The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-02
JOHN STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Address by Ex.Prcsidenf Roberts, Of LII.
BERN.


Ex-President Roberts, of the Republic Of Liberia
delivered an address yesterday evening at this
church on the social and religious condition OF the
people OF Liberia and OF the neighboring tribes
Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was
small President Roberts, who is about sixty years
Of aye and OF fine physical appearance, on being In
troduced by the pastor OF the church,
proceeded to review the early history Of the
Liberian republic. After the declaration Of
American independence he said slavery
was organized in this country. Philanthropic peo-
pie began TO inquire what should he done to ame-
icrate the condition OF the free colored men Of the
United States and many plans were suggested by
Christian men, 1t was proposed to form q colony OF
free negroes in the Territories but 1t was seen
that such colony could not exist separate com.
munty In this land, where the tide OF emigration
was constantly moving In from the countries
OF Europe. In the last century Robert Finlay
and others took the question in hand, and after
much discussion the West Coast OF Africa was Sc.
lected proper place for q colony OF such free
coiorcd persons AZ might wish to leave the United
States. In 1877 In an upper chamber In Washington
City, few persons assembled and there formed the
first colonization society. Soon afterwards Messra
Mills and Burger sent to London to confer with
| Gladstone and Wiberforce and came back with the i'm
Tor the proposed colony. In 1919 q ship was fitted
! out In New York and company OF men sailed for
ored men OF America. It was FinIays object BY the
establishment OF the colony to test the ability OF tie
slave traic on The coast OF Africa, and to cyllize
and evangelize the communities living IN that c0un-
try. Sierra Leone was tried but the hostility OF the
people great that eventually 1t had 10 bs
| abandoned Aided by Captain afterwards Commo-
dore Stockton, OF the United States navy, Prov-
dence Island, q place about two acres in
extent, where there was no fresh water
was secured for the little expedition and there tho
| colony remained FOR seven months. AS, however,
flsrp yya AT "A
native chiefs, the natives were induced to declare
war against them, and their supply Of water from
| the mainland was cut on, and they were compelled
TO abandon the island and take refuge on the PENN
suIa al Cape Measurable, where they built baIr-
but although the colony numbered but thirty to
fifty men the assaiants were driven or
ciieI OF tue nei'hnornoou SOON aIter came 10 lh,r
assist and threw his powerful protection over the
infant colony. After rapidly sketching the progress
OF the colony in establishing itself The coast Mr.
Roberts CAV graphic description OF tho struggles
OF the missionaries who were sent ont by the differ
ent societies IN the United states 10 AID IN the work.
In is47 owing TO the refusal or tho English govern
mcni to recognize them an independent coBulu-
nifty, IL became necessary To dissolve the
The INDEPENDENCE OF The new state was
not long afterward acknowledged by most or tho
Powers through the influence Oi the American gov
eranient, and the republic commenced Its career:
60 far, Mr. Roberts SAID the negroes Of Liberia mad
an inconrovertibe fact that tne republic has done
to abolish the slave trade on the coast then all
| the squadrons sent by England and America. When
| il had obtained Jurisdiction over the
| neighborng territories Inc slave trade was pro-
| hbited on COO miles Of the coast, where tho
| largest slave marts formerly existed. With
regatd TO the second object for which the colony Of
Lii era originally formed, the repD.c had done
all IN ITS power 10 extend civilization and to
vert The heather people in is neighborbood. For
This purpose individuals were heavily taxed but
their means very unequal 70 Tie work. lie spoke
OF which he had been for forty years a member,
snd predicted that II would spread ike green bay
tee There are forty 10 fifty churches In the repub
| lie, with full congregations.
Being subsequently Intercepted President Roberts
stated that the means OF education was very limited
ia the republic and that the masses were very ignor
ant The college OF which he IL president was mainly
supported by foreign contributions and the students
were Gil Liberian Americans All the orcers OF the
institution were like the students, colored men, The
i chiefs in tho neghborhood were esteemed rich In
proportion TO the number OF their wives. The popu-
lation OF the republic 5000 TO $1,000 and that OF
the territories under It's Jurisdiction 900 000 Presi-
dent Roberts, besides his once IA president or the
| Liberian college, In also Consul for Belgium. He
cational establishments OF the republic could not
! survive.
I The Rev. John Size, resident Minister and Consul
General OF the United states, afterwards addressed
tho congregation on the religious condition OF the
republic. He had 40 converts In his church taken
| from among the Abor ginees. His remarks were
l interesting and entertaining, and went TO show
/ that the Lberian Christians In their numerous con-
| tests with their less enlightened neighbors when
struck on one cheek did not turn the other, but
"built their faith upon the holy text Of pike and
| gum and rarely fai cd 10 administer apostolic
blows and knocks" the thick heads OF their oppo-
/ nents, Ike ordinary followers Of Christ.