The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-16
LIFE IN CONGO FREE STATE.
Rev. ID. w. Snider's Missionary Ex-
periences in Africa.

periences in Africa.
Rev. d. w. Snider, a Presbyterian mis-
sonary from the Congo Free State. ad-
dressed large audience last night at the
lecture room of the First Presbyterian
church.
Rev. w. A. Nisbet of the Second church
opened the services by reading the Seven
ty-second Psalm, at the conclusion of
which, offering prayer.
Mr.. Snider was introduced by the pas
tor, Rev. Arthur j. Smith Mr.. Snider, he
said, will remain in Savannah Sunday,
contrary to his original intention, and
will preach at the First church in the
morning and at the Second church at
night.
Mr. Snider began his talk by contrasting
the map of Africa as 1t appears to-day
with that of thirty years ago. The few
stations at that time upon the continent
have been multiplied into many both on
the coast and in the interior. And this"
said Mr.. Snider, is the result of the teach
ing of the gospel"
A touch of the history Of the Congo
Free State was given. Stanley discovered
the Congo river, and his discovery opened
up the possibility for the Congo Free
State. An International committee, with
Leopold of Belgium at its head, was form
committee sent him back to the country
to see what he could do in the peaceful
establishment of civilization among
the natives His efforts were
successful in many particulars, and
towns and villages were built, civilization
began and the condition of the people was
advanced without shedding a drop of
blood, except brotherhood blood.
This brotherhood blood, Mr. Snider ex-
planned, is a custom of the natives that
is INDUCED over the formation of unions
and treaties When the many tribes en-
braced in the Congo region were banded
together their head men interchanged
drops of blood, which were inserted in the
arms of the newly made allies.
The Free State now has a monarchial
form of government with Leopold at its
head About 40 missionaries are within
it's borders. -Four of these missionaries,
of whom Mr.. Snider was one, left America
four years ago. He described interesting
~ the means for travel in the dark con-
tinent and the customs and laws of the
natives. A history of the missionaries
church work was given. Those four, at a
place 1000 miles from the mouth Of the
great Congo, have established a church Of
sixty members, who are deVout and sim
cere In their profession of the Christian
religion.
The natives of the country Mr.. Snider
described as cnOcOlate-cOlOfeu, WIN out
slight traces of the dominant negro fea-
lures. On the whole they are a comely
race, and intellectually superior to their
surrounding neighbors.
Mr. Snder described the forays of the
immense African ants. These insects,
over half an inch in length, invade the
huts, dropping from rafters and crawling
through crevices. when they come
said he I'VE missionaries go to visit a
brother and spend the night with him.
The little creatures come after the grass
hoppers, beetles and crickets that lnfest
the huts and the matched roofs They
have very sharp little horns at one ex-
tremity and when they use these on a mis-
sionary they take out piece of him. Az
ter the hut has been invaded It is inter-
esting to return in the morning and watch
the stream of ants making off with their
booty, some carrying pieces of beetle
cricket, grasshopper and" ''p!eces or
Missionary" asked one Of his interested
listeners.
The audience was highly entertained by
Mr.. Snider's talk and expressed delight
that a further opportunity of hearing him
will be afforded.
At the conclusion OF the lecture, Mr..
Snder exhibited a number OF curios from
Africa, and specimens of the handicraft
OF the natives. number of very hand
some pieces Of palm-woven cloth were
displayed.