midnight
On the morrow Owen baptised the king , many of his councillors , and some twenty others whom he considered fit to receive the rite . Also he despatched his first convert John , with other messengers , on a three months ' journey to the coast , giving them letters acquainting the bishop and others with his marvellous success , and praying that missionaries might be sent to assist him in his labours . Now day by day the Church grew till it numbered hundreds of souls , and thousands more hovered on its threshold . From dawn to dark Owen toiled , preaching , exhorting , confessing , gathering in his harvest ; and from dark to midnight he pored over his translation of the Scriptures , teaching Nodwengo and a few others how to read and write them . But although his efforts were crowned with so signal and extraordinary a triumph , he was well aware of the dangers that threatened the life of the infant Church . Many accepted it indeed , and still more tolerated it ; but there remained multitudes who regarded the new religion with suspicion and veiled hatred . Nor was this strange , seeing that the hearts of men are not changed in an hour or their ancient customs easily overset .