The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-14
MISSIONS TO AFRICA.

The Rev. Mr. Bowen, who has for six
years labored as Christian missionary in
Africa, last evening delivered an address on
the effects of missionary labors there. at the
Presbyterian Church in Washington.
The popular impressions in relation to
the physical characteristics of Africa, he
said, were erroneous. Upon the western
coasts, and for a distance inward. especially
along the river courses, the climate is in
salubrious, and the people wild and inferior;
but there are vast healthful, beautiful, and
fertile regions in Central Africa. of rolling
prairie, varied by mountains at distances of
twelve, twenty, or more miles apart-moun-
tains which do not run in ridges, as repre-
scented in the maps, but stand in isolated
elevations. presenting varied and pictur
esque appearances.
Water is abundant in most of the coun-
try, the rivers being very numerous and
pure, free from limestone influence. the
granite formation prevailing.
The identity of the vegetable productions
with those of orr own country is so striking.
IL,
corn field. or the upland or sea island cot
ton, may often forget that he is in distant
land.
The cotton is spun and dyed by the wo-
men. Weaving is a distinct pursuit, and
tailoring establishments and depots of
ready made clothing are numerous. 1t has
| lately been denied by All English writer
or at least doubt has been thrown over
the fact-that indigo is grown in Africa;
but Mr. Bowen asserts that there are four
or five varieties, one of which he regards as
identical with that commonly grown in our
southern States while another is far supe-
rior to any of the indigo of commerce, or
else the manipulations of the African peo-
pie in the process of dyeing are more skill
fully performed.
Iron smelling is special pursuit there,
also. Iron from Africa has been pronounce
ed in this country of superior quality. The
speaker stated it as his belief, that their
mode of smelling was the source of this
advantage. The ore is brought into or
near the towns, where the smelters pur-
chase it. and smelt it in pits, without the
aid of contrivances to induce a powerful
draught. Is the process not identical with
! Clarke Mills mode of casting
There are large towns or cities. The
laws are not cruel, nor are they harshly ad-
ministered. Law and order prevail, and
there is great security of life and person.
t. = 70 hyyT irrhf
through the city of Washington, than
through one of the same population there.
Each city consists of many families or COM
munities. Each of these communities have
| square. The chief mah of each community
| is responsible to the King for the delivery
up of every offender against the laws within
his gates.
The people are either Mahommedans or
idolators. The work of the missionaries
appears chiefly addressed to the latter.-
They welcome the missionaries, and even
! send for them. and urge them to come and
live and preach among them. Whether
the number who have been converted to
spiritual Christianity is large or small, the
effect of the preaching of the missionaries
has still been great, since it has, AS the
speaker believes, given blow to idolatry
that will yet lead to its destruction.
Mr. Bowen explained, that though they
worship two hundred idols, they do not re-
ally believe that they are gods. They pray
to them as to the visible representatives of
holy spirits, who are intercessors or media
tors between them and the Deity, of whom
they have correct general conceptions
They sacrifice animals to these idols, and
pray to them to intercede, or to beg God to
favor them.
When assured that Christ was sacrifice
made for them. they receive the idea with
great READINGS and clearness, and often de-
troy their idols because of having learned
it.
The prediction of the psalmist that Ethio-
pia should stretch forth her hands, Mr. Bow
en- said, is often brought forcibfy to the
mind of the missionary as he breaches to
these people, by their habit, when the mind
is experiencing conviction, of stretching
forth both arms towards the speaker, as
though they would catch and embrace the
truths he is presenting to them.