Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

but a few steps from the customhouse till I met brother Burns, the presiding elder of the Monrovia district. I started with brother Burns to visit his family, but found it very difficult to proceed. It seemed as if the rolling and pitching of the vessel on the ocean had communicated itself to the land, and I staggered about like a drunken man.

All around me was new and interesting, and I began to ask questions, as you may be sure, with true Yankee facility. There was the mango, the plum, the tamarind, the African plum, and that most magnificent of all trees the sasserwood, and the celebrated delicate seven-lobed cassada. I saw a few old acquaintances, such as the muskmelon and the Lima bean.

Sabbath morning at length came, and at the sound of the church-going bell of the seminary I repaired to the place of worship, and there, to a well-clad, well-behaved, intelligent assembly, preached my first sermon in Africa, from the text "For the promise is to you and your children, and to them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." I said it was an intelligent audience. I will describe it. There sat the President of Liberia and his wife, each having a Bible and hymn book, and this was the case with all present. Yonder on the piazza, just beyond, sat the Vice President, a Methodist preacher, having taken that position on acount of feeble health. Just beyond the pew in which sat the President and his lady, was the tall and fine looking figure of Chief Justice Benedict, and there, said the Bishop, pointing in another direction, sat the speaker of the House of Representatives, both Methodists. In another direction sat brother Burns with his wife and children, all looking fine; and there we

had the first interview in God's name among our colored brethren in Africa. I visited all the settlements, with the exception of Marshall, in all of which churches are established. These are luminous spots raying out light along the dark coast of that continent. I also visited Bexley, Louisiana, Lexington, Puddington, and Mount Tubman, all interesting places, and concerning which I have many pleasing reminiscences. We obtained the loan of the Governor's carriage, and engaged the services of John, a relative of the native king, to get a sufficient team to take us to the residence of his Royal Highness. John procured four natives, two of whom took hold of the end of the tongue and the other two took hold of ropes attached thereto, while John took hold behind to push, or pull back, as occasion might require. The vehicle resembled, in some respects, one of our open buggies. When all things were ready I stepped into the chariot with extraordinary feeling, and we travelled along over the sandy hills, sometimes going down the dales at a fearful rate. Finally, we arrived at the royal residence of the King of Cape Palmas, and were introduced to his Majesty, and taken to what might be called an antechamber; several ladies were there, sitting on cane seats. One of them invited me to take a seat, but I declined. The king was a large yellow man, and he treated me kindly. He said—having previously heard of my arrival-that he had wished very much to see me. He seemed to think I was the father of all America, and he had some important things to communicate. He said, "Merica man been here twenty years, and yet [alluding to the colonists and the natives,] we are two people. We want one school for

tamarind trees, at the conclusion of which I consecrated to the office of elder eight. After having surveyed the whole ground I am well satisfied with the Church in Liberia, with its twelve hundred colonists, and one hundred and sixteen native members. While there I witnessed some of the clearest, brightest, and strongest evidences of religion I ever became acquainted with in my life.All appointments among the natives are what is called in the "Bush.". The Bishop related an amusing and interesting incident in the labors of brother Burns, who has to preach through an interpreter. The Bishop asked him how he got along when the Spirit came upon him: “0," said he, "when the Holy Ghost comes down into my heart I dont need an interpreter, the Spirit of fire becomes its own interpreter, and I go right on with my exhortation." The African mission, said the Bishop, is one of great promise to the Church of God, it is not only destined to bless Liberia, but to pour the blessings of light and salvation all over the continent of Africa; and God designs to awaken and christianize its millions through the agency of

both. I want bring our people,"
said he, suiting the action to the
word, "half round, by and by bring
em whole round. Not do this all
at once." His palace was a circu-
lar edifice, built of bamboo, with an
even, well polished floor. He
showed me numerous articles of
rare interest, and among others, he
brought me a palm wine-jug, which
I intended to have brought with me.
I preached at all the different set-
tlements, and I found there the
same God and the same religion
which I enjoyed in my native land.
I spent many joyous and happy days
with these sons of Ham. I confess
frankly, that while there, I lost all
prejudice on account of color, and
had not the peculiarity of the cli-
mate been such as to require me to
sleep on board the vessel, I would
have lodged with them most cheer-
fully during my stay. At length the
time of the meeting of the confer-
ence arrived, and we entered upon
our conference business. The con-
ference had its president and secre-
tary, and they proceeded to business
with as much form and accuracy as
we are accustomed to at home. On
Sabbath our religious exercises were
held under the shade of two large || her own sons.

[From the Liberia Herald.]
"Go Work."

Mr. HERALD:-In the last number of your paper, I noticed the above simple, but comprehensive advice which you tender to those persons who still continue to agitate, and employ means to keep alive, the excitement of the election, which has just passed, and which, as you very properly remarked, "the industrious and enterprising citizens have classed among the things that were."

It is indeed a matter of regret, that there should be any in our little

community, who are disposed, by resorting to improper means, to mar the public peace, promote schisms, divisions, &c.-We are a small people-but a handful at best, and nothing will tend so speedily to the destruction of our national existence, as factions, strife, &c. Therefore, as these things are seen to proceed from certain men who have no permanent occupation, and as the "idle man's head is the devil's workshop," I think that such would do infinitely better for them

selves-for the community and for Liberia, if, heeding your advice, they would go to work.

not founded upon experience, hence being blind themselves and undertaking to lead others, it is natural for both they and their followers to fall in the ditch. The fact appears to be, that these men are so lifted up, by the sudden transition from oppression into liberty, so elated with the idea of enjoying, for the first time, the rights and immunities of free citizens; so completely dazzled, by the striking and wonderful light into which they have been unexpectedly introduced, that they act without reflection; they seem to be carried out of themselves and forget the bounds which should

But it is my impression, Mr. Herald, (if you will indulge me with a few more remarks) that the man who left his native land and came to Liberia, with a view to build up a home for himself and for his posterity, to erect an asylum where his brethren, that may come after him, shall find a refuge from social and political oppression; to assist in elevating, by the light of civilization and christianity, the degraded and benighted heathen: I say that the man who came here with such views and feelings, will not need your ad-surround them. They become asvice; his very "love of liberty" will pirants to some office, and seek in constrain him to work, to strive order to promote their object to proearnestly, and labor steadily for the duce an entire change in the Govmoral, political and physical ad- ernment, alter the Constitution, &c. vancement of Liberia. He will not pursue the course of some, who, though they have but lately come to the country, hardly over the acclimating process, appear so eager for the improvement of Liberia in one particular respect, as to adopt measures which are, if not destructive, certainly detrimental to its moral interests. They seem to concentrate all their energies and bend all their efforts to one point, the advancement, according to their notions, of the political interests of Liberia, regardless of the effect which their course might have on the general welfare. Now, it seems to me, Mr. Herald, that these are not the kind of men that really love Liberia, or that will really benefit it.

It is true, they have zeal, but it is not according to knowledge, it is

As I said above, I do not believe that such men are any great acquisition to Liberia. But tell me of men, who when they arrive in Liberia will work either by taking their ploughs, and cultivating the soil, and thus assist to improve the country and develop its natural resources; or by engaging in some other lawful pursuit. Not men who will merely talk and harangue about the im provements that ought to be made, but men who will labor for the advancement of them. These are the kind of men that appreciate and love Liberia, and they are the kind that are most needed at present. To all then who are not of the latter class, we reiterate the advice "Go work." Yours &c., F. R. Liberia. MONROVIA, May 30th, 1853.

[From the Freeport Ledger, March 8.]
African Colonization.

A large and respectable meeting | byterian Church, of this place, on of the friends of Cobnization, com- last Sabbath evening.

posed of the various evangelical The Rev. A. B. QUAY, the general denominations was held in the Pres-agent of the "Pennsylvania Coloni

once barbarous natives are joined with them in friendly brotherhooduntil there exists upon those shores, once the gloomy abode of paganism, an African Republic, with all its civil and religious immunitiesthe daguerreotype likeness of our own; and its independence recognized by some of the mightiest nations of the world. This Republic, with all its elements of civil, social and religious greatness, the speaker forcibly represented, as the precious "seed-corn," which by the concentrated benevolence of an enlightened christianity abroad-and under the fostering care of a beneficent providence, is to spring up and bring forth fruit in the moral, intellectual, spiritual elevation of Africa; whose inhabitants having first given themselves unto Christ, will then also bring their gold and their silver, and all their riches into the treasury of the Lord.

zation Society," was present and delivered an address upon the subject of his agency, which was replete with useful information. Although the gentleman was laboring under a severe cold, so that it was with difficulty he could be heard at first; yet forgetting himself in the interest which his theme inspired, he held the large audience in respectful attention for one hour and a half. The speaker commenced by a brief glance at the history of Colonization generally; and then drew a striking parallel between the history of the American Colonies, and that of Liberia. Those who constituted the germ of this great nation, fled from tyranny to these shores to secure civil and religious freedom.-Through long years, those pioneers struggled amid weakness, disease and discouragement; but they toiled on and hoped on until success crowned their highest wishes. So the American Colonization Society, during a period of thirty-seven years, has had to contend in weakness against the prejudice and opposition of men-interest in the great object of the has had to bear patiently the adversities of sickness and death, which an all-wise Providence has caused to fall upon it. By these wasting influences, some of the noblest spirits that ever wore a martyr's crown, have offered themselves living sacrifices unto God, in the work of the ministry, under a tropical sun, to advance the interests of down-trodden and oppressed humanity.

But, notwithstanding all these sad reverses, one half century has not passed away until 10,000 freed men are established upon the Coast of Africa-until more than 200,000

At the close of the lecture, a collection was taken up for the benefit of the cause, which testified some

Society; but which, we are informed, was not such as might reasonably have been expected from so large a congregation

Mr. QUAY also visited the Presbyterian Church at Slate Lick, on the morning of the Sabbath; and after having preached a forcible gospel sermon, he presented the claims of the Colonization Society. And although the congregation was unusually small in consequence of sickness prevailing in the neighborhood; yet the people most cordially responded to the call by contributing thirty dollars, to constitute their Pastor a life-member of the Society.

Letter from a Self-Redeemed Citizen of Liberia. THE writer of the following letter, || by Rev. J. M. Pease, Corresponding which we find in the Northern Secretary of the Pennsylvania Col Christian Advocate, communicated onization Society, was a slave in

Alabama; having redeemed himself
and wife by his own labor for $1655,
he was ordained as a preacher in
the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and has now been in Africa nearly
three years. We invite pious col-
ored men to read his letter and
weigh his opinions.

CAPE PALMAS, Africa,
August 3, 1853.

Rev. JOHN MORRIS PEASE:
Dear Brother :-I take this chance to
write to you for the first time since I came
to these shores. I never have forgotten
you. I both remember and pray for you
daily. I received your letter eighteen
months ago, but did not answer it then,
because my mind was not fully settled at
that time. So I thought it best to wait
until I could be more established, that I
might be better able to give you a cool I
and sober answer to your letter as to my
opinion of this country. As you are, no
doubt, desirous to hear whether I am both
well and happy in this new home, to
which I have been conveyed by the bene-
volence of the friends of humanity, to ease
your anxiety, Sir, permit me to inform
you that my health is restored again, and
that of my family is good.

I am now on the Cape Palmas Station, by the appointment, for this year, of Bishop Scott. He gave me my second ordination. I left Sinoe station for Cape Palmas, the 27th of last March; so, you see, I have had opportunity to see this country, and to make up my mind respecting it, that I may now write to you.

Sir, I know that Africa is the colored man's home, his best home! Here he is a man! And here he is respected as a man, and gets a hearty welcome by all his brethren-a welcome home, home! Everybody rejoices to see the arrival of new emigrants into this country. Sir, there is room enough here, in this free and prosperous country, for all my poor brethren in America to live and be happy. Sir, we are just on the margin of a vast continent, a continent of untold riches, which have never been developed. We can see a little of its wealth, now and then, coming from the interior to our markets. All this country wants is emigrants, to enable us to establish settlements back in the interior. Sir, I love Africa! It is true we cannot always get every thing here we can But, Sir, in this

in the United States.
ountry we are free and happy!
Please try to make out my bad writing.
never went to school, and had no one to
teach me. I have thus far educated myself.
I know you are aware that I was a
slave, and that I bought my freedom with
my own hands, for the large sum of $300,
and that I paid for my poor sick wife the
sum of $355. She was, at that time, in
very bad health; but now, thank the Lord,
she has entirely recovered her health, since
coming to this country.

Tell all the colored people, for me, that
the Republic of Liberia is their home.
I remain yours in the bonds of Christian
love and friendship.

EDWARD D. TAYLOR, Formerly of Mobile, Alabama.

Letter from Augustus Washington.
MONROVIA, Liberia,

Rev. JOHN ORcutt,

February 8th, 1854.

Dear Sir:-You probably expected to hear from me ere this by way of England, but you will require no apology when I inform you that at the time the last steamer left this port, January 16th, I was not able to write, having then my first attack of fever, which left me at the close of a week. I only wrote one business letter to your city, with a remmittance of $75; and I presume you have heard of my safe arrival from the person to whom I wrote. At some future time, I expect to give you a fair description of the acclimating fever. From experience I can say but little about it now, because during the week I was

sick I was not in bed half the time, nor
was I very sick at any time. The most
disagreeable part to me was taking medi-
cine so often during the day to break the
fever. But I was in good hands, boarding
at that time in the family of Dr. H. J.
Roberts, who has the reputation of being
the most skillful and successful physician
in this section of the country. Except
that week, I and my family have enjoyed
as good health as it is possible for persons
to enjoy any where.
While you are
nearly freezing, we are enjoying what is
here regarded as the warmest season of
the year; and yet during the last month
the mercury has not risen above 870, nor
fallen below 720. It is remarkable that
for twenty-five days this month the mer-

« ZurückWeiter »