The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-01
EMBARKATIoN OF MISSIONARIES.

EMBARKATION OF MISSIONARIES.
Sailed, on the 18th inst, from Bangor, Me-,
in brig Executive, Capt Lee, Rev. George P.
Clafin, Rev. John 81. Dodge, and Mr.. Richard
Miles, with their wives, missionaries of the
American Missionary Association, for the Mem
di Mission, West Africa.
From the Bangor Daily Wing and Courier
we learn the particulars of the farewell meeting
1t was held the previous evening in the First
Congregational Church. 1t was the first occa-
sion of missionaries sailing from Bangor to any
foreign missionary field. Mr.. Clafin is grada
ate of the Bangor Theological Seminary, Mr.
Dodge of Andover Theological Seminary, and
MIR. Miles is a teacher from Oberlin, Ohio He
has been at the Mend Mission before, but the
rest go for the first time. The meeting was at
tended by large and deeply interested audi
ence.
The services commenced by singing the mis-
sionary hymn,
& From Greenland's icy mountains,
The congregation were then led in fervent
prayer by Rev. DR.. Shepard
Rev. Mr.. Gilman then stated the object of
the meeting. We come to bid God-speed to
these brethren, who leave home and friends
and native land TO labor for the salvation of the
sons and daughters of Africa. He hardly
these missionaries. The speaker then com.
mented on the Importance of the work to which
they were called, and expressed undouhting
confidence that Africa would yet be given to
God. He also alluded TO the obstacles which
the missionaries would encounter.
Rev. Mr. Dodge was then introduced to the
audience, and spoke of the feelings which filled
his soul as he looked forward to the work upon
which he was soon TO enter He knew that he
was going to a land of moral darkness. and to
a land of sickness and death. But he reioiced
to go, even if he should find an early grave in
that land of strangers.
| He was followed by Rev. Mr.. ClaHin. The
speaker made an affecting alluson to seasons
OF communion and fellowship which he had en-
| joyed with the Christian people Of BANGOR
and said he knew this farewell" was not O.
farewell to sympathy or to Christian love and
labor. MIR. Clafin then briefly alluded to the
missionary work, and expressed the hope that
the sympathies and prayers of Gods people
would go with him and those who accom- panied
him.
Mr.. Miles followed. He had been to Africa.
but only for a short time. He proceeded to
speak of the importance of zeal in the mission
airy work, and also of patience and faith sur.
rounded by the darkness of heather lands.
This had been called a farewell meeting, but
it vas not SO to hiH. In going to our labors,
we ask not for pity, but we do ask for your
sympathy.
The congregation then sung,
"Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim"
Rev. George Whipple, Secretary of the
American Missionary Association, then adj
dressed the audience. He referred to the proyi-
dence of God which had turned the attention
Of the Association to Africa as a field of mis-.
sionary effort. He alluded briefly to the his.
tory Of the Amistad caPtives 10 the fact that
bequest of $4,000 had been made, TO be
expended in this field and to the wonderful
manner in which God had opened Africa to
Christian light and love within the past few
years. We owe to Africa a greater debt than
to any other nation. The speaker then gave
some interesting facts, showing the success
which had attended the missionary work in
Africa.
Rev. pr. Harris then gave the yaledictory
address to the departing missionaries. He re-
joiced to look upon their faces; rejoiced that
they had hearts bold enough to stand up against
the wrongs of heathenism. He congratulated
them in their undertaking. 1t is a great work
Go forth in the strength Of God, and your labor
shall not be in vain. Christ will be with you,
and his grace shall sustain you. Brethren, the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Rev. DIR. Pond offered the closing prayer,
after which tie congregation sung the nymn-
2" Roll on, thou m ghry oceln."
The benedction was pronounced in very
touching and impressive manner by Rev. Mr..
Maltby. The services throughout were SOL
emn, and deeply interesting
We learn from Mr.. Whippie that large
number of persons gathered at two o'clock on
the 18th, at Vease's wharf, to attend the reli-
gious services previous to the sailing of the
brig. Prayer offered, and hymn was
sung. May the God of missions protect and
prosper this missionary band
A SUGGEsTIoN.-Not little of the earlier
action of the ensuing session of our State Leg
islature will be directed to objects having refer
ence to the more thorough defenee Of the State.
As a salntary measure of protection, we sug-
gest the passage of a law making negroes COM
petent witnesses in prosecutions for tampering
with slaves.
However contrary to the general policy of our
laws, it is precisely one of those cases in which
necessity justi6es exception, and many analo-
gies may be found to Justify it. To mention no
other every one will recall the familiar instance
of the permission of wife to testify against her
husband in cases of assault, contrayeping the
general principle Of evidence which forbids
wife to be witness for or against her husband,
and contravening it for the identical reason
that justifes the exception we suggest to wit:
that the wife land the same is true Of the negro)
is the only person usually who, by the nature of
the case, can be cognizant of the offence. A
proposition for such a change in oW Law of
evidence was made some years back By an in
Auential member of the Legislature, now q
resident of our city, but failed, principally, we
presume, because the events of the day did not
do qfrafo ito utilitv Snro1v hat
cannot now be pleaded. Brown has publicly
boosted that he had threaded the State before
he made his attempt, and it is quite likely that,
during his tour, he meyer once opened bis lips
to white person on the subject 'cf Ms mission.
The passage Of such a law would Ravs . sal
utary effect in preventing that from being at.
tempted, which may now be accomplished, with
comparative immunity Rtsy.'arg Pal Press