National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-04-18


4 missionary meeting In support Of the African
fund was held last night al Christ church,
Georgetown; Bishop Smith presiding. The e&-
my God, 70 Thee, which was rendered In an ex,
qIisite style by the choir with Herman Scllgson
as leader, and Messrs. Sellgson, Jowy, Brice,
Bosses, 9rme and Barrett, tenors; Misses Nc;
Moore, bass; Mrs. Bricc, contTaltO; Miss Nimmo,
OTRanist. Upon the conclusion, the regular
evening services were conducted by Rev. Mr.
iev. Dr. Nicholson, Of Newark, y. j.. was In.
trOduccd and made brief address, saying he
would act on this occasion only as pioneer for
what was to come hereafter from Bishop Auer,
who would lay all the facts before the cOngrega.
ton. lie related the narrative Of Mary and
Martha as an Illustration OF the Importance Of
the missionary service, aud the reward that will
bo made for those who choose this part In a
close Intercourse with the SAVIOUR.
Bishop Auer was next introduced and began
his remarks by saving the missionary work was
the Lord Is being made known In Africa and his
power Il being felt. The Lords nnger pointed TO
that land more than lfty years ago, and he went.
When he arrived on the coast be was asked who
he was, and In response said he was a mission
airy, come to give light. On the morning after
hts arrival he heard little bell, and looking out
OF his window, saw little church. lie entered
on his work at once. After being In the country
some time he discovered that the climate and
ground were such that vegetables could DO OBJ
tained all the year round. He then related the
merits Of the palm tree, and spoke Of the climate,
which caused the people TO become very lazy.
The houses are very poor.
The people dress very shabblly, they have poor
streets and roads, have no bridges, and thereby
cannot use horse. lie accounted for this by
their not having the light OF God. They believe
God gave man unto bad spirits. lie then told
about their faith In the monkey, and In this con-
ncction told many amusing incidents; In fact,
his entire address was to such an extent nlled
with incidents that his hearers were kept IN a
continual laughter.
His accent which Is strongly German, as
sisted him greatly In amusing his congregation,
although what he told was Intended to be eX-
pressed In the most earnest manner. lie
claimed that all Is darkness to the African peo-
pie, and they must be better provided for. The
Gospel must lie clearly demonstrated to them;
they want books; they must have system Of
writing, and they must he educated.
His picture OF the young Africans singing the
Episcopal hymns In their language was hsAu-
tful.
The efforts on his part To ChristianIze these
people he clearly demonstrated were being
mechanics, farmers, &c., and have begun to
show taste for decorating the churches. There
| Ia on the western coast a religious paper
printed, and several boys have been sent to Ger
many to learn trades. II IL his desire to teach
the boys all trades, In order to assist them to-
wards civilization. lie wanted TO engage the
sympathlcs Of the people Of the United States,
returning TO Africa at once, and he desired to
take something from America.
While he Is absent from Africa his school Is
run by boys that he educated. lie wants to take
| half dozen young men back with him to assist
him In his great work, aud closed by making q
strong appeal for the cause In Africa.
After the benediction was pronounced the