MENDI MISSION, GOOD HOPE STATION.
In Good Health and Good Heart.
REV. ALBERT P. MILLER
After arriving on the African shores, and reaching our destination (Good Hope), we soon decided to proceed at once to work. We had a little hesitation in so doing, because we knew that we had been instructed otherwise by the Executive Committee. Having been assigned to our different posts of duty, we have been pushing forward the work, with but little loss of time from sickness, ever since. Brother Jackson had an attack of fever, which scared him a little, but he soon rallied, and is now again in the field, fighting valiantly. I was sick last week, but the trouble soon passed away, and I am now walking about, feeling as well as any African in this our fatherland. It may be of interest to you, and to our many friends in America, to know that our wives have enjoyed thus far an unusually good degree of health.
We know not what the future has in store for us; still do we feel thankful to that kind Providence which we have enjoyed since our departure from “dear old Fisk” and the American shores.
A great deal of the mist that gathered around our vision, in regard to Africa and her people, while preparing to leave America, and as the steamer bore us away and her land faded until lost in the distance, has since been removed.
The Americans have a very vague idea of the land of “Ham” and her dusky sons and daughters, who are now depending on the institutions in the South for the story of the Cross.
If Africa is to be evangelized, as I believe it will be, it must be done through the children of the summer and sunny clime, educated and Christianized in the South. You in America can’t see this as plainly as one who mingles with this people, and has all chances to investigate in regard to this matter. If I could speak to every institution in the South, I would ask each one of them to be true to God and this common cause of humanity, which I would to God would seize all Christendom, so that the many who have for ages sat in darkness, might be brought into the light.
The work here still moves on prosperously in both church and school. Ten or eleven were received at our last Communion into the church, among whom were some of our scholars. We hope to see these develop into strong Christian manhood and womanhood. We have a great many very promising boys and girls in our school here, who are able to read and speak English very well. In these is our hope for a missionary work in Africa, which may expand until the interior shall receive of its influence.
We have the material on which to work, and we ask our kind heavenly Father to help us to shape these young hearts for fields of usefulness, which they will have no difficulty in finding if influenced by right motives. They sing well. The old plantation songs are not without interest here in Africa; I have introduced them into my school.
May God help you in America in every effort put forth for the advancement of His kingdom.
May He provide for the wants of the eleemosynary institutions planted in the South for the good of that people and the millions of Africa.
May these institutions foster such young men and women as shall be willing to work for the Master anywhere He may want them. Pray for us!