Dear Sir,—It becomes my delightful as well as grateful task to drop you a line in recognition of your kindness. The opportunities for us who were lately transformed from chattels into citizens to enjoy the advantages of a collegiate or theological training are a rarity. Schools, seminaries, universities are many; they abound in every quarter; but we are either barred out of them by poverty on the one hand or proscription on the other. Therefore, when the philanthropic hearts of our friends at home and abroad are moved to institute places of learning for our benefit, and aid us in securing the wherewithal to attend them, we experience a joy, an inward pleasure, a sense of gratitude, I may say, unspeakable.
Our University, I am glad to say, is in a prosperous condition; no opposition daunts it in its upward march, and I am warranted by every circumstance in heralding the fact that “we are rising.” I entered the Theological Department here last autumn and am pursuing a regular course. If at the completion of my studies I shall go into the world and shall there prove faithful to my trust, fulfil the office of the ministry, reflect honor upon this institution and credit upon myself, then I shall feel that your kind benefaction was not bestowed in vain. Accept my sincere thanks for the interest thus manifested in our welfare.
W. A. S.
AFRICA.
THE MENDI MISSION.
Annual Meeting of the Missionaries—The Board of Counsel and Advice.
The missionaries of the Mendi Mission are, in accordance with the instructions of the Executive Committee, organized into a Board of Counsel and Advice. In this capacity they met at Good Hope Station, August 7th, 1878: Rev. Floyd Snelson, President; Rev. A. P. Miller, Secretary. After devotional exercises, with which each session opened and closed, committees were appointed on church work, school work, agricultural work, extension of mission work, reception of scholars, buildings, &c.
We give the reports of these committees in whole or in part, as presenting a clear view of the work in hand, and its wants. We submit the question also with confidence, whether this band of colored men does not, by this careful and business-like survey of its work, approve itself as well qualified to carry on the important mission which has been assigned its members in their far-off fatherland.