Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-13
Colored Missionaries for Africa.

Ever since the founding of the celebrated
Fisk University at Nashville, Tennessee, by
the American Missionary Association, for
the education of colored youth of both sexes,
missionary work on the continent of Africa
has been a subject of increasing interest to
the students and friends of the institution
and yet there seemed no immediate prospect
of sending out laborers into that distant
dents, year after year, have gone out from
this and the other colored schools of the
South to their work of teaching in the coun-
try districts-the malarial plantations of
Mississippi, or the mountain regions of
Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia-but the
work of Africa seemed far in the future.
But new departure in this regard has
been taken. correspondent of the Spring
field Republican, from which this account is
CLEANED, says that Monday, February 18th,
was marked in the history of Fisk Univers-
ity by the departure of the first band of
missionaries from among its students to a
foreign field. Four young people, Rev. and
Mrs. A. p. Miller and Rev. and Mrs. A. L.
jackson, left Nashville for New York on
their way to Africa. Little more than two
weeks ago call came from the American
Missionary Association asking for two mis-
sionaries, to sail February Odd. The letter
was read before the students, but with little
hope of an immediate response. This oc-
Cured on Friday on Monday two of the
advanced students, with the young ladies
who have since become their wives, had of
fered themselves for the work. A few tele-
graphic dispatches concluded the arrange
ments, and preparations were begun for
their departure. Mr.. Miller was a member
of the senior college class, expecting to grad
uate in May Mr.. jackson was a student in
the scientific course, and both young ladies
were members of the normal class, fitting
for teachers. The two young men, both OF
whom were expecting to enter the ministry
were ordained on Sunday, February 18th
On Monday forenoon the wedding took
place, and in the afternoon farewell meet
ing was held in one Of the colored churche.
of the city The interest awakened in the
city was very great 1t is doubtful whether
the colored people in any place have evel
before been stirred TO such enthusiasm ovel
the subject Of missions. Quite large mum
Der of white people attended the farewell
meeting, and prominent clergymen of the cit,
Joined in giving words of cheer and counse
to the young people. Sums amounting Il
two hundred dollars were received iron
churches and individuals for the purchas
of books, and this aid was especially &C
ceptable, as the missionaries were student
who have mainly supported themselves dun
ing their stay in school.
The destination Of the missionaries is tn
Mendi mission, on the west coast of Afric
"a mission whose history dates back to tn
return of the Amistad captives in 1871
The success of the work in that quarter ha
been generally hindered by the dangerou
effects of the climate, and the haste require
in the departure of these new workers wa
caused by the necessity Of their reachin
the coast before the beginning OF the rain
season. This band was preceded by con
pany from different schools of the countr
who sailed in September, and are now
their place of labor. 1t is hoped that TIN
will be able to endure the climate bett
than the white missionaries who have go
there, and that in the coming years maj
more Christian students from these schoC
may be led TO give themselves TO this won