The native American., 1838-12-08


this cannot be the case long The lamented an,
early death Of the Rev. Mr. White, was clearl,
the consequences Of imprudent zeal, an opinion
r in which DR.. Savage and the Surgeon OF tn
!. United States sloop Of war Dolphin, who saw
him, both agree. We find Spanish and French
savers living for years on the coast, Drawing al
for money. Is he who seeks to lay up treasures
in heaven, afraid Of losing life in the cause oi
duty! Assuredly if Missionaries have fallen in
greater numbers, it can only be that the "children
Of this world are wiser in their generation than
the children Of light" 2' .s1a. EE5 s.~ ..A
Mr.. and Mrs. w. have succeeded in teaching
a large number Of both native boys and girls, the
latter amounting to IL or Is in number. In other
parts Of the coast the natives do not readily yield
the girls for instruction. Mr.. WIS success in
this is strong evidence that he possesses the
confidence Of the natives. Much, no doubt, is
owing to the kind, conciliating manner Of Mrs. w.
The sacrifices and zeal Of this lady in the cause,
afford beautiful example of Christian excel
lencc and principle. Let not those ladies who
are living in ease and afluence at home, forget
the cause, which, by SO many similas examples,
has added 50 much dignity to the female character
Mr.. Wilson has succeeded in reducing the Grey
DO language to written form, using it in his
schools, and hymns in his religious exercises
with the natives. Ills suggestion to form mis-
sion up the Niger, it is to be hoped, will not be
overlooked. @.tA@ #@
Protestant Episcopal Mission. n.-rhis mission
was commenced about two years and half ago, |
at Cape Palmas, by DR.. Savage, who went out as
pioneer. Fifteen acres, Of what was then part
Of the woody wilderness, has been cleared and
kept under good cultivation BY the mission family
and school. The mission dwellings occupy al
very beautiful mount, about 100 feet high in the
centre Of the grounds. The whole being enclosed
and planted with tropical fruit trees and plants.
The mount has received the name of Vaughan, ]"
after the Secretary Of the p E. Board Of Foreign
Missions, and is at the distance of three miles
\ from the Cape. &. ."
There are at present connected with this mis-
ST on three missionaries and three assistants, to-
ge ther with the lady of one Of the missionaries.
be. ,ides three colored assistants.
The number received into the native schools |
is lilnited to twenty-five, deeming it wiser to in
structa few thoroughly, rather than run the risk
Of acting imperfectIy on many. Agriculture is
made prominent point in the course Of instruc-
ton. Religious services are held alternately on
the Mission premises, and in school house, half
way between Mount Vaughan and the Cape, for
the benefit Of the Colonists. The chief aim of
this Mission is to act directly and exclusively on
the native population, by which its influence will
be more permanently and firmly based. than di-
viding the efforts indefinitely among Colonists
and natives. The wisdom Of this arrangement
has been already made apparent by its obvious
effects on the natives. It has gained their conf
dence, leading them to view the missionaries as
identified with their own interests alone. A ma
tive CHIEF assured r. savage that IN the event Of
any quarrel arising between his people and the
Colony, it would not affect the missionaries
dwelling among them. Dr.S. also informed me
that the natives, ath ,ugh in the habit Of stealing
from the Colonists, did not disturb the missionary
property, even though exposed. The influence
which has already produced this restraining effect
on such powerful propensity, and the feeling of
gratefuness from which it must have arisen,
cannot fail to accomplish great and unexpected
changes in their whole habits.
Preaching and Sabbath school instruction have
been commenced in native village, three miles
distant, under crcums tances Of great encourage
ment; SO much so, that its inhabitants have, of
their own accord, proposed to erect 'God pala-
yer house," Another station has also been opened
at native town, called Deh-neh, forty miles up
the Cavally river; the chief of which has propos-
ed and promised to supply all the necessary
timber for building a mission house, and the
requisite native laborerss. rH
tits the design Of this mission to penetrate into
the interior, as rapidly as circumstances will per-
nit. And by extending stations forward, the in
Auence Of which will gradually prepare the tribes
beyond to desire and welcome such efforts among
themselves. There is, besides, every probability
that spot will be reached, which, from its high
elevation, and absence from local causes Of dis
ease, will prove healthful resort for those mis- |
sionaries whose energies may be exhausted by
their labors in less favorable situations.
A number of native boys under tuition have
made such good progress, as to be able to read
any where in the Bible, and write well. They
appear to be susceptible of religious impressions,
and DR.. Savage thinks that they possess native
capacity for mental exersion and Improvement not
inferior to the whites. From my own experience
they have proved themselves certainly equal to
that Of the Colonists.*
There is no country whose condition and rela- |
ton to the civilized world, has stronger claim
on the sympathy and benevolence Of Christians,
than Africa. For purposes known only to Him
"whose ways are not as our ways" her children
have been slaves for ages to the most civilized
nations. The increasing light Of religion, and
more correct views Of a moral duty, point out in |
language not to be misinterpreted, the obligations
resting on those who have been enriched by her
suferings. nor can any enlightened mind, by the
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