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A PIONEER MISSIONARY IN AFRICA.
REV. GEORGE THOMPSON.
Rev. George Thompson was early enlisted as a missionary in the Mendi Mission on the west coast of Africa. He had been a most ardent friend of the slave, active in aiding their escape from the house of bondage, and as a consequence had spent five years in the Missouri State Prison. He went to Africa in 1848 under the commission of the American Missionary Association, and proved himself to be remarkably useful. One of his most far-reaching efforts was in the work as a peacemaker. A fierce and unrelenting war had been raging among the tribes around the mission, and this was brought to a close through the wise and persistent efforts of Mr. Thompson. He was chosen umpire for the contending chiefs, and after repeated and wearying excursions, and ten interviews or councils with both parties, he at length succeeded. Then came the joy which peace brings. Warriors met and fell on each other's necks; chiefs, who were for years enemies, now shook hands and embraced each other with the affection of long-separated friends; sisters, wives and daughters, long captives, fell into each other's arms, weeping for joy. A chief's daughter was seen running to embrace her father's feet, a wife hastened to welcome her husband and children, and entire towns were filled with cries of gladness. The beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers," belongs to Mr. Thompson.
Ill health at length compelled Mr. Thompson to relinquish the work in Africa, and in 1856 he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where he spent five years in publishing his book on Africa, entitled, "Palm Land," and in educating two boys whom he brought with him from Africa. In 1861 he removed with his family to northwestern Michigan, where he labored as a home missionary for eighteen years, being the pastor for fifteen years of a church which he established. He then returned to Oberlin, where he remained until his death in 1893. In all these years Mr. Thompson was a laborious and useful man, actively engaged in awakening the [pg 93] churches to an interest in Africa, in writing his books and educating his children. In his later years, while living in Oberlin, he was abundant in labors in connection with Sunday-schools and feeble churches in Ohio and other States.
A PIONEER MISSIONARY AMONG THE INDIANS.
REV. S.G. WRIGHT.