The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-08-24

Philantropic Colonization society, which
sent the colored people from America TO
Liberia, knew that they had neither eX-
perience in government nor the advantages
of education. They have not the hardwood,
pluck and push that characterize the peo-
pie of colder climates. Literature lnven-
lions and great schemes of any description
whatsoever are not born in the tropics.
Transplanted to Liberia-a foreign Sol,
with every disadvantage of new country
to overcome even to contendlng with
savage and heather neighbors for bare
eXistence--these immigrants from the
colonization society continue to come.
They face first the acclimatizing fever; then
after the six months provision furnished
by the society is exhausted, they
find the work before them hard be-
yond all expectation, with no beasts of bur-
den to lessen the labor. Is it surprising
that they become dissatisfied and that many
frequently desire to return, and do return
to the United States. .-4s{
Monrovia, right on the border land of the
darkest heathendom, is apleasanl, though
by no means a model city. One loves TO
hear the bells OF the various churches ring
out on Sabbath mornings-churches of all
denominations. AS far as morals are con-
cerned, Monrovia might set an example to
many so-called civilized towns. No liquor
is sold by Liberian traders, and a case of
intoXication is quite rare. The German
and Dutch traders, however, sell rum and
gin to the natives. 1t is the most lucrative
part of their business, rum and gin going
into the interior to pay for rubber, ivory,
palm kernels, palm oil, eto!s4 he Liberian
merchants stand aloof from the traffic.
To my mind Liberia is the open door to
heather Africa. Still, there are very few
missions there, and most of those that
were established at intervals have been
abandoned, owing to the death or sickness
of tho missionaries. Graveyards mark the
former scenes OF missionary work along
the entire west coast of Africa. Among
those who devoted themselves most prom.
nently to this work in the early years were
the sanity Rev. Mr.. Hoffman, of the Epis-
copal church, who was, l think, New
Yorker Mrs. Ann Wilkins, of the Methodist
church, and Rev. MIR. Wilson, of the Pres
byterlan church. The last named has done
excellent educational work, and having re-
turned from Africa is now living, | believe,
somewhere in Missouri. III
Within the last four years Bishop Tay-
Tor, who is storming heathendom in Africa
with flying artillery rapidity, has
planted more missions in Liberia than ever
before. They are on the self-supporting
plan. In the large Kroo towns on the coast
quite number Of successful missions are
Palmas and up the Cayalia river. Up the
the ST Paul river-which Bisnop Haven
has called the mississippi of Liperia''-
| the Lutheran church has established q
| very successful mission on the Industrial
plan, with machine shops, sugar making
coffee hulling and farming anneXes Rev
| d. A. Day is at the head of the enterprise.
The Llberian missions are conducted
wholly by Americans; that is, their sup
| fx1 I,,;t
William A Fair and wife, Episcopalians
conduct an independent mission at Bassa
on the industrial model. My own work a
Krootown is also independent, receiving M
: support from any society.
The object of my present visit to thi:
country is to get funds to build a church.
have little bamboo chapel, with clay
| floor and Il roof matched with leaves, il
which my people worship; but intend OF
my return to build d frame church of ia
tive woods, sided and rooted with CORFU
gated iron or zinc, and have even dream.
of indulging in the luxury Of a wooden
| floor.
l need hardly add that | am in love witt
my work in Africa. In the more civilize,
part, where much missionary work ha
| been done, the people have adopted Ameri
can customs and the American language
In Liberia United States money is in circu
lation, and IN the schools and missions tn
books are the same as those use,
by American children. The flag, toe
| is like the stars and stripes, the only dit
| ference being the lone star on field o
blue. The native women, though thei
condition has been somewhat improved
are still bought and perform the work O
slaves; but they are treated with NOR
consideration than formerly. In my owl
| church have seen man rise and give III
| his seat to wonlan-quite an advance
| from the old savage days.
| intend to close the century there, if
| live. MARY A. SHARP.