Missionary's Return from Africa
From a letter just received from sister H. More, late missionary to Africa, we make the following extract: “I was so prostrated with the combined influences of constant exertions from onerous duties, in a pestilential clime, (Africa) and the depression arising from the heart disease, that I doubted whether I should be able to reach my native land. The yellow fever had cut off whole ships’ crews in that section of country, particularly trading vessels, on the rivers. Quite a number of deaths had occurred in the harbor at Freetown, while I was at the Mission house waiting for sailing after my passage was engaged. Our missionary physician had died, and the missionary at whose house I was, buried his only son. The next day I was informed that the flag of the Chanticleer was at half mast, and the hearse passed the Mission House with the remains of the Supercargo. I felt truly sad and perplexed, not knowing what to do, but prayed the Lord to guide me aright. My mission friends advised me to decline going on that ship, and I wrote the captain to that intent; but he assured me it was overwork which brought on African fever, and caused the sudden death, and no contagion need be apprehended, as the ship had been thoroughly fumigated with disinfecting agents, and re-painted; adding, in the words of Inspiration, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me,” &c. Bro. C. said he admired the spirit of the letter, and we decided that missionaries should be no less courageous than sea captains. I was accommodated on that trading vessel only in consequence of my being a missionary, who needed a change to recruit health. I had been refused a passage on three vessels previous to this. One of them, the Africa, had with difficulty returned to port, and was now having her cargo re-shipped on the Chanticleer, her damages on the shoals having unfitted her, so that she was condemned as unseaworthy; and I saw that the good hand of the Lord was in it, that she would not take me as a passenger. Another one, the Ann Elizabeth, whose captain would not wait for me to go on board, though his accommodations were good, ran into, and sunk, a ship near Boston harbor, and the captain was being tried for it, when we reached Boston; and our pilot informed us he had previously been tried for flogging one of his men in such an inhuman manner, as to cause his death. I was thankful I was not permitted to be on board such a ship, to witness the cry of drowning persons; as the collision was so sudden that it admitted of no escape. All went down to a watery grave. I had a safe passage through the mercy of God, though two of our seamen found a grave beneath the ocean’s billows. As I witnessed the burial service, the lowering of the hammock into the briny deep, I did not know but I too might thus be buried. But the thought was sweet that the sea would deliver up the dead, as surely and as safely as the land, and that the Judge of all the earth would do right by all. I was glad to rest at Lancaster, and unite with the little church there in keeping the commands of God and the faith of Jesus. This privilege I had long desired, and as Bro. Richmond had been healed while I was there, I felt that it was my privilege to be also healed. I was accordingly prayed for, and anointed in accordance with James v, and healed. I have not enjoyed so good health for years. I am endeavoring to live out the health reform, and doubt not the sanitary influence it exerts on the general health of those who practice its health-giving and renovating measures.”