REV. FLOYD SNELSON.
I received the letters, telling of the new missionaries on the way to our mission, with great joy. I left home late last Thursday afternoon for this place to meet them. We came on very well until Friday night about ten o’clock, at which time we were caught in quite a storm, and had to anchor. As I had not been here since our first arrival, there were many things to look after.
Just as I was finishing up last night, the steamer came in, bringing them. I got out to them about 8.30 P.M., and spent nearly an hour with them. I am very favorably impressed with the first view of my new co-workers, and hope now to be able to carry on the work to greater success and with more ease.
Next morning they came ashore, and expressed themselves as favorably surprised at the appearance of the place and people. On the 26th, we hope to leave early for Good Hope.
Freetown, Sierra Leone,
March 25th, 1878.
First Impressions of Africa—A Sunday Service—A School Celebration.
REV. ALBERT MILLER.
On reaching Freetown, and walking about the place and conversing with the natives, we were very favorably disappointed. Some are very intelligent and kind-hearted. We attended a Sunday-School in the afternoon, and were much pleased to hear the children read and sing. They reminded me of a small country school in the South. A little boy played on the organ. We visited several of the natives, and I was everywhere surprised at seeing so much intelligence displayed. Brother Snelson had made all necessary preparations for our coming. The mission house had been fitted up nicely, so that we soon felt as if we were in an American village. We remained in Freetown two days, and Brother Snelson lost no time in showing us the many things of interest in this African city. We visited the market, and saw many things in the line of fruits to interest us. All were well pleased, but still longed to reach our adopted home.
Leaving Freetown on the 25th of March, we arrived here on the 28th, early in the morning. The men rowed all night. Mrs. Snelson, Mr. White and the children of the mission met us at the wharf. We could not have been more kindly received by any persons. We have been here several days now, and find the work promising and encouraging. Brother Snelson and his helpers are hard at work, and things, I suppose, are much more hopeful than they have been for years.