We have the following information relating to the death of Mr. Kemp at the Mendi Mission, from Rev. J. M. Williams, missionary at Kaw Mendi. Mr. Williams’ long experience in Africa has qualified his heart and mind to sympathize most fully with the afflicted. He is a colored man, born in British Guiana, South America, and has rendered much good service to the cause of missions during the past sixteen years.
Mr. Williams writes:—Of the dangerous illness of Mrs. Kemp and of the death of Mr. Kemp, I had not heard a word till I arrived at Good Hope on Saturday. I knocked at the door of the mission house with the fullest expectation of enjoying the company of Mr. and Mrs. Kemp. The closed doors and windows might have awakened apprehension that all was not well, but they did not. The death-like silence that was within, after my repeated knocking at the door, created not the slightest suspicion or foreboding that sickness and death had preceded me, and forever removed my beloved and esteemed friend. After the third rapping at the door, the watchman came to the foot of the stairs and said: “No pusson there, sir;” and in reply to my questions, he further said: “Missis done gone to town. The new massa that came t’other day, he done died.” I could not, and did not, believe the man till after he replied three times to my half-frantic interrogations, “Massa Kemp done died.” Words are inadequate to express my feelings then and now. During my sixteen years’ residence in Africa no event has so sadly affected me as the death of Mr. Kemp, except the death of my two children. I feel it keenly. I deeply sympathize with Mrs. Kemp and with the Association. It is a severe blow to us all, and especially to this station and mission. Although the residence of the Kemps here was short, yet they were much respected and beloved by the inhabitants of Bonthe. By the Europeans, from the Commandant downward, and by the colored people, I have heard them spoken of in the most flattering terms.
While still suffering from the intensity of grief produced by such sudden and unexpected intelligence, Mr. Jowett came and confirmed what I had heard from the watchman. I was informed by Mr. Jowett that Brother Kemp left Good Hope Station for Avery to see Mr. Jackson on the 11th of May, and returned on the 13th. On the way home he was exposed to several heavy showers of rain. About two days after his return he was attacked with intermittent fever. Mrs. Kemp was also dangerously ill and not expected to recover. This kept him up when he ought to have been in bed. Under the combined weight of a disordered mind and body, he sank rapidly until life departed. He had a strong presentiment, two days before his death, that his end was near and his work on earth done, and informed Mrs. Kemp of his convictions. He said: “The doctor has done all he can do. I am ready to die. I commend you to God.” During his illness he was attended by Brother Jowett, Mrs. During, and other kind friends.
He died on Sunday morning, May 29th, at 10 o’clock, without a struggle or groan. He fell asleep in Jesus, and his disembodied spirit took its happy flight to join the great congregation in Heaven. His remains were moved to the chapel at 4 p. m., and from thence to the mission cemetery, followed by a large concourse of every color, rank and station in the community. According to his request, his body now lies at the entrance of the grave-yard under the shade of a large mango tree. I shall do my best to get a few iron-tree posts, and to have the grave enclosed as soon as possible after I return to Kaw Mendi, and I cherish the hope that the friends of the mission will procure a desirable tombstone to be erected over the grave, and send from the States a marble inscription to be put into the chapel.
Mr. Jowett is now taking charge of the Station, and Mr. Goodman is teaching the school at Debia. I sincerely wish you could find a dozen such men as Mr. Kemp to send to Africa; only be sure that they come with sound livers, and be entirely free from heart disease. The climate, I think, is more favorable to lung disease than America. I believe men of any color will live as long in health in Africa as elsewhere, provided they visit America or Europe, for a change, once in every two or three years.
THE INDIANS.
WORK ON A SHORT TOUR.
REV. MYRON EELLS, SKOKOMISH, WASH. TER.