John Augustus Abayomi-Cole

“ Our detractors have often affirmed that the hope of Africa is buried in oblivion but to their great disappointment, “The morning light is breaking, the darkness disappears.” This is becoming a reality in British Sherbro, as is evinced by the religious lives of many. The introduction of the temperance society and other social meetings, the desire for higher education, the liberality and enthusiasm with which the cause of missions is supported by native converts, prove to the world that “we have yet a soul and dare be free.” ”

“ Africa ours by divine gift, and we are responsible for her prosperity according to the proportion of advantages and light given us. We have great advantages. The eye of the civilized world is upon us. This moment the Germans, English, French, and Americans are on our continent. We can say that they that are with us are greater than those that are against us. We must not be discouraged by the noise of our detractors, for they too will soon be made to pity us. ”

“ Christianity and various kinds of knowledge will have so happy a tendency to undermine all debashing superstition. Commerce, science, and Christianity will be able to proceed in unison when scattering their seeds over the fields of Africa, from which fruits may be expected, alike to recompense the enterprise of the mercantile adventurer and the efforts of Christian philanthropists. ”

“ Is it not then absolutely necessary that Christianity should be combined with industry, and a model farming, with an example of innocent commerce, be established in heathen countries in order to civilize the inhabitants? ”

“ If we are to be truly civilized, it must be by the improvement of our language. He who hath no language of his own should not exist. The English language is not ours; and he is either a madman or a fool who prefers a foreign language to his own. ”

“ Innocent and well-conducted commerce in cotton goods and tools for the improvement of agriculture were kept away from them. They must be supplied with the white man’s rum to render them more stupid, that they might be kidnapped and stolen away with greater facility. They must have gun-powder and swords enough to make war on their brethren and get plenty captives to give the white man’s vessel a good cargo of souls. In 1771, one hundred and ninety-eight slave-ships left England for Africa, fitted for 50,000 slaves. ”

“ McQueen says, “The future prosperity of Africa will be attained only by teaching the negroes useful knowledge and the arts of civilized life, and when by the influence of innocent commerce the native chiefs are taught that they may be rich without selling men, and to depend upon the cultivation of the soil.” “Example is better than precept,” and “men live more by example than reason.” ”

“ But in a heathen country like Africa,–a country degraded and corrupted by the slave-trade,–the introduction of innocent commerce, together with Christianity, even where the needs of missionaries are adequately supplied, is a necessity and a part of Christian duty. Gomzalez, the first European slave-dealer, who came to Africa in the year 1434, would have been very unsuccessful in his wicked designs had it not been for the anxiety of our fathers to procure European commodities. They wanted the white man’s goods, and he in turn their children ”

“ The Sherbro language can be improved, but it needs education to shape it; and from what we have stated it may be clearly seen that an establishment of a good school in Sherbro, where science would be taught, and where amongst other languages the Arabic might be introduced, will do much for Africa. ”

“ It could be said of our country, since the time of the slave-trade, that the continent of Africa “suffereth violence until now, and the violent taketh it by force.” Many even in America are this day made to suffer violence for their zeal in rescuing us and embracing us as brethren. ”

“ Time will fail us to dwell on the various struggles and bloodshed through which this country has passed–Canrabah Caulker’s war, and the attempt of the French to rob Bendoo from the Sherbroes, which led to the transference of that and many other parts in Sherbro to the British government. ”

“ A careful comparison of the different African private society will prove what we have affirmed of their derivation from the Magi of Egypt, as it is the same in law and many other respects. The Avudu relative to the Shagoes are lightning worshipers. They have great delight for fire. I have witnessed an Avudu worshiper, when excited by his charms, devour a good quantity of live coals from a fireside with the same pleasure, seemingly, with which one would enjoy cakes. ”

“ But to-day, instead of the totranger, we find among the male a desire for the white man’s trousers and baltic shirts pervading the whole country, whilst the females would pay anything for fine wrappers, and English shawls to cover their shoulders. ”

“ Paul a tent-maker, therefore missionaries are to combine evangelistic works with commerce. Missionary labors in enlightened and Christian countries differ. Extensive commerce in connection with missionary operations in civilized countries where the wants of pastors are adequately met either by subscription or donation, is unnecessary. ”

“ The radical change and the improvements during the thirteen years of his labors and ministration reminds one very vividly of Oberlin, the pastor of Ban de la Roche, his untiring effort, his humble and unassuming character, his anxiety to see every one around him engaged, his own example, like St. ”