The Topeka state journal., 1898-12-17
MISSIONARIES TO AFRICA.
Seven Men and Women Begin a Jour
new of 1000 MiIeS

ney of 1000 Miles.
st. Louis, Dec IA party of seven
coiored missionaries passed through
union station yesterday morning on
their way to Africa They came in on
the Iron Mountain railroad from Lit
tie Rock, Ark, shortly after o'clock,
and left an hour later on the Baltimore
& Ohio for New York, where Bishop
Hartzell will take charge of the party.
Mr. S. H. Pye, superintendent of the
Western Methodist Book concern, met
the missionaries at union station, and
made arrangements with the station
master to hold the Baltimore. & Ohio
train half hour beyond it's usual time
of leaving, in order that four members
Of the party, who were delayed, might
join the others before they left St.
Louis.
The one minister in the company was
Rev J. @. Sheriff. pastor until recent
ly of a Methodist church in Little Rock.
He is man about % years of age. His
color, like that of the other members
of the party, is much lighter than the
complexion of the people whom he goes
to eVangeize. The seven are all to be
stationed at MOnrOvia, in Liberia,
seaport town in West Africa, about 6
degrees north of the equator.
The appointment of Bishop Hartzell
as missionary bishop resident in Africa
was made by the Methodist Episcopal
General conference only two years ago.
Bishop Hartzell has been very busy
since then. He issued a call for 20
cOlOred missionaries, and the seven who
spOnse to this call. Mr.. Sheriff. was
educated in the Cannon Theological
seminary, having decided many years
ago to go as missionary to his own
people whenever the opportunity should
offer. The appointment was somewhat
delayed, as at first Bishop Hartzell was
hampered for funds. Mr. SherrilTs wife
and 13-year-old brother accompanied
him. The younger brother does not go
simply as a member of the family, but
has hopes in a few years himself to be
too Oh on aal7 ut naT
members of the party were Miss
Amanda Davis of Pine Bluff, Ark; Mr..
F. NJ. Allen and wife and Mr.. 10 Davis.
all of Little Rock. The last named
young man, who is to take charge of 4
Methodist normal school in MOnTOvia,
enthusiastically related the reasons
which induced him to offer himself as
a missionary. These were decidedly
dramatic, and would not have been out
of place on the pages of one of Bal
zac's novels.
"One year ago." said Mr.. Davis. 'it
was my misfortune to be defeated in an
encounter. This encounter was an or
atOrical contest at the institution OF
learning with which I had the honor to
be Observation-Disclosures Smith college.
I do not blame the gentleman who
snatched from my hands the laurels.
He came from Texas, but I admit that
his intellect may have been superior to
mine. Enough of that Never before
had my proud spirit suffered defeat. At
the moment when victory was pro-
high heaven to win in spite of all. My
life said I, shall be my oratOrfcal con-
test. and win conquer Opportunity
I make opportunity. For me there shall
be no Alps " Thus it was that Mr..
Davis offered himself as a missionary
to Africa and with such determinatiO
viii he seek to scatter the darkness
that brOOds over Liberia. The signfh-
cant title of his grafton was, THE PO-
tential Energies Of Africa
Mrs. F. NJ. Allen is also a graduate
of Philander Smith college. and in Mon
rOvia she will assist as a teacher. Her
husband, a young mulattO of unusual
intelligence. will have charge of the
Methodist publishing house in Liberia.
He has had experience at this kind Of
work as superintendent of the printing
establishment carried on by the Meth
OdiSt freedmen's board in Little Rock
Mr. and Mrs Allen are both of prepos-
sessing appearance, and have complex
ions so fair that they might easily pass
for Spaniards There was no difficulty
about any members of the party being
permitted to sit in the first-class wait
ing room.
The climate of Liberia may be at first
rather trying to the newcomers. AL
though it is said to be no warmer than
the climate in the southern states at
times. there are intermisSiOns of cool
weather. as in the south Each of the
seven missionaries seemed ready and
anxious for the undertaking. however.
From st. Louis to MOnrOvia is, all told,
about Z 600 miles. The missionaries ex-
pect to reach New York tomorrow, and
tomorrow evening a reception is to be
given them in New York Sunday
morning they will take the steamer for
Liverpool. They will spend three days
in Liverpool and a week in London. and
will 90 n i