African Colonization by the Free Colored People of the United States, an Indispensable Auxiliary to African Missions.: A LectureChristy, David
History
African Colonization by the Free Colored People of the United States, an Indispensable Auxiliary to African Missions.: A Lecture
Christy, David
African Americans -- Colonization -- Africa; Missions -- Africa
From documents presented to Parliament, it appears, that, in 1850, there
was a Christian population, in Sierra Leone, of more than 36,000, out of
about 45,000. In this population, it was estimated, that there were
representatives of no fewer than one hundred different tribes, speaking
different languages and dialects; so that there are already converts
prepared, as far as the knowledge of the languages is concerned, to go
forth in every direction, and to explain to their countrymen, in their
own tongue, the truths of revelation. Since the subject was before
Parliament, BISHOP VIDAL has commenced his labors, and this question has
received particular attention. It has been ascertained that no fewer
than 151 distinct languages, besides several dialects, are spoken in
Sierra Leone. They have been arranged under 26 groups; but there still
remain 54 unclassified, which are more distinct from each other, and
from all the rest, than the languages of Europe are from one another;
thus unfolding to the view of the Christian philanthropist, an agency,
in the course of preparation, which, under Divine Providence, may carry
the Gospel to the unnumbered millions of immortal souls inhabiting the
continent of Africa.
A few facts will show that this is not an idle speculation, but that she
has successfully entered upon her great mission.
Among the Recaptured Africans introduced into Sierra Leone, and brought
under the civilizing influences of its Christian institutions, none have
made such rapid progress as the people of Yoruba, a country lying
eastward of the kingdom of Dahomey. Their first appearance in the Colony
was about 1822. Many of them soon acquired a considerable amount of
intelligence and a little property. In 1839, they had become quite
numerous, and a party of them purchased a vessel, hired a white captain,
and commenced a traffic with Badagry. This town is at a point on the
coast from which the Yoruba country can be most easily reached. The
trade thus begun soon led to a rapid emigration from Sierra Leone, and
the planting of missions at both Badagry and Abbeokuta, the capital of
Yoruba.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account