“I am glad to inform you that we have arrived here safely. We left Freetown Thursday evening, taking deck passage on the governor’s steamer, as cabin passage cost three times as much, and reached here yesterday (Nov. 30) afternoon. I found Mrs. Mair here making ready for us. As the boat returns to-day, I shall not be able to make any report. I like the place so far very well. The people seem very anxious to receive us. I have asked Mr. Kirk to come down from Avery next week, that we may all consult together as to what it is best to do.”
Mr. Burton (now in this country and retired from missionary labor), who was for so many years in our service in Africa, writes to us:
“I am very glad to hear of the safe arrival of the missionary company in Africa. I have been for many years looking forward to the time when the mission should be carried on by laborers taken from among the freedmen, and I believe that God will use them to bless Africa.
“I received a letter from Mr. Gomer (a colored missionary of the United Brethren) a few days since. He had just returned from a visit to Avery, and spoke of it as being in a very flourishing condition. I seem to be there in spirit a great part of the time, and I do not know as it is strange, for a generation has grown up under my care, who seem almost to be my children. My prayer is that these freedmen may be God’s instruments to bring them to Christ.”
KAW MENDI, SHERBRO, W. AFRICA.
LETTER FROM REV. J. M. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams is a native of Demerara, South America; was educated in the schools of the London Missionary Society, and was formerly in the employ of the United Brethren. He has been for some months at Kaw Mendi, once a mission station of the Association, and writes to assure us that our former labors there have not been altogether in vain.
Kaw Mendi, Small Boom River,
Sherbro, W. A., 7th November, 1877.
Since I left Shengay, in May, I was directed by the providence of God, through chiefs Wm. and C. H. Tucker, to this, the first station of the Association. I opened a school, and commenced telling of Christ to the adults, in July, to the great joy of all who remembered the former missionaries who labored here. Chief C. H. Tucker has hitherto done nobly, in helping me in every way to prosecute my work. He defrays my traveling expenses, and, when his duties as a chief permit, he accompanies me, and interprets for me when I go to preach in the other towns and villages. I had up to last week twenty scholars, but one was sent home to be cured of a bad ulcer, and five others because their parents have not fulfilled their duties as promised—that is, to feed them while under our care. My plan is, that all who are able, pay something for the education of their children, or the children work to support themselves. Chief C. H. Tucker subscribes readily and largely to the support of the school. He is about erecting a large mission house, a children’s home for boys and girls, and a chapel and schoolhouse, all of country materials except the doors, etc. I fear it will be too much for him, but he does not think so. He hopes to be able to have all ready at the commencement of the ensuing year, God willing. Chief Tucker is one of the most intelligent men about Sherbro, educated by your missionaries, Brooks and White. There is another, a Mr. King, that is an excellent interpreter, and is of help to me.