The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-04-23
THE AFRICAN MISSION.
A continuation of Miss Alice
LyIe's letter TO her Mother.
MoxRovIA, LIBERIA, W. c. AFRICA,

ascends to the dear Father of Low
this moment, as eagerly grasp tn
pen to send you a message. Wit
the Psalmist of old / would say
" Bless the Lord, o my soul, and al
that is within me praise His hol.
name that He has called me anC
so safely and gloriously led me t.
bear the message to the poor hea
then. How glorious to now realiz'
the call not a delusion to this field
4 am now just little distance from
the place where sleeps all the first
missionaries who came here.
have not fear. The Lord has
brought me here to live and labor
and / hope to return to see you
again. Should it be at any time to
lose my life here, it will be only to
find it again with my dear Savior, in
the mansion He has gone to pre-
pare for me. The vessel arrived
here the night of the 8th inst. She
dropped anchor about II o'clock,
and we were safe in port. Thanks
giving and praise in manifold air
went up, and up. o what wonder
full things God hath done for me.
The vessel was anchored about two
miles from shore and we had to
come on shore in small boats. The
first thing | saw was boat coming
with six big negroes at the oars
Some Of these without shirts, and
some without pants. The pilot bad
on clothes. The time was early,
about six o'clock in the morning.
The Captain went ashore, and said
he would inquire for me a good
boarding place. could not go on
shore till next merning. That night
the poor seamen seemed anxious to
have me talk with them on the
Word that had more than all else
given satisfaction to all our souls.
But as l went to the forecastle to
begin the lesson tho Captain eamc
on board. Then they were called to
elevate the boat. They said, ave
will be back in a few minutes
The Captain was suffering with
toothache and neuralgia, and
poultice was desired for his relief
| went to make it but found no fire.
While the cook made the fire [ went
On with the lesson among the sail
ors. They asked me about Heaven,
and if / thought the first in position
here, would be highest there, and
how we would differ there. Just
as | began to reply, the cook called
me to make the poultice for the
Captain. l excused myself and said,
II will leave my Bible and return
IN few minutes, then we will finish |
our talk" Having finished my er-
rand, L returned. They seemed |
glad. 1t was getting rather late
and ] felt sleepy and unfit to say
interesting. But the Lord
lid SO wonderfully help me. l took
he Sd chapter of Proverbs. The
commands and promises there Civ
IN. Oh! l had such an understand
ng of the word, such grand and
lew thoughts to give them. They
I'll said they wanted to be christians,
md promised to give their hearts to
he Savior and meet me in Heaven.
They kneeled down and prayed
With me, and / believe the kingdom
# Heaven was near each one. / I
old them I would always pray for
hem, and they must pray for me.
}, it would do me good beyond ex-
'ression to know they were. saved
nd would pray for me. [ want
-ou all to pray for Captain Rogers,
nd all the men on the vessel, the
Monrovia." A sailors life is a
Iard one. l am not so much sur
'rised at the seamen being wicked
ince I see some things of their life.
Vow let us always pray for the sail
rs. Thursday morning, 10th inst,
was early committing my way to
he Lord, as would soon go en-
hore where nv new home was to
e, perhaps. / did not know if /
Tould stay In Monrovia or not. At
alf past six | sat down in a chair
which ropes were attached, and
he seamen let me down into the
oat which carried me on shore.
md OH the degraded scenes that
net my eyes. He took me into
usiness place to wait few min
ties, and he would take me to the
mission house. Very soon the pas
Or of the Methodist Church came
0. / was introduced to him. He
sked me to 20 to his home and he
would see about a boarding place
Dr. me. He is a real black man-a
ative. He is educated, and q good
oily man. But mamma, dear, the
experience of my feelings when |
i'd the Captain goodbye, not know
ng when would see another white,
Tas such as it had never been be-
ore. o, it toek new and living