AFRICAN NOTES.
—Col. C. E. Gordon, who was for a time Governor-General of Soudan for the Khedive of Egypt, made strenuous and successful efforts to suppress the slave-trade in those parts of Equatorial Africa which came within its influence. He was forced, as our readers know, to resign his position, and in a pamphlet, published by the British Anti-Slavery Society, states that the Khedive has permitted the resuscitation of the slave-trade in Central Africa, and “every order he gave for the suppression of this abomination has been cancelled.” He thinks that a decided message from the French and English governments to the Egyptian ruler would have great effect, but that the slave-trade will never be put down voluntarily by the Khedive.
This slave-trade is one of those evils which time alone will not cure. Nothing but bringing all the influences of Christian missions and Christian governments to combine for its destruction, will overthrow it. We are glad that the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society continues its holy war against it.
—The Church of Scotland Mission at Blantyre, on the Shiré River, Africa, has opened another station. The new station is at Zomba, on the west side of the Shiré River. It is a very elevated and secure spot, where thieves could be barred out. The station is on the borders of Chemlumbe and Malemia, whose respective chiefs are hostile to each other. The design is to reach both tribes. The neighborhood is quite a populous one, and 4,000 people have asked the missionaries to become their protectors. The Arabs carry on their nefarious trade between Blantyre and Zomba, and frequently kidnap people from the latter place to fill out their gangs. Refugees are almost constantly coming in at Blantyre, but none are received at Zomba. A school has been opened at Zomba, and it has forty scholars. The people are very attentive to the preacher, and sit a long time unwearied.
—Encouraging news continues to come from Bishop Crowther’s mission on the Niger. The station at Bonny, which was founded fourteen years ago, and which for some years past has encountered opposition and severe persecution, now is become a bethel. Archdeacon Crowther says the voice of prayer is heard in nearly every house, night and morning. Several persons have been baptized and there are over 200 candidates for the sacrament.