Alexander Mackay of Scotland was sent to Africa by the Church Missionary Society (Anglican) in 1876. He was an engineer by profession and a jack of all trades who was conversant in linguistics and theology. Mackay's heart was set on Africa and at last the call came. On November 15, 1875, a letter appeared in the columns of the Daily Telegraph. It was from H. M. Stanley, the famous explorer who had found Livingstone, and it told of the needs of the ancient kingdom of Uganda.

"Here, gentlemen, is your opportunity," it concluded. "Embrace it! The people on the shores of the Nyanza call upon y…