Freedom's Journal/1827/03/16/Missions to Africa

In a late number of this paper, we mentioned the painful fact, that during the year preceding the last Report of the Church Missionary Society, no less than seven of its Missionaries in West Africa had been removed by death. From a letter recently addressed to Bishop White of Pennsylvania, by the Corresponding Secretary of that Society, it appears that they are now turning their attention to the United States for a supply of Missionaries for these stations; and to people of color, as being less exposed than other persons to suffer from the insalubrity of the climate. We copy the letter from the Church Register at Philadelphia:

My dear Sir—The committee of the Church Missionary Society having lost many valuable lives in Africa, have turned their attention to a supply of Teachers better fitted than Europeans to encounter the insalubrity of its climate. They have been strongly recommended to endeavor to procure persons color for this service; and have been led to suppose that there may be many such in America, who have the requisite piety, talent and knowledge to fit them for such an office.

Their duty would be the religious instruction of the liberated Africans congregated in Sierra Leone, from all parts of Africa. For this purpose, the person to be employed must be well acquainted with the English language and able to read, write, and speak it correctly. They must also possess a good knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and cordially approve of the articles and Liturgy of the Church of England, and be willing to conform to them in their whole conduct. But the most important qualification for this service, is, intelligent, decided, and matured judgment, and a heart devoted to God, clearly holding the doctrines peculiar to the Gospel, and longing to make them known as widely as possible.

We shall be much obliged if you will in form us, whether there be in your knowledge any persons of this description, who would be willing to devote themselves wholly to labor in Africa to diffuse the Gospel.

It might not probably be difficult for such persons to obtain ordination, from the bishop of the sister church in America, before they left America.

Such persons should pledge themselves to submit to the directions of the society, as to the stations in which they may labor, and their general conduct.

The remuneration for their services would be sufficient for their comfortable support but on this point, and any other connected with the design, we shall be glad to have your full and free sentiments.

Rt. Rev. Bishop White, &c. &c. &c.