Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-09-16
BISHOP WALTERS TELLS OF
AFRICA AND ITS NEEDS.
Just Back from the West Coast of the
Dark Continent - Visited Mission
aries.

Before a large audience in the Nc
Kfnley avenue A. NJ. E. Zion church
on Thursday evening Bishop Alexander
Walters, A. M, D. D.. lectured on the
subject Africa and Its Needs Just
back from the coast of West Africa to
visit the missionaries at the various
stations along which in his official ca
pacity he sailed from New York on
Jan. 90 last. Bishop Walters has the
conditions of the country fresh in his
mind. He described eloquently the
progress that is being made, the i'm
portant part the A. NJ E. Zion church
is taking in the uplifting movements,
and finally the great work remaining
and the things that must be done for
the colored people in far-away Africa
His address was accorded hearty APP
plause by his hearers, who numbered
in the neighborhood of $50.
After an organ prelTCe by Mrs
Maude Epps and selection by the choir
under the direction of Prof William e.
Geary, the pastor, Rev. William H.
Eley, D. D.. addressing his congrega-
ton. introduced his honor Mayor
Charles +. Thayar. Mayor Thayer in
a fitting manner welcomed Bishop
Walters to Norwich.
The bishop described his trip to
West Africa interestingly and gave
some instructive statistics in regard to
the dark continent, stating in detail
the history of and present conditions
in Liberia. the little black republic
founded in 1S41, after having been col
Onized by free negroes in 1921. Liberia
owes its existence to the National Col
onization society of America, which
was organized in 1915 for the purpose
of settling in Africa the free negroes
of the United States. 1t is a portion
of the west coast lands between Sierra
Leone and the Ivory coast and is ap
proximately $4,000 square miles in eX-
IL
mate is as healthful as in some parts
of the United States, and in no part
of the republic is it as deadly as re-
ported. The speaker referred to it's
natural resources, saying he never saw
so many varieties of fruits and Yegeta-
bles in his life before.
In 1871. through British financiers 3
debt now amounting to $455.000, with
interest, was incurred, and there is a
further customs loan of $3.50, 900, and
an internal debt amounting to 100000.
For a population of 100000 this
would not seem to make a formidable
grand total of Indebtedness, especially
in view of the great natural resources
of the country But how to bring
about the development of these re
sources is a problem more perplaxing
to Liberian statesmen than the hand
ling of the existing Indebtedness. The
speaker referred to the proposal that
has been made to divide Liberia among
the powers. to be governed as a pro-
tectorate. unless'the United States was
disposed to take the whole. Most peo-
pie outside of official circles would cor
daily welcome the advent of the Unit
ed States as an African power. said
the bishop. but he referred to the alb
sence of any such professed desire on
the part of this country.
The bishop believes that the first
work to be done in West Africa is to
establish a good school with an indus
trial department. He is convinced that
if a permanent work is to be done in
Africa It's basis must be laid in edu-
cation, and by all means Christian ed
ucation. The church must be the out
growth of the school Liberia presents
splendid opportunities for our mission
airy activities. Aggressive measures are
needed and Immediately, for there is
no time to be lost.
After Bishop Walters inspiring adj
dress. Professor Gearv delighted with
the solo When the Bells in the Light
house Ring DingDong. John Smith
gave violin solo and the choir sang
the closing hymn.
The emergency committee did it's
full duty, refreshments being served in
the vestry. The members of this COM
mittee are: Mrs Della c. E1ey, presi-
dent; Mrs. Eliza Geary. vice presi-
dent: Mrs. Clara Burr, secretary ::
Speed Evans, treasurer: Mrs. cara
Hall. Mrs. Mildred Harris. Mrs. Laura
French. Thomas James. Mrs. Mariah
Silvery. Mrs. Mary James, Miss Pura
Congdon, Miss Elizabeth Wheeler The
N embers of the Progressive Mission
airy society acted as mattresses.
Bishop Walters. who was born in old
Kentucky and makes his headquarters
in New York will remain in Norwich
until Saturday as the guest of Speed
Evans of Mckinley avenue.