CHAPTER II.

Appointment of Rev. John Payne, L. B. Minor, and T. S. Savag Dr. Savage's departure-Description of Cape Palmas-Manner o native houses-Visit from the king-Greegree pole-Situation of -John and Susan Savage-Custom of betrothal.

THUS, after a long series of disappointments, the had, at last, the satisfaction of seeing this much Mission family commenced. Further encouragem soon afforded by a letter received from Mr. Joh then a student in the Theological Seminary of offering to engage in the service of the Mission, as he should be ordained. In August, a similar received from Rev. Lancelot B. Minor. Both t tlemen belonged to the Diocese of Virginia, a recommended by their Bishop, were immedi pointed missionaries to Africa. In the same letters were received from the Rev. Thomas S M. D., of Connecticut, expressing an earnest engage in the same field. His application accepted, and he was desired to be ready to s autumn, in order that he might be able to n arrangements for the reception of the other m the Mission, as he might deem necessary for th and comfort. For this duty he was especiall

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by his medical knowledge, which, in view of the peculiar dangers of the African climate, rendered his services particularly valuable. In October, Dr. Savage was ordained to priest's orders by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell, and, on the 1st of November, 1836, he set sail in the brig Niobe, from Baltimore, for Cape Palmas. He arrived at his place of destination on Sunday, December 25th, and, in his first letter to the committee, thus writes:

"I am much pleased with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. They have a very interesting school of native boys and girls. Every thing connected with the Mission gives evidence of their faithfulness and capability to fill the important post with which they have been intrusted. *********. God has signally blessed us in raising up such servants. In their self-denying labors, he sends over a voice to the Church at home, for the prayer of faith—for persevering effort-for greater self-denial and greater consecration of money, body and soul, to the great work of Africa's redemption. Christians of America! oh! will you not hear? You owe Africa a debt, and one which can never be paid till her long lost sons are restored to her pleading arms. Yes! Christians of America! you owe Africa a debt, and one which can never be paid till you have carried the word of God into every family within her borders. Freely you have received, freely give.' ******.

How did I find him (Mr. Thompson) employed? His school, as has been his custom every Sabbath, was assembled at his house, at the Cape, and a few others, with his own family, were pouring out upon the altar

which he has consecrated to God, the sweet i prayer and thanksgiving. Oh! never shall I, t breath, forget the emotions which swelled my this occasion. I blessed God for having afforde sight, and in the full tide of feeling which delig soul, I once more joyfully vowed to live to vice upon these bleeding, benighted shores."

Under date of January 13th, 1837, he agai "I am highly pleased with our location, and approve its selection for the commencement of sionary operations. Cape Palmas is high a nent, and, since my arrival, has been visited e of the day with a cool and refreshing breeze jection into the sea is about one hundred rod heighth, one hundred feet. It forms, as you the turning point from the windward to t coast. Its relative position, in regard to t and other important points upon the coasts, other considerations, which will hereafter be lead us to anticipate great facilities in our operations, and fully convince me of the prop selection as our starting point. The bar a are said to be the best in all Western Afric respect it has certainly the advantage of 1 where landing with small boats is att danger.

"The Cape, itself, is mostly occupied belonging to the agency and other colon mencing with the main land is a native to ing of fifteen hundred inhabitants. The ho are constructed as follows: Narrow strip

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four or five feet in height, three or four inches wide, and half an inch thick, are placed, perpendicularly, in the ground, arranged in the form of a circle. This constitutes the base; upon this structure is placed the roof, which is made of the leaves of the palm-tree, running up high to a point, very much in the manner of a sugar loaf. This town has its greegree house, i. e. buildings in which are performed their religious ceremonies. These, I am informed, are of the most disgusting character, and are addressed solely to the devil. Their religion is, most emphatically, a religion of devils. On my arrival, I was visited, a number of times, by the king, whose English name is Tom Freeman. Every gentleman is thus honored, and were he not apprised of the real motives which prompt to these attentions, he would place these people upon an equality in politeness with some other nations far more advanced in civilization. I have often been surprised with the salutation of a genteel bow, accompanied with a graceful wave of the hand. The visits of the king, upon the arrival of a 'gentleman,' as they style every one bringing goods, are made with the expectation of receiving a dash or present. This is in accordance with a long established custom, and so firm is its hold upon their affections, that a compliance becomes a necessary preliminary step to a desirable influence among them, and, consequently, to our usefulness. On returning the king's visit, the first object that attracted my eye was a small stick, about five feet in height, and an inch in diameter, standing at the entrance of his hut. This is his ' greegee pole.' The charm consists in having a few fibres of the inner

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bark of some tree, dyed black, suspended fro Here, night and day, the charm exerts its power, as it performs a thousand mysterious moved to and fro by the four winds of heaven the king, through an interpreter, its object. I 'It is my fetish to keep off the witches-the 'What keeps them from me?' said I, 'I hav hung up at my door, no greegee around my p French shrug, with a shake of the head, wa sign of a reply. I then asked the king if he seen this devil-man, and what he was li looks black, like countryman," said he, smili do you tell him from your subjects, then,' hearty laugh was his only answer. After so remarks, by which I endeavored to make hi absolute folly of these superstitions, withou and perhaps rudely, attacking them, I left heart truly pained at his benighted condition,

******

Both these stations (those of the Ameri and of the Methodists) are situated within of the beach, having the ocean upon the ea diately upon the west, is the Maryland Av mencing about this point, and ending at Our location is more to the interior than others, with a distance of two miles between from the Cape. Upon either side of the located the emigrants as they arrive.

We have now about ten acres of land

* This station was subsequently abandoned, the removing their Mission to the Gaboon river.