AFRICA.

THE MENDI MISSION.

Annual Meeting of the Missionaries—The Board of Counsel and Advice.

The annual meeting of the Board of Counsel and Advice of the Mendi Mission was held in the Good Hope Chapel, at Sherbro Island, July 14, 1879. Rev. A. P. Miller presided, and Dr. Benjamin James was elected Secretary.

The Moderator made the following introductory remarks:

Before we proceed to our business, you will please indulge me with a few preliminary remarks, inasmuch as we are about to enter upon that part of our missionary work which will tell most plainly to the civilized world as to the wisdom and good judgment of colored missionaries in devising plans for the furtherance of a work of so great importance, sacredly intrusted to our care.

In the performance of our several duties in the second annual meeting of our Board, let us not forget that body of devoted men of the A. M. A., by whose unwearied zeal and toil means are procured for the furtherance and extension of this well-begun work.

Let us not forget the thousands of Christian men and women who give of their means for the support of Missions, especially in Africa.

Let us not forget the five millions of our own race in the South, from whom the shackles of slavery have been torn asunder, to whom Africa is now looking for the light of the Gospel and a Christian civilization, of whom we are the advance guards.

Let us not forget that the problem of Africa’s future is now under solution and that we are the solvers. Our failure to arrive at a conclusion in her favor, as Freedmen, would bring everlasting disgrace upon us as a race, while on the other hand we should most shamefully wrong unenlightened manhood, whose blood would be required at our hands.

As a slave, the negro served well his oppressors. As a soldier, he served well the cause of freedom and his country. The tyrant’s chain of oppression, which held five millions in bondage, has been broken, and to-day the grand duty as well as privilege of carrying light and life to his benighted brethren in his fatherland lies before him and calls him onward. It remains yet for him to prove himself a man in this important relation that he holds to his fellow-countrymen and to the world.

In view of these great responsibilities incumbent upon us in this Council assembled, in the discussion and decision of matters of importance, may God, in mercy, so guide each one that he shall be unprejudiced and deeply sincere, as well as conscientious, throughout all these deliberations, with due regard to their bearing upon the interest of the benighted whom we come to serve and enlighten. In view of all these things, may each one give the weight of his influence to the furtherance of our work, exercising patience and charity one toward the other.

Committees were appointed on the various interests of the Mission, while the subject of the extension of the work was referred to a committee of the whole.

The Committee on Church Work reported forty-four members in the church at Good Hope Station, one having died during the year; seven infants baptized; attendance on services good, and showing earnest desire to hear the Word; advance in the Christian life of converts; prayer-meetings valuable. Some persons, under watch and care, will be received to membership as soon as legally united in matrimony.

At Avery there are forty-one members; under watch and care, three adults; eleven children baptized. Increasing willingness on the part of the people to attend church, and growing interest in the cause of Christ give encouragement.

At Debia, Mr. Goodman conducts religious services on the Lord’s day. A chapel is hoped for here, books at Good Hope, and repairs of building at Avery.

Our Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition, being well attended, most of the scholars attending church services. Bradford friends in England sent our Sunday-school a nice present in the shape of copies of the Gospels, pamphlets, papers, etc., which we used as prizes for good attendance, to encourage the little ones. We need singing books for this work.

The Committee on School Work reported that at Good Hope the school has made rapid progress. During the year 245 children have been enrolled. These are both from the Sierra Leone and from the native element. They learn English rapidly. “We have teachers,” says the report, “who are quite awake to their duty. Children are accessible in Sherbro, and are brought into day and Sunday schools in large numbers. Through the kindness of friends of the poor little Africans, shirts have been put on their backs and books into their hands, for which they seem to be grateful. Of course these wear out, and others must be procured in some way or other in their stead, or these little ones in many cases will leave off attending school. They must be constantly looked after. We hope to see not far in the future a first-class school at this place. We have material in abundance upon which to work. Time, patience and labor will bring success.”

The school at Avery has not made such progress as was hoped for during the year. On the first of January its numbers were decreased by the taking away of most of the larger boys to cut the crops for their parents. The irregularity of attendance is a great obstacle in the way of our success. Some attend for one day, and may not be seen again for a month. Those who have attended regularly have made progress. The prospect for the future is better. There are some children now in the Mission whose attendance may be depended on. Most of the children living in the village around the Mission have been taken to the farms to drive birds, so that the number on the roll at present is only twenty, ten of whom come from the Mission house. There have been 56 on the roll during the year.

The school work at Debia is encouraging, Mr. Goodman and family being settled there. We base our hopes largely on the little ones who are being trained in our Mission schools.

The Committee on Agriculture reported that the cassida planted at Good Hope does not thrive, owing to the impoverished condition of the soil. At Avery the coffee plantation is in a comparatively thriving condition, and some of the trees bearing well. The need of more laborers and implements is urged, and it is recommended “that more of the ground be put under cultivation as a measure tending to supply the wants of the growing Mission, and that the children of the Mission be employed two hours each day upon the farms, under the supervision of a competent and skillful person.” It is further recommended “that the science of horticulture be introduced at each station, and that the choicest flora of native and foreign production capable of being grown on the premises be obtained, so far as practicable, for this purpose.”

The Committee on Industrial Work reported that the saw mill needs repairs of floor and roof, that one saw is in good running order. There are sixteen hands employed at the mill, and two more are needed. It is deemed desirable that some of the Mission children should be “instructed into the workings of mechanics so far as we have the means for instruction.”

Committees on Repairs and Sanitary Condition of the Mission, made careful examination, and reported their advice in these regards.

DISTRIBUTION OF MISSIONARIES.

Some changes were made in the location of the members of the Mission. The force is now divided as follows: At Good Hope: Rev. A. P. Miller and wife, Pastor and Superintendent of the Mission; Dr. Benjamin James, Physician and Teacher; and Mr. A. E. White, Principal of School. At Avery: Rev. A. E. Jackson, Pastor; Mr. E. L. Anthony, Industrial Department, and Mr. George N. Jewett, Teacher.