p. 14 | West Coast of Africa by D. C. BABCOCK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1908

West Coast of Africa

By D. C. BABCOCK

D. C. BABCOCK

It has been quite a while since I last reported the progress of the cause in this field, but heavy burdens and an overpressure of work have prevented me. Nevertheless, I am cheered to know that the work moves on amid difficulties. Since our arrival in Sierra Leone, there have been many earnest appeals for us to come to Gold Coast (about one thousand miles from Sierra Leone), and again start the work in that field. After several efforts to meet these calls, on the morning of August 5 Mrs. Babcock and I left Freetown, Sierra Leone, for that field. We secured passage on a steamer that called at the ports along the Liberian coast, thus affording us an opportunity to visit that unentered field with the message.

Our first call was at Monrovia, the capital. The city is built on a hill, and makes a very pleasing appearance as one nears it on the steamer. Our vessel cast anchor about one mile from the shore, and I boarded the first boat going ashore. I first visited the United States consul, and made inquiries of him concerning Dr. Camphor, to whom I had a letter of introduction from Mr. Minick, of New York City. As Dr. Camphor had left for America just a few days before, by invitation of the United States consul, I was introduced to Dr. Reid, the president of the Methodist Episcopal College. I had the privilege of visiting the different departments of the college, and it was quite interesting to note the advanced steps taken in the educational work in the republic of Liberia. The science of medicine occupies one of the departments of this school. It was with keen interest that I noticed the quietness of the students as they pursued their studies. I could but compare this school with others that I have visited along the west coast of Africa. In most schools, it is only confusion, each one trying to make himself heard.

After visiting several places, I made notes on the life of the natives. It will be remembered that Liberia was first settled in 1820 by American negroes. This was accomplished by the organization of the American Colonization Society, in Washington, D. C., in December, 1816. The first emigrants sailed from New York City on the ship “Elizabeth,” Feb. 5, 1820. This vessel carried eighty-eight souls. Their first stop was made on the island of Sherbro, now belonging to the Colony of Sierra Leone. The deadly miasma of this coast soon brought many of them to their graves. The following year, 1821, the second expedition was sent out in the brig “Nautilus.” This expedition joined the first, and all were carried to Fourah Bay, a suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

In the month of January, 1822, they were all landed on the little island of Providence, at the mouth of the Mesurado River, just opposite the city of Monrovia, the present capital of Liberia. This little island gave them some protection from invading natives, but trouble soon arose, and war and strife have been the history much of the time since.

The principal native tribes in Liberia are the Passies, located about one hundred miles in the hinterland; the Kroos, occupying the coast line; the Vies, inhabiting the territory between the Passies and the Kroos; and on the southern border, the Graboes.

The Kroos are, probably, the most active tribe found along the West Coast of Africa. They demand much more for labor than any other tribe. Many of them are semicivilized, but should one pass down the coast from Grand Bassa alone, he is not very likely to return again. Let it be remembered that cannibalism is still practised in several places in West Africa.

The Vie tribe has a much wilder temperament, and while they are quite shy, yet they are friendly. This tribe is a split off from the Mendies of Sierra Leone, and their language is quite similar, but there is a vast difference in their disposition.

I learned but little of the Passies while there, as they were at war with the republic at that time.

The Graboes, located along the southern line of Liberia, and up the Gavalla River bordering on the French Ivory Coast, are quite intelligent in their general appearance. It was among this people that Bishop Taylor did such noble work for dark Africa. One can but be deeply impressed with the diligent work done by this faithful servant of God. Several good schools are in progress in southern Liberia, as the result of his labors.

Southern Liberia was settled by the Maryland Colonization Society, organized in Baltimore, U. S. A., and for some years was separate from the republic of Liberia, but has been annexed by mutual agreement.

Cape Palmas is the principal seaport, and to my mind, the most pleasing point along the entire Liberian coast. Here I met the vice-president of the republic, two senators, and the commissioner of agriculture. They gave me every encouragement possible to establish our work in the republic. Land was offered us free, if we would establish an industrial school.

I had an interview with the king of the Graboes. He had just arrived in town from his home in the interior. He was a man of more than ordinary size,

some inches above six feet. His paraphernalia had evidently seen many a severe West African storm, but there was nevertheless something quite pleasant in his general appearance. I placed before him our work, and our wish to be a real help to them. He seemed much pleased, and offered a hearty welcome.

Gold Coast, West Africa.