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    VOL. XXXV.                                          NO. 8.

                                THE

                       AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

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               “To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”

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                           AUGUST, 1881.




                            _CONTENTS_:


  EDITORIAL.

    PARAGRAPH—The Mendi Mission                            225
    ILLUSTRATION—Mission Home, Mendi Mission               228
    DEATH OF REV. KELLY M. KEMP                            230
    AFRICAN NOTES                                          230
    FREEDMEN FOR AFRICA: Rev. Lewis Grout                  232
    ADDRESS AT NASHVILLE: Sec’y Strieby                    233
    BENEFACTIONS                                           236
    CHINESE AND INDIAN NOTES                               237


  THE FREEDMEN.

    ANNIVERSARY REPORTS—Continued.
      Ga.: Atlanta University                              238
      Ala.: Talladega College                              240
      Texas: Tillotson Institute, Austin                   242
      S.C.: Avery Institute, Charleston                    242
      Ga.: Lewis High School, Macon                        243


  THE CHINESE.

    ANNIVERSARY AT STOCKTON                                245


  WOMAN’S HOME MISS. ASSOC’N.

    TWENTY MINUTES A-DAY WORKING SOCIETY                   247


  CHILDREN’S PAGE.

    GRACIE’S MISTAKE: Mrs. Harriet A. Cheever              248


  RECEIPTS                                                 250

  LIST OF OFFICERS                                         254

  CONSTITUTION                                             255

  AIM, STATISTICS, WANTS, ETC.                             256

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                             NEW YORK:
         Published by the American Missionary Association,
                      ROOMS, 56 READE STREET.

                 *       *       *       *       *

                Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.

Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y. as second-class matter.




[Illustration: MAP OF PROTESTANT MISSION STATIONS IN AFRICA.]




                                THE

                       AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

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             VOL. XXXV.      AUGUST, 1881.      NO. 8.

                 *       *       *       *       *




_American Missionary Association._

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We publish on the opposite page a map of Africa, upon which is
represented, by crosses, the location of the different Protestant
mission stations of that continent. The Mendi Mission on the West
Coast, and the proposed Arthington Mission in the Nile Basin, are
specially indicated by dotted lines. We give, also, elsewhere a cut
of the Mission Home at Good Hope Station, Mendi Mission.

       *       *       *       *       *


THE MENDI MISSION.

SUGGESTIONS, WITH EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL.

REV. H. M. LADD.

Much of the mission work in Africa, at least upon the West Coast,
has a basis in industrial work of some kind. Many causes have
conspired to hinder this branch of civilizing work at the Mendi
Mission. Without stopping to specify what these may have been,
no one can doubt that the chief reason why the saw-mill at Avery
has failed to be a source of income to the Association, is the
difficulty of transporting the lumber to market. This mill, with
a circular and an upright saw, with a good head of water during
the larger part of the year, and with timber near at hand, is the
only mill of the kind on the West Coast. There is a good demand for
such lumber as the mill can produce, but the chief market is 120
miles distant. No one in Africa, however much he might want lumber,
would be guilty of going 120 miles for it, nor even 120 rods, if
he could help it. In former times the lumber was taken to the
market in a large boat, propelled by oar and sail; but the climate
and the worms have claimed that boat as their own. Here is a most
potent agency, an attractive centre for goods. The mill might be
producing thousands of feet of lumber a day, and yet if there were
no way to carry this lumber to the point where it could be sold,
its production would only become a burden. What is needed to insure
the best success of the mill, and of all the industrial departments
connected with it, is an easy and quick means of transportation.
This would not only make the mill a really civilizing institution
and a paying piece of property, but if a small steamer or tug-boat
were thus in use, it would more than pay its own way in the
regular trips it would make, and by the incidental services it
could render to other mission stations where similar industrial
work is carried on. There are promises enough to insure the
successful running of such a steamer. It should be adapted to
towing a lumber boat of large capacity to and from Freetown, and
should also be adapted to carrying passengers up and down the
rivers. It would accomplish more work in a given time than any
other project yet proposed on this coast, would dispense with the
small army of boatmen and fleet of boats now maintained, and would
be the solution of the question in regard to the mill. But why keep
up this mill? Why have an industrial department? Simply because the
spiritual interests of the mission are involved in it and demand
it. There must be a physical basis for any successful work upon
the minds and hearts of the people in this part of Africa. This
has been demonstrated in other missions than our own. The people
need a place to tie to, and something to draw them to that place
in order to receive any lasting good. They need to learn habits of
industry along with the Gospel. They need to be lifted out of their
barbarism by increasing their wants and showing them how to supply
them.

These are a few of the considerations that make this industrial
work a sort of entering wedge for the Gospel. The situation of
things at the Avery Station is, however, such as to convince
those who have considered the matter, that the keen edge of this
entering wedge must be the sharp prow of a little steamer. There
can be scarcely a doubt, that the facilities afforded by such a
steamer would give a much needed impetus to the whole work of the
Association upon the West Coast.


JOHN BROWN MEMORIAL STEAMER.

Here is now an opportunity to turn to account the latent forces
that lie pent up within easy reach. But how shall the steamer
preach its practical sermon unless it be sent? Some one must send
it. Many hands make light work, especially when they contain the
contributions of willing hearts. Why may not the many little
rills, and springs, and even drops of love for the <DW52> race,
flow together and float this steamer? Why not send, as some one
has suggested, old John Brown, of Harper’s Ferry, in a memorial
steamer over to Africa, to carry forward in a higher sense the work
of freedom which he began here, and which shall never end till
his soul has ceased its marching on? About $10,000 are needed to
furnish such a steamer as is required. Who will take the first $100
share in the steamer “John Brown” soon to leave for the coast of
Africa?


ADVANCE TO THE INTERIOR.

If we may believe one-half of the glowing accounts which come to us
regarding the high table-lands of the interior, one or two hundred
miles back from the coast, the region is full of rich promises
as the scene of future missionary operations. It is said that
the land is rich, the country wonderfully beautiful and healthy,
the population dense, and cattle and horses abundant. There are
difficulties in the way of reaching this country, but they are
not insurmountable. One of our missionaries (Mr. Williams), well
fitted for the work, has pushed his way back into this region, and
reports very strongly in its favor. He brought back a horse with
him as corroborative evidence of his statements, and there can be
no doubt that in this healthier upland region the natives are more
intelligent, more industrious, and every way superior, while they
are also ready to welcome any who come among them for purposes
of peace. Our present stations upon the coast, three in number,
furnish excellent starting points and bases of supply, and should
be maintained largely as such. But it should be our aim to work
back from the low, malarious coast into these healthier and more
promising highlands just as soon as the proper men and the means
can be found. Starting from the stations already established, it
would seem to be a wise thing to locate a chain of stations within
easy distances of each other, stretching back to the mountains.
At these points the missionaries could reside two by two, with
mutual helpfulness and support. The natives of this region talk
the same general language as upon the coast. They are said to be
remarkably fine singers, and are fond of music. They manufacture
great quantities of cloth and various other articles of a superior
quality. They are, however, reported to be the husbands of many
wives, counting their honors by the number of their wives. The
rivers that drain this region afford an imperfect approach to the
country, but are available for considerable distances. Let the
means and the men be found, and this healthier and more promising
country can soon be captured for Christ. It is only a question of
time. This push for the interior must soon be made, and a larger
and better work must soon be inaugurated.


BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL.

On Wednesday, March 23d, we sighted the point of Sierra Leone by
early dawn. The country as approached from the sea is beautiful.
The serrated Lion Mountains <DW72> to the water’s edge, covered
with a luxuriance of tropical vegetation. The city of Freetown at
a little distance appears comparatively well built. The public
buildings are large and attract immediate attention, the streets
are wide and regularly laid out; and the whole external aspect
strikes one as much finer than what is naturally expected on this
coast; but a nearer view suggests the truth of the old saying that
“Familiarity breeds contempt.” The stay here was short, but into
the time was crowded a variety of strange and novel experiences.
From this point the mission boat “Olive Branch” carried us to
Good Hope Station, on Sherbro Island, where we landed late in the
evening of March 30th. This trip of about one hundred and twenty
miles occupied three days and two nights, and was, perhaps, the
most trying part of our journey. We experienced several severe
tornadoes on the way, and suffered from the intense glare of the
sun, now nearly vertical, and the difficulty of procuring proper
food. Having reached the mission house, we at once made ourselves
as much at home as possible. Thursday, March 31st, we were all
up at an early hour, and went out before the intense heat of the
day to inspect the grounds and buildings. The fine property of
the mission had evidently suffered in many ways from neglect. All
the buildings stood in need of repairs, and a large portion of
the grounds, including the little cemetery where Barnabas Root is
buried, was overgrown with bush. The spiritual condition of the
church and station seemed also to bear some resemblance to its
outward condition. It was not hopeless, but somewhat depressed.
The grounds in the immediate vicinity of the mission house gave
evidence, however, that the missionaries had neither forgotten to
exercise their taste, nor been wasteful of the small force and
slender means at their command. So, also, the spiritual condition
of the station presented some encouraging features. The warm
reception which Mr. Kemp and his wife received on every side gave
some reason to hope that the church would yet nourish under his
judicious care.

[Illustration: MISSION HOME, MENDI MISSION.]

Friday, April 1st, was emphatically a day of calls. It had been
quickly noised abroad that the new missionaries from America had
arrived, and many availed themselves of the first opportunity to
bid them welcome to Africa. Possibly a little curiosity was mingled
with their politeness, but we did not care to analyze too closely,
and were glad to see them all. The people we met were generally
fine looking, of a rich, brown color, and not burdened by any
superfluity of clothing. They talked a broken English, which was
almost as difficult to understand as a new language.

To say that Sunday, April 3d, was a warm day would convey but a
slight idea of the truth. When the thermometer indicates over 90°
in America we are apt to call it rather warm; but a new adjective
is needed to characterize African heat at 90°, for it is something
so entirely different from the summer broils of other countries.
No wonder that this is an unhealthy climate. The land is low, the
water stagnant, the air moist, vegetation thick, and the heat
intense. In the morning I preached in the mission church to an
attentive audience on “The light that shineth in a dark place,” and
was present at a service in the Mendi language at the school-house
in the afternoon. The prayer meeting in the evening was well
attended and full of interest.

On Monday, April 4th, we went in the “Olive Branch” to Avery
Station, on the Mahna River, a branch of the Bargroo, forty miles
inland. The trip took all of one night, the boatmen rowing and
keeping time to their oars with a weird, monotonous singing all the
way.

The inspection of the station at Avery consumed the early morning
hours of Tuesday. We visited the mill, the boat houses, the coffee
farm, the cassada fields, the rice houses, the boy’s department,
the store, the church and school-room, and last, but not least, the
“faki,” or native village, situated on the mission grounds, and
under the control of the missionary. The situation of the mission
house is a fine one, but the adjacent country is wilder than at
Good Hope. The house stands on a high promontory, and commands
a very picturesque view both up and down the river. This river
abounds in fish and alligators, while the banks are alive with
monkeys.

I was up at three A. M. on the 7th to help receive Mr. Kemp, who
arrived from Good Hope Station at that hour. Later we visited the
school together, examined the pupils in their various branches, and
gave them a little talk, which they seemed to enjoy. Some of them
were honored by such names as Wm. E. Gladstone and M. E. Strieby.
Their appearance and behavior were very gratifying. The prayer
meeting in the evening was fully attended, and indicated a marked
degree of earnestness, the leader having some difficulty to bring
it to a close. If hand-shaking is a means of grace, we enjoyed
special privileges at the end of this meeting.

I found oysters growing on trees (April 8th), and plucked a large
branch. Bread and butter also grow on trees in this strange land.
I had occasion to turn doctor to-day, and prescribed some fearful
doses, right and left, with marked results, due probably to faith.

After the ordination exercises at Good Hope (April 10th), a number
of the ministerial brethren of the council went in a boat-load
to attend service at the out-station of Debia, and although a
severe tornado threatened to break up the meeting, we enjoyed an
interesting and precious season together. The work at this point is
full of encouragement, but greater facilities are needed to carry
it on.

       *       *       *       *       *

The painful news has just been received through Rev. O. H. White,
D.D., of London, of the death of Rev. Kelly M. Kemp at Good Hope
Station, Mendi Mission. Thus one more bright name has been added
to the long list of missionary heroes and martyrs whose dust
hallows the soil of Africa. No particulars have been received,
and we cannot speak confidently as to the cause of his death.
Those who have read the recent accounts of his ordination and
reception at Good Hope need not be reminded of the high hopes
that were entertained in regard to the work upon which he had but
just entered with so much zeal. Mr. Kemp’s earnest consecration
and varied experience and sweet Christian character had not only
endeared him to all who knew him, but had given rich promise also
of great good to the people among whom he had counted it all joy to
labor.

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AFRICAN NOTES.

—The Sultan of Zanzibar is about to study the organization of the
French navy. He was expected at Marseilles in July for that purpose.

—Dr. Stacker is attempting to explore Lake Tsana in Abyssinia. If
he succeeds in accomplishing this he purposes to push on to Ghera.

—M. Viard, who has already explored the Niger and the Bénvé,
in company with the Count of Semellé, is just attempting a new
expedition for penetrating into the interior, and establishing
there commercial stations.

—Captain Neves Fereira, Governor of Benguela, and some other
officers, have placed themselves at the disposition of the
Geographical Society of Lisbon, for a new Portuguese expedition
from the west to the east, upon an itinerary like that of Serpa
Pinto.

—P. Francisco Autuses, charged with establishing the mission of
Zoumba upon the Zambeze, has set out from Lisbon for Mozambique.
After studying theology and natural sciences at Louvain, he will
devote himself to taking meteorological observations. He will
establish a station for this purpose at Zoumba. In a little
while he will be joined by a number of Portuguese workmen, whom
government will send there to make the necessary buildings for a
commercial office.

—The Portuguese Commission of Public Works has constructed in the
Province of Angola a telegraphic line of 344 kilometers from St.
Paul de Loanda to D