File:The Spirit of missions (1909) (14781389892).jpg

Identifier: spiritofmissions74epis (find matches)
Title: The Spirit of missions
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Episcopal Church. Board of Missions Episcopal Church. Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society
Subjects: Episcopal Church Episcopal Church Missions
Publisher: Burlington, N.J. : J. L. Powell
Contributing Library: Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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that dis-ict may be of interest because they areibiased. It is a great pleasure at the outset toly a tribute to Bishop Ferguson. Itas easy to see that both he and Bishopcott (Methodist Episcopal) wield areat influence over the Liberians overid above that which they naturally ex- ert as the heads of the two leadingChristian bodies in the republic. Bish-op Fergusons energy and enthusiasmafter a lifetimes residence in that ener-vating climate are an asset for whichthe Church should be devoutly grateful.It is no small task to make regular visi-tations to all the stations scattered along350 miles of rough coast. It was mypleasure to attend the recent convocationat Cape Palmas, and the dignified andmasterly manner in which he held thereins compelled my admiration. I alsorecall with thankfulness many occasionson which either he or Mrs. Fergusonbestowed gracious attentions upon thestranger within the Liberian gates. I paid particular attention to theclergymen on the bishops staff when I (673)
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(674) The American Church on the West Coast of Africa 675 learned that they were practically all Li-berians and that some were native Afri-cans. Personally, they make a verycreditable appearance, being the best-dressed, best-educated and most intelli-gent-looking body of colored ministers inthe country. As preachers, I should saythat they are too long-winded for a hotclimate; leastwise, that sentiment wasfreely expressed during the convocation.Their reading of the service, however,was above criticism; even the haltingspeech of the young ministers redeemedfrom the bush did not detract from theimpressiveness of their reading. It mayinterest some to know that I was neverable to make up my mind which werethe most forceful clergymen, theAmerico-Liberians or the native-born.There are missionaries of long ex-perience and sound judgment who con-sider it unwise to entrust positions of re-sponsibility to any except men and wom-en from the United States, but theProtestant Episcopal clergymen ofL

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