Ezra Stiles and Samuel Hopkins

“ Europe and America have long been fed with the heavenly provision : And I fear they loath it ; while Africa is perishing with a spiritual famine. O that they could partake of the crumbs, which fall from the table of these distinguished children of the kingdom !
ʻ I hope that which the divine, royal Psalmist says by inspiration, is now on the point of being accomplished, viz. ʻEthiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God.’
The two men abovementioned have been at school, and under instruction most of the time since the date of the above proposal. ”

“ What has been given to promote this design is nearly expended already, a particular account of the expences, any one who pleases may see at any time. Money is now wanted still to carry it on—to support these men, till they have an opportunity to go to Guinea—to furnish them with necessaries for their voyage and mission—to set up schools to teach the youth and children, if a way shall open for this ; and for any other services to promote this important design, as God in his providence shall point out the way. ”

“ There has been a design formed, and some attempts have lately been made, to send the gospel to Guinea, by encouraging and furnishing two men to go and preach the gospel to their brethren there : And a memorial was drawn up some time since with this view ; and a number of copies in manuscript were dispersed, which is now offered to the public.
TO all who are desirous to promote the kingdom of Christ on earth, in the salvation of sinners, the following narrative and proposal are offered, to excite and solicit their charity and prayers. ”

“ A native of Annamaboe has lately arrived at Newport, who is a free man, and appears to be a sensible, inquisitive person, and is recommended by the captain he came with, as a man of integrity and good behaviour. ”

“ He appears pleased with the proposal to send blacks to teach his people, and thinks they will be kindly received, and attended to.
There is another black, named Salmar Nuba, a member of the second congregational church, in Newport, who is promising as a person of a good genius, and giving evidence of real piety. He is about twenty years old, and has lately had his freedom given to him. He is greatly desirous and engaged, in some way to promote the spread of the gospel among the Africans. ”

“ She, and the principal cousin, who possesses the estate of his father, join in earnestly entreating you would, in your christian love and charity to them, send the lad again, that he may receive their cordial embraces, looking upon themselves sufficient to support him. ”

“ We beg leave also to observe, that the present state of our publick affairs, is so far from being a reason for neglecting this proposal, that it seems rather to afford strong motives to encourage it : For while we are struggling for our civil and religious liberties, it will be peculiarly becoming and laudable to exert ourselves to procure the same blessings for others, so far as it is in our power. ”

“ They are not only willing, but very desirous to quit all worldly prospects and risque their lives, in attempting to open a door for the propagation of christianity among their poor, ignorant, perishing, heathen brethren.
ʻ The concurrence of all these things has led to set on foot a proposal to send them to Africa, to preach the gospel there, if upon trial they shall appear in any good measure qualified for this business. In order to this they must be put to school, and taught to read and write better than they now can ; and be instructed more fully in divinity, &c. ”

“ He expresses a desire to learn to read, &c., and to he instructed in the christian religion ; sensible that he and his countrymen are ignorant of the way in which men may find favor with God ; and that they stand in need of a revelation from him, in order to know what he requires of them. ”