A Mission to Abyssinia

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 30, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 52.

A Mission to Abyssinia

The forerunner of the American mission to Abyssinia, in charge of American Consul Skinner, of Marseilles, has been cordially received by emperor Menelek. It is expected that a treaty of commerce will be signed between the United States and Abyssinia as a result of this mission. Emperor Menelek seemed deeply interested in the story of the freeing of the slaves. He said: “I can not do as Lincoln did. It would upset things too much, but I have decreed that while those at present slaves shall remain such, their children shall be free. Thus slavery will disappear.” In bidding farewell to the American representative, the emperor said: “God surely sent you here. Come again.” It would seem that there might be a good opening there for American missionaries, other than of the commercial kind.