The Portland daily press., 1884-11-21
EDUCATION IN LIBERIA.
Meeting at Stale street Church Last
Evening-RemaBk KS by DIR. KiIl, Prof.
Stewart and Rev. Mr.. Blanchard.

The vestry of State street church was occu-
pied last evening by goodly number of ladies
and gentlemen taking interest in the progress
of christianity and educational enterprise in Ii
IBERIA, and who went there to hear the question
discussed by DIR. Thomas Hill, Prof. Stewart
and DIR. Blanchard.
The evening exercises began by singing the
1171st hymn, "Ths Morning Light is Break
iDg," after which DR.. J. W. Bashford offered
prayer.
Rev. f. T. Bayley then informally intro
duced DIR, Hill. who, with the aid OF map,
gave an interesting geographical description of
the republic of Liberia and brief sketch of its
history.
He had seen the evils of slavery in his youth
and always taken great in interest the country.
Despite the feeble support by other countries
Liberia had managed to add to its domains q
territory as large as New England, New York
and part of Canada. The political abilities of
these people were shown by this acquisition;
but the secret of their success was due to the
religious work which accompanied their adj
vapcement. They had endeavored to exter-
inmate the slave trade and slavery. 1t was
BAooS WI ~ Doe ehoy Wotc cbFPSAsSN AZ Az "
Jesus Christ. The people should assist in the
education of the negro. They should be taught
the principles of government and they should
be shown examples of good government. The
commercial advantages of this country we're
by 40 means to be despised and the climate was
OF such nature as TO furnish the products of
both the temperate and torrid zones. The ad-
vantsges Of good educational institutions there
would be marked, and the Influences of
schools would penetrate to the Soudan and the
vast regions surrounding. Millions of men in
fifty years would begin to see the power of this
work and send back blessings to our shores.
The disposition of $1,000 IN Liberia would do
more good to all nations than il placed in any
other county on earth.
Prof. Stewart then took up the question
After expressing his thanks to the pastors for
their kindly interest In the matter, he pointed
out the favorable situation of Liberia sx-
planned its relation to the regions of the Sou
dan and the Congo and described the manner
in which merchandise is exchanged between
these and other countries. The object of Ii
btria had been tAe suppression of the slave
trade and the conversion of the natives of the
republic to peaceful pursuits. Another aim
had been to educate the negro and promote
the cause of Christianity among them. At
first the American Liberian and the aborigines
did not hsrmonize in matters, but of late
there has been tendency for fusion among
them.
Prof. Stewart cited many instances to show
the desire of the race for civilization. They
needed an education that would teach them to
help themselves They wanted tools, and IL
these we're furnished, in the course OF few
years the country would be great source of
wealth to the American people. The present de-
mand was for means to transfer the college to q
location ON the st. Paul's river, at once health
ful, fertile, convenient from the seaport and
capital at MoDroyia, and inving to the native
tribes and kings now closely allied, by COM
merce and representation. to the people and
government of Liberia. The estimated cost OF
removal was about $4,000 IT the people of
Portland would contribute $1,000 by December
31st, the first building would be erected before
the rainy season in May next with this money
and called Portland Hall.
Rev. Mr.. Blanchard closed the meeting with
an earnest and eloquent address. He said in
the course of bis remarks that if nineteen 9TH
ers would join him Portland Hall would be
built for he would be one of twenty to secure
$50 for this enterprise.
The beDediction was pronounced by Rev.
Mr. Hallock. The pastors present consulted
after the mseting and decided to attempt to
secure the amount desired. Contributions
may be- sent to DR.. Hill who will forward them
to the board Of control.