HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN MISSION. CHAPTER. I. Origin of first Missionary efforts of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States-First Agents of Colonial Society-Appointment of Mr. Ephraim Bacon-Mr. Jacob Oson -Mission School at Hartford-Mr. James Thompson-Donation from American Colonial Society-Selection of Mount Vaughan as a Missionary Station WE trace the origin of the first missionary organization of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, to an impulse received from the mother Church of England. In 1815, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, London, addressed a circular letter to several of the leading members of the Episcopal body in this country, in the hope of obtaining their co-operation in the work of Missions. To this circular, the late lamented Bishop Griswold was the first to respond; and with his reply, he transmitted to Mr. Pratt a pastoral letter, addressed to his clergy in 1814, in which he uses the following language: "Some efforts have been made, and are still in * See Rev. Dr. Stone's Memoir of Bishop Griswold. agitation, by a few individuals, to form Missionary Societies, and to collect a little fund for sending the light and comforts of the gospel among those who are destitute. We are far from believing that there is any repugnance to this good work among Christians of our communion yet from some unhappy cause, it is but too evident that your serious attention has not been duly engaged in this important subject. * * * "Our numbers are few, and thinly scattered over a large extent of country; nor have we, until very lately, been so organized and united, as to attempt, with any probability of success, any missionary labors. But now, through divine goodness, these obstacles are in part removed; our Churches flourish; our numbers increase; and we may conveniently unite in any measures to promote the cause of Christianity," Bishop Griswold assures Mr. Pratt of the cordial co-operation of the American Church, so far as her 66 means and power will admit." "Most gladly would we unite with you," he writes, "in sending missionaries to Africa and the East; and hope that the time is not far distant when some of our pious young men will be zealously disposed to engage in this good work. At present, however, we have not the funds, nor other means of doing much in missionary labor; not even of supplying the wants of our own country." In a subsequent communication, he introduces to the notice of the Church Missionary Society, the Rev. Joseph R. Andrus, as one anxious to be employed in the missionary field. The report of the Society for 1817, presents the THE AFRICAN MISSION. 15 following statement :-" the Committee have suggested the expediency of forming in the Episcopal Church of the United States, a Missionary Society for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ among the heathen; and have authorized Bishop Griswold to draw on this Society for the sum of £200, as an encouragement to its own exertions, and in full persuasion that those exertions will be, as they are daily found to be in this country, a blessing to those who make them, as well as to those towards whose immediate benefit they are directed. The Committee have also suggested the propriety of the Rev. Mr. Andrus, before mentioned, proceeding to Ceylon, under the patronage of the Society to be so formed; in the hope, that the maintenance by the Institution of a pious and exemplary layman among the heathen, will not only call forth the liberal contributions of the members of the American Episcopal Church in support of the funds, but excite their prayers for its success, and induce other clergymen to follow his example." Although, as a body, the Church had been too long negligent of her obligations to the heathen world, it cannot be doubted that the missionary flame burned brightly in many hearts within her communion. There were some, among both her clergy and laity, fully imbued with the missionary spirit, and willing to encounter any dangers, and submit to any trials, if they might be the instruments of good to the perishing heathen. While the Church remained destitute of any Society under whose auspices they might go forth on their errand of love, it was natural that such spirits should embrace with ardor, the opportunity afforded by the project of African Colonization, of carrying the gospel to one of the darkest corners of the globe. We rejoice to find clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church among the first agents in that noble enterprise. Such were the Rev. Samuel Bacon, Christian Wiltberger, Joseph R. Andrus, and Jehudi Ashmun; and John P. Bankson, and Ephraim Bacon, were also lay members of her communion. As, however, the labors of these gentlemen were unconnected with the missionary efforts of our Church in that country, they are not included within the limits of this work. Most of them fell early victims to the pestilential climate of Africa; and their brief career is appropriately mentioned in Dr. Alexander's very interesting "History of African Colonization." The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, was formed by the General Convention in May, 1820. The attention of the Society was early turned towards the destitute millions of Africa, among whom they were desirous of immediately establishing a Mission. In 1822, Mr. Ephraim Bacon, and his wife, both of whom had been in Africa in connection with the American Colonization Society, on their return, offered their services for the commencement of the undertaking. It was determined to send them out, and to give Mr. Bacon the appointment of catechist. He employed some months preparatory to his departure in visiting different parts of the country for the purpose of exciting an interest in the Mission, and collecting the necessary funds for its |