New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-07-13

The Rev. Mr. Bowen, who has for six years labored
as Christian Missionary in Africa last evening de-
vered address on the effects of missionary labors
there, at the F Street Presbyterian Church. W
The popular impressions in relation to the
physical characteristics OF Africa, he said, were
erroneous Upon the western coasts, and for dist
ance inward especially along the river courses, the
climate is nsaubrions, and the people wild and ne
rior; but there vast heathful, beautiful and fertile
regions in Central Africa of rolling prairie varied by
mountains at distances of twelve, twenty or more
miles apart-mountains which do not run in ridges,
represented in the maps but stand in isolated ee-
vations, presenting varied and picturesque appear
ances.
Water is abundant in most of the country, the riv-
ers being very numerous and pure, free from lime
stone influence, the granite formation prevailing
The identity of the vegetable productions with
those OF our own country is SO striking that the
American, in view ofthe waving corn-ied, the up
land Or sea island cotton may often forget that he is
in distant land.
The cotton is spun and dyed ~ the women. Weav-
ing is distinct pursuit. and tailoring establishments
and depots of read made clothing are numerous. It
has lately been denied by an English wrter-or at
least a doubt has been thrown over the fact-that
indigo is grown in Africa but Mr.. Bowen asserts
that there are four or five varieties Of which he
regardsas identical with that commonly grown in our
southern States while another is far superior to any
OF the indigo Of commerce, else the manpulations
of the African people in the process of dying are
more skillfuly performed.
Iron smelling is special pursuit there also. Iron
from Africa has been pronounced in this country of
superior quality The speaker stated it as his belief
that their mode ofsmelting was the Of this ad
vantage. The one is brought into or near towns
where the smeters purchase it and smelt it in pits
without the aid Of contriyances to produce powerful
draught. Is not process not Identical with Clarke
Mills mode of castng?1
There are large towns or cities. The laws are not
cruel, nor are they harshly administered Law and
order prevail and there is great security of life and
person. 1t is more dangerous to walk by night
through the City of Washington than through one of
the same population there. Each city consists of
| many families or communities. Each Of these com
mnnties have their houses facing inward in hollow
/ square. The chief man OF each community is re-
spohslble to the King for the delivery up Of every
offender against the laws within his gates.
| The people are either Mahommedans or idolatofs
The work OF the missionaries appears chiefly addressed
| to the latter. They welcome the missionaries and
even send for them, and urge them to and live
i 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 mission
aries has still been great since it has the speaker
believes given blow to dolatry that will lead to its
i destruction. H0l
Mr.. Bowen explained, that though they worship
two hundred idols, they do not really believe that
1 they are gods They pray to them as to the visible
representatives of holy spirits, who are necessor
| or mediators between them and the Deity of whom
they have correct general conceptions They sacrifice
animals to these idols and pray for them to ntercede
or beg God to favor thenl T''
When assured that Christ was a sacrifice made for
them, they receive the idea with great readiness and
eearness and often destroy their idols because of
having learned it.
The prediction of the psalmist that Ethiopia should
stretch forth her hands, Mr.. Bowen said, is often
Drought torciby to the mind Of the missionary as he
preashes TO these people, by their habit, when the
mnd Is experiencing conviction, of stretching forth
poe arms towards the speaker, as though they would
Catch and embrace the truths he is presenting to them
Il Washington States, 9Th inst