The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-03-17

was wrought upon the boy while he play
ed, how the face, before so stolid, was now
cleaning with the fires of genius, which
seemed almost to fash from the sightless
eyeballs!-how his whole being appeared
to be entranced by the melody which he
called forth from the instrument, he thought
to himself that that boy was type of poor
blind Africa. For ages she had CROPPED in
darkness, but by Gods direction she would
soon put her fingers upon the Gospel, ami
call forth such music of love and praise as
would resound through all Christendom,a land
stir the great heart Of the world as it was
never moved before. (Applause.)
Rev DIR. Hague, of this city, was then
introduced by the President, and addressed
the audience. He said he believed the
commencement of this society marked a
new era in the history of the world, and
that, although the beginning was an hum
BILE one, they should remember that it was
large compared with that which assembled
in an upper chamber in the city of Jerusa-
lem centuries of years ago, through which
had since been moulded the destinies of
the world. Africa was a pearl of great
price, and there was mass of humanity
within her borders which required to be
leavened; Christianity was to be intro
duced, a continent regenerated, and made
one vast country over which the Son of
Righteousness should pour food of glory.
The looming up of that hitherto unen-
lightened country was a leading feature in
the history of this nineteenth century. 1t
was not wonderful that China should be
much thought of with her four hundred
millions, but it was wonderful that an old
world long hidden should be only now
brought into the view of this civilized por-
ton of the universe. 1t was a popular
idea that prejudice against color was con-
nected with the idea of slavery. Nothing
could be more incorrect, for in the sixth
century, in the time of Justinian, slaves
were white. In order to subdue this pre-
JUDGE and to elevate the race, there must
be a naturalization; and in order to bring
the community together, scattered as it is
far and wide, one grand center must exist.
The people must have nation, CON-
merce, system of diplomacy, and, in a
word, as historians say, "be brought within
the broad scale of civilization" Already
this change had commenced. Africa was
looming up. The Niger had been explor-
ed, and the shores of this hitherto unknown
Mississippi of the torrid zone, laden with
wealth, were waiting for a market, For a
long period public sentiment had judged
of African character by the degraded stand
ard of civilization on the low coast, where
slavers visit and petty kings make mer-
chandize of human hesh but the fact was
already becoming known to the world that
the people of Africa possessed a faculty
for self-government, and are already devel-
oping those stamina of character which on
ly wake to influences of Christianity. AL
ready we could see three millions of her
population engaged in self-government,
pursuing the arts Of industry, and conduct.
ing the affairs Of nation with a forecast
and Judgment of which we need not be
ashamed when reckoning them among the
brotherhood of nations. They also pos
sessed language. One of the great diff
culties in Asiactic tongues was lack of
terms to denote abstract ideas. In China
and other kindred countries, for instance,
it was impossible to translate 'God ,""sanc-
tifcation," gospel" redemption" "atone-
ment," and other words which bring to our
mind great, stirring thoughts and ideas of
heaven and Jesus. But in Africa the Ian
guage abounded in these abstract terme,
and the missionary experienced no Difficult
ty in preaching the gospel and developing
the history and higher doctrines that per-
tain to Christianity, and which we regard
as Gods appointed agency to regenerate
and disenthrall the world.
Rev Dr. Bowling (white) followed in an
address treating of the evangelical aspect
of the subject, and illustrated his remarks
with many pleasing anecdotes, which seem
ed to be keenly relished by the audience.
Rev. Mr.. Stewart, (colored, a returned
missionary from Liberia, here arose in the
audience, and said Mr.. Chairman, l
merely wish to say few words. I came
to this place to hear and to be instructed;
but have been citizen of Liberia for the
last eleven years, and whenever hear
that country mentioned it fills my soul with
emotions Of joy, and | like to give utter
ance to them. congratulate your socie-
ty in this movement, and | am free to say,
in behalf of the citizens of Liberia, that
they hail with joy this action on the part
of their brethren in this country for the
amelioration of the condition of Africa.
We look with pleasing anticipations to this
timely help. (Hear, hear.) | may say re
speeding the republic of Liberia that rapid
progress is being made in advancing the
moral and political condition Of the people.
1t is futile idea, which has gained much
ground, that the natives of Africa are not
susceptible of moral, political, and social
culture. | believe that if Africa is ever to
be evangelical it must be done by the col
cred race, and we must have helm from the