African Colonization by the Free Colored People of the United States, an Indispensable Auxiliary to African Missions.: A Lecture — John Shaqi
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
“At the period of Mr. Carey’s death, the Church, of which he was the
pastor, contained 100 members, and was in a highly flourishing
condition. It was committed to the charge of Collin Teage, who now
returned from Sierra Leone, and of Mr. Waring, one of its members, who
had lately been ordained a minister. The influences which had commenced
with the indefatigable founder of the mission continued to be felt long
after he had ceased to live. The Church at Monrovia was increased to 200
members, and the power of the Gospel was manifested in other settlements
of the Colonization Society, and even among the rude natives of the
coast, of whom nearly 100 were converted to Christianity and united with
the several churches of the colony.”[10]
In December, 1830, Rev. B. Skinner, a white man, with his wife and two
children, reached Monrovia, to take charge of the mission. They were all
seized with the African fever, soon after landing, and Mrs. Skinner and
the children died. Mr. S. so far recovered as to embark for home, in
July following, but died the twentieth day of the passage.
In 1834, Dr. Skinner, the father of the missionary, went out as a
physician, and was afterward appointed governor of the colony. Soon
after his arrival, he recommended the Baptist Board to establish their
mission, for the benefit of the natives, among the Bassa tribe.
In 1835, two other white men, Rev. G. W. Crocker, and Rev. Mr. Mylne,
were sent out to the Bassas. Mrs. Mylne, who had accompanied her
husband, died in a month, and Mr. M., after laboring nearly three years,
was forced, by ill health, to return to the United States. Mr. Crocker
continued his labors, and was married, in 1840, to Miss Warren, who had
gone out as a teacher. She died soon afterward, and the declining health
of Mr. Crocker compelled him to leave for the United States.
In 1838, two years before Mr. Crocker left, he had been joined by Rev.
Ivory Clarke and wife, whites, who continued to occupy the station, and
labored with great success for several years.
In December, 1840, Messrs. Constantine and Fielding, with their wives,
all whites, reached the Bassa mission. Mr. and Mrs. F. both died in six
weeks; and Mr. and Mrs. C. were so much debilitated by the fever that
they were compelled to return home in 1842.
In 1844, the health of Mr. Crocker had become so far restored, that he
resolved to return to Africa; and, having been united in marriage to
Miss Chadbourne, he sailed for Liberia, but died two days after landing.
“Thus fell, in the midst of high raised hopes, and at an unexpected
moment, a missionary of no common zeal and devotion to the cause.”[11]
On the death of Mr. Crocker, his widow attached herself to the mission,
and labored for its advancement for two years; when the wreck of her
constitution, under the influence of the climate, compelled her to
abandon the work, in 1846, and return home.
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