THE JOHN BROWN STEAMER.
Some months ago we sent out our circulars to the Sunday-schools in our churches, asking for $10,000, to enable us to build this memorial steamer for mission work along the west coast, and up and down the rivers, in that portion of the “Dark Continent” where there are no roads, and no beasts of burden, no horses, no camels, no oxen, not even mules. The need is great. The steamer will save time, toil, and human life.
Inquiries come to us respecting the success of our appeal. We are glad to answer: At this date, July 5, we have received $5,524 for the steamer, and some pledges are yet unpaid. We are also receiving additional remittances almost every day, and believe that the amount needed will ultimately be realized. But we are anxious to hasten the matter. Rev. Mr. Ladd has just returned from his exploring tour in Eastern tropical Africa, and proposes to visit our Mendi Mission in Western Africa (for which this steamer is intended) as soon as the rainy season is over. We ought to have the full amount for the steamer by September 1.
A good friend, in sending some money, says:—“Why moves the cause so slowly? In looking over the list of donations, I am pleased and grieved; pleased that so many are interested to give—grieved that so few special donations for this very important object are made.
“Friends of Africa, if you could realize as I do the urgent need of this steamer to save life and to advance the mission cause, you would speedily pour in the money for it. It ought to be in service, doing its greatly needed work this coming autumn. If you will go to Africa and make one trip (as I have made many) to the Mendi Mission, in a ‘dug out’—a canoe dug out of a log—the distance of more than 100 miles, most of the way on the ocean—you will then see and feel the need of this proposed steamer. O, why does not every Sunday-school send in $50, $20, $10 or $5? Why do not individuals, who have in hand a great abundance, send $50, $100 or $1,000, and so have this noble work accomplished at once? Come, friends of Africa, supply the means and send forth this new messenger of mercy, to cause a great shout of joy to go up from the weary missionaries and from a long-suffering people!” Who will heed this plea from one who has known the field and suffered much for it?