King has a Chipona cha
Chidie = a judgment-seat ; tertio, a King has subjects,
loyal or rebellious ; quarto, rewards and punishments,
and all rebellions quelled within his borders, And now