3. But there is another point of quite as much interest to us. I refer to the inspirations that have been kindled in the hearts of Christians in Africa’s behalf; the efforts that have been put forth since our Mission was established for reclaiming Africa. Here let me refer briefly to parallel Providences. There are three of these which are very striking: (1) The revelations to us of the fertility, resources and people of the vast interior of Central Africa; (2) The abolition of American slavery; (3) The eagerness of people of African descent for education at the South, coupled with a great desire to emigrate to Africa (It is probable that not less than half a million black people in America have signified their desire to go to Africa within the last twelve months). To this must be added the desire manifested by Christians of our own race, everywhere to follow up these providences with missionary endeavors. These have been put forth by the English, Scotch, German and American; skirting the borders of Equatorial Africa, both on the East and West Coast; resulting in the conversion of thousands of heathen during the past twenty-five years. Since the close of our war, and more especially during the past five years, great enthusiasm has been manifested for what are termed Central African Missions—missions in the lake regions upon the highlands of the interior.
The Scotch and English have planted their stations on the Nyassa Lake. The London Missionary Society had, at last reports, a corps of missions, heading towards the Tanganyika, while the Church Missionary Society has occupied Mtesa’s kingdom, in Uganda, on the shores of the Victoria Nyanza, and the Baptists of Great Britain are searching for a station on the Livingstone River. The fertile country thus being entered, extends for four thousand miles from east to west, in some latitudes, and three thousand from north to south, and probably contains a hundred million people.
In the providence of God, the American Missionary Association is on that ground. It is the one missionary society of our denomination that sustains missions there. We believe we have an inheritance in that country, and a great destiny in connection with its redemption. We have been true to the negro from the beginning, seeking to do right in his behalf, without fear or favor. I think it is not too much to assert that heaven believes in this Association; that God created it, and will use it for great things in Africa. Good men have believed in it. Mr. Avery gave to it property valued at $100,000, for African Missions. Others, we trust, will follow his example; for we suspect the negro was right when his attentive ear caught the accents which he wove into his song:
“The Lord said to Gabriel:
Take down the silver trumpet,
Loud as the seven thunders!
Wake the sleeping nations—
You will see the Christian rising.”
We are truly seeing the Christian rising—as “the trumpet sounds it in our souls”—that God has come to reclaim Africa.
4. The fourth point of interest relates to what we have been trying to do about it. The story of the departure of our colored missionaries has been sufficiently told. The result of their first year’s efforts has been spread before you. Let me give you, in their own language, their convictions as to the best missions for Africa. Mr. A. E. White—a Hampton student, now at Avery Station—writes: “You would like to know what I think about colored missionaries. My firm belief is that they can do more than any other missionaries under the sun. The natives look upon a white person as unnatural, and think he is above them in every way, and that God made him so. They also think it is of no use for them to try to do the things they see the white man do. But, on the other hand, when they see a colored man do anything, they think if he can do it, they can do it themselves. Do not think I say this because I am a colored man. I say it because I know it is true.”
Mr. Albert Miller, who went out from the Fisk University, writes: “If Africa is to be evangelized, as I believe it will be, it must be done through the children of the summer and sunny clime, educated and Christianized in the South. You in America can’t see this as plainly as one who mingles with this people, and has all chances to investigate in regard to this matter.”
It gives us pleasure to state that the success of our colored band beyond the great waters, warrants as strong expressions as those I have quoted. A letter from Rev. Floyd Snelson, dated West Africa, September 13th, contains the following: “The 24th of this month will make one year since we left New York. Result of work, three stations are opened, nearly three hundred children have been enrolled in the day schools, and about the same number, old and young, in Sabbath-schools. From among these numbers, twenty-four have given their hearts to Christ and united with the Church, and are endeavoring to lead Christian lives. The object of the missionary is to go forward with the work into the interior. There are many places which might be opened to the saving of souls, if the money and men were furnished.”
I repeat, brethren, we had an early call to our African field. God has spanned His bow of light and promise over it. He has kindled inspirations in our hearts concerning it. He has prospered the freedmen who have gone forth for its redemption.
Surely we have a right to believe “the great Admiral, who knows the way,” has taken our ship in tow, and, as the Jubilees sing,