Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-26

cry from Africa called out the
first Wsndham county missionaries
sent by the Baptist union, yet it was
not SO much in behalf of benighted
natives as for the black men of free
America that the effort was made. In
cited by what was called turbulent
element" of free negroes, movement
for their colonization in their native
land received the encouragement of
such typical southerners as Randolph
Of Roanoke and Henry Clay, and
society organized in 1916. This move
ment WIS greatly strengthened by the
adjustment Of the slave trade in 1920
by which negroes struggled into the
country were subjected to the most
Tinhuman treatment A small sum OF
money granted by the United States
government, upon the recommendation
Of President Monroe, in behalf of these
unfortunates, enabled the colonization
society to gain a foothold upon the
western coast of Africa, and send out
cargo of these captives in what has
been called the "Mayf1ower Of Liberia"
But, from the treachery and oppose
ton of natives and slave traders. and
the unhealthfulness of the climate they
met far greater difficulties than those
encountered by our Plymouth Pill
ties came to their aid, establishing
small missions in 1891. It is impossi-
Bile to conceive conditions of greater
trial and difficulty than existed for
several years. 1t was only through the
heroic efforts Of Jehudi Ashman and
his associates that the colonists main
tanned existence. But in 1928 affairs
had so improved that the Baptist I'M
ion could institute a forward move
ment and selected foB its agent a res
ident of Windham county, Ashford, a
recent graduate of Hamilton Theolog-
zeal eminary-Benjamin Rush Skin
ner.
He was the son of DR.. Ezekiel Skin
ner. physician, minister and states
man, who removed from Stafford TO
Ashford in 1920. and was installed pas
tor of its First Baptist church. His
son, Benjamin, born in 1903, was con-
verted at the age of fifteen. His dia-
RES indicate the type Of piety so prev
alent in that generation, deep inward
reachings and sense of responsibility
for the conversion of others. He unit
cd with the Baptist church and while
teaching school engaged in evangel-
istic labor. Among his pupils and
converts was Miss Anne Eliza Read,
whose wealth OF fair hair led to this
missionary review. The lady was
deeply interested In mission work and
ready to share II with him. While
pursuing his studies at Hamilton Mr..
skinner had prepared to join the Bur-
mese mission. but the urgent appeal
from the union in behalf of the strug-
Cling colony at Liberia decided his
career. Two years after graduation
were spent in presenting the claims
of this cause in many states and pull
pits. During this interval he married
Miss Read. maintaining a home in
Ashford. August 8, 1880, Mr.. Skin
ner, with wife and daughter, left their
home and sailed for Norfolk, Va, TO
make specific preparation for mission
work. Early in October he was for
mally set apart and consecrated to
missionary service in Liberia in the
famous African BAPTIST church of
Richmond, under the auspices of the
Baptist missionary society OF Colored
People, formed in that city In 1915. In
teresting farewell meetings were held
in other churches before their depart
ure from Norfolk in the ship Caro-
lima.
The fifty days passage was describ-
ed as pleasant but lonesome" mo
Christians on board, held service with
the crew" Arriving at Monrovia De-
cember Z, they found small cheer and
/ comfort. The pastor Of the Baptist
church had been killed; the school on
Mount Hope suspended. About $50
colonistS and released slaves had been
gathered into church fellowship scat
tered through four or FIVE malarious
and barely civilized settlements. The
| deadly climate claimed the new vic
Tins. Fever soon set in. The sacri-
flee of Mrs. SINNERS. beautiful hair,
cut off before leaving home, lest from
its length she could not care for it
properly on shipboard, typifed but too
closely the fate of the whole family.
Only twice the young missionary was
able to preach, once with the Baptists
once with the Methodists: held a
bush-meeting at Caldwelrs," and his
work was ended. Young romance
years Of faithful preparation, whole
hearted eonsecration-all swallowed
up in that. fateful Africa that has en-
gulfed so n2ny noble lives.
The little &ughter, Anna Elizabeth.
later Mrs. Skinner with infant son
followed. Mr.. Skinner, overwhelmed
with grief and stricken with fever,
took passage homeward, and died upon
the voyage. A neat stone in Monrovia
marks the resting place Of mother and
children; husband and father sleeps
in the wide Atlantic
Again we ask the old time query:
To what purpose was this waste %
And again the answer comes in it's in
element Of abundant fruitage. This
blottlng out OF a devoted family, this
disastrous result Of faithful effort.
awakened universal sympathy and
mourning, and especially in their old
home Memorial services held in the
following spring with the First Baptist
church OF Ashford were fttingly re-
ported as peculiarly solemn and
deeply affecting" Not even on that
memorable August day, thirty years
later, when high officials in state and
military service, governors, generals
and many thousands Of men and 'worn-