West Africa by J. M. Hyatt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 17, 1905

West Africa

By J. M. Hyatt

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE.—After a four-days' sea ride we reached this place. However, our objective point was the islands, but as we broke our trip at this place, we have lost the opportunity now, and I am not sure that we shall be able to go on, but we hope to.

There is as much difference between this place and the Gold Coast as there is between night and day. Here about ninety-five per cent of the real natives have a fair education, against about forty per cent in the Gold Coast towns.

In Freetown and round about, the people have no native language: all speak the English. Above all things, the people are industrious. As a result, one can find good food on the markets, without sending back to America. The printed page would be a powerful factor here, as has been evidenced by the papers that I have distributed the few days I have been here. Several persons are interested. One man has spoken of giving up tobacco. He is much interested in the Sabbath. He owns and operates the largest job-printing plant here.

One native druggist, a well-educated man, called me into his shop, to ask patient questions. His home is shown in the illustration. He and his friend had in some way obtained a paper. Several others have shown much interest.

This place and Lagos are closely connected. The people travel back and forth. It is my personal conviction that these two places should have our attention at this time. We are not able to start a farm now, but why not raise up a company in one or both of these towns? I am sure that it can be done. People read here; and they are deep readers, too. Often in passing out papers, I see large libraries in the homes. The natives own the property, largely. Some seem to be very well off.

This place has the only water-works on the coast that I know of, also an ice factory. The sanitation is the best in West Africa, so far as I have been able to learn. Too, this is not far from the islands, to which there are special rates. Taking all things into consideration, I think that this would be a promising place in which to work.

The railroad runs far into the interior in two directions. There are many nice towns to be reached. The people are very religious. Many West Indians and some Americans are to be found here. Liberia is one day distant by boat. An American doctor living there came here to see me recently. We are over one thousand miles from Cape Coast.

J. M. HYATT.