THE MENDI MISSION.
Religious Progress, etc., at Avery.
REV. A. E. JACKSON, AVERY.
I am glad to say that there is an increasing interest religiously among the people. They seem to be growing more and more in the love of God, and to exhibit it in their lives. They have begun to be a more Sabbath-observing people. They are also attending church more regularly than usual, and give better attention than ever before. These are all features of encouragement in our work.
Sunday, May 11, was our communion day, and the Lord seemed to be present with us in the Spirit’s power. Two adults were added to the church, and five children christened. There is also a growing interest in our prayer meetings; several are inquiring the way of salvation. We earnestly ask the united prayers of your church for our work.
The tornadoes are fast coming to a close, and the rains are rapidly approaching. There will doubtless be very great suffering on the part of the natives this season, on account of the scarcity of rice. This comes from the fact that the rains came on much earlier than usual last year.
The agricultural work is progressing quite nicely. The coffee farm is in quite a good condition, and Brother Anthony is now having it cleaned.
Travels into the Interior—The Heathen—The Country—The Opportunity.
REV. ALBERT P. MILLER, GOOD HOPE.
It was my privilege to visit, during last mouth and part of this, a large extent of country toward the interior of this broad continent, directly in front of the Sherbro Islands, to form an opinion as to the prospects of “stretching our lines.” I cannot promise to give you a detailed account of all incidents of interest that came under my observation, but shall dwell upon that which presses my mind most in regard to our work—the opening up of new places for missionary operation.
On the 13th of May ultimo, Brother Jackson and I left Avery with a view of visiting places in the Bargroo country, and at the same time of getting children to be trained at Avery for missionaries. We skimmed along nicely on the Big Bargroo River, passing many neatly built and arranged villages. We stopped at some to ask for children, but the chiefs informed us, generally, that they would have to hold consultations with the people on the matter.
On every side signs of heathenism exhibited themselves. Little mounds, built by certain insects of the country, neatly covered by the natives, are bowed down to and worshipped. Small pots or bottles are placed before their doors to keep away evil spirits.
COCONANNY AND DODO.
Late in the evening we arrived at Coconanny, the extreme military post of the English. This is kept here to suppress the slave-trade, though much of it is carried on, I am informed, clandestinely. It is a beautiful place, elevated and healthy; vegetation, too, grows luxuriantly. The trader, Mr. Hayes, with whom we put up for the night, has built, at his own expense, a small chapel, in which services are conducted mornings and Sundays. Mr. Hayes is a friend of the Mission and our work, and desires very much to have us come and begin missionary work in behalf of those among whom his lot is cast. The villages round about are abundant, and I think a good work could be done in this community. The people are willing to have us come and establish a permanent Christian work among them. British protection being here would render property safer and less liable to plunder.
Leaving Coconanny early next morning, we made our way to Dodo. The neatness of the places visited was everywhere noticeable, the people in their very expressions seeming to welcome “the missionaries” who had come to visit them. There is nothing strikingly beautiful about the part of the Bargroo country that I visited. Mangroves extend to the village of Dodo, which we have in abundance in Sherbro. The scene to me was rather monotonous. “We reached Dodo late in the evening, and after the usual ceremony, which consists in giving the chief presents, we disclosed to him the nature of our journey, among other things telling him that we desired very much to get children from his territory to train in our mission for missionaries. For his people he could not speak just then, but his majesty informed us that the matter would be brought before them for consideration as soon as practicable; he was in a position to speak for himself, and would give the only son large enough to leave home at the time. A large goat was slain and brought in and laid before us, with a peck of rice, for our supper. Although we were very hungry, this was more than we felt able to consume at one or two meals. A hind quarter was sent in to the chief, the rest being shared between ourselves and our men. Here we stopped overnight. The place is strongly barricaded, and is very neat and cleanly. A place was offered our Mission on which to establish a station. Here is a fine opportunity to make a step more directly toward the interior. They want us to come; what must we tell them? Brother Jackson visits the chief as often as time and strength will allow. He was once ransomed by Brother Snelson when on the point of being sent to Freetown, accused and found guilty of selling slaves. They dread very much to fall into the hands of the English, and he was a happy man when Brother Snelson paid his ransom for him, and stood between him and the English authorities. He has given up warring, and his people are seemingly prosperous and happy. His subjects are chiefly Sherbros, but they speak Mendi as well as their mother tongue.
Our Mission, through former missionaries, is known far into the interior, and the natives generally are favorably disposed toward it. We left Dodo early next morning, homeward bound, with Joe, the chief’s son, with us. He wore only nature’s garment, and seemed as happy as a bird. The people here don’t bother themselves too much about clothing. Industry is characteristic of them. We stopped at places that we visited on our advance up the river, and were informed in most cases that the “big man” was away, or the chief at Dodo. Humper Ranko had not been consulted. The people dare not do anything of this nature without first consulting their head. However, we succeeded in getting four children, who were carried, as we found them—without a rag on—to Avery.
There are two places in this wilderness of moral darkness now open to us which, I think, could be worked up with very small expense to the Mission. Both are on the Bargroo River, leading toward the interior, which is navigable at all seasons of the year by small boats. May the Lord in His own good time send to these our benighted brethren the advantages of a Christian civilization.
KAW-MENDI.
In accordance with your request I visited, last month, Kaw-Mendi and vicinity, where the banner of the Cross was first unfurled in this part of a heathen land by men sent out by the American Missionary Association. This place, as you will remember, was deserted for a long time. Of late years Mr. J. M. Williams, of his own accord and on his own responsibility, has resumed the work. Here lie some of the sainted dead who fell in pure devotion to the cause of the Christian religion, to the cause of suffering and unenlightened humanity.
A mangrove tree here and there and roads leading in different directions only remind one that once better things were here. Some of the scholars who attended school when Kaw-Mendi was in her bloom are still round about, and they still remember their old teachers, many of whom, doubtless, are now gone. They all seemed glad to have us come and visit them. One of the “Amistads” is here—Father Smith. He is growing quite old; yet he is active. Old Aunt Maria and Limby are still alive and can tell you all about Mr. Raymond and others who, in the infancy of missions here, came to Africa. Brother Williams has prayer meetings in his country house, mornings and evenings, to which those near are invited to come. Regular preaching services are held in a country chapel on Sundays. The chapel has been recently built, and the membership is such as to necessitate its being organized and dedicated. Old pupils of the Mission, who had lapsed into heathen habits, having long been left without any spiritual leader, have been reclaimed and brought into the church.
The chief is favorably disposed toward missionaries and accompanied us to many places in his territory. Were it not for his favor, Brother Williams could not get along so well in his work. There are 21 boys under Mr. Williams’ immediate care in his country house, (which is very neat and comfortable), whom he is instructing. He feeds and clothes them, and how he does it is a mystery to me. One thing helps him, and that is his agricultural department, connected with his school. His boys are taught to work. Although the farm is small, still it is very good.
We took Brother Williams by surprise and notwithstanding his poor accommodation, as he termed it, we (Mrs. Miller, Mr. Jowett and myself) spent two or three days very pleasantly in and about Kaw-Mendi. We went up the Little Boom as far as Kambia. This was a very strongly barricaded town, held by Tom Cabby Smith, the most powerful and wealthy chief in all this region of country. He died last year, and his estate is going to ruin. The walls have fallen, the slaves are widely scattered, and things in general are in a very unsettled state. He was once connected with the Mission at Kaw-Mendi as a common laborer and was a very industrious man. Villages all along the banks of the river were flourishing and rice crops promising. Everything indicated prosperity, so far as the natives are able to be prosperous without the light of the Gospel.
The country is Mendi-speaking, and though it is large and the people are plentiful, and are not opposed to the Christian religion, still there is but one man in this country to tell them of Jesus.
I am favorably impressed with the country and the people. It is a day’s travel from Good Hope. Stretching out toward the interior, the country is low, but Brother Williams pronounces it healthy. He is a West Indian, and has lived in Africa for the last twenty years. It may be that he is quite acclimated, and it is not unhealthy for him.
Places up the Big Boom were also visited in the interest of the Mission, some of which were formerly occupied by missionaries under the general direction of the American Missionary Association, but are now abandoned. Three of these, doubtless, are well remembered—Salem Hill, Lawana, and Mo-Tappan.
The lower portion of the Boom River waters a section of country that is very fertile, and might be called, very appropriately, the “Palm-growing Region.” The towns in this section of country are prosperous looking, and as one beholds palm-trees stretching into the distance, he can but think of the old missionary hymn—
“From Greenland’s icy mountains, etc.,
From many a palmy plain.”
Surely from these plains, rich in the production of palm-nuts, etc., they are calling Christian men and women to deliver them, not from physical bondage, but from that bondage that enslaves the soul forever—the bondage of eternal death!
GBAP, TROM, MARKETAH.
We stopped all night at a place called Gbap, where the king of a large extent of country, lying or bordering on the Big Boom, resides. We had very comfortable lodging here, although we failed in seeing his majesty the king.
Mrs. Miller was along; also Mr. Jowett, our interpreter. Two of the schoolboys also attended us. The next morning we got a good peep at the place. It was very neat, and I was informed that the Mission once had a teacher here.
Shoving off (you must remember we travel in boats), we advanced slowly up the river, whose current had become quite strong. The day’s travel was very unsatisfactory, and our night’s rest more so; for the mosquitoes are so bad in this part of the country, that children and cows have been killed by them. This our men say. I am sure they were bad enough that night. Mrs. Miller seemed a perfect marvel to these savage people. We could scarcely go to bed, such as it was, for their looking in upon us, talking about Mrs. Miller. I was so black, and so much resembled other Africans, that I was not the centre of attraction. Still, our interpreter informed us that they complimented us as “Nyandingo te te”—very fine, or fine for true.
Morning was gladly hailed by all. Mosquitoes was the principal theme. Each one had battled, evidently, all night, not for place, but for life, against these pests. We moved off early, and shall ever remember the village and the night spent here. Its name is Trom. I am sure if I had been in a tomb that night, with something of the vault kind over me, my rest would have been more peaceful than in this dreary place. The people wherever we stopped kindly received the missionaries. We made better time from Trom to our next night’s resting-place. We entered the Kittam River, early leading off toward the Gallinas, a tribe that also speaks Mendi. Mendi is the predominant language of a very large extent of country. The lower part of the Big Boom River, which is called the Bullom, runs through a beautiful section of country. The Kittam also has very picturesque scenery. The people looked contented and happy; the country elevated and healthy. We travelled several miles down this river, and on visiting the king, the reception that was given us showed that he highly appreciated our visit. I am informed that no missionary had ever been here before. He promised the mission two children. After holding conference with the people he offered a place to plant a mission station in which to educate his children. He had them in his villages in abundance. I informed him that I would “look my head”—think over the matter. All were impressed with the beauty of this country, with the neatness of its villages and the good disposition of the people. The king’s daughter made so much fuss over Mrs. Miller, dressed so differently from herself, that she became quite uneasy. Large crowds came around and joined her in welcoming their strange friend. My color again made me more common and less noticeable. We had a good night’s rest in this place. We left Coranko and the Soboo chief and his people the next day, feeling happy in the thought that missionaries are wanted in this place, and that the Lord in his own good time will send them to it. “The harvest, truly, is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” The people stood on the shore while we sailed away. We met persons in our travels whom we knew in Bonthe, at Good Hope. They always did their best to make us happy. All I can say is, may the Soboo chief and people have, before a great while, some one to teach them the way to Christ, man’s only Redeemer.
Entering again the Big Boom en route to Mo-Tappan, we made good time, stopping at a few villages along the way. No missionary is in all this country. We stopped overnight with one Mr. Collier, who carries on trade near the river, in a place called Marketah, people’s market. It was Saturday night, and he was very busy closing accounts for the week. Our reception was a cordial one. We spent the Sabbath here and were much pleased to see what is doing for these benighted people. We had services at eleven o’clock, which the natives attended. It was interesting, and I feel that a good impression was made. Such meetings—I mean those consisting of reading of the Bible, commenting, etc.—are held regularly by Mr. Collier for the community. They surely can do a great deal in helping on the good cause. It were better and safer for trade, if religious instruction were in all this country. This part of the Big Boom is often visited by the horrors of war. Whole villages are sometimes laid low in one night, the inhabitants put to the sword or carried off into slavery. These wars are not waged because the aggressors have been in any way wronged by the attacked, but just for the sake of plunder. It is now something over a year since war visited this part of the Big Boom, but it has left its signs. Villages that were deserted are being rebuilt. Traders are resuming their business, and peace is gradually returning to all this region.
We left early Monday morning, having spent a pleasant Sabbath with our friends in Marketah. The current became stronger as we advanced toward the interior. The winds were adverse, so our progress was somewhat like the missionary work, slow. We had long since left mangroves, with their malarial swamps. That we were getting some distance from Sherbro was visible from the very appearance of things. The farther we advanced into the interior, the more uneasiness seemed to be depicted on the countenances of Africa’s enslaved children. Africa is her own greatest enemy. War and slavery curse her most, bring misery where happiness might reign. When you launch out of British jurisdiction, slaves are common. This traffic is carried on by the natives themselves, and the biggest man owns the largest number of slaves and has the greatest number of wives.
Polygamy is common, where men are able to support more than one wife; but you may rest assured that when means of support give out, the women are found giving out too.
This day’s travel brought us to Baikal, a strongly barricaded town. We did not go inside, but the music and noise within showed plainly that Ham’s sons and daughters here were having a good time in a country dance.
MO-TAPPAN, SALEM HILL, LAWANA.
We rested overnight, but early next morning pushed on for Mo-Tappan, the extreme interior Mission station held by the American Missionary Association. We stopped at villages along our journey, where signs of late wars are still apparent. Each man is armed with either sword or cutlass. I am told that they keep these near them in time of peace to fight with, but in time of war they wrap them up in mats, give them to their wives, and ask their feet to save them by flight. The Mendi people are treacherous and cruel in war, and not at all brave. I hope the time may soon come when all this region will enjoy peace and righteousness in God.
This country is elevated, with beautiful bills stretching away into the distance. We enjoyed the fine scenery. About ten o’clock we reached Salem Hill. The massive walls built here by the former missionaries are still standing, but the place is so covered with shrubbery and vines that it is with great difficulty that access to it is obtained. The Hill and scenery are splendid, but this foundation, of no use to any one, made us feel sad, everything around looked so forlorn. The large village that once stood near has disappeared, as so many African villages and towns have done. Along toward night we reached Lawana, where we remained overnight. Here, though several years’ labor was given to this place, no sign of past missionary work is visible. The place was captured in war; the inhabitants, all but a few who were ransomed, were put to death or sold into slavery. Our resting place here was not large, nor was it very comfortable. The chief was not seen until our return from Mo-Tappan. He evidently feared us, because the portions of country where wars are numerous are often or sometimes visited by the English to ask the people to keep quiet.
We left early next morning for Mo-Tappan, arriving there about 9 o’clock. The place is now a regular canebreak. The tomb of the late Mr. Brooks is the only thing that reminded us that the white man had been here. Our stay was short. No one at all lives here now. It was broken up by war.
“We now retraced our steps for home, stopping at Lawana. We then saw the chief, who gave us a cordial welcome. Three children were brought home by us to be trained for future workers. The current carried us down quite rapidly. We stopped at but few places on our return; our Mission is well known in all this country, and it will be easy for us again to gain footing in former places held by the American Missionary Association. Large outlays are altogether unnecessary; plain houses, on cheap plans, are things for a country so subject to changes from war.
The real Mendi people are here, and I hope that the banner of Christ will soon again in triumph wave over the strongholds once held by our Mission. Pray that we may be guided in attempting to extend our work, and that everything may be done to His honor and glory.