SELECTIONS
The following letter, which we take from “The Spirit of
Missions,” contains much valuable information regarding Africa
and African Missions.
AFRICA
Our August Number gave an account of Bishop Payne’s
visitation of the Missionary Stations at Sinoe and Bassa-Cove.
The following letter furnishes particulars of his visit to Clay-
Ashland and other settlements lying back from Monrovia.
Monrovia, May 21, 1858
Rev. and Dear Brother:
My last communication to you by the “President Benson,”
was dated, I think, 13th inst. On the 15th I left this place on a visit
to Grace Church, Clay-Ashland, ten miles up the St. Paul’s river. 1
went up in one of the comfortable packet boats, propelled by oars,
now going daily up and down the river, a distance of twenty-five
miles. Reaching Mr. Russell’s about three o’clock, P.M., I was
thankful to find all in comfortable health. On Friday, the day after
my arrival, I accompanied Mr. Russell to examine one of our
schools, taught by Mrs. Caroline De Coursey, in the immediate
township of Clay-Ashland. The population here has much
increased since my last visit, numbering now several hundred, and
extending back some mile or more towards the North. There are
four schools taught in the place. Mrs. De Coursey has on her list
fifty-four scholars, and forty-four were present at the examination.
I was much gratified at their evident improvement, and the
diligence and interest of their teacher in their behalf. The
following Sunday, the 16th inst., was passed most pleasantly, and, I
believe, most profitably. The neat little church was crowded
morning, afternoon and evening. In the morning, Rev. A.F.
Russell read service, after which, I preached, confirmed nine
persons, and administered the Lord’s Supper. In the afternoon, we
held a Missionary meeting - designed to stir up all to the duty, now
wholly neglected in this neighbourhood - of preaching the gospel
amongst the heathen. Rev. Mr. Russell, with me, made an address.
I was pleased to observe in the congregation the estimable pastors
of the Methodist and Baptist congregations in the place. At night I
