American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-11-05
FRIENDS PLEA FOR AFRICA.

We have had frequent occasion to mention the
Mission recently established in the neip hborhood of
Bathurst, in West Africa, by Hannah Kilham, and
other members Of the Society Of Friends. In the let
tiers Of Mrs. Kiiham, inserted 10 the London Mis-
sionary Register for July, We find the following par
agraphs, which we recommend 10 The candid peru
sal OF all who regard Nj ssions to the heather as I'M
necessary, or who are unwilling to contribute any
thing for their support. W /. Obs.
have visited many Of the huts here, and have
sen with grief 10 what state Of extreme degrade
tlon and immortality the people live: their wreched
habits lead to much misery; and those domestic
bonds which should endear and unite TO zach ether
the father, the mother, and children of one family
are here supplanted by jealousy, confusion, and in
many instances, great cruelty. While writing the
last sentence, was called upon to visit a poor wo
man, who had been 50 inhumanly beaten by her
husband that she was in danger Of suffering greatly
II not OF dying in consequence Of his treatment and
although time was pressing, immediately WENT
On my way, was informed that the King OK Barra
some time ago, wishing to dismiss one Of his wives
had ordered her legs to be broken, which was the
cause oil her death. All these things reminded me
oil the easy complacency with which | had hear
some people in England talk OF leaving ike uncivili
zed part OF The world to themselves, say ing that they
were very happy as they were, and much more IN
NocENT Than was imagined but, indeed from al
The accounts which we hear from those who have
really had view fthe state OF the uncIvilized
II Is evident that the innocency that is talked of
distance, is not found in them. On the contrary
all that hear calls aloud for the help of,
those who have been favored with the blessings oil
aChrstian Education, and the advantages Of civ
ilzed and improved Society.
appears 10 be the will Of the Most High that
His creatures should b. made the AGENTS and in
SHIPMENTS ofimproyement to each other and the
state OF THIS POOR COUNTRY, more perhaps, thai
any other, demands the wakeful care and exertion o
those who can feel for The people, aud for the ad
vapcemenl Of truth and righteousness in the earth
There are, indeed sacrifices 10 be made. aud much
ease and self indulgence. Those who have felt the !
comforts Of home and dearly priced them, MUS
feel the deprivation OF them, which is necessarily
experienced here; 50 thai they who come out sim |
ply with siew to do good will need he support oil
Divine Goodness, and the of bis providenal I
care over h, m: YET am lar from believing thai
we are, in any circumstances at liberty sit down in
the mere enjoyment Of surrounding blessings with /
out sINcERH AID soLIcIrOUs INQUIRY what may
be he duties o. our day; OF VIII al sacrifices for the
sake OF others may be demanded al our hands,
Are we not DEBTORS for all that we enjoy for the
privilege OF Christian Instruction-the precious adj
vantaGes Of religious fellowship? And is it not,
enough for as to feel, that Divine Goodness per
miis US 10 partake Of these enioyments even when
seas divide from those whom we love Let us
then seek for nothing more earnestly than entire
dedication to viii and resign ourselves wholly
to pursue what we apprehend to be His appoint
inents concerning US, whether it be for life or for
death.