Editorial titled "Liberian Missions" published in Home and Foreign Journal, July 1851

Liberian Missions These missions are much needing reinforcement: But where are the men? Positions the most interesting, and giving promise of success, in the exercise of suitable instrumentality, are presented to the consideration of the Board, and yet they find not the proper persons to engage in this work. In regard to this subject, the Board in their last annual report, say: “At several points connected with our African missions, there is urgent necessity for more laborers. Besides, it would be wise to occupy two or three new stations contiguous to those we now have on the coast. With reference to this subject brother Bowen remarks: ‘During the dry season the Golah missionaries could preach far and wide, and during the rains they could teach school and conduct a farm to sustain the mission. Abundance of native laborers can be employed on very easy terms. Natives perform most of the labor on the farms of the American settlers. ‘“Another important station is Grand Cape Mount, as all agree. The Natives here are Veys, who have invented an imperfect mode of writing their own language. From this extraordinary circumstance, I think a good system of writing would meet great favor. ‘“Six days journey inland from Cape Mount, is Godery, a town composed chiefly of emigrant Mandingoes, who have married Vey women. The Vey language is spoken by almost all inhabitants of the place. If the written Vey were introduced here, it might lead the Mandingoes to cultivate their own language, which is altogether the most important in Western Africa. They have many schools in which they teach Arabic, which it requires them about seven years to learn; whereas young men could learn to read their own language in two or three.’” This subject deserves the serious consideration of our brethren at the South. The men qualified to preach the gospel to the African, in his own land, are doubtless among us. Should they not be sought out? Have we not the colored men, who, if put under judicious training, would be eminently adapted to this field? Great care is indeed needed in selecting the proper instruments. None but intelligent, prudent, industrious, godly men should be employed - are not such to be found in our churches?