Missionary stories : narratives, scenes, and incidents

Front matter

PRINCETON, N. J.

Purchased by the Hammill Missionary Fund.

Missionary stories

Preface

A SFCOKD edition of the Missionary Stories having been called for, an opportunity is thus afforded to the author of thanking the friends of Missions for the kind and favourable reception accorded to this and other works which he has published, in the interests of the good cause, since his return from the Mission field a few years ago ; and of explaining ihe nature of the alterations and improvements which have lieen made in the present issue. With a view to make the volume still more useful and interesting, the whole has been carefully revised, re- written, and re-arranged ; the respective narratives being now classified in siiitable sections, under appropriate headings. A few sketches have been omitted as belonging more properly to the departments of Missionary Pioneers, and Missionary Martyrs, and their places have been supplied with fresh stories of a general character, a number of simple illustrations being added, with an index to facilitate reference.

In their present improved form it is hoped that the Missionary Stories will prove a worthy companion to the " Missionary Pioneers" and the "Missionary Anecdotes," recently published ; the former of which consists of about sixty Biographical Sketches of eminent Ministers who have led the way in the glorious enterprise in different countries, and the latter of more than four hundred anecdotes, facts and incidents relating to the state of the heathen and the success of the Gospel amongst them ; whilst the present volume comprises upwards of sixty consecutive narratives, scenes and incidents illustrative of the Providence and Grace of God in the progress of the work in various lands.

W. M.

Woodbine Cottage,

Newport, Isle of Wight, July \2th, 1877.

Section I

Page Narratives of Personal Missions .... 1 Mission to Western Africa .... 3

Mission to the West Indies . . . . .19

Mission to Southern Africa . . . . 31

The Patriarch of Wyoming . . . , .43

SECTION II. My First Shipwreck 62

Wreck of the " Columbine " .... 67

ShipAvreck of INIessrs. Fowler and Goy . . 72

Ship-wreck of Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom . , 77

Burning of the " Tanjore " .... 82 Loss of the " Maria " Mail Boat . . . .87

SECTION III. Hurricane in the Bahamas . . . . .102

Hurricane in the Antigua District . . .106

Hurricane in Fiji . . . . .110

CONTENTS.

Earthquake in Trinidad .

Earthquake in St. Vincent's .

Earthquake in St. Domingo Earthquake in the Antigua District Earthquake in the Friendly Islands

SECTION IV. Joys and Sorrows of Mission Life

Farewell to Home .

The Missionary's Farewell .

Affecting Bereavement The White Man's Grave The Seasoning Fever Thirst in the Desert The Blind Missionary Juvenile Prayer Meeting The Glorious Emancipation Eevivals on Mission Stations The Missionary's Return .

SECTION V. Eminent Native Converts

. 167

John Cupidon .....

Pierre Sallah .....

. 172

The Noble Negro ....

Sambo and his Bible ....

. 179

Gert Links, the Namaqua Convert

Motete, the Bechuana Convert

. 185

"Wang, the North China Convert

. 188

Ann Gill of Barbadoes . . . •

. 193

Harriet Gardner of St. Viicent's

A Faithful Missionary ....

. 198

CONTEXT.^.

SECTION VI. AfissiON Work in the Army and Navy

Valuable Sorvices of Christian Soldiers The Mandiugo AVar The Dying Officer The Soldier's Wife .

The Lonely Lieutenant A Funeral at Soa The Soldier Missionary The Man-of-War Class-xMeeting The Officers' Ball The Forgotten Tract The Soldiers' Bible Class .

Presentation of Colours .

SECTION vn.

Miscellaneous Narratives Adventures with Horses .

Baptists among the Bedouin Arabs Conversion of Brian and his Wife The Judge and the poor African Woman The Christian Planter and Evangelist

251 252 263 267 271 276

ILLUSTRATIONS.

WRECK OF THE iiAiDEE, CALLiAQUA, ST. vincent's Frontisjriece

TIUNITY WESLEYAN CHAPEL, GEOKGE TOWN, DEJIERARA . 24

STREET VIEW IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA . . 80

WRECK OF THE MARIA MAIL BOAT . . . .94

TRINITY CHAPEL, NASSAU, BEFORE AND AFTER THE HURRICANE 102 CAPTAIN WEBB PREACHING IN THE RIGGING LOFT, NEW YORK 203 MAN-OF-WAR CLASS MEETING, BERMUDA , . . 230

HAY MACDOWALL GRANT, THE CHRISTIAN PLANTER AND

EVANGELIST . . . . . .276

Section I. NARRATIVES OF PERSONAL MISSIONS

" Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." — Mark xvi. 15.

fl^HE Missionary enterprise is not a system of human in- I veution, to meet the requirements of mere caprice and love of adventure in foreign lands. Romantic and interesting as its history in many instances undoubtedly is, its principles must be traced to a higher source, and the object which it contemplates must be admitted to be of a hoher character. It had its origin in the last command which Jesus Christ, the great Head of His Church, gave to His disciples just before He ascended into heaven to resume the glory which He had " with the Father before the world Avas." " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew xxviii. 19, 20.) And the universal promulgation of the Gospel is intended for nothing less

B

MISSIONARY S TO HIES.

than the conversion of sinners to God, and the subjugation of a guilty and rebel world to the sway of the Redeemer, that lie may rule and reiirn in every land and in every heart, as " King of kings and Lord of lords."

It is an honour to be permitted to take any part in the great and glorious work of making knoAvn the good news of salvation to dark, benighted heathen nations ; and those who have personally gone forth to labour in the Mission field have in many instances been blessed and made a blessing, ISor has the testimony of such as have been favoured to return to their native land, after long and honourable periods of service abroad, been useless or unimportant. In some instances returned Missionaries have been instrumental in awakening and sustaining a spirit of zeal and liberality in aid of the holy enterprise which has been productive of unspeakable good ; and, by their untiring efforts, essential service has been rendered to the good cause in Avhich they were engaged. Nothing has been found so interesting to the friends and supporters of Christian I\Iissions as simple statements of facts as they have been known to those who have been personally engaged in the work.

The present wi-iter has been highly favoured in this respect, having on three several occasions left his native land to engage in foreign Mission work, and been as often spared to return to tell of what he had seen and experienced among various tribes of men in distant heathen countries. It is Avith the hope of fostering the true Missionary spirit in the hearts of his readers that he has undertaken to give a brief and simple account of some of the scenes through which he passed, ano. the incidents which came under his notice during the many years which he spent in foreign lands.

NARRATIVES OF PERSONAL MISSIONS.

Mission to Western Africa.

Having been brouglit to a saving knowledge of the truth in early life, and called to the work of the Christian ministry, I was accejited as a probationer for the sacred office, by the Wesleyan Conference of 1830. In the autumn of the same year I was instructed to proceed to London, for examination with reference to the IMissionary department of the work, for which I had from the beginning felt and expressed a decided preference. There I met with several other Missionary candidates, to whom I became united by the strongest ties of Christian affection, and with whom I had many blessed seasons of social prayer and holy fellowship, in the well known upper room at the old Mission House in Hatton Garden. Most of those dear brethi-en, and other associates of my youthfiil days, have gone the way of all flesh ; and, through the mercy of God in Chi'ist Jesus, I hope to meet them in heaven.

After our examination was over, and several of us were anxiously waiting for further information as to the probable sphere of our future labours, a httle incident occurred which unexpectedly led to my appointment to Western Afi-ica. One cold morning in the month of October, 1830, a Negro girl presented herself at the door of the Mission House, carrying in her arms a pale, sickly-looking white child. This little infant was the orphan son of the late Eev. Eichard ]\Iarshall, who had died of malignant fever at the Gambia Station, Western Afi-ica, on the 19th of August in the same year. INIra, Marshall had embraced the first opportunity which presented itself, and embarked for England two days after the funeral of her dear husband, bringing with her their infant son, and the African gu-1 Sally to wait upon them during the passage. When they an-ived in Bristol, Mrs. Marshall found herself in a state of great bodily weakness, as well as extreme mental suffering ; and was naturally anxious to proceed at

b2 iflSSIONARY STOItlES.

once to her friends in the north. But, in the order of Divine Providence, this was denied her. She became suddenly worse, being seized with convulsions ; all hope of life now vanished, and she expired about forty-eight hours after she had landed on the shores of her native country, before she had an oj^portunity of seeing any of her relatives, leaving her helpless orphan and his African nurse strangers in a strange land. Sally had been faithful to her precious charge ; and, having proceeded to London immediately after the funeral of her beloved mistress, she brought the little boy to the INIission House.

As candidates for the foreign . work, we all felt deeply interested in the little Missionary orj^han boy ; we crowded roimd him and his Negro nui'se, and eagerly listened to the affecting story of their sad bereavement as related by Sally, with much feeling and pathos, in her own sweet, broken English, while big tears rolled do"\vn her sable cheeks. It had been stated by the Committee that a Missionary was required immediately for the Station left vacant by the death of JNIr. IMarshall ; but that any one willing to go must make a voluiitary offer of his services, in consequence of the gi-eat mortality which had taken place on the Society's Stations on the AVestern Coast of Africa. I had felt disposed fi-om the first to volunteer for the Gambia ; but still more so when, soon after the arrival of the Missionary orphan boy and his coloured nurse, the General Secretaries directed my attention to the subject, from an impression that my type of constitution was well adapted for the climate. Therefore, after sincere prayer to God for Divine direction, and consulting with my friends upon the subject, I felt it upon my heart to say with the prophet, "Here am I, send me; " and I was at once appointed to St. INIary's on the river Gambia, as successor to the lamented Mr. Marshall.

Although I was not favoured with a ministerial colleague on the occasion of my first Mission to Africa, I was kindly permitted to be united, in a closer relation, to one who was willing to share with me the joys and sorrows, the dilHculties and dangers, of Missionary life even in the trying climate of the Western Coast; female influence and effort being considered essential to the success of the enterprise. The necessary preparations having been made, we took an affectionate leave of parents, brothers, sisters, and Christian fi-iends, witliout much hope of ever seeing them again in this world ; and, accompanied by our dear friend Dr. Hoole, on Saturday, the 12th of February, 1831, we went on board a steamer at London Bridge to join our ship at Gravesend. The vessel not having as yet come down the river, we were permitted to spend the Sabbath on shore ; and I preached in the Wesleyan chapel morning and evening to a loving people, in whose sympathies and prayers we obtained an interest which, in our peculiar circumstances, we highly prized. On the following day the brig " Amelia," on board of which our passage was taken, having arrived, and the wind and tide being favourable, we embarked, and proceeded on our voyage, trusting in Him who said, for the encouragement of His Ambassadors, " Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,"

Our voyage out was on the whole favourable. Captain ^I'Taggart and his officers were kind and attentive, and our fellow-passengers were affable and agreeable. When sea-sickness had in a measure subsided, and we had become somewhat accustomed to the motion of the ship, we spent our time pleasantly and profitably in reading, conversation, and prayer, and in preparing, as best we could, for the great work which was before us. When we had been about a month at sea, we heard one morning the welcome sound of " Land ahead ! " and were soon gratified with a sight of Cape Verd and the Island of Goree. The following day, the 10th of March, we took a Negro pilot on board from Bird Island, entered the mouth of the Gambia, and in a few hours came to anchor off St. IMary's, with the coast of Africa stretching itself before our view.

It was on the afternoon of a beautiful day for the tropics, although the sun poured down its fiery rays upon us, that we stood upon the deck of the " AmeUa" as she rode at anchor

MISSIONARY STOIiTES.

before the neat little town of Bathnrst, on the Island of St. Mary, and contemplated ■witli peculiar feelings the novel scene which was before us. The Government-house, military hospital, soldiers' barracks, and the houses of the principal merchants and other European residents Avhich faced the river, appeared to be good buildings, being constructed chiefly of stone, stuccoed and whitewashed, and were generally two or three stories high, with neat verandahs iu front, and jalousie windows. Each house being detached fi'om the rest, and surrounded with a yard, garden ground, or shrubbery, in which grew various kinds of tropical trees, as the palm, cocoanut, and banana, mth their rich foliage gracefully waving iu the breeze, the scene was of a most charming character, and scarcely harmonized Avith oiir preconceived ideas of the " wilds of Africa." The native huts, which were chiefly built of a circular shape, with sides formed of bamboo-cane wattled work, and thatched with long grass, stood iu the back part of the town, so that we beheld the settlement to the best advantage in viewing it from the river,

WhUst the sailors were preparing the boats for our landing, I observed a number of Negroes assembling on the beach, and watcliing our movements with apparent interest. These were natives connected -n-ith the Mission who had heard that a Missionary and his wife were on board the brig from England ; and such was their anxiety to welcome us that several of them actually plunged into the Avater to meet the boat as it approached the land ; and having dragged the boat partly out of the sea, they carried us on shore in triumph in their arms. This they did to express their gratitude and joy at our arrival, as well as to save us from being wet with the surge, which was dashing violently against the sandy beach. We had no sooner set our feet on the shores of Africa than we Avere surrounded with a large concourse of natives, some of whom had received the Gospel at the hands of former Missionaries, ere they were smitten down with fever, and found their errly graves in African soil, ]\Iauy Avept for joy at our arrival.

They kissed our liauds again and again, and bedewed them with their tears, exclaiming, "Tank God! tank God! Mr. Marshall die ; but God send us 'nuder Minister." The scene was most affecting, and it brought tears fi-om our own eyes to witness such manifestations of love and deep feeling on the part of these untutored Africans. With some difficulty we pressed through the crowd, and were conducted to the residence of Charles Grant, Esq., a kind-hearted Christian gentleman, well known as a friend to the Missionaries, to whom I had letters of introduction. Mr. Grant received us with a kindness and cordiality which made us feel quite at home ; and, having invited us to remain with him at his hospitable mansion till the Mission-house could be prepared for us, we spent the evening in interesting conversation on the circumstances connected with Mr. Marshall's death, and the affairs of the Mission.

The next morning we arose early, and I can scarcely describe the sensations with which we reflected upon the fact that we were really in Africa. On looking roimd, we were surprised and delighted with the various objects which attracted our attention. Every thing appeared strange and new, and totally unlike what we had been accustomed to in our native land. The bright blue sky above was without a cloud ; the sun shone brilliantly upon the placid waters of the broad river ; Mandingo traders were dragging their frail canoes iip the sandy beach, having just arrived with their produce for the market from the other side of the river ; native servants and mechanics were bustling about, or attending to their respective calhngs, with remarkable intelhgence ; and all was life and activity among the sable aborigines. At the same time there were pale-faced Europeans, here and there, with their broad-brimmed straw hats to screen them from the fiery rays of the sun, superintending or giving directions to the natives, who were thus pursuing their various avocations.

After breakfast we gladly availed ourselves of the kind offer of our friend ]\Ir. Grant to take a walk with us as far as the

MISSIONARY STORIES.

Mission-house. As we proceeded along the outskirts of the town, new objects arrested our attention at every turn ; and we Avere especially amused Avith the wild bvit aj)parently good-natured noise and confusion which prevailed at the native market-place through which Ave passed. This scene forcibly reminded me of the confusion of tongues at the building of the Tower of Babel ; for the clatter of discordant voices was almost deafening, and I was informed that the concourse of persons composing the heterogeneous mass of human beings Avere actually conversing in more than a dozen different languages !

We found the Mission-house situated in one of the back streets of the toAvn of Bathiu-st, surrounded by native huts with their small plots of garden ground. It Avas a plain and humble building, Avith a large hall for chapel and school on the ground floor, and rooms for the Missionary's residence above. On entering the yard, we observed gi-OAving at the foot of the steps leaduig to the dAvelling-house a beautiful Avild flower — a kind of jessamine. " There," said I, "that little floAver seems to smile upon us, and to welcome our arrival. If I Avere inclined to be superstitious, I shoixld say it is a good omen." "Let us take it for a good omen, at any rate," said my dear wife ; " but let us not forget, at the same time, that its very situation shows that the hand of death has been liei-e ; for, had not the house been unoccupied for several months, the pretty httle intruder could not have retained its place, overhanging the steps." In the interior of tlie house every thing wore a gloomy aspect, and Ave Avere naturally led to speak of the early removal of ]\Ir. and Mrs. INIarshall fi-om this the interesting sphere of their halloAved labour. Whilst thus engaged, it is not surprising that a feeling bordering upon sadness should steal over our spirits at the thought that we also might ere long be smitten doAATi, and laid in the silent dust by the side of those devoted servants of God Avho had so nobly fallen in the Avork of their Divine IVIaster in this unhealtliy climate. We strove to suppress this melancholy train of tliought, however, changed the subject of conversation, and lifted up our hearts in silent prayer to God for His protection and blessing. After giving dii'ections to the people engaged in whitewasliing and cleaning the house, we returned with Mr. Grant to his residence, according to his kind invitation, till oiu's should be ready for our reception.

In the course of the day I called upon His Excellency the Governor to pay my respects and to show him my credentials. He received me most courteously ; wished me much success in my important undertaking ; and kindly inAated us to dine with him in tlie evening, and to meet a select party of friends at the Government-house. We cordially accepted the invitation in the spirit in which it was given, and spent a very pleasant evening. Thus I had an early and favourable opportunity of explaining the object of my INIission to the principal gentlemen of the settlement, and of bespeaking their kind co-operation in my humble efforts to elevate and improve the condition of the natives, and to benefit, as far as possible, all classes of the commimity. To the credit of the Government authorities, the naval and military officers, the European and native merchants, and the inhabitants generally, I may say that from that day, to the time of our departure from the coast, we lived in much peace and harmony with them all, while, of course, we gladly availed ourselves of every opportunity of doing them good.

The fii'st Sabbath we spent in Afi'ica was a day never to be forgotten. At dawn the native prayer-meeting was held, in which public thanks were presented to Almighty God for our safe arrival, and His special blessing was implored upon our future labours. In the forenoon I read prayers, and opened my commission by preaching from that delightful text, " This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The people heard with marked attention, and the appearance of the congregation was truly pleasing. It afforded an interesting proof that the labours of my revered predecessors had not been in vain in the Lord, although some of them had been called hence at an early period after the commencement of their work. The natives who had been brought to a saving knoAvledge of the truth, both male and female, with their children, came to the house of God neatly clothed ; and in their general aspect they presented a striking contrast to their fellow-countrymen who still remained in heathen darkness. They sang the praises of God most delightfully, and altogether they exhibited a state of intelligence and progress far in advance of what I had expected to see, as the INIission had only been commenced a few years before. Another service in the evening, conducted partly in the native language and partly in English, closed the exercises of this memorable day, and we retired to rest truly thankful to God for what our eyes had seen and our hearts had felt of His goodness, whilst engaged in the services of the sanctuary.

On examining the state of the Mission I was happy to find that the few native converts who had been united in Church-fellowship — about forty in number — ^had been kept together by their Leaders since the death of Mr. IMarshall ; and that, during the time that they had been left as sheep without a shepherd, their meetings for prayer and Christian worshiji had been regularly held in the chapel, both on Sundays and week-nights, in confident expectation that God in His Providence would remember them in mercy, and dispose the hearts of their friends in England to send them another Missionary.

When we had become in a measure settled in our new and interesting sphere of laboru*, the arrangement for the Aveekly services in our chapel at Bathurst was nearly as follows : — Every Sabbath morning I read prayers and j^reached in English, for the benefit of the European residents and intelligent persons of colour Avho understood our language, who used to attend our chapel in considerable numbers. To this was added another service in the church at the barracks for the troops and others, after I had received the appointment of " Acting Colonial Chaplain," there being no Clergyman of

XAIiltATIVES OF PERSONAL MISSIONS. 11

the Clmrcli of England resident in tlie Colony. In the afternoon we held Sunday school both for children and adults. On the Sahbath evening I delivered a short discourse in English, the substance of Avhich was afterwards repeated in Jalloff by one of the native exhorters. As a preparation for this service we generally fixed upon a subject beforehand, and made it a matter of special conversation and study. On Wednesday night I preached by an interi^reter, every sentence being rendered into Jalloff as it was uttered. On the other evenings of the week we had Prayer-meetmgs and Class-meetings, in which the Enghsh, the Jalloff, or the Mandmgo language was used according to circumstances. The congregations were generally good ; a gracious influence frequently rested upon the people ; and a goodly number of natives were, from time to time, brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, and received into Church-fellowship by the sacred rite of baptism ; whilst we were favom-ed to witness their marked progress in general knowledge and civilization.

At the same time we directed our attention to the education and training of the rising generation. The Mission day-school, which had been given up on the death of my predecessor, was re-established, and the former teacher, an intelligent young man of colour, having also been cut down by fever, and no other help being available, we undertook the instruction of children ourselves, in addition to our other duties ; I\Irs. Moister taking charge of the girls, and I of the boys. The bell was rung every morning at six o'clock, when the school exercises commenced, and they continued, with a short interval for breakfast, till two in the afternoon. By this arrangement we were able to get through the heaviest part of our school-work before the heat of the day fairly set in, which was so oppressive that we soon found it render both scholars and teachers incapable of close mental application. In this department of our work, as in every other, we met with much encouragement. The children in general made rapid progress in learning ; a few were brought under the influence of Divine grace in early life, and two or threo promising youths in tlie higher classes soon became useful as assistant teachers in the school, and were ultimately called to preach the Gospel of Christ to their fellow-countrymen.

These labours at the commencement of our career were very arduous in a tropical climate ; but we were young and healthy and strong, not having as yet been enfeebled by repeated attacks of fever, and we felt a real pleasure in devoting the strength and energy which God had given to His blessed service. We soon found ourselves so thoroughly interested in our beloved work, and so busy with our everyday du.ties, that we had actually no time or leisure to speculate on the future, or to concern ourselves with anxious thoughts about the probability of sickness or health, life or death, — a circumstance which I have since regarded as highly favourable to health and success. We were, moreover, gi-atified with tokens for good on the Station, and led to expect still greater results in the future ; so that we were truly happy in our work, and the time passed " sweetly and swiftly away,"

When two of the native Teachers, who had been raised up by the Providence and grace of God on the Station, were sufficiently advanced to be efficient helpers in the work, I felt an earnest desire to plant the standard of the Cross in the regions beyond, where the name of Christ was imknowu. Having heard of a favourable opening at Macarthy's Island, nearly three hundred miles from the coast, I left my dear wife in charge of the schools, and commenced my first voyage up the noble Gambia. This magnificent river follows a serpentine course. It is twelve miles wide at its mouth ; but it speedily contracts to about three miles. It is navigable for vessels of several tons' burden for some four hundred miles from the coast ; for which distance, after it has begun to narrow, its breadth varies from one mile to three. After sailing day after day, and night after night, as the wind and tide would permit, for more than a week, I reached my destination.

The scenes through which I passed in the course of my

NABRATIVES OF PEBSONAL MTSSWXS. IS

first joiirney into the interior of Africa, and the various incidents which occurred when calHun; at the native towns on the banks of the river, and when brought into close proximity to wild beasts and savage men, were too numerous and diversified to admit of being dwelt upon here. In this short and hurried sketch all that I can do is briefly to indicate the steps which were taken at this early period to promote the extension of the Avork of the Mission, and the immediate results which we were favoured to witness by the blessing of God upon our humble labours.

On my arrival at IVIacarthy's Island I was much impressed wnih. the spiritual destitution of the natives, and the gi-eat necessity for some effort being made to raise them from the deep moral degradation in which they were involved. On ascending the river, I found that the natives on the northern bank, whether Jalloff s or IMandingoes, Avere chiefly JNIohammedans, whilst those on the other side Avere mostly Pagans ; but, so far as spiritual enlightenment Avas concerned, they Avere equally " without God and without hope in the world." An-iving late in the evening, I obtained a lodging for the night in a native hut ; and when I aAvoke next naorning and saw, by the light which penetrated through the wicker- Avork of which the hut was formed, that there were suspended over my head boAvs and aiTows, sj^ears, greegrees, fetish, and other implements of Avar and superstition, I felt as I had never done before, that I was indeed in a heathen land. I took a lonely Avalk by the river side, and if ever I prayed in my life I prayed then, that God Avould have mercy upon this people, and make my coming among them the beginning of good days to them and their children. Nor Avas this prayer offered in vain, as subsequent events proved.