AFRICA.
THE MENDI MISSION.
The Church and the Sunday-School.
REV. FLOYD SNELSON, GOOD HOPE STATION.
We had our First Communion yesterday. It was a great day in the church. All were in high spirits. We received one new convert, and others are seeking the way of life. We observed the Week of Prayer with the Church Mission Society, holding our meetings with each other alternately through the week, beginning with us to-night. We have a splendid Sabbath-school, and are doing all that we can to make it better.
The Day-School—The Christmas Entertainment—Knives and Forks.
BENJAMIN JAMES, M. D.
We have about sixty or more scholars, and, I tell you, to instruct them in the way they teach schools in America is difficult; indeed, more so than you have any idea of. With every attempt you make to teach them in that way, you become more and more discouraged. Our Sabbath-school is too large for the number of teachers at present engaged, but we hope to remedy this soon. We gave them, Thursday night, a Christmas entertainment. Mrs. Snelson cooked the food, which was partly furnished by the members of the church, and the remainder by ourselves. I was appointed to decorate the chapel, and, I must say, to these people’s credit, that I never had so many hands under my control in my life; and, as evergreen after evergreen was placed in position, the laborers increased. We not only had fruits, but poultry, vegetables, cakes, pies, candies, raisins, and music. There were many strangers, such as the Commander of the Port (a white man, with more decorations of honor on his chest than in the ephod of a Jewish high-priest), the Collector of the Port (white), the Catechist of the Established Church (colored), seven merchants (two white and five colored), the Postmaster (colored), Custom House officers in abundance (all colored), military officials of all grades, from a captain to a corporal. The church people, boatmen, and servants, were all present. Several tables were set; but, I am sorry to say, that when the laborers’ (such as carpenters and field hands) time came to sit and to sup, the best had been consumed.