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CHAPTER V.

MISSION TO AFRICA.

As early as the year 1831, the missionary Board had discussed the propriety of establishing a mission at the colony of Liberia, on the western coast of Africa.

This colony had been formed in 1816, by a few benevolent individuals in the United States. The design of its establishment was, to transport the free people of color in this country, who were willing to emigrate, to Africa, and give them protection in the enjoyment of all the rights of citizenship in a free country.

We shall not enter into any discussion in regard to this enterprise, relative to any of its bearings-moral, social, or political. We have but one object in view; and that is, to record the plans and labors of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the establishment and prosecution of the missionary work in that wronged and deeply-oppressed country.

The Young Men's Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the city of New York, with a zeal and liberality worthy all praise, no sooner heard of the opening in Africa for the labors of the Methodist missionary, than they promptly and unanimously resolved to sustain it, and pledged the support of a missionary.

The General conference of 1832 accepted the offer of the Rev. Melville B. Cox, who proposed himself as a missionary to Africa, and the bishops made the appointment.

Soon after his appointment he set sail for the distant field of his labors, and, after a somewhat tedious voyage, arrived at Liberia early in the spring following.

The governor of the colony, Mr. Williams, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, gave him a cordial reception, and did all in his power to further the objects of the mission.

Having consecrated his all upon the altar of missions, and full of zeal for the cause of God in Africa, he at once entered upon his work. While a thousand prayers went up daily from his native land to the God of missions for his success, he sought, by earnest pleadings at the Divine throne, for himself the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom to guide him in his work. Nor did he seek in vain. A wonderful providence presided over the mission from its commencement.

Finding at Monrovia the premises of the Swiss missionaries vacated by their death, he contracted for their purchase; and convening those who were members of the Methodist Church, and others friendly to the mission, he was received and accredited as their minister.

Articles of agreement were drawn up, by which the subscribers acknowledged the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States as their parent Church, and resigned the then existing Churches of Liberia to the care of the missionary. The "Articles of Religion," "General Rules," "Moral Discipline," and "Temporal Economy," were adopted, and the authority of the General conference recognized in all its departments of government.

On the 9th of March he held a camp meeting at Caldwell, the first of the kind ever held in Africa, at which consultations were had with the brethren, and plans were devised for the establishment of missions at various points. In the month following he opened a Sabbath school, consisting of seventy children.

The Rev. Messrs. Spaulding and Wright were appointed assistants to the mission, where they arrived on the 1st of January, 1834.

Before their arrival upon the shores of Africa, the fervent, sweet-spirited, and devoted Cox had passed into the heavens. In the short space of four months, he had lived to see the Church planted on a firm foundation in Africa

a corps of efficient native preachers around him-Sabbath schools organized, and plans adopted for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom into the territories of darkness. But his work was done. He had fulfilled the errand of his Master, and was immortal until that hour. To Afric's fiery blasts and fatal fevers he was impervious, until his hour had come, and then the softest zephyr could waft him home. We may say of him, as of all the faithful heralds of the cross who have died in their Master's service,

"Servant of God, well done!

Rest from thy loved employ;

The battle's fought, the victory won-
Enter thy Master's joy."

And thy farewell words are not forgotten, thou herald of the cross to Africa! Though they were not graven on thy tombstone, they are graven on a thousand hearts, where they shall live and burn until Africa is redeemed, and her ancient rivers, and palmy plains, and sunny shores, shall be visited with the light and the song of salvation,

The successors of the sainted Cox were cordially received, and entered upon their work, preaching the Gospel and administering the ordinances.

At a general meeting a Sunday school association was formed, entitled "The Monrovia Sunday School Society, auxiliary to the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church." Soon after, the missionaries organized an annual conference, consisting of thirteen members, which was denominated "The Liberia Annual Conference." The conference formed itself into a temperance society.

In the midst of their labors the missionaries were attacked with the African fever; and Mrs. Wright, after an illness of a few days, was released from toil and suffering, and entered into rest.

It was not long until her faithful companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, was called by the Master to

join its sister spirit in the better land. Rev. O. S. Wright was a devoted friend to Africa, and with a quenchless zeal labored for the salvation of her people. His career was short, but, like that of the faithful Cox, it was glorious; and having “finished his course," he departed to rest. There was one of that little band whose Christian heroism demands a passing notice. Miss Sophronia Farrington, to use her own language, in view of the difficulties and dangers attendant upon a mission to Africa, "offered her soul upon the altar of her God, for the salvation of that long-benighted continent."

Though delicate as one of the earliest flowers of spring, yet she had a heart that quailed not at danger; and, braving all, she resolved to live, and labor, and die in Africa.

The sickness and consequent debility of Rev. Mr. Spaulding and lady, were such, that it was deemed proper for them to return to the United States, and seek, if possible, by a change of climate, a restoration to health.

The devoted and self-sacrificing Miss Farrington remained, alone, as a light to cheer the gloom, and thus formed the connecting link in the history of this mission.

Another appointment was made in 1834. The Rev. John Seys, looking all the dangers incident to a residence in Africa full in the face, with an abiding trust in Him who had commanded the publication of the Gospel to every creature, received an appointment from Bishop Hedding; and with his instructions, leaving a sick family and all his friends, bade his native land farewell.

He was accompanied by Rev. Francis Burns, and Unice Sharp, both Africans, the one a local preacher and the other a teacher.

Upon his arrival at Liberia, he was cheered with the prospects around him. After holding quarterly meeting conference at Monrovia, he visited the Churches at Millsburg and Caldwell. He found seventy-seven members of the

Church at Monrovia, eighteen at Millsburg, and forty-eight at Caldwell.

He established a school at New Georgia, where there was a society of thirty-six recaptured Africans; another school at Edina of seventy-eight, and a society of twenty-eight members; another at Grand Bassa, where there were fortythree children, and a membership of twenty.

In addition to the superintendent, there were reported, in 1835, thirteen preachers, all colored, and six school-teachers. This year Rev. Mr. Seys returned to the United States, for the recovery of his health. A portion of his time was occupied in holding missionary meetings, by which an additional interest was awakened in behalf of Africa and the missionary cause in general.

After remaining a few months, in company with Rev. Squire Chase, whose services had been accepted by Bishop Hedding, as a missionary for Cape Palmas, and Mr. George Brown, a colored local preacher, he embarked for Liberia. The report of this year is of the most cheering character. Almost every station was visited with a refreshing, from the presence of the Lord, the result of which was, an accession to the Church, in the colonies, of one hundred and sixty, twenty of whom were native Africans. The whole number in society was as follows: In Monrovia, seventy-seven: Millsburg, eighteen; Caldwell, forty-eight; New Georgia, thirty-six; and Edina, twenty-five.

The day schools and Sabbath schools, which had been established at all the stations, were accomplishing a vast amount of good.

In consequence of ill health, the devoted Miss Farrington was obliged to abandon the mission and return home.

In the language of the annual report of 1836, "the mission continued to loom up in bright perspective, and promise a rich reward for all the labors and sufferings of the faithful missionaries." The superintendent and his associates were

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