Sunday night was devoted to the cause of Missions. Rev. A. Connet, for ten years in the employ of the A. H. M. S., presented the cause of Home Missions. Rev. G. S. Smith presented in earnest and eloquent words the cause of the A. M. A. He was followed by Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., who gave a clear outline of the discoveries and missionary operations on the continent of Africa. He told us how the Christian world is looking to the colored population of this country to evangelize the “Dark Continent.”
No little interest centered about the ordination of Kelly M. Kemp. It took place at Good Hope Station, Sherbro’ Island, West Coast of Africa, Sunday, April 10th.[A] Being the first ceremony of the kind in which the church and community had ever participated, it was naturally looked forward to by many, not only as a matter of deep interest in itself, but also as the harbinger of a better state of things for the enfeebled and almost discouraged church. Yet the field was an important one and must not be given up. The Lord had set His seal upon some faithful souls here, and they were praying and hoping for better things. Here, in the little graveyard adjoining the church, lay those who had given their lives that Africa might be redeemed. Here, by their side, lay one of Africa’s own sons, the gifted Barnabas Root, whose Christian graces of character had endeared him to all who knew him, and whose brilliant attainments had been to all the friends of the colored race at once a promise and a fulfillment of their fondest expectations. Their mute appeal, seconding the conviction that God had not forgotten this station, was eloquent, and prevailed. Good Hope was not to be given up. On the contrary, it was to be strengthened, so far as human power could do so, with a good hope, true to its name, that God would add His blessing in the fulfillment of the rich promises of His grace.
The property of the mission here is on all sides acknowledged to be the finest on the island. It consists of a large tract of land, part of it well wooded, about a quarter of a mile wide and a mile long, running back from the Sherbro’ River or Sound, and commanding a fine view of its many beautiful islands, stretching across to the native town of Bendoo on the opposite side. The mission house, large and well built, the church and school-house, besides a large number of “fakis,” or groups of native huts, are on this land. The grounds in front of the mission house are neatly laid out with gravel walks and shrubbery, and extend to the river road skirting the bank, where lies the mission boat moored to its wharf. It may be truly said of this place, in the words of the grand old hymn, that