The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-18
The GosheI In Africa.

A sermon was preached last evening in the Church OF
the Epiphany, Stanton street, by Rev. ]. A Rambo, mis-.
sionary from Africa, on the missionary condition and
wants Of the natives OF that continent. He has but very
recently returned from the settlement Of Sierra Leone.
He commenced by speaking OF the spiritual wants and
necessities Of the native population Of Africa, and Of the
obligation that rested on the Christian world towards
them. HI had, he said, for some time been among them
| and his experience and observation qualified him to speak
of their condition. There was, he said, a knowledge of
God among the Mahommedan portion OF the inhabitants,
but the greater part were ~beathens, sunk to the lowest
level of barbarism and mental ignorance. They had some
knowledge Of the other world and OF the obligations Of
moral law, but they were not bound by its ties, and their
manner Of life was governed almost solely by their pas
sons. The heathenish practice which prevailed among
them originated in superstition aud witchcraft, which was
universally prevalent among them. P~olyRamy, in its
worst forms, was prsctised, and women were sold as
slaves. In fact, slavery was pursued az a business, and
was supported in all its force. II was gratifying, however,
10 know that much had been done and was doing, at Sierra
Leone and other points, for their Characterization and the
speaker declared, that the light of the Gospel would even.
tuaiiy shine In all It's eGulgenee on this ~benighted part Of
the world. In some OF the churches there were about
three hundred communicates, and in the whole colony Of
Sierra Leone the Church OF England had three thou sand
communicate, while the Wesleyan denomination had An
equal number. What was done for Sierra Leone could be
done for all Africa, and what the people were capable of
was proved by the present advanced condition OF the
republic OF Liberia. II was true that much immortality pre-.
vailed In that republic, but he had no doubt that Il would
one day be the means Of the regeneration of Africa through
the exertions Of native missionaries. OF the Anne
rcan mission at Cape Palmas, he felt pleasure In being
able 10 give an encouraging account. Numbers had been
converted, and the Gospel was being rapidly disseminated
among them. With the progress Of Christianity the mate
rial prosperity OF the people.was improved. The natives
acknowledged the benefits Of education, by sending their
children to the mission schools. Much had been done to-
wards the abolition OF heathenish practices among those
who had not yet embraced the Christian faith; and al.
though many had fallen back To their super stton, yet a
steady advance had been made, and, if followed up, the
best results might be expected. There WAS one thing in
favor Of the successful establishment OF Christianity which
was, that the natives entertained no prejudice against
foreigners. 90 far from this being the case, they were
more inclined 10 receive the white man "a n friend-a
fact which the wonderful experience OF Dr. Livingstone
fully confirmed. The speaker had received abundant
proofs of their friendly feeling sand OF their federation Of
of particular notice; there were no castles among them,
and missionaries could enter every family 10 preach Chris
tianity. In some instances they had, II is true, fallen
back into beathenism, but the true Christian missionary
should only feel In this an additional incentive to exertion.
But the missionary, no matter how jealous he might be,
could do nothing II not assisted by Christians at
home. II was their duty 10 give that aid which was
wanted now more than ever. Besides, we owed q debt to
Africa which We should repay in this way. The three
millions in bondage In our own country gave their broth.
rem on that continent a claim upon US which we should
not discard. They were human beings, and as such wcrs
entitled TO our consideration as Christians and men. IF
every member Of the denomination 10 which he, tho
speaker, belonged contributed but six cents a week, q
fund for the Characterization of Africa of three hundred
thousand dollars q year might be raised, instead OF the
inadequate sum which IL at present contributed. He con
cluded by expressing the hope that the good work would
not be allowed 10 flag for want OF aid, but that American
Christians would manifest their earnestness in II by con-
tribuiing literally Of their means.