The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-09-21
African Civilization Society
OrTIoE OF AFRICAN CIVILIZATION SOCIETY,
90 Bible House, New York, 1869.

% Bible House, New York, 1869.
DEAR SIR The Board of Directors
Of the African Civilization Society would
respectfully call your attention to the oh.
jects and prospects of the cause they rep.
resent. The objects are, as set forth in
the second article of the Constitution,
The Evangelization and Civilization Of
Africa. and the descendants of African
ancestors wherever dispersed. The des-
truction o. the African Slave-trade by the
introduction Of lawful commerce into AZ
RIGA the promotion of the growth of cot
ton. and other products there, whereby
the natives may become industrious pro-
ducers as well as consumers of the articles
of commerce; and generally, the elevation
of the condition of the colored population
of our own country and of other lands"
We invite your attention to the maeni.
tude Of the interests involved in these OBJ
jects. and their paramount claims upon us
all as lovers Of humanity, az well as
Christians. Hitherto the colored people
of the United States have felt less interest
in the welfare of Africa than their white
brethren, but now deep and widespread
solicitude ID manifested for the conversion
and elevation Of the nations of sunny AT.
r.ca. The time has arrived when they
perceive their duty as well as privilege in
regard to that long-neglected region. The
remarkable discoveries of Livingstone,
Bowen, and Barth, and the interesting &C.
counts by Wilson and Thompson, have
opened a new field Of Christian enter rise,
as well as commercial activity and the
millions Of Central Africa are now await.
ing those movements of Christians in
America and Great Britain which con.
template their temporal as well as spirit.
nal welfare. Though the accounts fur
nished US in Bowen's Central Africa, and
by the letters Of other missionaries in
Yoruba, the colored Churches in the Uni.
ted States are awsking to the conscious
ness that they have work to perform for
Africa, and that they possess those ee.
ments Of power, mental and moral. which
fit them to share 10 the glorious work of
Africa's redemption. The ides that they
aid in destroying the inhuman Slave.trade
as well as introduce pure Christianity to
their " fatherland," besides directly eleva-
ting all branches of the great African
family of nations, has deeply moved the
hearts of multitudes of undetermined
Christians of African descent, and they
desire to be made instrumental in &C.
complishing the great work
They desire TO establish Christian in.
dustrial settlements in Yoruba, west of
the Niger, and near its banks, in fertile
healthy, and attractive region, which at
present is uniuhabited owing to causes de.
scribed in the work referred to. This re-
gion is admirably situated in the highway
Of trade for Central Africa, and can pro-
duee cotton, indigo, rice sugar, and other
articles OF constant demand thus affording
a supply Of free-labor groceries and cotton
to those who prefer thom. That region
might soon be transformed into 4 flourish.
ing Christian nationality, from whence
the blessings OF the gospel of peace would
How to the myriads of teeming Ethiopia.
Thus the preaching of the Gospel would
be accompanied with the powerful ocular
demonstration of Christian communities.
springing into active existence and Ore.
senting models for the imitation of the in.
quisitive tribes of Africa. The cotton.
plant is indigenous there, and trade has
already commenced which bids fair to
supply all the demands which are made
through the rapidly increasing use of the
article. 1t is already serious obstacle
to the slave-trade, as the natives find it
more profitable to engage in the cotton.
culture than in the inhuman traffic 10 men.
1t may prove in time to be the solution
Of the problem. How to remedy the
curse Of American Slavery ?'' The laws
Of trade may unite with the efforts of phi.
lsnthropists to secure the peaceful extinc.
ton of that evil system.
Another point is, that a lawful com.
merce of exceeding magnitude will result
from these efforts, and manufactures to
the extent of millions will be imported to
supply the wants of the people as they be.
come civilized and legitimate trade will
supplant the agonizing desolations pro.
duoed by the inroads Of pirate slavers.
Thus the preaching Of Christ, and the
introduction Of Christian civilization and
lawful commerce, will elevate the nations
OF Africa, and also afford sphere for the
development of Christian zeal and com.
mercial activity among the educated men
of color in the United States, thus aiding
in the work Of elevation HERE, which is so
imperatively necessary. These objects
may all be accomplished, with the Divine
blessing, ifthe means are furnished to send
forth those who are anxious to 20. Many
educated colored ministers are now wait.
ing to be sent forth to preach the gospel
of Christ in their beloved iatherland. In
addition, large number of agriculturists,
and mechanics of all kinds. stand ready to
undertake the work Of founding Christian
nationality in Central Africa, but most of !
them lack the necessary means. Owing
to cruel prejudice still existing at the !
North, their avoeations are such as to pre-
clude them generally from amassiug |
wealth, and they therefore look to the |
Christian love and generosity of their !
more privileged white brethren to aid |
them.
The American churches and people owe
to their fellow.countrynen of African de.
scent very heavy debt. Generation af.
"a