ACCRA, Gold Coast—Montgomery’s Rev. Martin Luther King had to span an ocean and continent to do so, but he finally caught up with the Vice President, Richard M. Nixon, here in the freedom-charged atmosphere of the Gold Coast, soon to become Ghana.

The Vice President was his usual smiling self when mutual friends brought the two together at a reception here.

Dr. King smiled, too, but he didn’t forget his mission.

“Mr. Vice President,” he said, “I’m very glad to meet you here, but I want you to come visit us down in Alabama where we are seeking the same kind of freedom the Gold Coast is celebrating.”

Mr. Nixon shook Dr. King’s hand warmly and nodded understandingly, implying that he would like to accept the invitation.