Utilisateur:Score Beethoven/Brouillon3

Early life and consecration (1841 - 1842)

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA—1843 8- Origin of the African Mission—The exploration—Commence-ment at Clarence—Objections totheMission—Explorers driven to Jamaica—The Chilmark engaged—Departure of Mr. and Mrs. Saker—Voyage to Jamaica—Voyage to Fernando Po— Sufferings on the voyage—Arrival.

10 ALFRED SAKER. On reference to a map, it will be seen that Fernando Po lies in the Gulf of Biafra, near to the coast of Guinea. The island is about forty miles in length by twenty in breadth. It is nearly 120 miles in .circumference, and, like the adjacent part of the mainland, is very moun¬tainous ; Clarence Peak, the most elevated point, attain¬ing the height of 10,700 feet. The southern extremity is intersected by several steep mountains, varying from 1,000 to 3,000 feet in height, which, with the interven¬ing valleys, are covered with dense forests of large and valuable timber, and watered by numerous rivulets. The wet season commences at the latter end of May, and continues till the end of November. The sea breeze is regular, but the land breeze is often inter¬cepted by the high range of mountains on the main¬land. Clarence, the principal settlement, is on the north side of the island, in latitude 3° 53' N., and longitude 7° 40' E., and is built close to the sea upon an elevated plain, embracing two small peninsulas, Point William and Point Adelaide, with a semi-circular space extend¬ing about a mile in length, and forming a cove well adapted for shipping. The spot is fertile, and the water of the best quality. The tribes inhabiting the interior were in a state of nature—wild, savage, and without culture. But the people of Clarence were, for the most part, liberated slaves, brought there by the British cruisers, finding a sufficient livelihood in supplying the wants of the vessels frequenting the coast. The labour of the missionaries among these people soon met with an abundant reward. By the begin¬ning of the year 1842 five persons had been baptized, numerous inquirers gathered into a catechumen class,

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. 11 and a school of seventy children formed. The wild Adeeyahs of the mountainous interior had been visited, and the foundations laid for future labour amongst them. So encouraging were the reports sent home, that the Committee lost 110 time in announcing their decision, and in sending out the liev. Thos. Sturgion and liis wife, permanently to occupy the fertile field that the Island of Fernando To seemed to present. Now that forty years have elapsed since the resolution was taken to establish the mission on the West Coast of Africa, it may be useful to recall the objections and prejudices which had to be overcome. The resolutions of the general meeting of the Society open with the remark, that the obstacles to such an enterprise had hitherto been deemed insuperable. The inquiries of the deputation, however, removed this objection. But there were excellent persons who thought that the attempt to preach the Gospel to the children of Ham was a profane interference with a Divine decree. The African natives, they said, were suffering from “ the judicial sentence of God against them; ” but, affirms the resolution in reply, “ the Gospel which repeals every national malediction, and addresses itself to every creature,” had rendered this sentence of none effect. The asserted mental inferiority of the negro race was next dealt with; this, if true, it was replied, had doubtless been intensified, if not caused, by the horrid cruelties of slavery, and by the demoralising vices that it encouraged. But slavery, and the slave trade, had received an irrecoverable blow by the action of the British Parliament, and missionary culture elsewhere sufficiently proved that the negro mind was fully capable of instruction. With regard to the deadly nature of tlie climate, it was hoped that its perils might, in great mea-

12 ALFRED SAKER. sure, be overcome by the employment of men acclima¬tised in the tropical regions of the West Indies, and fitted, by natural constitution, to encounter its dangers. The agency offered by the Jamaica churches would, it was thought, meet the difficulty, and the new army of the Lord could be officered by a few trained men that England would supply. Thus the churches of Britain might fitly celebrate the fiftieth year of the Society’s existence, and hope to find, even in Africa, “ a place for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” “ JSTO field,” adds the committee, “is more worthy of cultivation than this, nor is any more likely to repay the toils of the husbandman.”* In order to facilitate the proposed arrangements, Mr. Clarke and Dr. Prince early in the year (1842) took ship to return to England. By a “ signal providence ” their vessel, struck by lightning and dismasted, was left to the kindly influences of the trade winds, and drifted across the Atlantic to the West Indies. Some days were spent among the Windward islands, but at length the voyagers reached Jamaica. Their unexpected coming aroused the enthusiasm and touched the sym¬pathies of the congregations. The hand of the Lord was in it. Numerous candidates for service in Africa came forward, some of whom were examined and approved. The stay of the two explorers, however, was brief, and,, again taking ship, in company with the Rev. Joseph. Merrick, who resigned the charge of a large church at. Jericho for the mission work, the voyagers reached England on the 8th September. Their presence in numerous meetings served to deepen the interest of • Report for 1842, resolutions of the fiftieth annual meeting.

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. 13 British Christians in the evangelisation of Africa, and, in the course of a few months, the services of four brethren, with their wives, were accepted. One of the four was Alfred Saker. For the transport of the West Indian contingent, a sailing vessel, the Chilmcirk, of only 179 tons mea¬surement, was engaged. It was resolved, that Mr. Clarke and Mr. Saker, with their families, should pro¬ceed in her to Jamaica, and accompany the chosen band. The rest of the missionaries, led by Dr. Prince, sailed direct for Fernando Po. The sorrows of parting with many beloved friends, both in Kent and in Devonshire, were deeply felt by Mr. and Mrs. Saker; but on the 16th August, 1843, the last words were spoken, and, with their little daughter Eliza, they left London for Portsea, there to embark. The same evening a farewell service was held in the chapel of the Piev. C. Eoom, in which Mr. Saker, with his companions Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hume (a Baptist missionary, likewise bound for Jamaica), took part. The ship did not arrive at Portsmouth till the 18th. Early on the 19th they went on board the Chilmcirk, and by ten o’clock were passing through the Solent. “ We had,” says Mr. Saker, “a lovely view of the garden of England, the Isle of Wight. Its glens, hills, parks, and towns appeared in beauteous prospect. Towards night we passed The Needles, and ere morning anchored at Poole.” The voyage commenced auspiciously; but in a day or two the weather changed, baffling winds hindered their progress, calms delayed them, and sea-sickness afflicted all the party. The smallness of the vessel, the scanty accommodation provided by the owners of the vessel, and bad

14 ALFRED SAKER. provisions added to their misery. Mr. Saker was compelled to sleep on the floor of the saloon, and the eight weeks that the voyage to Jamaica lasted were passed in great discomfort, and ofttimes distress. Still the days were utilised by much reading. An Adeeyah vocabulary prepared by Mr. Clarke was copied, and the elements of the Houssa grammar were studied. In his remarks on their pursuits, Mr. Saker, in his diary, thus early betrays the purpose he had formed :—“ May the Lord assist me,” he says, “ to study these languages until we shall be able to give to the millions of Africa the word of God in their own tongue.” The Sabbaths too were days of delight, and, in holy worship of the Master they served, the little band found consolation and peace. On the forty-eighth day of the voyage, at dawn, the welcome cry was heard of “ land ahead.” “ After giving utterance to my grateful feelings,” says Mr. Saker, “I hastened on deck to see the long-desired object. The head-land of Deseda was clearly descried in the distant gloom. I ascended the rigging, and, after lialf-an-hour’s search, just caught a glimpse of the dark outline of Antigua, rising like three majestic rocks on the distant horizon. Oh ! it was a pleasant sight, after forty-eight days’ imprisonment to the narrow limits of a vessel, and the monotonous scenes of a long passage.” During the day Guadaloupe, and nearer at hand the romantic islands of Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Kitts, were passed; but contrary winds delayed their approach to Jamaica. On the afternoon of Friday, the 13th of October, the grand outlines of the Blue Mountains came in sight, to the great joy of the voyagers. The morning of the day was squally, and at midday thunder,

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. 15 lightning, and rain stayed their course. Some of the sails of the vessel were torn in pieces by the violence of the storm. The next day, Saturday, was calm, and before noon the ship was safely anchored in the harbour of Port Royal. In the evening the party was heartily welcomed by the brethren and friends in Kingston. Mr. Saker conducted the services of the Lord’s-day at Spanish Town, and returning on Monday to the Chilmark, sailed with his family to Black River, where they spent three weeks of grateful rest and enjoyment with the esteemed missionary, the Rev. Thos. May, whom they had known at Saltash, in Devonshire. Most gratifying visits were also paid to the venerable missionary, the Rev. Thos. Burchell, at Mount Carey, and to the home of the Rev. Thos. Cornford at Montego Bay, with whom also they had been previously acquainted in England; thence they proceeded to Falmouth to embark for Africa. The six weeks thus spent were occupied by the brethren, aided by the pastors of the churches, in collecting the negro converts who were to assist in the mission, some as missionaries and others as settlers. In all, forty-two persons, including children, entered on the generous enterprise of civilising the savage tribes of Africa, and of giving to its perishing myriads the bread of life. The deepest interest was manifested by all classes. Valedictory services were held in every part of the island. The closing service took place on Tuesday evening, November 28th, when a crowded assembly gathered in the Baptist chapel in Falmouth, at which numerous addresses were delivered and much prayer was made. Fifteen hundred persons remained at the close to celebrate the dying love of the Saviour,

11 ALFRED SAKER. looking forward to the day when He shall come in His kingdom, and gather all the redeemed from among every people and nation to His feet. At length the preparations were complete, and the 'Chilmark sailed from Falmouth on the 1st December. Writing the next day, the devoted Ivnibb said, “ The Chilmark sailed yesterday, and is now in sight of Xettering. She carries a noble band of missionaries. If ever I wished to have my likeness taken, it was when I requested and obtained permission to steer her -out of harbour, which under the directions of the captain I accomplished. Oh, it was an interesting, it was a noble sight! ” Contrary winds, adverse currents, and calms delayed the vessel for many days in sight of Jamaica. On the 11th she was still opposite the east end of the island, and it was not till the 13th that the voyagers lost sight of the “ Queen of the Antilles.” On the 22nd they passed Watling’s Island not expecting to see land again until the Cape de Verde Islands should come into view. Mr. Saker cheerfully shared the labour of instructing the various classes that were formed for the study of subjects likely to be useful to the Jamaica brethren in the work before them. Divine service was held every day, as well as on Lord’s-days, both in the cabins and the steerage, where most of the emigrants were lodged. The monotony of the passage was also dispelled by light occupations and amusements, such as the weather and the sea allowed. A voyage, however, that might have been agreeable and profitable in every respect, was often made miserable to all by the violence of the captain, the drunkenness and blasphemies of the crew,

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. 17 the scarcity and bad quality of the food, and the wretched accommodation provided for the passengers and their families. The captain set an example of rudeness, contempt, and injustice towards the coloured people, which the sailors were not slow to follow. The pain suffered by Mr. and Mrs. Saker from his harshness, amounting at times to inhumanity, was aggravated by anxiety on account of Mrs. Saker’s delicate condition. In other respects the voyage was not without its intervals of pleasantness. After leaving the West Indies, favourable winds were enjoyed, and no very heavy storm was encountered. Harmony prevailed in the missionary band, and diligent advantage was taken of quiet hours to study the languages of Africa, and to prepare for the task that lay before them. On the whole, notwithstanding the crowded state of the ship, the health of the entire crew and passengers was good. A few extracts from Mr. Saker’s journal will suffice to indicate the character of the voyage :— “December 13th.—A favourable wind sprang up during the night, which, by the morning, at eight o’clock, carried us out to sea, so that we lost sicrht of the Blue Mountains. Very thankful to get away, after so many days of vain effort against the wind. The distance from Falmouth to the east end of Jamaica is not more than fifty miles ; yet it has taken us twelve days to make it, and we hoped to get through the Windward passage in eight days. Toward evening St. Domingo came in sight, and we have hope of passing the island soon.” “ December 16th.—About noon a vessel was discovered bearing on our course; the wind being very light, she made but little progress. Towards sunsetting she

18 ALFRED SAKER. approached sufficiently near to show the number, when we distinctly read, Hopewell. Intense was the feeling of all on board, as the vessel came near, to speak;£ Was all well ? ’ £ Have you anything from England ? ’ A pleasant interchange of question and answer followed ; but night had so far advanced that the vessel was only distinguished by her lights. On separating, we burnt a blue light, and sang,‘Jesus shall reign where’er the sun/ &c. In return our friends gave three cheers. I sent off two rockets. We closed the day in public prayer 011 deck. The vessel had 011 board Mrs. Knibb and child, Mr. Dutton, Mr. and Mrs. Abbot, missionary friends bound for Jamaica.” “ 17th, Sabbath Day.—I have preached to-day on the authority of Scripture from 2 Peter i. 16. The seamen seemed much impressed. Mr. Clarke preached in the evening from Genesis xv. 1.” “ December 22nd.—Yesterday we passed Inagua, a low barren island, and we have to-day left behind us Acklin’s and Crooked Islands, thus bringing us once more on the bosom of the mighty Atlantic. We have safely passed the dangers of the Windward passage. We are all in health, and peace reigns among our little band, though they have cause to complain. The captain annoys us in every possible manner.” “ December 27th.—A good wind and straight course. Much seaweed and many fish. My dear wife and child continue well. May my heart rise in gratitude for such favours.” Glad indeed were the voyagers when the mountains of Fernando Po came in sight on the 15th February. But a calm delayed their approach, and was the forerunner of a fearful tornado, that threatened them with destruc¬

DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA. tion, when just at their “ desired haven.” Through the goodness of God the storm passed away, and a gentle breeze bore them into Clarence Cove, where, about noon, they dropped anchor. Mr. Merrick and Mr. Christian met them on the shore, and gave them a warm welcome to the sphere of their future toil. “ In the enjoyment of untold mercies, after a passage of eleven weeks, we are privileged,” says Mr. Saker, writing to Mr. Angus on the 20th February, 1844, “ to tread these shores, and mingle with the dear brethren here in thanksgiving and prayer. You, my dear Sir, and the thousands of British friends, who have offered up earnest, fervent, constant prayer for us, will know how to appreciate these tokens of Divine love, and unite with us in gratitude to God. They seem to me as evidences of His favour, cheering us in the mighty work in which our hearts are engaged, and saying, ‘ My word shall not return unto Me void,’ and bidding us look with sanguine hope, yea, pious assurance, of a great and glorious success.” Such was the buoyant spirit and bright expectation with which Mr. Saker entered on the arduous career now opened before him.