Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-12
African Mission Work.

Cnucrh-Remarks by Rev. Dr. Plke-
 Native African Tells His Simple
 Story of Conversion.
 An interesting service was held last night at the Center church, it being the occasion of an address by Rev. Dr. Pike of the Board of Foreign Missions regarding mission work in Africa, and also brief remarks by Alfred Bur ton Jowatt, native African who has recent ly arrived in this country for the purpose of completing his education for the ministry at Fiske University in Nashville, Tenn.
 The services were opened with voluntary by the choir. Rev. Mir. Hawes of the North church offered prayer.
 After hymn had been sung Rev. Dr. Ba- con made brief introductory address. In opening he referred to the fact that forty years ago there was brought to this port number of native Africans, who, on their way to Cuba to be sold into slavery, had risen in rebellion, put the crew to death, but had spared their purchaser, who was on board the vessel, on the promise that he would take them back to their native home. At last they were taken in Long Island Sound as pirates, brought into New Haven harbor and lodged in jail. Among those who were appointed to teach these captives was Prof. Day, who will now tell you more about them.
 Professor Day then gave an interesting sketch of the native Africans referred to by Dr. Bacon. He said there were forty-two of them, males and females, and that they were known as the Amistad negroes from their be- ing brought here on Q vessel of that name. They were lodged in the jail that then stood where the City Hall is now located, in the third story, and were in pitiable condition. They were to be tried as pirates and great difficulty was found in trying to make them understand anything. A messenger was sent to New York to search foreign vessels for the purpose of finding, if possible, some one who understood their language. At last man was found on board the English brig Buzzard by the name of James Oovey, who came to this city and was able to converse with them. The then friends of the colored race, like Lewis Tappan and others, interested them selves in these poor creatures, and money was raised to defend them in the courts. Among the eminent counsel engaged was Governor Roger s. Baldwin, Mir. Staples and others. The case was tried in the United States Dis trict Court, carried to the Circuit Court and finally to the Supreme Court at Washington. When the case reached the highest tribunal of the land, Governor Baldwin urged ex-Presi- dent John Quincy Adams to make plea in behalf of the captives. MT. Adams had not appeared before tho Supreme Court for thirty
 
 consent, and before that tribunal MT. Adams made powerful appeal for justice to these poor men. The result was that they were de- clared free and ordered to be returned to Africa Before they were returned they were taught as far as possible to became quite proficient. The young man who will speak to you tonight Is from the same tribe of Africans to which these Amis- tad captives belonged, so that now we can see in part the end of the means employed in re- gard to those captives and their descendants.
 Rev. Dr. Bacon followed Professor Day in some interesting "reminiscences connected with the Amistad captives. Among other things he said that when John Quincy Adams was on his way to Washington to defend the captives he stopped in New Haven to see his ''clients." In the Supreme Court Mir. Adams had his own way, as he generally did everywhere. In his argument he made what that tribunal thought to be political speech, and they tried to stop him. But he would not stop; and although they talked about arresting him, yet they made up their minds that it would hardly do to arrest an ex- President of the United States, and they did not do it. He finished his argu- ment and relieved his soul from the burden that was upon it.
 Rev. Dr. Pike was then introduced. He referred to the fact that the young man who was present was on his way to the Fiske Uni versity to be educated as minister and mis- sionary to his own people. He belonged to the Mendi mission in Africa. The Mendi tribe numbered about two million souls and were located inland about one hundred miles from Monrovia This was the third young man from this tribe that had been sent to this country to be educated. The mission was located in 1842, and since that time great work had been done toward the civilization The speaker then referred to the general mission work in Africa, which he said was being opened up to all nations for trade and commerce, the very center of this great country being penetrated by civilization. He referred to the great mineral wealth of the country, it's resources and productiveness, and finally to the necessity of educating na- tive missionaries on. account of the climate being so fatal to the whites. In closing, Drr Pike introduced the young African as Albert Burton Jowatt, whom, he said, had been sent to this country by missionary who paid his passage to New York.
 The young man who is apparently about twenty years of age then went upon the plat form, and at the request of Dr. Pike sang in his native language the hymn commencing
 ''There is happy land, far, far away" He afterward sang native song, not religious in it's character. It was plaintive, weird melo- dy, and attracted the attention of the audience although they could not understand the lan- guage. He then in well chosen words, in the English language, gave brief history of his birthplace, his education and conversion to Christianity and his desire to complete his education and go back to his own people as teacher and preacher of the gospel of Christ. He landed in New York on March 22d and was on his way to Fiske University.
 When the young man had concluded his re- marks, Dr. Bacon said no notice had been given of an intended collection, but he thought there were those present who would like to contribute toward this young mans education, and they should have an opportu- nifty to do so. A collection was then taken, after which the exercises were closed by sing ing the old familiar missionary hymn. From Greenland's Icy Mountains" and the benedic- tion.