Such is the prosperous condition of this mission, that the Rev. John Payne, long at its head, was, in 1850, appointed a Missionary Bishop for Africa. He is a white man, highly educated, and eminently qualified for the sacred office to which he has been chosen. Since entering upon his duties, the agencies for extending the mission have been greatly increased. A station has been commenced at Monrovia, under the care of a colored clergyman, formerly of New York city, whose education was finished in England; and a large additional force of white missionaries has been sent out to occupy other posts. The foundation of an Orphan Asylum, to cost $2,000, has been laid at Cape Palmas; and the funds to erect two church edifices have been supplied to the Bishop. Of the white missionaries, one male and one female have recently died; in other respects the prospects of the mission are very encouraging.
Mrs. Payne and one of the other ladies of the mission, have returned during the last year, to recruit their health.
In speaking of the necessity of extended effort in the Republic of Liberia, the Bishop makes this important statement: “It is now very generally admitted, that Africa must be evangelized chiefly by her own children. It should be our object to prepare them, so far as we may, for their great work. And since colonists afford the most advanced material for raising up the needed instruments, it becomes us, in wise co-operation with Providence, to direct our efforts in the most judicious manner to them. To do this, the most important points should be occupied, to become in due time radiating centers of Christian influence to Colonists and Natives.”[[15]]
The American Christian Missionary Society, sent a missionary to Liberia, in November, 1853. The Christian Church has several of its members in that Republic, as Colonists. The missionary now sent is a colored man, and will not only look after their spiritual interests, but attempt the performance of missionary labor in general. His name is Alex. Cross; and he was a slave until within a short time of his having been appointed to the mission work. The friends of the cause in Kentucky, where he lived, purchased him and offered him to the Society—his master generously accepting half his value as a servant. His wife and child were free, and accompanied him to Liberia. Mr. Cross is a man of more than ordinary talent; and with such additional education as he can obtain at Monrovia, he must make a useful man.
The Associate Reformed Synod of the South, have resolved on establishing a mission in Liberia; and have four native boys in the course of instruction, at the expense of the Synod, in the school of Mr. Erskine, at Kentucky, in Liberia. The Synod entered upon this work, a few years since, with earnestness and energy, but have met with many serious obstacles in the accomplishment of their purpose.
This closes our inquiries into the condition of the missions in Liberia. A remark or two, only, need be offered as to its social and civil condition. The citizens of the Republic are colored men, and enjoy a perfect equality under its constitution. They possess all the attributes of sovereignty, enacting and administering their own laws; but in purchasing territory from the African kings, the right of sovereignty and of soil is acquired, not to exclude the native people from the lands, but, as they adopt habits of civilization, to put them in possession of fee simple titles to their homes, on the same conditions allowed to the colonists.
By the influence of the colony over the native tribes, and the terms of its treaties with them, it has abolished human sacrifices, and the trials for witchcraft within its jurisdiction; driven the traffic in slaves from more than 600 miles of coast; exerted a controlling influence in suppressing native wars; and affords protection to 300,000 people, now within its purchased territory, or in treaty with the Republic.
The history of a single case will illustrate the manner in which Liberia exerts her influence in preventing the native tribes from warring upon each other. The territory of Little Cape Mount, Grand Cape Mount, and Gallinas, was purchased, three or four years since, and added to the Republic.[[16]] The chiefs, by the terms of sale, transferred the rights of sovereignty and of soil to Liberia, and bound themselves to obey her laws. The government of Great Britain had granted to Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., of London, a contract for the supply of laborers, from the coast of Africa, to the planters of her West India colonies. This grant was made under the rule for the substitution of apprentices,[[17]] to supply the lack of labor produced by the emancipation of the slaves. The agents of Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., visited Grand Cape Mount, and made an offer of $10[[18]] per head to the chiefs, for each person they could supply as emigrants for this object. The offer excited the cupidity of some of the chiefs; and, to procure the emigrants and secure the bounty, one of them, named Boombo, of Little Cape Mount, resorted to war upon several of the surrounding tribes. He laid waste the country, burned the towns and villages, captured and murdered many of the inhabitants, carried off hundreds of others, and robbed several factories in that region, belonging to merchants of Liberia. On the 26th of February, 1853, President Roberts issued his proclamation enjoining a strict observance of the law regulating passports, and forbidding the sailing of any vessel, with emigrants, without first visiting the port of Monrovia, where each passenger should be examined as to his wishes. On the first of March the President, with 200 men, sailed for Little Cape Mount, arrested Boombo and 50 of his followers, summoned a council of the other chiefs at Monrovia for his trial on the 14th, and returned home with his prisoners. At the time appointed, the trial was held, Boombo was found guilty of “High Misdemeanor,” and sentenced “to make restitution, restoration, and reparation of goods stolen, people captured, and damages committed: to pay a fine of $500, and be imprisoned for two years.”[[19]] When the sentence was pronounced, the convict shed tears, regarding the ingredient of imprisonment in his sentence, to be almost intolerable. These rigorous measures, adopted to maintain the authority of the Government and majesty of the laws, have had a salutary influence upon the chiefs. No outbreaks have since occurred, and but little apprehension of danger for the future is entertained.
The missionaries and teachers in Liberia, are nearly all colored men, and citizens of the Republic, who yield a cordial support to its laws, and enjoy ample protection under its government. These missionaries have the control of the schools and churches; and, consequently, they possess the entire direction of the intellectual, moral, and religious training of the youth. Liberia, therefore, may be denominated a Missionary Republic. And such is the influence the colony has exerted over the natives, that their heathenish customs and superstitions are fast disappearing before the advancing Christian civilization. In the country of Messurado, including the seat of government, there no longer exists a single temple of heathen worship.[[20]]
The religious and educational statistics of Liberia are not complete, but are sufficient to show, that the different churches have more than 2,000 communicants; the Sabbath-schools more than 1500 children, of whom 500 are natives; while in the day-schools there are not less than 1,400 pupils.