MISSIONARIES. 



349 



interior, about sixty miles up the River Okra, 

 have for many years been the hot-bed of mis- 

 sionaries ; every sect having more or less of its 

 representatives. I regret to say that they are 

 more distinguished by their cantankerous bickering 

 and hatred of each other, their grasping avarice 

 and acquisitiveness, and their incessant absurd 

 pretensions to meddle with politics and business 

 that in no way concerns them, than by any efforts 

 they have made to civilise the people amongst 

 whom they have been sent. Considering the 

 amount of money that has been spent, and the 

 length of time that missions have been established 

 at this part of the Coast, very little good has as yet 

 been eifected. In the south of Africa and on 

 other parts of the continent where I have been, 

 missionaries have been the pioneers of civilisation ; 

 mission-houses have also been workshops and 

 schools as well as places of worship. 



Useful trades and mechanical occupations have 

 been taught, and a good example and life of steady 

 industry has effected more real good than all that 

 canting haranguing alone can ever do. As it is, 



