Mission in Western Africa
The following statements of results of Missionary labors in Africa, gathered from
missionaries in the field, for the Southern Christian Advocate , will awaken new hopes of the
evangelization of the heathen of that continent Ethiopia, all Africa, shall at length “stretch forth
her hands unto God.’ Wesleyan Methodist (English:) missionaries 20, local preachers 75, school
teachers 160, members 18,000, school children 5,000. Church Mission (English:) missionaries
and native assistants, many of whom are ordained, 120, teachers 200, communicants 3,000,
scholars 6,000, Methodist Episcopal Mission (American:) missionaries 23, teachers 22, members
1,400, scholars 850. Baptist Mission (America:) missionaries 23, teachers 20, members 700,
scholars 500; Presbyterian Mission (American:) missionaries 25, communicants 150, scholars
200. Episcopal Mission (American:) missionaries 13, teachers 27, communicants 250, scholars
550. English Baptist Mission: missionaries 6, teachers 15, members 130, scholars 300. Basle
Society (Lutheran:) missionaries 3, members 40, scholars 400. American Association Mission
(Mendi Mission:) missionaries 17, members 300, scholars 150. Scotch Presbyterian (United
Secession) Mission: missionaries 15. Total number of communicants 23,770. Total number of
scholars, many of whom are learning trades, 13,950. When we add to the above the 15,000
converts, and 15,000 school children under care of Wesleyan, Independents, Epicopalian,
Presbyterian, French Protestant, German Protestant, and Moravian missionaries in South Africa,
what grounds has the church for encouragement! And how are the doubts of the fearful, and the
sneers of the skeptical, regarding the success of Christianity in Africa, hushed into silence!
We clip the above from an exchange. The statement regarding the American Baptist
Mission, is below the mark in relation to the number of members, and of scholars. We cannot
give exact statistics now, but there cannot be less than 1,000 church members. There are, in
addition, a number of Baptist ministers not connected with the mission. How full of hope for the
future of Africa are these “facts and figures.” Let us press on in this work with renewed energy
and liberality.
P.
HOME AND FOREIGN JOURNAL
February 1860
P- 31
