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LIFE 
 
 Mrs. VIRGINIA HALE HOFFMAN, 
 
 LATE OF 
 
 THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION 
 
 WESTERN AFRICA. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. GEORGE D? CUMMINS, D.D, 
 
 RECTOR OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, BALTIMORE, MD. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 
 
 1859. 
 
3 V 35.1-2, 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year IS 58, by 
 
 LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. FAG AX PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON. 
 
TO 
 
 MY BELOVED BROTHER, 
 
 THE REV. CADWALADER COLDEN HOFFMAN, 
 
 TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN GIVEN, FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. 
 
 TO PREACH AMONG- THE HEATHEN THE '-'UNSEARCHABLE 
 
 RICHES OF CHRIST;" WHOSE PATHWAY IN LIFE 
 
 WAS ILLUMINED BY THE FAITH AND HOPE 
 
 OF ONE WHOSE LIFE, HID "WITH CHRIST 
 
 IN GOD," GREW BRIGHTER AND 
 
 BRIGHTER, EVEN TO THE 
 
 PERFECT DAY, THIS 
 
 Imperfect f fltinuto at ps Mwtib Wilt 
 
 IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 
 
 (iii) 
 
PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 The writer of the following pages is deeply 
 sensible how imperfectly they portray the 
 character of her whose life is there sketched. 
 The work has occupied the morning hours 
 of a summer recreation, while the author 
 was seeking rest and refreshment from ex- 
 hausting labors amid the quiet scenes of the 
 country. It has been a labor of love to re- 
 vive and deepen the memories of the past 
 connected with one whose friendship was 
 prized as one of life's most precious bless- 
 ings. Never has it been his lot to meet on 
 earth a more lovely specimen of saintliness. 
 or a life that reflected more of the image of 
 Jesus. That these pages will leave upon the 
 mind of the reader as deep an impression 
 concerning their subject as that of the writer, 
 
 (v) 
 
VI PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 it were too much, to expect. All that is 
 claimed for her is, not a place by the side of 
 brilliant or gifted heroines, but among the 
 holy and the humble-hearted who sit with 
 Mary at Jesus' feet; not a name on the page 
 of history that records the genius of Madame 
 de Stael, or the more unenviable fame of 
 Lady Blessington ; but a place in the Lamb's 
 Book of Life, along with the saintly ones 
 whose graves lie among the heathen, for 
 whose salvation their lives were spent. 
 
 Baltimore. Md., December 13th, 1858. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 " She hath done what she could" — Woman's indebt- 
 edness to Christianity — Her position in Greece and 
 Rome — in Heathen Lands now — Elevated by the 
 Gospel to her rightful rank — Christianity's indebt- 
 edness to Woman — Eunice, Lois, Phoebe, Monica, 
 Catharine the Alexandrine Martyr, Hannah Moore, 
 the mother of Doddridge, Elizabeth Fry, the mo- 
 ther of Mills, of Lyman, Harriet Newell, Anne Hazel- 
 tine Judson — Mrs. Hoffman's birth — Recollections 
 of her childhood — Her Mother's piety — Early left 
 an Orphan 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE NEW BIRTH. 
 
 Characteristics of her Childhood — No early Religious 
 development — Removal to Norfolk — Religious in- 
 fluences surrounding her there — Confirmation at the 
 age of fifteen — First Communion — Growth in grace 
 
 — Maturity of Christian character .. 4 28 
 
 (viij 
 
Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 a missionary's life chosen 
 
 Interest in Missions to the Heathen — Her decision — 
 Struggles with herself — Opposition from Friends — 
 Her departure postponed by the decision of her Guar- 
 dian — Cheerful acquiescence — Her active life in 
 the Church in Norfolk — The Sunday School— Parish 
 School — Visiting the Poor — Ladies' Praying Circle, 33 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 
 
 1849-50 41 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 hope's fr uition. 
 
 Arrival of Rev. Mr. Hoffman from Africa — Her mar- 
 riage — Departure for the North — Letter to one of 
 her Sunday Scholars — - An unexpected visit of a day 
 to Norfolk — Farewell Missionary Meeting in Balti- 
 more 50 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 OUTWARD BOUND. 
 
 The Protestant Episcopal Mission in Western Africa — 
 Life at Sea — A Storm — Duties on board Ship — Day- 
 School and Sunday-School among the Emigrants — 
 Studying Grebo — Sunday Services — A Sunset at 
 Sea — Messengers from Land — " The Haven where 
 they would be" 57 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 The Kroomen — On Shore — Beauty of the Country — 
 " A Paradise but for Sin " — Sinoe — Cape Palmas — 
 Bev. Mr. Hening's home at Mount Hope — Visit from 
 him — At Gov. Bussworm's — "Bridal Calls" — 
 Visit to Mount Vaughan — Meeting with Bev. Mr. 
 Payne — Visit to Bocktown — Boads to Cavalla — 
 Kardi's wife 64 
 
 CHAPTEB VIII. 
 
 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 Reception at Cavalla — Description of the Mission House 
 — A happy Home — Daily Life and Duties — Study 
 of the Grebo — Longings to begin her work among 
 the Natives — Laying of the corner-stone of the 
 Church of the Epiphany 71 
 
 CHAPTEB IX. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA CONTINUED. 
 
 Letters to a Friend at home — A Baptism — Heathen 
 Marriage customs — Bev. Mr. Payne's return to the 
 United States, to be consecrated Bishop — Mr. Hoff- 
 man's duties — Acclimation — Native African mode 
 of Warfare — A " Palaver "— Bell for Church of the 
 Epiphany — Sassa-wood — Beauties of Nature, and 
 Heathen vileness 80 
 
X TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 First Letters from Home — Foliage and Flowers of 
 Africa — Hope for Africa — Her Sun will yet Rise — 
 The African Fever — Weeks of Sickness — U. S. 
 Ships John Adams and Germantown — Kindness of 
 the Officers — Rejoicing over the work of Grace among 
 the Colored People in Norfolk — Her Birth-day — 
 Restoration to health — Visits with Mr. H. among 
 the Natives — "Babe," the Leper — Translations 
 from the Scriptures into Grebo 89 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. CONTINUED. 
 
 The New Year — Good health — Joyful entrance upon 
 active duties — In School — Funeral of Menu — 
 Schools in Native Towns — Return of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hening to the United States — His Blindness — Her 
 death at Norfolk — Longings for Bishop Payne's re- 
 turn — Growth of Mrs. Hoffman's spiritual life — "A 
 life hid with Christ in God " — Peaceful death of a 
 Native Christian 99 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 A Day of Gladness — • Arrival of the Bishop — Plans for 
 enlarging the Missionary work — Mr. Rogers and 
 Miss Colquhoun — Adoption of views of Christ's Se- 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI 
 
 cond Coming — ■ Arrival of the U. S. brig Perry — 
 Visit of the Commander to Cavalla — Second Anni- 
 versary of her Marriage — Christ becoming more 
 precious — Realizing the blessedness of being "in 
 Christ " — Reflections on her Birth-day — " Busy " in 
 her work for Christ — Five years under Christ's ban- 
 ner 110 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 Bright Prospects — St. Mark's Church at Cape Palmas 
 — First Confirmation in the Mission, on Christmas 
 Day, 1852 — Visit to the Brig Perry — Return of 
 Sickness — Arrival of new Missionaries — Death of 
 Mrs. Scott 123 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 "FAINT, YET PURSUING." 
 
 Birth of " Little Kate " — Departure of Mrs. Payne 
 and MissWilliford for the United States— Mrs. Hoff- 
 man's new duties — Joyful Tidings from Home — In- 
 terest in the Gospel among the Grebos — Thanksgiv- 
 ing Day — Loss of Friends at Norfolk — Her Reflec- 
 tions — Precious Hopes in Christ 134 
 
Xll TABLE OP CONTENTS. 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 Failing Health — Need of Relaxation — Compelled by 
 Sickness to leave — Arrival of Eight Missionaries 
 
 — Embarking in the Banshee for Rio de Janeiro — 
 At Rio, sailing in the Indus for the United States — 
 Safe Arrival at Norfolk in April — Joyful Meetings — 
 Apathy of the Church at Home towards the great 
 Work of Missions to the Heathen — Depressing to 
 
 the Missionaries — Ideal of a Missionary Church.... 141 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 A TEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman acting as Agent for the Foreign Commit- 
 tee — Visit to Goshen — Death of her Grandmother 
 
 — Good News from Africa — Illness of her Sister — 
 Return of Mrs. Payne to Africa — Miss Alley and 
 Rev. Robert Smith — in Albany — Return to Nor- 
 folk — Visit to Richmond — Washington and the Se- 
 minary near Alexandria — Sad Fears of Detention in 
 this Country — Relieved — The Reproach to the 
 Church of a lack of Missionary Funds 147 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 Embarkation in the Cora, in Hampton Roads — Last 
 Farewell to America — Miss Williford. — Letters — 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. X11I 
 
 Duties on Shipboard — Sketch of the Mission since 
 Mrs. Hoffman's Departure from it — Monrovia — 
 Bassa — Mr. Gibson — Two native Africans Ordained 
 — Deaths of Miss Smith, of Dr. Steele, of Rev. G. 
 W. Home, and of R,ev. Robert Smith — Return of 
 Rev. Mr. Wright — The Missionaries remaining un- 
 moved by all these sorrows 162 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A NEW HOME. 
 
 At Monrovia — The United States Ship Dale — Arrival 
 at Cavalla — Tokens of God's Blessing upon the La- 
 bors of the Mission — Mrs. Hoffman's joy 180 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 The Bishop's Narrative — Rev. Robert Smith's Death 
 the Instrument in God's Hand 189 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 Change in the Heathen — Their Eagerness to hear the 
 Gospel — The Convocation at Rocktown — Its Memo- 
 rable Results 198 
 
XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. CONTINUED. 
 
 The Home at Roektown — Regular Duties — More 
 Blessings — Severe Sickness — Illness of "Little 
 Kate" — A primitive Agapa, or Love-Feast — Sad 
 Tidings from Norfolk — Death, of her Sister — Her 
 Reflections upon this Event — Progress of the Work 
 of Christ among the Natives — An Incident in Hea- 
 then Life 205 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 Life's Sands running rapidly out — Illness in October 
 
 — Removal to the Orphan Asylum at Cape Palmas — 
 "Little Kate" going Home — Mrs. Hoffman's Last 
 Letters — Jesus very near to her 222 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE CLOSING SCENE THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 
 
 Growing weaker — Last Lines to her Friends in this 
 Country — Lenten Season — Consolations abounding 
 
 — Mr. Hoffman's Letter 230 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 IN MEMOEIAM. 
 
 Gloom over the Mission — Sadness at Home — Minutes 
 of the Foreign Committee 242 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE AFRICAN MISSION SINCE 
 THE DEATH OF MRS. HOFFMAN. 
 
 Few Laborers added — Rev. Mr. Holconib — Death of 
 Miss Alley — Results of Twenty Years' Labor — A 
 Work of Grace among the Children of the Orphan 
 Asylum — War — Annexation of the Maryland Colo- 
 ny to Liberia — A Native Ministry coming forward 
 — Africa's Redemption Sure 248 
 
LIFE 
 
 MRS. VIRGINIA HALE HOFFMAN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 Perhaps the highest commendation ever 
 passed upon a human being was spoken by the 
 Divine Redeemer of a woman ; a retiring, un- 
 obtrusive inmate of a lowly home in Bethany 
 — " She hath done what she could." And she 
 who then broke the alabaster box of precious 
 ointment upon His sacred head thus became 
 the type and the head of an unending suc- 
 cession of Christian women, who have offered 
 up their lives, "a sweet savor unto God," in 
 the cause of Christ, and who have received 
 from Him the meed of approbation, "well 
 done, good and faithful servant ! enter into 
 the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 2 (17) 
 
18 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 It may not be amiss, before entering upon 
 the life of the subject of this memoir, to in- 
 quire into the peculiar relation between the 
 religion of Christ and this portion of the 
 human family — to ask, what has Christianity 
 done for woman, and what service has woman 
 rendered in return to Christianity? If we 
 would learn what Christianity has done for 
 womaiij we have only to look over the world, 
 and back through history, and behold her 
 position without the sphere of its influence. 
 Look back to the nations of antiquity the 
 most polished and most refined ; the ancient 
 republics, where civilization reached its high- 
 est limit apart from Christianity. Amidst 
 all the elegancies of Roman and Grecian life, 
 woman's condition was but a servitude — a 
 servitude, though wearing gilded fetters. 
 Look again over the ancient and decaying 
 civilization of the East, over India and China, 
 Turkey and Japan, and what is her condition ? 
 Alas, worse than that of the Roman matron 
 or the Spartan maiden. In one, her doom 
 is the prison of the harem ; in another, her 
 fate too often is the suttee, or funeral pyre of 
 her husband. Turning from these to Chris- 
 
THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 19 
 
 tian lands, let the question be asked, what 
 has Christianity done for woman ? and the 
 reply is, every thing. It has delivered her 
 from bodily and mental thraldom, and strick- 
 en off the chains of her degradation in other 
 ages and other lands. 
 
 It has lifted her to the position her Cre- 
 ator designed her to fill — man's equal, com- 
 panion, and friend ; not his beast of burden, 
 his toy, or his slave. It has constituted her 
 the guardian of its most sacred interests, and 
 entrusted to her the shaping, in childhood, 
 of the everlasting destinies of the human 
 race. It has seated her in a home — the 
 nursery of piety, the shrine and sanctuary of 
 "all that is lovely and of good report." It 
 has hallowed her union with man, by making 
 it the symbol of Christ's union with His 
 Church, so intimate, so holy, so mysterious. 
 But why need we enumerate ? For all that 
 is excellent and lovely in female piety ; for 
 all that is sacred to us in the memory of our 
 childhood's home ; for all that is hallowed in 
 the cherished names of mother, sister, and 
 wife, we are indebted to the religion of Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
20 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 If we turn to the other question, and ask 
 what has woman done in return for Chris- 
 tianity ? the answer will be, much every way; 
 much that shines upon the pages of history — 
 more that is written on high, and known only 
 to God. Prom the day that Mary broke the 
 box of ointment until the present hour, a 
 noble line of women has rejoiced to endure 
 labor and suffering for Christ. The succes- 
 sion of this ministry has never failed. Its 
 ordination is from on high. "Its founders," 
 one has beautifully said, "were the Marys 
 and the Salomes, the devout women of the 
 gospel, who ministered to Christ's wants 
 when on earth ; and He, by accepting their 
 services, instituted them, as it were, a minis- 
 try, never to die out." Mary broke the box 
 of ointment, and Mary after Mary repeats 
 the act in outpourings of charity upon His 
 disciples; offerings none the less precious 
 and fragrant to Him, because done to "the 
 least of His brethren." 
 
 What a vast proportion of the beneficence 
 of the gospel has ever been dispensed by 
 this ministry! "Who have ever been the 
 foster-parents of the orphan, the nurses of 
 
THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 21 
 
 the sick, the comforters of the sorrowful, the 
 friends of the stranger? Who gather the 
 children of the poor into schools and asy- 
 lums, and never weary in teaching them the 
 words of eternal life ? Who, but the mem- 
 bers of this world-wide sisterhood of love ? 
 
 "Following those who were 'last at the 
 cross and earliest at the grave/ come familiar 
 names recorded by the pen of inspiration ; 
 the pious Eunice and Lois, the devoted Pris- 
 cilla, and 'Phcebe, a servant of the church 
 at Cenchrea.' Catching their spirit, we hear 
 of Catharine the Alexandrine martyr, and 
 Monica the mother of Augustine, to whose 
 pious efforts her son's conversion and emi- 
 nence in the church are due. Nor have mo- 
 dern times been less fruitful in such in- 
 stances. Who has ever labored more con- 
 stantly and effectively in the cause of truth 
 than Hannah Moore, whose pen stayed the 
 tide of infidelity and godlessness coursing 
 through England among the highest and the 
 lowest? In the walks of benevolence, whose 
 footsteps shine with a sublimer radiance than 
 hers who caused the dungeon and the cell to 
 glow with the light of sympathy and love, 
 
22 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 the devoted Elizabeth Fry? And whose 
 crown shall be brighter in heaven than that 
 of the pious mother who in a crowded street 
 of London taught her sickly child the word 
 of God from the rude Scripture-scenes upon 
 the tiles of the chimney-piece, her pictorial 
 Bible ; and who lived to see that son become 
 the eminent Philip Doddridge, the honored 
 instrument of winning thousands to Christ?" 
 But it has been reserved for the sphere of 
 missions to the heathen to give to the church 
 and to the world the brightest illustrations 
 of the faith and love of woman for Christ. 
 If the cause of missions had done nothing 
 more than to give to the world such noble 
 specimens of Christian character, it would 
 be a full recompense for all the toil and care 
 and money expended on it. " Here," says a 
 voice just hushed in death,* " female piety 
 has recovered and displayed anew the glory 
 which it won when it wept at the cross and 
 was early at the sepulchre. Here offerings 
 more costly than those of the sweet spices 
 of the sepulchre have been presented by the 
 
 * Dr. John Harris on " The Great Commission." New 
 edition, pp. 215, 216. 
 
THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 23 
 
 Christian Marys of modern times. Here 
 many a mother whom the world knows not, 
 lias, in the depth, of her heart, like the mo- 
 ther of Mills, dedicated her offspring to a 
 post of distant labor. What Spartan mother 
 of old, when buckling on the armor of her 
 son, and bidding him, as she gave him bis 
 shield, "either to bring it back or to be 
 brought back upon it," can compare with the 
 widowed mother of Lyman,* when she re- 
 plied, to the intelligence that her son had 
 been murdered by the cannibal Battas, " I 
 bless God, who gave me such a son to go to 
 the heathen, and I never felt so strongly as I 
 do at this moment the desire that some others 
 of my sons may become missionaries and go 
 and preach salvation to those savage men 
 who have drank the blood of my son." 
 What ancient Hebrew women, receiving 
 "their dead raised to life again," surpassed 
 the self-denying faith of the widowed mother 
 who could say of a son, to whom herself and 
 her seven children were beginning; to look 
 for support, " let him go ; God will provide 
 
 * The Memoir of Lyman has recently been published by 
 Robert Carter and Brothers, New York. 
 
24 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 for me and my babes. And who am I, that 
 I should be thus honored to have a son a 
 missionary to the heathen?" and who, w T hen 
 that son had labored successfully in India, 
 and had died, could say of a second, a let 
 William follow Joseph, though it be to India 
 and an early grave !" 
 
 Here the accomplished and highly intellec- 
 tual female may be seen meekly yet firmly 
 devoting herself to a distant and arduous ca- 
 reer — vieing with the hero in his defiance 
 of dangers, and with the martyr in the endu- 
 rance of them. If self-devotion deserve our 
 applause, who can present a stronger claim 
 than Harriet Newell? If the heroic endu- 
 rance of suffering is to be embalmed in the 
 memory, who deserves a brighter memorial 
 than Anne Hazeltine Judson ? Nor, we trust, 
 will the name of her whose grave is in the 
 shadow T of the palm-trees of Western Africa, 
 whose dust sleeps by its sounding sea, prove 
 unworthy to be added to the catalogue of 
 these martyrs for Christ and the cause of the 
 w r orld's conversion. 
 
 Virginia Haviside, daughter of Horace and 
 Abigail Hale, was born in Glastenbury, Con- 
 
THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 25 
 
 necticut, October 14th, 1832. Her father was 
 a captain in the merchant service.* Her mo- 
 
 * The subjoined extract from a New York journal of 1822, 
 may be of interest to many, as it narrates an incident in the 
 life of her father, which gave rise to the name of ' Haviside.' 
 
 London, June 3. 
 
 The American Ship Persia. — The following statement will 
 be found of great interest to the commercial world : 
 
 March 4th, 1822, in lat. 28° 27' S., long. 38° 32' E., the Hon. 
 Company's ship Windsor, Capt. T. Haviside, fell in with the 
 American ship Persia, of Boston, Horace Hale, commander, 
 48 days from Batavia. The Persia had sprung a dangerous 
 leak, which required the incessant working of her pumps to 
 keep her afloat. Capt. Hale requested Capt. Haviside would 
 keep him company as far as the Cape of Good Hope, to 
 which, on judging the very distressed state the vessel was 
 in, the latter consented. 
 
 Whilst the weather permitted, all possible assistance was 
 given to the Persia by the Windsor, both by men (daily) to 
 relieve the crew, who were sinking through fatigue from 
 unceasing labor, and artificers to keep the pumps in re- 
 pair, which, being on a bad construction, were continually 
 giving way — without which the vessel must inevitably have 
 foundered, as the leak was but just kept under with fresh 
 men at the pumps, laboring in the extreme and without in- 
 termission. 
 
 Captain Hale's conduct cannot be sufficiently appreciated. 
 The zeal and firmness manifested by him and his officers in 
 the preservation of the property entrusted to their charge, 
 the abandonment of which would not only have been war- 
 ranted, but seemed at times extremely urgent, from the 
 distressing state of the ship, the exhausted condition of the 
 crew, and the tempestuous weather they had to encounter, 
 communication between the ships not at all times practica- 
 ble, and the risk attending it often preventing the regular 
 
26 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 
 
 ther, Abigail Talcott, was a lady of superior 
 mind, intellectual culture, and humble piety. 
 Seven years after the birth of her youngest 
 child, she was removed by death. Great was 
 the loss of such a parent — but ere she was 
 taken, she had left her impress upon the hearts 
 and minds of her two children, Catharine and 
 Virginia. 
 
 " You ask me," writes Virginia, in her six- 
 teenth year, " to tell you more of my mother. 
 I can tell you but little, as I was so very young 
 when she died. My first recollection of the 
 home of my childhood is, being called to sit 
 by mother while she read and prayed with 
 us. I was too young to prize it then ; but 
 the remembrance of it is very sweet. I have 
 not a doubt that it is due to her prayers that 
 God led me thus early to love Him. She left 
 me in His care upon her dying bed, and He 
 has never left me. She would often tell us, 
 
 relief the Persia was in the habit of having from .the 
 
 Windsor. 
 
 It is, however, satisfactory to add, that Captain Hale and 
 his officers met with the reward due to their exertions, in 
 getting the Persia and their cargo safe into Table Bay, with 
 the exception of some part thrown overboard at times when 
 the leak gained upon the pumps. 
 
THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 27 
 
 when the storm was raging, that perhaps our 
 father was in danger — perhaps even then the 
 sea was rolling over him, and we would never 
 see him more on this earth ; and then she 
 would strengthen her own faith by bidding 
 us kneel and offer up our prayers with her's. 
 Her life w r as a sad one, but sorrow drew her 
 nearer to God." Who that knew in after 
 years the life of almost incessant prayer of 
 this dear child of God, can doubt that the im- 
 press of such sacred hours and such pious 
 training, laid the foundation of her lofty and 
 symmetrical Christian character ? That sad 
 yet pious mother, removed so early from her 
 children, has reaped ill heaven the fruit of 
 those seeds which were sown in tears, and yet 
 in holy trust in God. 
 
28 THE NEW BIRTH. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE NEW BIRTH. 
 
 " Tell me, I pray thee, thy Name !" 
 
 Jacob at Peniel. 
 
 " 'Tis Love ! Tis Love ! Thou diedst for me ; 
 I hear thy whisper in my heart : 
 The morning breaks ; the shadows flee : 
 Pure, universal Love Thou art. 
 
 My prayer hath power with God ! the grace 
 Unspeakable I now receive : 
 In vain have I not wept and strove: 
 Thy nature and Thy name is Love !" 
 
 The childhood of Mrs. Hoffman presents 
 ns with no incidents of special interest, nor 
 with any remarkable traits of character. At 
 the age of eleven years, she was bereaved of 
 her father, and left, with her sister, orphans. 
 Left much to themselves, and thrown upon 
 their own resources, their characters were 
 more rapidly developed. In the youngest sis- 
 ter, the subject of this memoir, there was, as 
 a child, firmness even to obstinacy. She could 
 
THE NEW BIRTH. 29 
 
 be ruled by love, but unmoved by force. A 
 proud spirit, united to a dignified manner, led 
 her at school to seek the society of her seniors 
 in age, but not in intellectual growth. More 
 reserved in her manners than most young 
 persons, her intimates at school were few. 
 Up to the age of fourteen, she manifested no 
 indications of piety, no evidences of a heart 
 renewed by the grace of God. She had heard 
 of Christ by the hearing of the ear, but knew 
 Him not as her divine Saviour. The world 
 occupied her thoughts, yet satisfied not her 
 soul. But we are now approaching the pe- 
 riod of her life when old things are to pass 
 away, and all things become new, and she is 
 to pass into "the glorious liberty of the chil- 
 dren of God." 
 
 At the age of fifteen, she left the friends in 
 the North, who had watched over her since 
 the death of her mother, and became an in- 
 mate of her sister's (Mrs. Richard Dickson) 
 home, in Norfolk, Va. Here the providence 
 of God seems to have thrown around her spe- 
 cial influences to prepare her for the great 
 work of her life. She found herself at once 
 in the midst of a warm-hearted community, 
 
30 T PIE NEW BIRTH. 
 
 surrounded by tender, sympathizing friends, 
 and in the bosom of an earnest, living Church. 
 Scarcely had a single month of her residence 
 in Norfolk passed, when a marked change in 
 her character and intercourse with others 
 began to be observed. She had listened not 
 in vain to the faithful preaching of the Gospel 
 of Christ. It became to her the sword of the 
 Spirit, the power of God to her salvation. 
 God opened her heart to receive the truth — 
 she heard, believed, repented, loved, and 
 obeyed. 
 
 It was on a Sabbath afternoon, in the au- 
 tumn of 1847, that the writer of these pages 
 was called, as her pastor, to converse with her 
 for the first time concerning her soul's salva- 
 tion. His personal acquaintance with her 
 heretofore had been but very slight. How 
 great was his surprise to find in her a deep 
 and thorough work of grace — the whole soul 
 melted by the love of God in Christ, and ear- 
 nestly embracing Jesus as her wdsdom, right- 
 eousness, sanctification, and redemption. On 
 that evening, the rite of confirmation was to 
 be administered in Christ Church by the ven- 
 erable and beloved Bishop Meade. She was 
 
THE NEW BIRTH. 81 
 
 encouraged to present herself without delay 
 as a candidate. She embraced the invitation 
 with delight — and on that night, just fifteen 
 years of age, she stood before God's servant, 
 surrounded by a numerous band, and in the 
 dew of her youth consecrated her life to God. 
 It was no ordinary consecration — there was 
 a strength and steadiness of purpose far be- 
 yond her years — it was the first step of a life 
 wholly devoted to God. 
 
 December 5th, 1847, she writes in her jour- 
 nal : " To-day for the first time I have re- 
 ceived the communion. If God spares my 
 life another year, may I find that each day I 
 have increased in holiness, and in the love 
 of God. May I never receive the communion 
 unworthily ; and may I each day become 
 more like my Saviour, till at the end of life 
 I be found perfect !" 
 
 The communion-season was ever a precious 
 feast to her soul. August 6th, 1848, she makes 
 this record in her journal: " Communion- 
 day ! I never have had like peace — I could 
 almost feel that 'twas Jesus who broke the 
 bread, and said, 'Love one another.' " 
 
 As before remarked, she was surrounded 
 
32 THE NEW BIRTH. 
 
 by many circumstances favorable to the de- 
 velopment of elevated Christian character. 
 The Church in Norfolk, for more than a quar- 
 ter of a century, has stood forth, distinguished 
 for zeal, life, spirituality, and a high standard 
 of piety. In the bosom of such a Church the 
 character of the young disciple rapidly ri- 
 pened. Christian friends watched with de- 
 light her progress, as daily waiting upon the 
 Lord, she renewed her strength. Soon there 
 was seen a ripeness and maturity of Christian 
 graces which made her the companion and 
 even the adviser of those far more advanced 
 in life. He who had called her to be His 
 disciple, seemed to be preparing her for some 
 special and important service ; and but a few 
 short months elapsed before this purpose be- 
 gan to be disclosed. 
 
a missionary's life chosen. 33 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A missionary's life chosen. 
 
 The missionary work in heathen lands had 
 early enlisted her deep sympathy and prayers. 
 She had heard from the pulpit the call for 
 laborers in Africa and China. Recognizing 
 God's claim to her whole life, and feeling that 
 she was "not her own," the question arose 
 in her mind, why should not she become a 
 missionary ? She was an orphan, with but 
 one close and tender tie, a sister's love, to be 
 rent by such a step ; and great as was the 
 need of laborers in the home-field, yet greater 
 and more pressing were the claims of the 
 millions of the tribes of Africa, perishing 
 without the light of the glorious Gospel. A 
 few faithful missionaries were fainting under 
 their burdens upon the shore of that dark 
 continent. She would cast her lot with them. 
 Her life should be devoted to the evangeliza- 
 tion of Africa. 
 
 3 
 
34 a missionary's life chosen. 
 
 Miss Hale's decision to become a mission- 
 ary to Western Africa was not attained with- 
 out severe conflicts with her own heart, nor 
 without much opposition from her friends. 
 Doubts arose in her mind from the conside- 
 ration of her youth. " Scarce sixteen," she 
 writes, "I fear that I would hinder rather 
 than assist the work; I shall ever pray that 
 God may direct me in the way that I can 
 best glorify His name." The same reason 
 was urged against her going to Africa by a 
 Christian relative. Quoting his letter, she 
 writes, "lie thinks that I am too young, and 
 would only be a hinderance. I cannot think 
 as he does ; for, though I would expect suf- 
 fering, still I should have strength given me 
 to bear it." * * * "If I go, I will go 
 cheerfully ; fori think no sacrifice is accepta- 
 ble unless cheerfully made." * * * "Ee- 
 garcling the duties, I cannot tell how I am 
 fitted for such a position, but there is an old 
 saying in which I place much confidence, that 
 'where there is a will there is a way.' I am 
 sure that I have the will to w^ork, and I 
 should look to God to teach me the way. 
 Where His will may now lead me, He only 
 
A missionary's life chosen. 35 
 
 knows. "When I look back upon the past 
 year, and think what and where I was, I won- 
 der that I can ever think of forming one plan 
 for my own action for even one day. still less 
 for a longer period." 
 
 June 16th, 1848, she wrote, u not once 
 since I last wrote have I felt one doubt but 
 that I should be guided in the right way. It 
 seems as if I had never known ('until now) 
 the almost perfect happiness of trusting in 
 God. And in proportion as I lean on Him 
 in things of importance, so much the more 
 can I feel in these little cares that they are 
 all for the best." 
 
 July 8th. — -*I have prayed that I might* 
 and feel now that I could, leave here and 
 meet Buffering while Christ is with me and 
 while resting upon Him. * * * Of my- 
 self, I have not strength to bear even the 
 little troubles which each day brings ; but I 
 know i and it makes me happy to think of it) 
 that God is almighty, and that He is my Fa- 
 ther, and that He who is my Intercessor is 
 also my Brother." 
 
 It is not surprising that Miss Hale met 
 with many who opposed her desire to enter 
 
36 a missionary's life chosen. 
 
 the missionary work in Africa, and with not 
 a few who looked upon the undertaking as 
 the offspring of the wildest enthusiasm. We 
 cannot wonder, indeed, that worldly minds 
 should fail to appreciate the high and holy 
 motives which prompt to self-consecration in 
 the work of foreign missions. To such the 
 child of God, constrained by the love of 
 Christ, may reply, "I hear a voice you can- 
 not hear, I see a hand you cannot see ! " But 
 it is a trial of a sorer kind to such a spirit to 
 meet with want of sympathy, and even dis- 
 couragement and opposition, from Christ's 
 professed disciples. This trial Miss Hale was 
 called to bear. 
 
 Writing under the date of July 29, 1848, 
 she says, " I visited one of my friends last 
 week, who spoke very harshly about my go- 
 ing away ; she is a member of the church, 
 and quite advanced in life ; she called it a 
 wild idea, etc. Her principal objection was 
 one that you have not heard before, I think 
 — -I was too pretty to go among the heathen in 
 Africa.'' She seemed to forget the great end 
 and aim of the establishment of missions. It 
 was sad to hear her speak thus, for I thought 
 
A missionary's life chosen. 6 
 
 one so old should have valued the things of 
 this world less." 
 
 Let it not be thought by any one who did 
 not know her that this reference to her per- 
 sonal appearance was any indication of a 
 consciousness of the possession of personal 
 beauty by herself. God had indeed given to 
 this lovely woman great personal beauty ; but 
 no word, or deed, or look ever manifested a 
 sense of its possession ; or if she could not 
 fail to know it, we know full well that she 
 rejoiced to lay it as a willing offering upon 
 the altar of Him who is " the fairest among 
 ten thousand, and altogether lovely." 
 
 The subject of her immediate departure to 
 Africa having been referred to her guardian, 
 met with his strong and earnest opposition ; 
 and Miss Hale acquiesced at once and with- 
 out a murmur in his decision. She consented 
 to pass through a probation of two years, 
 which might test the depth and strength of 
 her motives. Soon after this decision, she 
 writes cheerfully and hopefully, "it is said 
 that there is a feeling natural to the mind, 
 which causes us to prize an object when lost 
 more than when it is within our reach. I 
 
38 a missionary's life chosen. 
 
 think I feel so now ; for, though I trust I did 
 value the opportunity given to me of obey- 
 ing Christ's great commission, and of taking 
 up my cross to follow Him, yet I feel now 
 that it would have been a real pleasure. I do 
 not fear death; but were there one pang ever 
 to accompany it, it would be lost were I to 
 die while teaching those heathen of the love 
 of God." 
 
 Still, while cherishing the distant prospect 
 of going to Africa, she had to struggle 
 against the occasional coldness and opposi- 
 tion of friends. One morning she received 
 a message through an intimate friend, who 
 was entreated by another to use every effort 
 in her power to prevent her taking such a 
 rash, wild step ; one leading to certain death, 
 and taken from a wrong sense of duty. 
 "Much as such a message pained me," she 
 writes, "I was very happy to find that my 
 duty only seemed the plainer. If I am denied, 
 the aid of my Christian friends, I have One 
 still unfailing and ever present Friend/' 
 
 No one who saw her at this period of life, 
 ever cheerful and bright, could have imagined 
 the struggle through which she had passed 
 
a missionary's life chosen. 39 
 
 in yielding her own convictions of duty to 
 the judgment of others, and consenting to 
 abandon her purpose of immediate departure 
 to Africa. It left no trace of morbid feeling 
 or of indifference to home duties upon her 
 character and life. She became at once most 
 active and earnest in the discharge of all 
 Christian duties, and in the work of the 
 church of Christ. The Sunday-school and 
 parish school opened to her congenial fields 
 of activity. 
 
 One Sunday evening, in 1848, she says in 
 her Journal : " I have been this evening to 
 
 the funeral of E— D , one of my first 
 
 Sunday scholars. I hope she has gone to her 
 Father in heaven. May it be a lesson to me 
 to be more faithful in my duties, particularly 
 as a Sunday School teacher." 
 
 She w^as seldom absent from the ladies' 
 prayer-meetings connected with the Church; 
 and to wait on God in His house was ever 
 her joy and delight. She "went about doing 
 good," almost daily seeking out the abodes 
 of the sick and the poor, and ministering 
 wisely and lovingly to both body and soul. 
 
 Nov. 7th, 1848, she "writes to a friend: "It 
 
40 A MISSIONARY'S LITE CHOSEN. 
 
 is just a year ago last Sunday that I was con- 
 firmed. I shall always look back to that day 
 as one of the happiest of my life. I was in- 
 vited yesterday to join one of the praying cir- 
 cles of our Church. I very willingly acceded, 
 and we are to have our first meeting at Mrs. 
 
 "W* 's. * * * " I spent all yesterday 
 
 morning in the vestry-room of Christ Church, 
 cutting out clothing for about thirty of the 
 parish-school children." 
 
 "Nov. 21st. "I have finished reading the 
 life of Leigh Richmond, and I know of no 
 book of human origin that has done me so 
 much good as his Memoir. May I be more 
 humble ! I feel that I am in great danger 
 of forgetting that it is to God alone I am in- 
 debted for every good thought and deed, and 
 of taking to myself the praise. It seems as 
 if every day I could discover some new evil 
 in my heart to be overcome. May I strive to 
 be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is 
 perfect." 
 
HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK, 41 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK — 1849-50. 
 
 On the first clay of January, 1849, Miss 
 Hale began a journal of her Christian life, 
 from which we now make some extracts. 
 Her journal opens thus: "To assist me in 
 conquering my besetting sins, I commence 
 this." This record of self-examination can 
 only be fully understood by the Christian 
 heart. To others it may seem strange and 
 perplexing. Each day's search brought to 
 light those faults over which she mourned, 
 against which she strove, and for deliverance 
 from which she ceased not to pray. Those 
 faults were none other than such as are com- 
 mon to every heart; but to the new-born soul 
 they cause many a sigh and many a struggle. 
 Just emerging from the world, pollution still 
 cleaves to its garment ; and though clothed 
 with the Saviour's righteousness, yet, in con- 
 trast with His purity, its own defilement 
 
42 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 
 
 appears more dark and odious. Thus she 
 mourns: " Pity me! sin cleaves to me; help 
 me, O God!" 
 
 Pride was a frequent troubler of her peace, 
 constantly lamented and daily contended with . 
 "Pride pollutes all," she writes; " let me look 
 to Jesus to relieve me !" Scarcely an entity 
 is made in her journal at this period (the be- 
 ginning of 1849) without reference to this sin 
 of her heart. " Pride in church, pride among 
 visitors, pride in teaching in Sunday School." 
 Under date of 14th January, she writes : — 
 "Pose late, ill in body, fretful in mind, and 
 a cold heart in prayer. I did not pray for my 
 class earnestly, and had but little zeal in 
 teaching. In church, prayer cold, lip-service. 
 Evening service, the text was ' Pray without 
 ceasing.' I resolved to pray three times a 
 day fixedly. How little do I love Him who 
 made and spares me ! Let me be spent for 
 His glory ! Make me humble. Let me trust 
 in Jesus for all my strength, and know my- 
 self to be dust, dust, dust ! What have I to 
 be proud of?" 
 
 January 23d. " Pride will come. May T 
 trust not in words, but in Christ ? I will give 
 
HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 43 
 
 thanks to Him who giveth me the victory. 
 ' Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.' Take 
 away my pride ; make me as Him." 
 
 February 17th. "Father, hear my prayers } 
 feeble though they be ; sanctify my trials to 
 me ; lead me nearer to Thee, and receive me 
 as Thy child!" 
 
 February 19th. " Take pride from my 
 heart ; let me delight whenever I am called 
 to deny myself; let me be meek and humble, 
 joy to find in every station something still to 
 do ; let my heart be fixed on heaven !" 
 
 February 21. Ash- Wednesday. " Help me 
 to mortify my pride and selfishness ! Let 
 these be the two sins against which I must 
 fast and pray." 
 
 "Writing to a friend about this time, she 
 says: "I have been reading the life of Dr. 
 Payson. I feel that it has done me good ; 
 if in no other way, it has made me more 
 humble. As I have been writing this, I re- 
 collect one passage which I felt was a rebuke 
 to me (indeed, there were many), which al- 
 most made me doubt whether I was really 
 treading in the path He trod. This one pas- 
 sage was in reference to giving up all for 
 
44 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 
 
 Christ. You must pray for me, that Christ 
 may be my all." 
 
 February 25. First Sunday in Lent. "Do 
 I love to read the Bible as much as during 
 the last Lenten season ? Do I pray oftener ? 
 Do I love public prayer? Have I lowered 
 the Gospel standard ? Do I call some sins 
 small and others great ? Have I ceased striv- 
 ing to be holy ? Do I think fasting to be of 
 no use ? Let me take my besetting sin pride, 
 and fast and pray over it !" 
 
 March 19th. — "I wish during the coming 
 week to live near to God, to note my faults 
 as I commit them, and to try and crucify my 
 flesh. Christ is my pattern." 
 
 20th. — "Rose early and read. May my 
 life be as the seed, blade, ear, full corn ! I 
 wish to live for Christ to-day." 
 
 23d. — "A morning walk. Passed Christ 
 Church as the doors were opened and the 
 bell commenced tolling. I stood at the door 
 for several minutes, as no one was yet there. 
 It was a beautiful spring morning ; and as 
 my eyes fell upon the chancel, I thought how 
 many vows I had made there ; (alas, how un- 
 faithfully kept !) how often within those walls 
 
HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 45 
 
 had I been instructed, comforted, and cheer- 
 ed. How hallowed did every association 
 with them seem ! How I thought of the 
 church above, how much more glorious ! free 
 from every sinful stain, and never ceasing to 
 glorify Him who has redeemed them ! " 
 
 April 1st. — "I have so arranged all my 
 duties that I can devote nearly all my time 
 next week (Passion-week) to reading and the 
 services of the church. I have commenced 
 the comparison of the four Gospels ; and 
 though I have gone but a little w^ay, yet it 
 seems to me deeply interesting." 
 
 April 5th, Passion-week. — " This week has 
 passed so pleasantly ! I have spent almost 
 all my time in reading when I have not been 
 in church. I have this morning finished 
 writing a harmony of the sufferings of our 
 Lord, comparing the accounts of the four 
 Evangelists. I have been so happy while do- 
 ing it ! I have read and re-read these narra- 
 tives, and still it seems that were I to spend 
 my whole life I should ever find something 
 new. God's love to us seemed to me so 
 great that I wonder that I could ever think 
 anything too great to give up for Him." 
 
46 HER JOURNAL IN NOREOLK. 
 
 Under date of May 13th. is the following: 
 "I have tried to-day to look into my own 
 heart, to learn, if God should call for me, 
 whether I am ready to go, or if I could give 
 up those dearest to me. * * * Many cir- 
 cumstances have brought to my mind thoughts 
 of eternity, and I wonder to see so many 
 around me entirely forgetful of the life be- 
 yond the tomb. Is there anything too great 
 to be given up that even one soul might be 
 brought to the knowledge of Jesus ? But 
 why is it that there are so many who are un- 
 willing to give up anything ? Nothing has 
 brought more sadness to my mind than the 
 coldness of my own love, and that of many 
 professing Christians, to Him who has died 
 for us." * * * "Now I am alone, with 
 my Almighty Father to lead and guide me, 
 and I think God is fitting me to do His will, 
 and preparing me now by little trials for 
 greater ones to come." 
 
 May 27th, "Whitsunday. — "This day has 
 been to me especially precious. We have 
 been led by the services of the Church to 
 commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit 
 upon the Church of old. Most earnestly did 
 
HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 47 
 
 I pray (and God gave me faith to believe that 
 my prayers would be heard) that upon our 
 Church here and throughout the world His 
 Spirit might rest." 
 
 May 30th. — " I have been to-day to a meet- 
 ing which was very sweet. A few evenings 
 ago I was walking with a young lady of St. 
 Paul's Church, and we were speaking of the 
 many friends we had who were yet strangers 
 to the love of God. We w r ere wishing that 
 we could do something for them, and the re- 
 sult of our thoughts was an agreement to 
 meet every Wednesday morning to seek the 
 Spirit of God to rest upon our unconverted 
 friends. We commence with singing; one 
 of us then offers a prayer for those of our 
 friends whom we ail know, and who are 
 strangers to the love of Christ. Besides re- 
 membering our friends, we strive to promote 
 our ow T n spiritual welfare by asking for the 
 same Spirit to dwell in our own hearts. I 
 think God's blessing will rest upon us, as we 
 have sought it earnestly." 
 
 June 3d, Trinity Sunday.— " Would that I 
 could write the happiness that I have felt this 
 day! It is Communion-Sunday, and the 
 
48 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 
 
 happiest I have ever passed. I rose with a 
 thankful heart, and the first verse of the 147th 
 Psalm seemed to me to be a good expression 
 of my feelings — ' Praise ye the Lord, for it 
 is a good thing to sing praises unto our God, 
 for it is pleasant and praise is comely.' In 
 Sunday-school I was enabled better than 
 usual to do my duty. We had a sermon 
 well calculated to prepare us for the solemn 
 services which followed. Never have I been 
 so free from wandering thoughts, and never 
 felt how deeply was my heart tainted by sin. 
 To God alone would I give the praise for 
 every good thought, word, and deed. I have 
 thought that one great reason why I enjoyed 
 to-day so much was that during the previous 
 week I have tried, by close self-examination, 
 to prepare myself to partake of this holy or- 
 dinance." 
 
 June 6th. — " To-day our little praying- 
 circle met. It is very pleasant. I feel that 
 it is a great aid to me," 
 
 Under the same date, referring to a trial 
 she was called to bear, she writes, "It has 
 chastened all my feelings, and I am sure it 
 is good to have them so subdued, for I have 
 
HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 49 
 
 greater peace of mind. I have been led to 
 go oftener to Jesus to plead with Him. It is 
 so sweet and soothing to all our fears to trust 
 in Him." 
 
 The Lenten season of 1850 was the last 
 she expected to spend in her native land, and 
 on this account was doubly precious to her 
 for its holy privileges. 
 
 On Good-Friday of that year she thus ex- 
 presses herself : 
 
 " This may be my last Good-Friday here ! 
 I would be truly grateful for the blessings of 
 this week. may I love Christ more, and 
 may His love constrain me to live wholly to 
 Him, to glorify Him in body and spirit! 
 May I strive to be fitted for the holy work of 
 bringing sinners to Thee ! for more love 
 to my God and to Jesus ! " 
 
50 HOPE'S FRUITION 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 hope's fruition. 
 
 The succeeding year in Miss Hale's life 
 passed quietly, and without any special event 
 worthy of record. Her Christian character 
 was daily ripening into greater maturity, and 
 she continued as ever active in all depart- 
 ments of Christian duty. As the summer of 
 1850 drew nigh, her long-cherished hope of 
 reaching Africa began to draw near to its 
 fruition. The Eev. Cadwalader Colden Hoff- 
 man, a faithful and devoted missionary to 
 Western Africa, to whom her affections had 
 been plighted for two years past, returned to 
 this country on the 1st of June, 1850. 
 
 On the 13th of June she alludes to this 
 event in a letter to a female friend. " The 
 first day of this month Mr. Hoffman came, 
 the packet having been driven into Hampton 
 Roads by a storm. He is anxious to return 
 in the autumn. I go with him, Gfod icilling. 
 
hope's fruition. 51 
 
 I am looking forward with great pleasure to 
 my home in Africa, especially after hearing 
 all that Mr. H. has told me of the people. 
 Never for a moment have I doubted that I have 
 chosen the path of duty ; and the consciousness 
 that I go for Christ's sake makes all sacrifice 
 light." 
 
 August 9th, she writes to another friend : 
 "You must not accuse me of being; hard- 
 hearted, if I tell you I am very happy even 
 now when the time for my leaving all my 
 dear friends is so near. I know I shall love 
 the work ; 'tis such a great pleasure, as well 
 as a privilege, to be permitted to tell of God's 
 love to us. Sometimes in my little class in 
 Sunday School, I tell them of it, and cannot 
 cease. But to tell it to those who have never 
 heard of it before, will be a far greater bless- 
 ing ; and should God ever suffer me to see 
 the fruit of my labors, no earthly happiness 
 could approach to that. But if not, I can sow 
 good seed, and feel sure that it will spring up 
 after many days." 
 
 The first of September was her last Sunday 
 in her loved church at Norfolk. It was Com- 
 munion-Sunday, and a memorable day to her. 
 
52 HOPE'S FRUITION. 
 
 She thus writes of it : " Sept. 1st. I rose early 
 and went to the early service before break- 
 fast. At Sunday School, all my class were 
 present. I tried to teach them to love the 
 Lord with all their heart and soul and strength. 
 At the morning-service I was enabled to give 
 myself wholly to God, and to give up all for 
 Him. God has so abundantly blessed me, 
 that I feel I am not my own. I would trust 
 Him to perform my future duties, weary and 
 great though they may be. He has given me 
 to-day a pledge of His love. 
 
 " At the close of the service it rained, and 
 we had to linger some time in the dear church. ' ' 
 
 On the 5th of September, 1850, Miss Hale 
 was united in matrimony to the Eev. Mr. 
 Hoffman. The service was performed by her 
 pastor, in Christ Church, Norfolk; the church 
 so dear to her heart, as the hallowed spot 
 where she had consecrated herself to God, 
 and where she had often been fed with the 
 bread of life. It was an occasion of deep in- 
 terest to all the Church in Norfolk. A large 
 company assembled to share in their joy ; but 
 not the least interesting of all the assembly 
 m her eyes was her Sunday School class, who 
 stood near her with tearful eyes. 
 
HOPE'S FRUITION. 53 
 
 Her journal at this time contains the fol- 
 lowing record : 
 
 " Sunday, Sept. 8th. I have left forever the 
 quiet duties of my quiet home. Thursday, 
 5th, we left Norfolk. I would be truly grate- 
 ful for God's assistance on that day. I feel 
 He strengthened me to take my marriage-vow, 
 and I will trust Him for grace to keep it. * 
 * * I find it hard to keep my heart always 
 loving God. Let me remember that this is 
 not my rest. At home we sought strength 
 for the duties of the day. * * I thought 
 of my dear pastor and his flock. Oh ! that 
 God would strengthen me for the week's du- 
 ties. The love of Christ must constrain me 
 to live only for His glory. 
 
 "Monday 9th. This world is not our rest." 
 
 The remainder of this month was passed 
 in travelling, and the entries in the journal 
 are very brief. The first Sunday in October 
 is thus noticed : 
 
 " One month has passed since I received 
 
 from Mr. C the emblems of Christ's body 
 
 and blood. How have I lived ? Has the love 
 of God been the ruling motive in my heart? 
 Many idle thoughts this morning at commu- 
 
54 hope's fruition. 
 
 nion. Father, forgive me, and help me. I 
 gave ourselves to Him and His glory. My 
 heart is too cold. Christ has died for me — 
 I would at least live for Him. 
 
 " New York, Oct. 14th. Birth-day. Eigh- 
 teen years of mercies have passed away. I 
 have commenced a new life, and new duties 
 are before me. Well may I say, who is sufficient 
 for these things ? Oh ! to be an example of 
 a Christian by my life, words, dress, thoughts, 
 looks ; to make religion lovely in others' eyes, 
 to interest others in behalf of Africa, and in 
 the work of winning souls ; to aid my hus- 
 band in his work; to cheer, comfort., coun- 
 sel, and obey him. Our work is great. Let 
 me from this day put away all lightness, and 
 be sober, and watch unto prayer. Let the 
 word of God be the guide of my life. Make 
 me unceasing in prayer, oh ! Father. Bless- 
 ings are around me on every side. Make me 
 truly grateful. * * * Health Thou hast 
 given me, and friends. If Thou sparest my 
 life another year, may I be more wholly Thine, 
 love Thee, and serve Thee with all my heart. 
 Strengthen me for the duties of this day. 
 Give me grace, and put words in my mouth." 
 
hope's fruition. 55 
 
 Not long after her departure from Norfolk 
 for the North, she addressed this letter to one 
 of that loved class : — 
 
 "New York, Dec. 3, 1850. 
 
 " My Dear C . 
 
 " Since I left my class, every Sunday morn- 
 ing that has passed has brought them to my 
 mind, and earnestly have I prayed that they 
 may all give their hearts to God. In about 
 two months I will (if God so guide us) reach 
 our home at Cavalla. There I hope to gather 
 round me those whom I may teach of God. 
 But it will be far different there. My sweet 
 little class in Norfolk had often heard the 
 same truths I taught them. But those to 
 whom I 2:0 w T ill hear for the first time of the 
 true God. Shall it be that those in Africa 
 will rise to condemn those here ? For one, 
 
 you can answer, my dear C , and w^ill you 
 
 not soon ? * * * * 
 
 " God bless you, and make you His own 
 child. Your affectionate friend, 
 
 "Virginia H. Hoffman." 
 
 Again she writes to a dear friend : — 
 
 "November — , 1850. 
 
 "Dearest D . 
 
 " My heart is full. I must write, and write 
 
56 n o p e r a u i t f o n . 
 
 jii t, as I feel. The packet Bails on the LOtli 
 
 of December. Oh! l> , I long to go; [ 
 
 know not what awaits me, but suffering and 
 sickness will be one part of the cup I shall 
 have to drink; but I would welcome all only 
 to be the weak instrument of winning souls 
 to Christ. Where is our love, our faith, that 
 we see the world going on to ruin, and yet 
 lie on our- soft pillows, and wish they could 
 1h; saved ? 
 
 cc To die in the path of duty would be sweet — 
 to lipe in weariness is sweeter stilly if by that life 
 I may glorify Q-od," 
 
 VI r:.. Hoffman was permitted unexpectedly 
 to visit Norfolk for a day before sailing, [t 
 was a precious season to her friends. We 
 gathered about her, and enjoyed sweel com- 
 munion with her, and mingled our prayer 
 together. Returning to Baltimore,a farewell 
 missionary meeting was held in the Church 
 of the Ancmsion (LVv. Mr. Eillin's), and on 
 the ^<l of December, she set ;i1 ' in the Liberia 
 Packet, for the distant shores of Africa-— that 
 continent whose history i: j . so fraughl with 
 '.now and suffering. 
 
OUTWARD BOUND. 57 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 O D X W A B D B U N D . 
 
 Th k African Mission of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church was first established in 1835. 
 It has ever held a high place in the affections 
 
 of the earnest members of that Church, It 
 has enlisted many of the holiest ministers of 
 the Church in its active service. And who 
 can tel). what blessed influences have been 
 poured forth upon the Church at home from 
 this distant Mission ? It has awakened the 
 Zealand enkindled the flame of piety anew 
 in many congregations. It has added a pre- 
 cious hand to the noble army of martyrs. 
 The names of Minor and Savage, and Mes- 
 senger, arid Home, and Smith, and others, 
 arc carved upon the simple slabs that mark 
 the humble graves upon that pestilential 
 shore. 
 
 Let us trace the course of our youthful mis- 
 sionary as she is borne upon the broad bosom 
 
58 OUTWARD BOUND. 
 
 of ocean to join the Mission at Cavalla. "We 
 will let her describe the voyage in her letters 
 to friends in her native land. 
 
 " Liberia Packet, Jan. 3d, 1851. 
 
 "My own precious Sister: 
 
 " Until this evening we have been pitching 
 and rolling at such a rate that it was impos- 
 sible to write. I wrote by the pilot when we 
 were at Cape Henry. I watched his beauti- 
 ful little boat as it left us, and thought it was 
 the last sight of anything near home. This 
 was the day before Christmas ; the wind was 
 fair, and in one hour we were out of sight of 
 land. On the 29th (Sunday) the winds, which 
 had been very high, increased so much that 
 w r e had no service, either in the cabin or 
 steerage. The decks were washed continu- 
 ally by the waves, and I saw for the first time 
 a storm at sea. At 8 P. M. the captain came 
 and told us we must go down into the steer- 
 age, as the waves were so high that he feared 
 the cabin would be washed away. There 
 were sixty emigrants, and the steerage was 
 dimly lighted by one lantern, the door of 
 which was fastened by a padlock. As there 
 
OUTWARD BOUND. 59 
 
 is powder in the hold, the emigrants were 
 not allowed to have lights. The people were 
 groaning and crying. We had prayers there ; 
 and on the captain assuring them that there 
 was no danger, they became more quiet. It 
 was truly awful, but I felt that we were safe 
 in the hands of Him who ruleth the sea. 
 ' The waves of the sea were mighty, and 
 raged horribly ; but yet the Lord who dwell- 
 eth on high is mightier.' At 12 the captain 
 came down and told us that the waves had 
 subsided, and that we could go to our cabin. 
 
 " There is much that is beautiful and glo- 
 rious on the ocean. The waves dash around 
 and over us, and the white caps are continu- 
 ally sprinkling us. I have stood and watched 
 the ship as it rested for an instant on the 
 summit of a wave, and looked far down into 
 the depth beneath, while beyond another 
 wave rose like a mountain behind us. It is 
 all beautiful ; and where we can see the hand 
 of the Almighty in it, our thoughts of Him 
 must be exalted and our trust in Him more 
 firm. 
 
 " January 10th. — We had service both in 
 the steerage and the cabin on last Sunday. I 
 
60 OUTWARD BOUND. 
 
 have a Sunday-school of thirteen girls. The 
 weather is now quite calm, and I have com- 
 menced a regular plan for my daily duties. 
 I go with Mr. Hoffman to prayers in the 
 steerage. Then we read and I study Grebo. 
 At 11£ we have a day-school, and I have be- 
 come very much interested in my girls ; they 
 are so anxious to learn, and though not 
 bright are attentive. At 1 we dine. I lay 
 aside my work at 4 and go out to see the 
 sunset. For the last week these have been 
 very beautiful. I cannot describe them, but 
 this thought came to me — if this is so glori- 
 ous, w T hat must be the glory of that ' land 
 that is very far off!" The sun, like a ball 
 of gold, goes down in a sea of more brilliant 
 light, and after it is gone the western sky for 
 some time is illumined with every hue. On 
 one evening there rose a light-green cloud, 
 which faded as night came on ; it was a strong 
 contrast to the golden light around, and, I do 
 not know why, but I loved to look at it ; per- 
 haps because it was land-like. At 6 we have 
 tea ; then I go to prayers in the steerage, and 
 coming up, I take a walk, about twenty feet 
 in extent." * * * "I know not how to 
 
OUTWARD BOUND. 61 
 
 tell you how full my heart is of joy that I am 
 on the way to a field of labor I already love. 
 God has been so good to me in giving me a 
 cheerful heart, and in making the work of 
 winning souls the sweetest of all work." 
 
 "January 15th. — I am now looking out on 
 the Isle of St. Antonio, one of the Cape de 
 Verde Islands. When first discovered, it 
 looked like a line of dark cloud resting on 
 the horizon. As we drew nearer, I could 
 distinguish the high rocks, of a reddish hue, 
 destitute of all kinds of vegetation, rising 
 7000 feet above the sea. This is our twenty- 
 fifth day out from Baltimore ; and if the 
 winds are favorable we could reach Monrovia 
 in five days." * * * "My thoughts have 
 often turned to the possibility of death being 
 very near, and God has made it one of the 
 most happy thoughts. But sister, whether 
 we live or die, may it be our aim to glorify 
 God ! may we be found faithful unto death ! " 
 
 "January 20th. — ""We have had bright, 
 beautiful weather since I last wrote. The 
 captain hopes to see Monrovia the last of this 
 week. Yesterday we had service on deck in 
 
62 OUTWARD BOUND. 
 
 the afternoon. I enjoyed it more than any 
 Sabbath since we left." 
 
 22d. — "We have some messengers from 
 land to-day : a canary-bird, which flew over 
 the vessel, some butterflies, and a grass- 
 hopper !" 
 
 25th. — "God has heard the prayers offered 
 for us, and brought us to the haven where 
 we would be ! At about 4 last night the 
 captain called ' Land ho ! ' It was Cape 
 Mount, forty miles from Monrovia. On go- 
 ing out this morning, we could distinguish 
 the trees on shore. We will probably reach 
 Monrovia by 12 M." 
 
 To another dear friend she wrote, on the 
 13th of January, 
 
 "My much-loved L> 
 
 " These words so truly speak my feelings 
 that I must write them to you : 
 
 "< There is a scene where spirits blend, 
 
 Where friend holds fellowship with friend; 
 Though sundered far, "by faith they meet 
 Around one common mercy-seat.' 
 
 " Severed as we have been for three weeks 
 from the presence of Christian friends, it has 
 
OUTWARD BOUND. 63 
 
 rendered our communion with them by 
 prayer doubly sweet. 1 cannot tell you the 
 comfort it gives me to think that you are 
 praying for us. When the storms came 
 which threatened to overwhelm us we were 
 saved, and was it not in answer to prayer ? 
 I have before me my last parting from you 
 all. Mr. C's book, given to me as we parted, 
 is indeed a treasure. Never can I cease to 
 bless God that he was my pastor." 
 
64 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 On the 29th of January the packet was 
 anchored off Monrovia, the capital of Libe- 
 ria. On this date she thus writes : 
 
 As we neared Monrovia we saw dark 
 spots on the water, which as they neared us 
 we found to be canoes with two or more 
 Eroomen in each. They form the class em- 
 ployed by the vessels ; they leave their fami- 
 lies and build huts on the coast until they 
 have ' plenty money;* then they return to 
 their w r ives. As we first saw them they wore 
 straw hats with a piece of calico around the 
 crown ; before they came on board the cloth 
 from their hats was placed around their 
 waists. A strange sight it was to me. These 
 Eroomen are tall, finely formed, and of the 
 color of mahogany ; they seemed struck by 
 my complexion." 
 
NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 65 
 
 And now for the first time she is to touch 
 the shores of Africa. 
 
 "Monday morning, at 10," she writes, "I 
 was lowered into the boat by a chair, and 
 was rowed by four Kroomen to this long 
 looked-for land. Everything is beautiful 
 here ; a paradise, but for sin ; everything so 
 green and luxuriant. We now feel as if we 
 were almost at home." 
 
 The long voyage is at last ended, and the 
 next letter tells of all her joy in reaching her 
 new home in the heathen land. 
 
 Cape P almas, February 11th, 1851. 
 
 "My own Beloved Sister: 
 
 " I cannot tell you of all the full stream of 
 gladness which now fills my heart. The land 
 so loner thought of and wished for is reached 
 at last, and with a firmer resolution I repeated, 
 while health and life are spared, this is my home. 
 "We left Bassa on Thursday morning the 6th, 
 and reached Sinoe on Friday morning. I 
 went on shore Saturday morning, and visited 
 a number of persons, one, an Episcopalian, we 
 found there from the South. I felt that she 
 was a sister. She seemed to love to speak 
 of the days we all observe. We left Sinoe 
 5 
 
66 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 on Saturday evening, and on Monday at 12 
 o'clock, came in sight of Cape Palmas. Mr. 
 Hening's house, six miles this side the Cape, 
 we saw plainly as we passed on to anchor by 
 Palmas. I do not know that I told you they 
 had called their place Mount Hope. At six 
 in the evening, we anchored near a beautiful 
 green mount, on which the light-house is 
 built. I had packed everything during the 
 morning, and had only to put on my bonnet, 
 and get into a boat. "We saw Mr. Rambo 
 standing on the shore, and in a little while 
 we were shaking hands with him. (All well.) 
 "We walked to the Governor's, and at his 
 wife's invitation, spent the night there, in- 
 stead, of going to the Catholic Mission House, 
 where our mission has two rooms. 
 
 " While we were passing Mount Hope, some 
 Kroomen came in canoes, and Mr. H. sent a 
 note to Mr. Hening ; and early on Tuesday 
 morning, we saw men with a hammock on 
 the beach. It was Mr. Hening; he came 
 alone, as Mrs. Hening was not quite well. I 
 was pleased to find him so well and cheerful, 
 though perfectly blind. I spent part of the 
 morning at Gov. Russworm's, and part at the 
 
NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 67 
 
 mission store. After dinner, I received some 
 bridal calls. 
 
 " February 12th. — I feel very well, though, 
 it is warm ; but there is a pleasant sea-breeze. 
 Last evening, we went to Mount Vaughan, in 
 a two-seat carriage, drawn by four natives. 
 Mount Vaughan is three miles from the Cape. 
 "We arrived there at six, and just as we got 
 out of the carriage to walk up the hill, w 7 e 
 heard the bell ringing for service. I cannot 
 tell you how sweetly it sounded. At Mount 
 Vaughan Mrs. Thompson lives, and boards 
 the boys, w T ho are taught by Mr. James Gib- 
 son. At the foot of the hill is a little chapel, 
 where w T e went to service at 7J. Mr. H. read 
 the service and preached. We slept in a 
 room which had only clap-boards on the in- 
 side, a shelf in one corner for a wash-stand, 
 a native mat, and native cloth on the table, 
 and a nice bed. Early this morning, I visited 
 the graves of the two Mrs. Savages, Mr. Mes- 
 senger, and Miss Cogshall. Then we came 
 from the Mount to the Cape ; and I write 
 from the mission store, seated on a box — 
 natives all around me ; and Kardi, who used 
 to carry Mr. H. in his canoe dow T n the lake. 
 
68 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 'Tis a sad sight, in passing through their 
 towns, to see the gree-grees before their 
 houses, and on the men, women, and chil- 
 dren, often their only covering. I can scarce- 
 ly believe that we are in an unhealthy cli- 
 mate, so beautiful is the vegetation, and the 
 people are so happy and contented. I have 
 seen Dr. McGill, who will be my physician, 
 and find him pleasant and intelligent. I can 
 with perfect confidence trust him ; God will, 
 I trust, bless his skill. 
 
 "February 12th. — Mr. Payne has just ar- 
 rived, and given us a Christian brother's wel- 
 come, with dear little notes from Miss "Willi- 
 ford and Mrs. Payne, which I will send you, 
 that you may see what dear kind friends are 
 here to welcome us. 
 
 " February 24th. — Two weeks, clear sister, 
 have passed since we landed, and I have been 
 so w r ell and so happy. On the evening of the 
 day I last Wrote you (the 12th), we went up 
 to Kocktown. We did not reach Mr. Hen- 
 ing's until late in the evening. His house 
 stands on a high piece of ground, very near 
 the sea. It is new, and looks very neat. We 
 
NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 69 
 
 had met a great many of their friends, so 
 that our time passed in conversing about 
 them. 
 
 " If Mr. Hoffman's duty did not call him 
 here to Cavalla, I should rejoice to remain 
 there. 
 
 " On Thursday afternoon, we left Rock- 
 town, and came to the Cape. Friday, the 
 14th, we were placed in a canoe at the head 
 of Shepherd's lake, and paddled by Kardi 
 for eight miles. The shores of the lake 
 are shaded by the mangrove, which grows 
 like the banyan tree, but the roots are under 
 the water. The color of the foliage here is 
 peculiar — it is such a rich green. "When we 
 reached Kardi's town, he stopped the canoe, 
 and his wife brought me his little girl ; the 
 poor little thing was only three weeks old, 
 and it was loaded with beads and rings — 
 some of the beads were of the size of pigeons' 
 eggs. She gave me a " dash " (a present) of 
 a fowl, for wdiich they alw T ays expect some- 
 thing double the value; crowds of children 
 waded into the w T ater, to get pins from us. 
 
 "At the end of the lake, Mr. Payne, who 
 
70 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 
 
 had been riding on the donkey, joined us, and 
 we took our hammocks. It was a bright 
 moonlight night, and our way lay along the 
 sea-beach. As I laid in my hammock, think- 
 ing how often in thought I had followed Mr. 
 Hoffman along this path, I could not realize 
 that I was in Africa, and near Cavalla." 
 
HOME AND LIFE AT CA VALLA. 71 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 Mrs. Hoffman's reception at Cavalla was 
 hearty, warm, and most affectionate. The 
 missionaries already there rejoiced to welcome 
 her to their feeble band. She thus describes 
 it: — 
 
 "When we were near the 'biff town' 
 through which we have to pass to reach the 
 station, the school-children met us. After 
 going through the town, we passed under 
 an avenue of cocoa-nut trees, which leads to 
 the door of the Mission House. Before I 
 could get out of the hammock, Mrs. Payne 
 and Miss Williford bent over me and kissed 
 me. The parlors in this country are all up 
 stairs. They led me up, and on the tea-table 
 were beautiful flowers, a w T edding-cake, &c. 
 I went into my room, and found flowers there 
 also. The parlor faces the west, and has a 
 piazza on two sides. My room is back of it, 
 
72 HOME AND LIFE AT C A V A L L A . 
 
 separated from it by a passage and stair-case. 
 There is a piazza on one side, part of which 
 is enclosed for a dressing-room. One window 
 opens towards the east, and looks out upon 
 the Christian village, w^here nine w r ho were 
 educated in our schools have settled and mar- 
 ried. Two other windows look toward the 
 south, and the blue ocean spreads out before 
 us. These windows are shaded by three cocoa- 
 nut trees. Can you form any idea, now, of my 
 home, dear sister ? It is a beautiful one, and 
 more than that, it is a happy one, for God's 
 blessing rests upon it. 
 
 "April 1st. — Seven weeks have passed, 
 dear sister, and still God preserves my health; 
 I have not had anything like fever, but I feel 
 very weak. The Packet has arrived, and in 
 a week leaves again, and takes Mr. Payne 
 from us. He has promised to visit Norfolk 
 on his way to Savannah, where Mrs. Payne's 
 sister resides. It will not be until after his 
 consecration. Mrs. Payne will feel his ab- 
 sence very much ; they have been for so many 
 years together here. Mr. Hoffman has all 
 Mr. Payne's duties, which keep him very 
 much occupied. I am in my room all the 
 
HOME AND LIFE AT CA VALLA. 73 
 
 morning, studying Grebo and writing. Mr. 
 H. is in school and about the lot. Now that 
 the church is commenced, he is gathering the 
 materials ; every perch of rocks is paid for 
 by yards of cloth, measured to some twenty 
 women; and other w T ork is paid for in the 
 same way. After dinner, Mrs. Payne, Miss 
 "Williford and I sew together in the parlor, 
 and any of the natives who wish, come to see 
 us. The gentlemen go out to preach, and 
 we sometimes meet them on their return. 
 There are beautiful walks to some of the na- 
 tive towns, though the paths are only wide 
 enough for one person. You may think of 
 us as occupied in this way for some time to 
 come. It is very hard for me to be so quiet, 
 for there is so much I might do ; but I hope 
 by this means to work longer in this land; 
 and even now I can pray for a blessing on the 
 labors of those with us. 
 
 " While Mr. Payne is in America, he hopes 
 to get funds for building a girls' school-house. 
 The one Miss Williford uses now is not as 
 large as one of your parlors, and the girls eat 
 in the same room ; above it is a garret-room, 
 where they sleep upon mats on the floor. You 
 
74 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 well know how hard it is to make them neat, 
 but we hope to have everything arranged pro- 
 perly when the new one is built. There are 
 twenty-five girls with us now, and many of 
 them are very bright-looking children. I have 
 a little namesake living in town, and Mr. 
 Hoffman has one in the Christian village. 
 How amusing it would seem to you, could 
 you see ns in our walks, followed by crowds 
 of native children ! I long to be able to speak 
 their language, that I may talk with them." 
 
 As yet, Mrs. Hoffman had not entered upon 
 her special duties as a missionary. She was 
 not prepared to converse with the natives, 
 and it was deemed prudent to defer her labors 
 in the school until she had become in some 
 degree acclimated. Her time was chiefly oc- 
 cupied in the study of Grebo, and in home 
 duties in the mission family at Cavalla. Her 
 longing to enter upon her great work of teach- 
 ing the heathen of Christ was very earnest, 
 while at the same time her life was one of un- 
 broken happiness amidst the congenial society 
 of her sister missionaries. 
 
 March 26th, she thus writes to a friend: — 
 "We have been at our Cavalla home, dear 
 
HOME AND LIFE AT C A VALLA. 75 
 
 E , for seven weeks. Gocl still preserves 
 
 my life and health. I have no symptom of 
 fever, though the season for the acclimating 
 process to commence is, after sleeping on 
 shore, three weeks. I know not how to be 
 grateful enough to God for this blessing. I 
 hope to be able to give myself wholly to Him, 
 to labor for these people. I have accompa- 
 nied Mr. H. twice on Saturday afternoons, 
 w^hen he went to call the people to church, 
 with an interpreter. I get acquainted with 
 the people, and learn where they live. Their 
 houses are scattered about the town so irregu- 
 larly that you have to wind around them — 
 and we often get perplexed. As soon as I 
 am strong enough (though that may not be 
 for some months), I hope to go one afternoon 
 in each week, and talk with the heathen wo- 
 men, and tell them of Jesus. But, dear E 
 
 you must pray for us, that we may have faith. 
 These people hear us, and receive us kindly ; 
 but they are carnal — they do not know what 
 we mean when we talk of being spiritual. 
 God must teach them, and on His mighty 
 power alone we can rely." 
 
 It was determined that Mr. and Mrs. Ho A- 
 
76 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 man should remain at Cavalla as assistants 
 to the Rev. Mr. Payne, in the mission work 
 in that vicinity. Cavalla occupies a beautiful 
 site in view of the Atlantic, and twelve miles 
 from Cape Palmas. A Christian village was 
 growing around it, composed of converted 
 natives, while all around were thousands of 
 heathen, members of the Grebo tribe, among 
 whom the missionaries went almost daily, 
 preaching the Gospel of Christ. Heretofore 
 the chapel occupied for worship on Sunday 
 had been a frail building of wood, and now 
 was falling; into ruins from the effects of the 
 climate. 
 
 During Mr. Hoffman's sojourn in the Uni- 
 ted States in the previous year, he had brought 
 before the churches at home the need of a 
 new church edifice at Cavalla, and solicited 
 aid for this purpose. Liberal donations had 
 been made to him, and on his return to Africa, 
 the work of building a church was at once 
 commenced. 
 
 The 18th of March, 1857, was a joyous day 
 to the mission family at Cavalla, when the 
 corner-stone of the Church of the Epiphany 
 was laid in hope and faith and prayer to God. 
 
HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 77 
 
 Of this event Mrs. Hoffman thus writes under 
 date of April 4th : 
 
 " Those dear friends who have aided 
 in bringing this to pass may like to know 
 how pleasant the ceremony was. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hening and Mr. Eambo were here. At 
 3 P. M. we all walked to the boys' school- 
 house. Mr. Eambo read the service and Mr. 
 Payne delivered an address, consisting of 
 simple English sentences ; for there were a 
 great many natives present who have learned 
 from the vessels some few words. We then 
 walked to the site of the church, which com- 
 mands a beautiful view of the sea; all the 
 school-children (to the number of sixty), the 
 married Christians, and the natives walking 
 with us, made quite a long procession. 
 
 "Mr. Hoffman spoke to the natives and 
 Enoch Lowe interpreted for him ; Mr. Payne 
 offered a prayer in Grebo, and we sang the 
 hymn 'From all that dwell below the skies.' 
 Mr. Hening offered the closing prayer, and 
 we went back to the house just as the sun 
 was setting. We had sought a blessing on 
 our work, and we felt that it was safe when 
 in God's hands. The heathen people seem 
 
/8 HOME AND LITE AT CAYALLA. 
 
 pleased with, the prospect of having a < God's 
 house' among them, though it is only be- 
 cause it gives them a name. The poor chapel 
 we worship in now T is almost in ruins ; there 
 are air-holes in all sides. The church is to 
 be built of stone (wood lasts such a little 
 while here). It is a great labor to get the 
 materials together, as we have no beasts of 
 burden. The women have brought all we 
 have used on their heads." 
 
 Her journal at this period is full of inte- 
 rest. 
 
 "April 13th. — I did not go to church this 
 morning, but read the service with loved 
 ones at home. I am glad I could leave them 
 for Christ's sake. My evil feelings must be 
 overcome by thinking of other things — of 
 God, of Christ. 
 
 " This is Passion-week, and I would fast 
 and spend much time in prayer. Many loved 
 ones will join me — sister, E. and A. We are 
 one, and in heaven we must soon meet. 
 
 "18th, Good-Friday.— Read only a little 
 before prayers. Between prayer and break- 
 fast read Bradley's sermons. After breakfast 
 thought of last year ; read and prayed for all 
 
HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 79 
 
 I knew. It was a sweet pleasure to think of 
 them all. I pray for more whole-heartedness 
 this year to live only to work for God ; to be 
 humble, as Christ stooped so low for me, so 
 evil; and can I not yield to those who are 
 better than I ? If God spares my life to this 
 year's end, may I be found more holy, more 
 self-denying ! 
 
 "19th, Easter Even. — At 5 o'clock in the 
 afternoon I walked into the garden, through 
 the lily-walk, into the grave-yard. There I 
 read the 212th hymn ( 4 Lo, what a cloud of 
 
 witnesses !') knelt down and prayed for E , 
 
 and A , and myself, that we might live 
 
 wholly unto God. I think Christ is now all 
 in all to me. I prayed that we might meet 
 in heaven. As I looked up the calm, pure 
 sky was above me. Our prayers meet at His 
 throne. For our work I prayed. God did 
 seem precious as my Father." 
 
80 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 LIFE AT C AVALL A. 
 
 " On Alpine heights a little flower 
 From its snow-cradle soft doth reach, 
 And with its tiny hands beseech 
 Thy vesture-hem, Eternal power. 
 
 "And straightway help of Heaven descends; 
 And vital influences run 
 Down golden ladders of the sun, 
 And pleading life wins spirit-friends. 
 
 "Thus souls in barrenest solitude 
 Oft bring the kindly powers down, 
 To lighten on them with a crown, 
 Or cheer them with immortal food." 
 
 It lias been our purpose in this memoir to 
 permit the beloved subject of it to tell the 
 story of her life as far as possible in her own 
 words ; we therefore design to make the full- 
 est use of her letters as the test-record of her 
 life of labor for Christ. 
 
 On the 7th of April she records the follow- 
 ing interesting incident : 
 
 "I wish, my dearest D , you could 
 
LITE AT CAVALLA. 81 
 
 have looked in upon us yesterday (Sunday) 
 morning. We were up very early, and at 7 
 Ave were all gathered in the boys' school- 
 house to witness the baptism of one of the 
 Christian women's children, who takes my 
 name. The mother's name was Helen White. 
 She married one of the boys who was in the 
 school, named John Wimer. Both were 
 pious, and he was a teacher. On his death 
 she was obliged to marry his brother, who is 
 a heathen, as her betrothment-money had not 
 been paid when she was a child. (The way 
 this is now prevented is by the mission pay- 
 ing the girl's parents the same sum they 
 would receive from a husband. She then has 
 a right to marry whom she likes.) Virginia 
 Hoffman is Helen's first child by her second 
 marriage. The little creature had on a white 
 dress, and truly looked very sweetly. Mr. 
 Hoffman baptized her. 
 
 " Yesterday was Communion Sunday, and 
 the last time Mr. Payne will be with us for a 
 long period. Helen and George Carraway 
 were there, in a native dress, which with them 
 is a very large cloth. The others dress as we 
 do, as they are living in the Christian village. 
 6 
 
82 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 It is indeed pleasant for us to look upon 
 them, and think of them as redeemed from 
 such a depth of sin. It was communion sea- 
 son with you also ; and I felt that we were 
 truly united in heart when meeting at the 
 table of the Lord." 
 
 The Eev. Mr. Payne, who had labored so 
 faithfully for the past fifteen years in the Af- 
 rican Mission, had been elected with great 
 unanimity at the General Convention of 1850, 
 Missionary Bishop of Cape Palmas and the 
 adjacent territory. He was now about to 
 return to this country for consecration. 
 
 It was a day fraught with the deepest inte- 
 rest to the friends of missions, and especially 
 to that honored Seminary from which, as a 
 second Antioch, he had gone forth to his 
 sublime work, when this beloved servant of 
 Christ was consecrated a Bishop of the 
 Church of God. This interesting event took 
 place in St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, Bi- 
 shop Meade presiding, assisted by Bishops 
 Lee, Eastburn, and Johns. 
 
 By the departure of Mr. Payne from Ca- 
 valla, Mr. Hoffman was left in charge of the 
 mission family at that place. 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 83 
 
 April 17th, Mrs. Hoffman thus writes: 
 " The packet sailed on the 11th, taking Mr. 
 Payne from us. Mrs. Payne is very cheer- 
 ful, though we know how much she must 
 miss him, as we all do. Mr. Hoffman feels 
 the responsibility to be very great. 
 
 "This is our usual lecture evening; but as 
 to-morrow is Good Friday, Mr. H. has defer- 
 red the service till then. 
 
 "I have been with you very often this (Pas- 
 sion) week, and the pleasant seasons I have 
 passed with you, and the means of grace we 
 have shared together, have been often in my 
 remembrance. 
 
 " Our missionaries have not the strength, had 
 they the time, and did they deem it expedient, 
 to have additional services during Lent. A 
 Christian native is indeed 4 a babe in Christ/ 
 and has to be led as a child. 
 
 " It has truly been a great comfort to me 
 to know how many prayers have been offered 
 for us. "When I would see Mr. Hoffman so 
 wearied, and yet so many things which must 
 be done, I could trust that day by day strength 
 would be given him in answer to prayer, and 
 
84 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 so it has proved, for in body and mind lie has 
 been sustained." 
 
 " April 24th. — Easter Sunday has passed, 
 and I have not been able to write before, 
 to tell you how much I thought of you then, 
 as on last Easter day we knelt together at the 
 table of the Lord. "We had communion here, 
 and it was a sweet season for us all. 
 
 "I am going through my acclimation in a 
 quiet way, and slowly. This is a trying time 
 of the year to all of us. The end of the dry 
 season is warmer, and our strength has been 
 exhausted by the continued heat. 
 
 "Mrs. Payne and I walked last evening to 
 ISTyarro, to meet Mr. Hoffman, who had gone 
 on a 'jenny' to Wappika, where'there is war 
 among the natives. A battle had been fought 
 in the morning, but he found them all quiet. 
 They never fight but once a clay, and their 
 mode of warfare is quite new to me. Two 
 parties advance, leaving a good distance be- 
 tween. One man from one side runs out and 
 fires into the other party, and runs back. 
 Then one from the other side runs out, fires, 
 and runs back. They know so little about 
 firing straight, that lives are seldom lost. We 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 85 
 
 did not meet Mr. H., and found we were 
 a long way from home, with a thick brush to 
 be passed, where leopards are said to be found. 
 We walked as fast as the heavy sand would 
 permit us, and reached home safely. Mr. H. 
 only laughed at our fear of the leopards, as I 
 believe they only attack goats. I feel so 
 much better after exercising, that I think of 
 taking a ride on ' Jenny,' the donkey, as she 
 is so gentle." 
 
 " April 29th. — Mr. Hoffman sent for me 
 to come to town, and see a ' palaver.' I made 
 my way to the Bodio's, and found fifty old 
 men seated in a circle on the ground. The 
 judge sat in a chair; the men were dressed 
 in their finest clothes. The case was brought 
 by a man who had married a wife from the 
 Bush country, and had paid a bullock for her. 
 She ran away, and he demanded the bullock 
 of her people. They refused, and he brought 
 the case before his people. The old men have 
 great authority in the town. After watching 
 the 'palaver' a little while, we walked to 
 some of the houses to tell them ' Sunday 
 come.' I cannot help feeling impatient to 
 get among them, and to be able to speak to 
 
86 LIFE AT CA VALLA. 
 
 them. It is a common exclamation when 
 they see me, ' Oh ! she is young V 
 
 "During the last two weeks I have been 
 translating the Grebo hymns in the morning, 
 and it is such a pleasure now to understand 
 them when we sing." 
 
 The missionary work among the heathen 
 is especially a work of faith and patience. 
 Long years must be spent in preparing the 
 soil and sowing the seed ; and, like the hus- 
 bandman who waiteth for the precious fruit 
 of the earth, and hath long patience for it 
 until he receive the early and the latter rain, 
 so the missionary in a heathen land must be 
 content to wait for the precious fruit of his 
 labors for Christ. Mrs. Hoffman was permit- 
 ted to see many precious souls won to Christ 
 from time to time through the instrumentality 
 of her toil and the labors of her fellow-mis- 
 sionaries. She records one of these instances 
 under date of May 1st : — 
 
 "I know you will rejoice with us, dear 
 
 D , over one of our school children. She 
 
 came to Mrs. Payne on Monday evening, and 
 said she thought her heart was changed. She 
 is naturally disposed to be wayward; but lately 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 87 
 
 she has been very obedient. Her name is 
 Sarah Morgan. We rejoice over her with 
 trembling, for Satan's power is mighty here. 
 * * * I think I told you in Baltimore that 
 a bell had been given to our church. To-day 
 it was brought from the Cape, and the men 
 rang it as they came. We heard it a long 
 distance, and it sounded like the music of the 
 Sabbath-bells of a Christian land." 
 
 " May 15th. — Sarah still continues to lead 
 a consistent life. She is humble and gentle, 
 and we hope grace will be given her to con- 
 tinue steadfast" 
 
 The following incident illustrates one of 
 the saddest of African superstitions : — 
 
 " I was painfully reminded on Tuesday 
 afternoon, that we were in a heathen land. A 
 man named Prince came into the parlor ; he 
 spoke broken English, and told Mrs. Payne 
 that his people were going to give him ' sasa- 
 wood.' A man had died among his people, 
 and the men bearing the body to the grave 
 ran against his house : they believe that the 
 body influences them to go against the house 
 of him who bewitched or killed the dead man. 
 He (Prince) had gone to another town, and 
 
03 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 was trying sasa-wood in small quantities ; if 
 it does not injure him, he will go to his own 
 town, and take it before his people. If it 
 does injure him, so that he thinks it will kill 
 him, he will stay away from his own town, 
 and will lose his reputation. This is the worst 
 of their heathen customs, and one which thrills 
 my heart to think of. Last Saturday I walked 
 with Mr. H. to Oradade, the town which I 
 intend visiting regularly. The situation is 
 more beautiful than I know how to describe. 
 The path to it runs under large spreading 
 trees ; on one side was a little glen — the 
 bushes on every side hung with a vine, the 
 leaves of which were like those of the convol- 
 vulus. In walking through the town, we 
 would often catch glimpses of the ocean be- 
 tween the houses. I enjoy going out among 
 them, though it is sad to see them in their 
 degradation ; yet I know that we bring them 
 light, and I trust and believe that some will 
 receive it." 
 
LIFE AT C A VALLA. 89 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 On the 19th May, Mrs. Hoffman received 
 the first letters from home since their depar- 
 ture. Five months had elapsed, and she had 
 heard nothing from the friends left behind 
 her. Her happiness seems to have been ex- 
 ceeding great, and she thus gives expression 
 to it : — 
 
 " You cannot tell how my heart is beating 
 to-night. I am a stranger in a strange land, 
 yet I have here precious letters telling me of 
 your love and prayers. How precious they 
 are, none can know till they leave heart- 
 friends, and place the ocean between them; 
 they kindle afresh my zeal, and remind me 
 of what I ought to be, when so many prayers 
 are offered for me. You may well say, my 
 precious friend, that you think of me ' in a 
 happy light,' for I am surrounded with bless- 
 ings. It has gladdened us to see that three 
 missionaries are going to China. "We hope 
 
90 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 now tliat others may be stirred up to come 
 here." 
 
 The same kind friend to whom she thus 
 writes, had sent her by the same packet a 
 present of a melodeon. May 22d, she says : 
 
 "Last evening your precious gift came. 
 What a source of pleasure it will be to me ! 
 I sat down this morning and learned ' Gloria 
 in Excelsis,' to play for Mr. H., when he comes 
 home to-night." 
 
 From her first arrival in Africa, Mrs. Hoff- 
 man seems to have been deeply impressed 
 with the natural beauty of the country. The 
 dark, rich and dense foliage of the tropics — 
 the clustering vines gracefully festooning the 
 trees — the lofty cocoa and palm trees — the 
 groves of the sweet-scented orange — the va- 
 riety of strange and many-colored flowers, all 
 combine to form a panorama of ever-changing 
 beauty. In a letter written a few months 
 after her arrival, she thus speaks : — 
 
 " June 5th* — God has made this land very 
 lovely. Sometimes, when walking on the 
 sea-shore, we have sat down, and watched the 
 sun setting behind the hills, casting on the 
 rich foliage of the hill-tops its mild rays — ■ 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 91 
 
 giving a parting blessing to the beautiful 
 cocoa-nut trees which shade our home, then 
 sinking and leaving all dark. 
 
 " I have looked over this lovely scene, and 
 the thought arose, alas ! this people love not 
 Him who has made their home almost an 
 Eden ! How like nothing seemed our feeble 
 efforts ! Then I remembered the words of 
 the Psalmist, ' Be still, and know that I am 
 God.' 
 
 " Though in the natural world the sun rises 
 here without warning, and sets leaving no 
 trace, yet not so will the Sun of Righteous- 
 ness arise ; and I believe over our home the 
 light is gathering that tells of His coming. I 
 am not yet performing missionary duties, yet 
 prayer is left me — and the relieving my hus- 
 band from the many secular duties, that he 
 may go and preach the word of our God. 
 
 " We know not if they will hear or forbear, 
 but we have the promise that God's word 
 shall accomplish that whereunto He sends it." 
 
 For four months after her arrival she was 
 blessed with uninterrupted good health, and 
 had so far escaped the fever of the country. 
 In the early part of June, she had her first 
 
92 LIFE AT CAVALLA 
 
 attack of chills and fever, but in so slight a 
 form, that she did not require the attendance 
 of a physician. The season, too, had been 
 very sickly, and among the deaths in the 
 colony was that of Gov. Russworm, governor 
 of the Maryland colony, a friend to the mis- 
 sion, and a sincere Christian. The period of 
 the year is one marked by some peculiarities. 
 In the latter part of June, the salt-winds be- 
 gin to blow, and continue until September. 
 These winds are cold and damp. During all 
 this season no rain falls, though it is cloudy 
 all the time. The trees on the coast lose 
 their leaves, and all shrubs that are not shel- 
 tered from the sea-breeze. In September the 
 latter rains fall, and it is the African spring. 
 The dry season corresponds to our winter. 
 
 Mrs. Hoffman was now, however, to pass 
 through the process of acclimation, and for 
 many succeeding weeks, days and nights of 
 weariness and suffering were appointed her. 
 
 " From the first week in June until the last 
 of July," she writes, "I have been subject to 
 attacks of intermittent fever." This dreary 
 period of sickness was cheered by the arrival 
 of two of the U. S. ships of war, the John 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 93 
 
 Adams and the Germantown, belonging to 
 the squadron on the Coast of Africa. These 
 vessels had sailed from Norfolk, the home of 
 her dear friends, and many of the officers 
 were well known to her. 
 
 "Dr. 8 ," she writes July 29th, "sent 
 
 me a beautiful little basket full of letters. 
 
 Capt. B sent me some Madeira wine and 
 
 some delicious cherry-bounce, which has 
 given me a better appetite than anything I 
 have taken. These officers sent very kind 
 notes, and I longed to see them coming from 
 a home so dear, but I hope for that pleasure 
 yet." 
 
 The letters by this arrival brought tidings 
 of the interesting work of grace in the 
 churches of Norfolk in the spring of the year 
 1851. This work had been distinguished by 
 the accession of fifty colored persons in a 
 body to the communion of Christ Church in 
 that city. Over this fact she rejoiced with 
 great joy. "Often," she writes, "as I had 
 thought what could be done by our Church 
 for the colored people in Norfolk, I could 
 see no way to answer it. But with God all 
 things are possible. Do write me of their con- 
 
94 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 tinuance in attendance upon our services. It 
 was an earnest wish of my heart during Lent 
 that the windows of heaven might be opened, 
 and such a blessing poured out upon you that 
 there would not be room enough to receive 
 it. But my faith reached not to the colored 
 people in Norfolk, and the news you wrote 
 was glaci tidings indeed ! I feel almost impa- 
 tient to hear that a church is begun for them. 
 There will be obstacles and objections, but 
 why the command to ' walk by faith and not 
 by sight, if there were none of these ? May 
 God's blessing rest upon your new school 
 (the colored school). Though you may labor 
 long and see no fruit, you must remember 
 our labor here ; but by the grace of God, 
 Hope grows more sure, and Faith brightens, 
 alone resting on the promises of the unchang- 
 ing God. * * * You will be glad to hear 
 that the foundation of our church is rising 
 gradually above the ground." 
 
 The months of July and August continued 
 remarkably unhealthy, even among the na- 
 tives. So many of these died that they 
 ceased for a time giving the fatal sassa-wood, 
 as they were unwilling to lose any more of 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 95 
 
 their people. During this period Mrs. Hoff- 
 man suffered from time to time with sick- 
 ness, and was unable to engage in the duties 
 of the mission. The duties chiefly devolving 
 upon the ladies of the mission were the in- 
 struction of the children in the schools, (at 
 that time numbering seventy,) conversation 
 with the heathen women, and the aiding in 
 lightening the burdens of the devoted ser- 
 vants of Christ who went forth daily to 
 preach the gospel. 
 
 Mrs. Hoffman longed to take her place 
 among her sisters in the mission family, but 
 bore with cheerfulness and submission her 
 long-continued sickness and weakness. "I 
 would not/' she says, "have spared one hour 
 of my past sickness ; for it has been blessed 
 of God to teach me much that I knew 
 not." 
 
 The 14th day of October, 1851, brought 
 round her nineteenth birth-day ; but eighteen 
 years of life passed, yet four of them "in 
 Christ" and nearly one year in the mission- 
 ary service ! Truly, hers was 
 
 " A flower offered in the bud, 
 And no mean sacrifice." 
 
96 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 She notices its return thus : 
 
 "October 14th, my nineteenth birthday. — 
 May I have grace to consecrate myself anew 
 to God more and more entirely ! I trust I 
 have learned a little of the evil in my heart, 
 and that I am longing to live a more holy 
 life. Life is uncertain here. Lord, give 
 me those dispositions that are meet for 
 heaven. 
 
 " November 7th. — Wholly would I be 
 God's. I would hate sin and love holiness. 
 My Bible shall be my guide. I seek a hea- 
 venly and meek spirit — wisdom to aid my 
 husband.'' 
 
 The return of this month brought the 
 warm season, and with it restoration of 
 health to this youthful servant of Christ. 
 And with renewed health she entered upon 
 her special duties as a missionary. She com- 
 menced to teach a Bible class in the boys' 
 school. "They first read in English," she 
 says, " and then translate it into Grebo. I 
 enjoy teaching them very much, as they are 
 really good boys, and obedient to me; but 
 they are very different from any scholars you 
 have ever seen." 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 97 
 
 " November 6th. — It is just four years since 
 I was confirmed. I can look back and say 
 with my whole heart, 
 
 ' happy day, that stayed my choice 
 On Thee, my Savior and my God ! ' 
 
 " I feel now more need of working out my 
 own salvation with fear and trembling, and 
 that Christ must be my all. My Bible is 
 more precious. I feel that I need a meek 
 and quiet spirit, and more love to Jesus. 
 
 "I trust that my process of acclimation is 
 completed, and with how much mercy ! I 
 have been able to make such a pleasant visit 
 to a town called Do-Do-Lu, with Mr. H. I 
 rode on the donkey, and on the way met our 
 little cart, and little oxen, bringing stones for 
 the church. When we reached the town I 
 dismounted and went into the little chapel. 
 We sang a hymn in Grebo, and Mr. Hoffman 
 spoke, Freeman Clarkson acting as interpre- 
 ter. Old and young men, and children came 
 to the service, but only one woman. After 
 the service we talked with them awhile, and 
 I remounted my donkey and rode home 
 along the shore. Dabe, a poor leper, who 
 7 
 
yo LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 had held a chair for me while getting into the 
 saddle, followed us all the way to get a leaf 
 
 of tobacco for his services. Oh, dear D , 
 
 I am so thankful to be here ! and I am now 
 quite well." 
 
 "November 21st. — I have been occupied 
 during the past week translating Genesis and 
 the Commandments into Grebo, and have 
 been teaching them to my class. We have 
 been grieved lately by the bad conduct of 
 some of our scholars who are Christians ; but 
 we have the letters of St. Paul to comfort us, 
 as he suffered in like manner. 
 
 " Mr. Hoffman is reading to me the life of 
 Mr. Lowrie, a Presbyterian missionary to 
 China. He was a lovely character, and it 
 does us good to read of his faith." 
 
LITE AT CAVALLA. 99 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 The new year dawned brightly upon her. 
 Health had been restored, and she was about 
 to enter upon the more active duties of the 
 mission. "At the beginning of this new 
 year," she writes, "I am able to fully enter 
 upon my duties, and trust that I shall not be- 
 interrupted in them by ill-health. God's 
 will, not mine, however, be done, I would 
 still say ; for He sees how we best can glorify 
 Him. I intend to spend most of the morn- 
 ing in the boys' school, recite Grebo in the 
 afternoon, and spend the evening in other 
 duties ; and I wish to give two afternoons in 
 each week to the people in town." 
 
 The year just closed had been to her the 
 most eventful one of her life ; marked by 
 much suffering, yet brightened by great spi- 
 ritual blessings. To a friend who had sent 
 her a present of the volume entitled " Green 
 
100 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 Pastures for the Lord's Flock," she thus 
 writes, under date of January 7th, 1852 : 
 
 " During the past year my way has not al- 
 ways seemed to lie among green pastures; 
 there have been mountains sometimes over 
 which I could not see, and the path has 
 wound through narrow passes in the rocks, 
 and dark and steep places were before me, 
 down which I dared not look, and my only 
 guide was the light from above. Yet many 
 times I have come to an open space, and have 
 seen the end of my journey all fair and 
 bright. This is my inner life ; for outwardly 
 God has not withheld one blessing from us. 
 
 "January 15th. — This week I have been 
 in school, and have the classes quite well 
 arranged. To my surprise, the boys have 
 been very good. I am making much stricter 
 rules than they have been accustomed to. I 
 am very much interested in them, and wish 
 every day that I could stay in school longer. 
 I have a Bible class, geography, arithmetic, 
 and spelling classes ; I am writing-teacher 
 also, but I fear you will think I need to take 
 lessons myself. 
 
 "We have this day buried one of our 
 
LIFE AT CAYALLA. 101 
 
 teachers, and our best interpreter (Menu, or 
 E. M. Lowe). He was absent from the sta- 
 tion when he died, having gone with his wife 
 to see her relatives. His funeral took place 
 here. We all went to the school-house, ac- 
 companied by many of the natives. Mr. H. 
 read the service, and we then walked to the 
 grave-yard, which is in one corner of the 
 garden. We were glad to have the natives 
 present, as their funeral ceremonies present 
 such a strong contrast to ours." 
 
 "February 10th. — One year ago to-day we 
 anchored off Cape Palmas, and my life in 
 Africa began. Each day has the good hand 
 of our God been upon us, and now I am as 
 well as when I first trod on this heathen land. 
 I little thought I should enjoy such health 
 here, and I wait still for what may be God's 
 will/' 
 
 "February 12. — This is the afternoon I 
 have a little school in Orank-Idade. I went 
 out and found about twenty children, some 
 of them the same that came last week, and 
 they remembered some things I had told 
 them before. I wish you could look in upon 
 us. One of the school-girls and myself take 
 
102 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 our seats on low stools in a large native 
 house, and the children sit on the floor 
 around. We begin with prayer ; then I tell 
 them something from the Bible ; then repeat 
 a verse of a Grebo hymn, and the Lord's 
 Prayer, which they recite after me ; then the 
 alphabet. There are many young girls who 
 come, and often a number of women gather 
 around. How I long that they should re- 
 ceive the Word into their hearts ! They 
 hear, and understand it with the mind, but 
 the Spirit must reach their hearts." 
 
 The mission was now to lose two of its 
 most faithful and efficient laborers. The 
 Rev. Mr. Hening, who had so faithfully per- 
 formed his part, had 'become, some time be- 
 fore this period, totally blind. Yet, in the 
 midst of this " cloud and ever-during dark," 
 he continued to preach Christ to the heathen, 
 being led about upon his journeys of mercy. 
 His health, however, now became more se- 
 riously impaired ; and after repeated attacks 
 of dangerous illness, it was deemed best that 
 he should return to this country, accompa- 
 nied by his wife. The departure of Mrs. 
 Hening was a sad event to Mrs. Hoffman. 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 103 
 
 From her first arrival in Africa she had been 
 drawn to her by a strong attachment, and 
 this had ripened into a close and fervent 
 friendship. By a singular providence, this 
 excellent Christian woman was led to the 
 house of Mrs. Hoffman's sister to die. In the 
 month of June, 1853, we watched around 
 her dying-bed ; and it was a touching sight 
 to behold the blind husband and minister of 
 Christ bending over the face whose pallor of 
 death he could not see, and breaking to her 
 with his own hands the bread of the Lord's 
 Supper. Never will the writer of these 
 pages forget the sweet peace and triumph of 
 that Christian death-bed. 
 
 " Can you give me up ? " was her question 
 to him who would so keenly feel her loss, 
 and to whom she had been eyes and feet 
 amidst his darkness. 
 
 " Yes," was the quick reply, "to Him who 
 has loved you with a love far surpassing that 
 of mortal, to the general assembly and Church 
 of the first-born, to the spirits of just men 
 made perfect, and to the blessed company 
 of the blood-washed before the throne." 
 
 It was a beautiful summer evening, when, 
 
104 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 
 
 attended by a large concourse of sympa- 
 thizing friends, we laid her dust to rest in the 
 quiet cemetery at Norfolk, by the side of two 
 of the former pastors of Christ Church, who 
 rest from their labors. 
 
 While the Eev. Mr. Hening was on his 
 weary way to his native land, others were 
 already on the same ocean, speeding their 
 way to fill up the gap made by sickness and 
 death among the little band of Christ's ser- 
 vants in Africa. In the month of May, 1852, 
 Bishop Payne, accompanied by Miss Colqu- 
 houn and Mr. Rogers, a lay teacher, sailed 
 from Hampton Eoads for Cape Palmas. 
 
 How anxiously their arrival was looked for, 
 may be gathered from Mrs. Hoffman's letters 
 at this period. Her husband, borne down by 
 the heavy labors of the station, discharged by 
 him alone, had been seriously sick. 
 
 May 22d, she writes : " It is Saturday night, 
 11 o'clock. I wrote to Dr. McGill this morn- 
 ing, asking him to come down and see Mr. 
 H., as he grows worse every day, and he has 
 kindly consented to take a journey of twelve 
 miles, and will pass the Sabbath with us. Oh ! 
 could some of our ministers see my husband 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 105 
 
 ill from fatigue, which he could not avoid — 
 no one to direct the affairs of the station, and 
 no minister to preach to the people — would 
 they not come and help us? Yet why do I 
 write thus ? If the love of Christ constrain 
 them not, no other motive will. But when 
 I think of it, I long for the tongue of fire to 
 rest upon God's people in my native land. 
 
 "You may imagine with what longing 
 eyes we look towards the broad ocean, and 
 watch for the white sails which will bring our 
 dear Bishop and other help to our relief.'' 
 
 Mrs. Payne was also at this time prostrated 
 by a severe attack of sickness, and at one 
 time her life seemed in danger. The whole 
 care of the house and the schools devolved 
 upon Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Williford, in 
 addition to the nursing of the sick. 
 
 June 4th, she writes : " Mr. Hoffman is 
 much better. How our hearts beat at every 
 noise, thinking it may be the Bishop ! Some- 
 times I think that we are looking to him for 
 too much happiness. God will make us wait 
 His will, and wait until we are more ready to 
 leave all our time in His hand. 
 
106 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 "June 21st. — No tidings of the Bishop 
 yet. Mrs. Payne is much better.'' 
 
 It is deeply interesting to trace the path 
 of growing conformity to Christ, and meet- 
 ness for heaven, by which God led His child 
 in the midst of these sore trials and days of 
 weariness and suffering. Her letters at this 
 time give us some bright glimpses of her 
 spiritual life, " a life hid with Christ in God." 
 
 To her sister she says : "I bless God for 
 your happiness and health, and for the peace 
 which the love of God brings to you. I hesi- 
 tate not to say this is my only comfort. All 
 earthly things give pain, as w r ell as pleasure ; 
 this alone brings peace, calm peace, everlast- 
 ing peace. To feel our Father loves me ! — 
 what can trouble us then?" 
 
 Nothing in her whole character was more 
 beautiful than the deep and unfeigned hu- 
 mility and sense of her own unworthiness, in 
 contrast with the exalted opinion her dearest 
 friends held concerning her. It is indeed 
 ever so with the true Christian. Humility is 
 the topstone of Christian graces. It will be 
 so in heaven. Montgomery truly sings — 
 
LIFE AT CAY A L LA. 107 
 
 " The saint that wears heaven's highest crown, 
 In lowliest adoration bends! 
 Nearest the throne itself must be 
 The footstool of humility." 
 
 In these glowing terms she expresses her- 
 self on the receipt of the great kindnesses of 
 her clear friends at Norfolk : — 
 
 " Dear loving ones, would that I had an 
 angelic heart or an angelic pen ! How can I 
 describe what is now before me. My room is 
 strewed with tokens of your love. I know 
 not how to thank you. I cannot tell you how 
 deep is the spring of joy that gushes up in 
 my heart, deepening at each new name, until 
 my happiness exceeds all bounds. My Father, 
 I thank Thee that Thou hast given me the 
 love of so many of Thine own children. ! 
 give to them that which I have no power to 
 bestow ! 
 
 "To God only, my dear D , must I 
 
 turn, for I am not worthy of so much love. 
 You know not how cold, how faithless I 
 am !" 
 
 Again, under an attack of sickness : " How 
 sweet it is to feel the love of God ! Dr. Chal- 
 mers, in speaking of our faith in God, and 
 
108 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 the realizing of that faith, says : ' Have you 
 never experienced a livelier conception at one 
 time than another of your friend's unwearied 
 regard, trusty attachment, affectionate looks, 
 and benignant countenance V We know that 
 this is so, — and just as those moments are 
 sweetest when earthly friends are brought 
 near, so are they passing sweet when God 
 manifests himself to us. 
 
 " You can hardly understand what a bless- 
 ing books are to us. Detained, as we often 
 are, by sickness from the house of God, and 
 feeling the need of being ready at all times 
 to instruct, and reprove with all meekness, it 
 is refreshing to read such w T ords of Godly 
 wisdom as come to us from these precious 
 monitors. I have been reading 'Bickersteth's 
 Family Guide to the Gospels.' To me it 
 seems like the breathing of the Holy Spirit. 
 I am now reading i Bickersteth's Life.' In 
 writing to his sister, he says : ' We should 
 write such letters as we would like to read in 
 heaven.' " 
 
 God mercifully vouchsafed to them at times 
 tokens of His blessing upon their labors 
 among the heathen scholars, to cheer them 
 
LIFE AT C A VALLA. 109 
 
 amidst the gloom of days of sickness and 
 loneliness. Such an incident now occurred 
 in the peaceful Christian death of one of the 
 native boys. 
 
 June 23d, she writes : " On the evening of 
 the day on which I last wrote to you, John 
 Contee died. As I came to my room to re- 
 tire, Mr. Hoffman said that one of the boys 
 had just told him that John slept, but he re- 
 turned at once to say that it was the sleep of 
 death. We went down and found that it was 
 true. "Without a sound the spirit had passed 
 to its rest with God. The difficulty he had 
 in breathing made it almost impossible for 
 him to speak ; but we needed not his dying 
 testimony. Not one of our scholars has been 
 as consistent. The climate of his own home, 
 Taboo, agreed much better with him ; but he 
 would not leave the Mission ; and when sick 
 in town, he asked Mr. H. to let him come to 
 us, if he was going to die. Neither was he 
 willing for any of the heathen women to come 
 near him. Thus are the jewels gathering for - 
 the ' many crowns ' of Him whose kingdom 
 soon shall come." 
 
110 LIEE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 At last, after long waiting and watching 
 in that far-off home, a day of gladness dawned. 
 The little family at Cavalla were quietly 
 seated at breakfast on Wednesday, the 8th 
 of July, when the glad tidings were announced 
 that the vessel was at Cape Palmas with her 
 precious freight, the Bishop, Rev. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Home, Miss Colquhoun, and Mr. Rogers. 
 By the evening, the Bishop was in his own 
 loved house. "None but a loving wife," 
 writes Mrs. H., "who has had the trial, can 
 know the joy to Mrs. Payne." 
 
 Bishop Payne returned to his African 
 home with renewed zeal and earnestness. 
 "Last night, at prayers," writes Mrs. Hoff- 
 man," "our beloved Bishop offered up such 
 an earnest prayer. It was the outpouring of 
 gratitude, and a new dedication of himself 
 and us to our blessed work. He has returned 
 
LIFE AT CAYALLA. Ill 
 
 to his work with so much earnestness, and a 
 heart full of love and zeal, that we must be 
 cold indeed not to be stirred to diligence by 
 him." 
 
 Plans were now formed for enlarging the 
 missionary work, and new stations were estab- 
 lished. At Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, 
 a mission-house was at once commenced. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Home were yet at Cavalla, 
 passing through their acclimation, but were 
 soon to take charge of the station at Eock- 
 town, left vacant by the departure of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Henine. The mission-fa mil v at Cavalla 
 was augmented by the addition of Mr. Eo- 
 gers and Miss Colquhoun, who were appoint- 
 ed to assist in the work of the schools. Mrs. 
 Hoffman's health had suffered much lately 
 from the climate, and she had been frequently 
 prostrated by attacks of fever ; still she had 
 been able to continue her work of teaching 
 in the boys' school, and it was with deep re- 
 gret that she yielded her post to another. 
 
 "Mr. Sogers," she writes, June 12th, 
 " will, I suppose, take my place in the boys' 
 school. For my own sake I shall be sorry ; 
 I love the boys, and it is pleasant to meet 
 
112 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 their bright faces every morning, and to 
 teach them of so many things all strange to 
 them. It is a great advantage to them to 
 have a gentleman for a teacher, and I can 
 find enough work among the heathen to oc- 
 cupy me. I have formed a plan for myself, 
 though I have not mentioned it to Mr. H. 
 yet, that when Mr. Rogers is able to take the 
 school I will devote every afternoon to teach- 
 ing the town children. I have been in the 
 habit of going every Wednesday to one 
 town ; then, I shall be able to go to others." 
 About this period she became deeply inte- 
 rested in the study of the prophecies of the 
 Scripture ; and in reading the life of Bick- 
 ersteth, she was led to adopt the belief held 
 by so many earnest Christians, both in Eng- 
 land and America, of the personal advent of 
 Christ, to reign on this earth, surrounded by 
 His redeemed people. Many of the senti- 
 ments expressed in her letters, at this time 
 and afterwards, can be understood only by 
 reference to this opinion. July 9th, she 
 writes to her sister, " For one reason alone, 
 above all others, I would love to see you — 
 to tell you of the bright hopes that now 
 
LIFE AT C A VALLA. 113 
 
 cheer me. I could fill pages, but you have 
 these precious truths in God's holy Word. 
 They are the hopes of my Savior's coining; 
 not, as at first, in great humility, but with 
 His angels, in great glory, and when Ave His 
 people shall be as priests and kings before 
 Him ; sin for ever gone, and 'holiness to the 
 Lord' inscribed on our foreheads, and all our 
 powers employed in serving Him whom having 
 not seen we love, and in whom, though now 
 w T e see Him not, yet, believing, we rejoice 
 with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
 Higher and higher let our aims be, dear sis- 
 ter. Thy will be done on earth as it is in 
 heaven. So let ns try to do His will, and 
 we can do all things through Christ strength- 
 
 O CD O 
 
 ening us. ' Complete in Him,' ' our life hid 
 with Christ in God,' ourselves vile earth and 
 miserable sinners, and Christ all in all — let 
 these be our mottoes. " 
 
 But little variety marked her missionary 
 life. Day after day brought the same round 
 of duties, and oftentimes its portion of suf- 
 fering. Occasionally this quiet life was 
 cheered by the appearance of a United States 
 man-of-war off the coast. In the month of 
 8 
 
114 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 August the brig Perry arrived at Cape Pal- 
 raas, bringing her tidings from home. The 
 commander of the Perry was Captain P., 
 a resident of Norfolk, and an earnest com- 
 municant of Christ's Church. 
 
 Under date of August 23d, she thus no- 
 tices his visit to Cavalla : " On Sunday morn- 
 ing I was not able to go to church, but was 
 spending the time reading to Mrs. Home, 
 when Captain P. arrived, accompanied by 
 E. T. It proved a delightful visit to me. I 
 took them into my room, that they might see 
 how pleasant it was. They dined with us, 
 and the Bishop, with all our family, were de- 
 lighted with his Christian frankness. They 
 were obliged to leave immediately after din- 
 ner, to return to the Cape ; but this was not 
 our last meeting with them ; for on Monday 
 Mr. H. and I went to the Cape, to take the 
 infant of Mrs. Home, which Dr. M'Gill had 
 kindly offered to receive into his house, 
 and carry it through the fever, God helping 
 him. 
 
 " Monday was a bright day. Captain Pond 
 and three of his officers came on shore in the 
 afternoon. I spent the afternoon in asking 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 115 
 
 questions about all the dear friends in Nor- 
 folk. The Captain wanted me to go on board 
 the Perry, and I was anxious to do so ; but 
 while talking to him I felt a chill creeping 
 over me, and was obliged to forego the plea- 
 sure." 
 
 September 5th brought round the second 
 anniversary of her marriage. "Peacefully 
 and happily," she writes, "has the day passed. 
 I well remember the solemn vows and earn- 
 est resolutions, and I feel how far I have 
 fallen below their fulfilment. Perhaps you 
 will wonder how, then, I can say that the 
 day has passed peacefully. But it is Com- 
 munion-Sunday ; and while I have endea- 
 vored to find out the depth of sin in my 
 heart, Christ as the Savior of sinners, and as 
 my Savior, seemed infinitely precious; the 
 peace which the Spirit gives passeth all un- 
 derstanding. Pray for me, that the remain- 
 ing years of my life may be better spent." 
 
 " Many lessons my Father hast Thou taught 
 me during the past two years ; some I hope I 
 have learned. In Thy strength may I strive 
 to pray more for my husband ; to walk each 
 day nearer to God ; to read, study, and me- 
 
116 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 ditate more on Thy word ; to speak with my 
 husband more of our home above ; in our 
 family to be more loving and holy-minded ; 
 to the natives to be more kind, and pray 
 more for them. 
 
 "My Father, I am happy in Thy love and 
 in Thy blessings." 
 
 " October 8th. — I have had a new under- 
 standing, this past month, of the blessedness 
 of being 'in Christ.' I have felt it; some- 
 times I can only read of it. M'Cheyne's life 
 I am just finishing, and it has proved a bless- 
 ing to me, so Christlike is his character ; yet 
 in reading it you do not think of him ; every- 
 thing is Christ alone — Christ for us, all our 
 righteousness ; Christ in us, all our strength." 
 
 Under the same date, she says, " Our work 
 is prospering, and our hearts cannot but be 
 glad. All of our new laborers have safely 
 passed through the fever, and are engaged at 
 their stations. Mr. Rogers has taken the 
 boys' school, and I now have the sewing- 
 school and the lessons of a young colonist 
 boy to occupy my mornings. 
 
 " The Bishop is forming plans for extend- 
 ing the mission-field, and God has blessed 
 
LIFE AT C A VALLA. 117 
 
 him In them abundantly. The building at 
 Cape Palmas for our Orphan Asylum is pro- 
 gressing rapidly, and in the spring we hope 
 for the missionaries who are to take charge 
 of it. In the towns around Mr. Hoffman 
 has established Sunday-schools, and in two 
 we are trying to get day-schools, to learn the 
 children to read in Grebo. Our boarding- 
 schools are full, and well supplied with good 
 teachers." 
 
 October 11th she writes still more cheer- 
 ing news : "I have to tell you of the way in 
 which God is favoring our Monrovia mission 
 by bringing into our ranks an excellent la- 
 borer, Mr. Russel. Mr. R. is a colored man 
 with an excellent mind, and self-taught ; an 
 humble, earnest-minded Christian, and very 
 energetic. He is now a Methodist clergy- 
 man, and has been for years a missionary 
 among the Golan natives, near Monrovia. 
 Believing the system of itineracy to be in- 
 jurious to any work among these people, he 
 had determined to leave the Methodist 
 Church, but had not yet decided where to 
 go, when Providence led him to Cape Pal- 
 mas, and he found that we had work in 
 
118 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 abundance and but few to do it. He deter- 
 mined to cast in his lot with, us, and on the 
 1st of January next he becomes a candidate 
 for orders. The Bishop wishes him to take 
 a station on the St. Paul's River, near Mon- 
 rovia, and he will have native Golahs and 
 colonists under his charge. We cannot be 
 too thankful for the accession of Mr. Russel. 
 I believe it is in answer to the prayers of so 
 many Christians interceding for us. Mr. 
 Russell has always been opposed to the excite- 
 ment in their religious services so common 
 among the colonist members of the Methodist 
 Church. He is also already acquainted with 
 the Golah language." 
 
 Another anniversary of her birth was at 
 hand, and found her restored to health, and 
 happy in the great work of her life. On the 
 14th of October she was twenty years of age, 
 and two of those years had been spent in 
 this life of stern sacrifice and suffering for 
 Christ's sake. 
 
 "I must write you a few words," she says, 
 "to tell you my reflections on this my twen- 
 tieth birth-day. It is a beautiful day, and I 
 am feeling very well, as it is our spring. 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 119 
 
 Yesterday I went to my little school in town, 
 and enjoyed it very much. On my return I 
 had a play with my little namesake. She is 
 a little darling, though very black. 
 
 " I have tried lately to impress upon my- 
 self the duty of caring first for my own soul, 
 that it should rest alone upon Jesus, and be 
 altogether fixed upon Him. He is ' the Rose 
 of Sharon and the Lily of the valley.' 'As the 
 apple-tree among the trees of the wood, I sat 
 under His shadow with great delight, and 
 His fruit was sweet to my taste. So shall I 
 be all fair, and no spot in me, and my light 
 shall shine.' 
 
 "Oct. 18th, Monday. — "We had a very 
 large congregation in town yesterday, and 
 were gratified to find how quiet the people 
 were. We had seen a woman on Saturday 
 just recovering from sassa-wood, and we 
 thought she might make a noisy triumph, as 
 her husband was a great man, and she his 
 head wife. 
 
 " Oct. 28th. — I am quite busy now in many 
 w r ays connected with our work. I love to give 
 my time directly to God. It is a privilege I 
 do not value half so highly as I ought. I have 
 
120 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 begun a prayer-meeting with the ladies every 
 Friday night. 
 
 " Nov. 1st. — Our hearts were rejoiced yes- 
 terday by hearing Samuel, the young colo- 
 nist, who lives with us, say that he thought 
 God had changed his heart. 
 
 "Nov. 7th. — Five years it is since in much 
 ignorance and weakness I gave myself to God. 
 This past year I have grievously sinned in 
 falling short of my duty to Him. What could 
 I say, had I not the precious blood of Jesus 
 in which to wash and be clean ? And I would 
 resolve in God's strength to live this year 
 abiding in Thee my Savior, wholly devoted 
 to Thy service — doing whatever my hands 
 find to find to do — letting no opportunity 
 pass for speaking a word in season. 
 
 " A prayerful, loving, and holy life I desire 
 to live, striving in all things to be like unto 
 Thee, O God ! 
 
 "Nov. 24th. — The Bishop intends having 
 Confirmation at Cape Palmas on Christmas- 
 clay, and I hope to go up to the examination 
 at the High School, and remain over Sunday. 
 This week I begin to go on each Thursday 
 afternoon to the large (native) town. Last 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 121 
 
 Saturday, I had a pleasant visit to the natives. 
 God gave me strength to speak to them of 
 Jesus, and whether they hear or forbear, He 
 has been set before them. I still continue to 
 feel very well, and am surprised at what I am 
 able to do without fatigue. 
 
 "I have a sprig of mignionette in bloom, 
 and the fragrance is so home-like. 
 
 " Dec. 2d. — I wish I could send you a little 
 bud to tell you how well I am. The Bishop 
 says I look quite American-like. Yesterday 
 I went to my native school, and afterwards 
 took a long walk with Mr. Hoffman, yet came 
 home stronger than when I left. In my walk 
 I attempted speaking a little Grebo, and found 
 that I was understood. This afternoon I go 
 to Kwia's-town ; it is near our home, and the 
 population is a quiet one. We were so pleased 
 last Sunday in town to hear the native chil- 
 dren repeat the Lord's Prayer and the Con- 
 fession with us in Grebo. They have learned 
 this in the afternoon school. 
 
 "Dec. 14th. — I have been so well, lately, 
 that I have been able to go out a great deal, 
 and I have become better acquainted with the 
 native women. It is sad to find how little 
 
122 LIFE AT C AVAL LA. 
 
 tliey can understand of spiritual things; how 
 truly the first chapter of Romans describes 
 their condition. 
 
 " I am going to send you a little newspaper, 
 printed here, by a young native, educated in 
 our schools. It is printed upon a press owned 
 by our mission. It is called the " Cavalla 
 Messenger," and is published monthly. We 
 all contribute to it. The Bishop is sending 
 it to some of the Sunday-schools at home, 
 to induce the children to subscribe to it as 
 the mode of leading them to think about the 
 mission. 
 
 " The part printed in Grebo is intended for 
 our children here." 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 123 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 
 
 The new year, 1853, opened with, bright 
 prospects before this little band of God's ser- 
 vants, laboring to spread the knowledge of 
 Christ among the thousands of Africa's dark- 
 ened tribes. General good health was en- 
 joyed by all the members of the mission- 
 family; and with hearts expanding with 
 love to the perishing souls around them, they 
 entered with renewed zeal on the work of 
 another year. Besides his duties among the 
 natives, Mr. Hoffman had the pastoral over- 
 sight of a church of the colonists at Cape 
 Palmas. For the first time in the history of 
 the mission, Confirmation was administered 
 by the Bishop on Christmas day. In a letter 
 dated January 10th, Mrs. Hoffman alludes 
 to this interesting event, which she witnessed. 
 
124 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 "My dearest Sister: 
 
 " The first month of the new year is al- 
 most half gone, and I have not written you 
 one word ; but my thoughts are often with 
 you, and you have my best wishes and prayers 
 for a happy new year. How pleasant it is to 
 know that there is an unerring Hand weav- 
 ing the thread of our life, and that not one 
 strand can break until it has accomplished 
 His will ! 
 
 "I have quite an interesting history to re- 
 late to you of our life during the past month. 
 On the 20th and 21st of December the exa- 
 mination took place at the High School situ- 
 ated at Mount Vaughan. Mr. Rogers, Mr. 
 Hoffman, and myself attended it, and on 
 Thursday the girls' school under the care of 
 Mrs. Thompson. Friday we spent at Mrs. 
 C.'s, at the Cape. It seemed quite home-like 
 to see them filling the children's stockings, 
 and Mrs. McGill had two immense dolls, and 
 a little table, set with little dishes, from 
 which the children took breakfast. 
 
 " Christmas day we all gathered to wit- 
 ness our first Confirmation. -Mr. Hoffman 
 and Mr. Pinckney (a colored man) read the 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 125 
 
 service, and the Bishop preached. Mr. Home 
 was not well enough to come down from 
 Pocktown. We trust this service will tend 
 to attach our members more to the Church, 
 for very few of them were brought up in it. 
 The Bishop returned to Cavalla the same 
 evening. We remained, and Mr. Hoffman 
 administered the communion the following 
 Sunday. I have seldom enjoyed my hus- 
 band's preaching as much as then ; his sub- 
 ject was, our full, free, and finished salvation. 
 I could not but feel thankful that it was my 
 husband's office to proclaim such glad tidings. 
 He left me that night, as I was not able to 
 walk out to Mount Vaughan, and I spent the 
 evening with Mrs. B., who had that morning 
 joined with us at communion. 
 
 " On Monday the Bishop wrote us that the 
 brig Perry was off Cavalla, and we returned 
 that evening, but too late to see Captain P. 
 Tuesday, the officers were on shore. Wednes- 
 day, at 12 o'clock, Mr. H. and I seated our- 
 selves for the first time in a man-of-war's boat, 
 to visit the Perry. I do not wonder that you 
 like it, for I found it charming. Captain P. 
 received us on board, and led me to a sweet, 
 
126 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 
 
 cool seat on the top of his cabin. He fired 
 off two shells for us to see, and took us to 
 his cabin ; which is small but very neat. The 
 table was placed on deck, that we might not 
 be incommoded; and I enjoyed a piece of 
 turkey from one of the islands and a Vir- 
 ginia ham exceedingly. We walked aroundi 
 to see some parts of the ship, and about five 
 returned to the shore. This was my first 
 visit to one of our men-of-war, and truly it 
 was delightful. None of the other ladies 
 could venture, being easily made sea-sick. 
 You cannot tell how white all the crew looked 
 to me, and how strange it was to see so many, 
 when we have seen only natives for so long 
 a time. 
 
 "That day's visit raised my spirits very 
 much ; it was so sweet to see home faces, and 
 talk about you all, I almost forgot that we 
 were in Africa. Captain P. asked me if we 
 would not be ready to go home when he 
 called as;ain ; but I trust we mav be able to 
 continue some years yet. Though, if life is 
 spared, I feel that in the course of time we 
 shall need to recruit. 
 
 " Since our visit I have had chills, and 
 
LIFE AT CAYALLA. 127 
 
 have been more prostrated than usual ; but I 
 am well now, though weak. This is our 
 warmest season, and I feel the heat very 
 much. Mrs. Payne is in bed with fever, and 
 Miss Williford preparing to go home in 
 April. Our vacation ends this week, and I 
 regret it ; for Miss W. is hardly able to keep 
 out of bed. We are expecting daily, how- 
 ever, a reinforcement; Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
 and Miss Freeman." 
 
 In the latter part of this month Mr. and 
 Mrs. Scott and Miss Freeman arrived, bring- 
 ing joy to the hearts of the missionaries, now 
 enfeebled by sickness and exhausting labors. 
 At this time Mrs. Payne, Miss Williford, and 
 Miss Colquhoun were prostrated. Mrs. Hoff- 
 man retained a tolerable share of health. 
 
 February 15th, she writes, " My husband 
 had an attack of fever last week — the first 
 since last May. Has he not been upheld? 
 He is now well again, though weak. Yester- 
 day completed our two years' residence here ; 
 and as we looked back upon the mercies 
 which have encompassed us, w^e felt that we 
 had abundant cause to make it a day of 
 thanksgiving. " 
 
128 LIFE AT CA VALLA. 
 
 On the 16th of February she was cheered 
 by a visit from another United States vessel, 
 the John Adams, and an interview of several 
 hours with two officers from her own loved 
 Norfolk. 
 
 "We are left at this period, and for several 
 successive months, with very scanty records 
 of her life. Her health became more deli- 
 cate, and she was laid aside from many 
 active duties. The whole mission-family at 
 Cavalla suffered also greatly from sickness, 
 and it was determined that Mrs. Payne and 
 Miss Williford should return to this country 
 to seek restoration to health in the more ge- 
 nial climate of the land of their birth. Death, 
 too 3 entered that happy home, and called to 
 her rest one of its most lovely spirits. 
 
 Mrs. Scott (Miss Jane Harrison) was a na- 
 tive of Richmond, Virginia, where, in early 
 life she had " chosen the good part" under 
 the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Empie. An 
 earnest, devoted, and active Christian, she 
 felt a longing to consecrate herself to the 
 work of foreign missions, and in 1850 offered 
 herself for the China mission to return with 
 Bishop Boone. Her way not yet being made 
 
LIFE AT. C A VALLA. 129 
 
 easy for her departure, she consented to wait 
 until the providence of God should open a 
 path more clear before her. In 1852 she 
 united her lot with that of the Rev. H. R. 
 Scott, a missionary just appointed for Africa, 
 and leaving a home of comfort and peace, 
 went forth for Christ's sake to tell the hea- 
 then of His dying-love. Like Harriet Newel, 
 she was only permitted to see the land of her 
 adoption, and then was called home. But 
 her work was done, and long will her me- 
 mory be cherished by friends in her native 
 city as one of the precious jewels of the 
 Lord. We find many precious words in Mrs. 
 H's journal at this period : — 
 
 " February 27. — Again I would turn my 
 thoughts to Faith, for the little I did so last 
 week showed me how blessed it was. Jesus 
 is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. 
 I must never doubt God's love in any of his 
 dealings. Abrani did not, and he is called 
 the friend of God. for grace to fit me to 
 bear a like name ! 
 
 " March 2d. — My prayers are answered, 
 and two of my little God-children are safe 
 9 
 
130 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 
 
 from Satan's wiles. Virginia Clarkson was 
 buried this morning. 
 
 " March 5th. — "Went to town in the after- 
 noon, but found only a few. Spoke faithfully 
 to some, not to all. 
 
 " March 6th. — Had a sweet season of prayer. 
 My faith was confirmed that God is one that 
 heareth prayer, for I learned that Virginia 
 Wisner had died. My three God-children are 
 now safe in His arms, who said, ' Suffer little 
 children to come unto me.' 
 
 "March 15th. — Had a chill on Saturday. 
 At church Sunday all day. Wish to fix my 
 mind on repentance this week. Monday 
 morning felt my chill; was very weak all 
 day. 
 
 " May 29th. First Sunday after Trinity.— 
 Since my last date I have been mostly con- 
 fined to my bed. We spent two weeks at 
 Mount Vaughan the first of this month. I 
 know whose kind hand has sent every pain, 
 and have felt it was for my good. Yet often 
 have I been impatient and fretful, and un- 
 " mindful of the mercies which He daily sends. 
 
 "June 5th, Sunday. — I awoke this morn- 
 ing with something of a grateful heart for my 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 131 
 
 renewed health, and for my Saviour's love. 
 This is the first Sabbath since March that I 
 have felt well. Oh ! my Father, renew my 
 soul after Thine own image by Thy Spirit. 
 Sanctify these past afflictions to me. They 
 will do me no good unless Thou so doest. 
 May I learn more the entire vileness of my 
 own heart, and Christ to be my only hope. 
 To Thee I look to uphold me in the coming 
 hour of trial. I will trust, and not be afraid. 
 Take us and all we have, and use us for Thy- 
 self. Mrs. S is more unwell ; the Doctor 
 
 is here to see her. None of the ladies but 
 myself are able to attend communion. My 
 Saviour's love seemed sweet. Oh ! that it 
 might wholly constrain me. 
 
 " June 6th. — Eebecca (the little maid) 
 
 came early and said Mrs. S was dead. 
 
 What a lesson to me! Be ye also ready. 
 "What a tender rebuke to my murmuring 
 spirit. Oh ! my Father, if my hour of trial 
 be Thy appointed time for calling me hence, 
 it is well now ; and then let Jesus be my only 
 hope, 'His righteousness my glorious robe, 
 my beauteous dress.' None of us are well 
 enough to go to the funeral at four o'clock 
 
132 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 
 
 this afternoon. I had a light fever. Our 
 plans are all uncertain, but we trust in Thee, 
 oh God ; we know that Thou wilt do as it 
 seemeth good, and we say, ' Speak, Lord, for 
 Thy servant heareth.' 
 
 " July 2d, Saturday. — We came to Mount 
 Vaughan. I was grateful to be here. Sun- 
 day, had a hard chill and fever. Monday, 
 July 4th, God brought me out of all my trou- 
 bles, and gave us a darling daughter, which 
 we give back to Him, praying she may be 
 His from earliest days. 
 
 "August 7th. — Through a painful sick- 
 ness God has brought me, and recovered my 
 strength, and to-day I have endeavored to 
 dedicate myself wholly to Him. * * I pray 
 that we may be filled with the Spirit, and go 
 zealously to our work; and that in all our 
 ways we may be guided by Thy hand, plainly 
 pointing the way we ought to go. 
 
 "August 13th. — To-morrow I hope to 
 commemorate our Saviour's love. How great 
 has it been to me, in raising me up from sick- 
 ness; but greater still, in my redemption. 
 Give me grace to devote myself more wholly 
 to Thee, in praying for my husband, my child, 
 and servant, and in prayer and labor for our 
 
LIFE AT CAVALLA. 133 
 
 people. His mercies are without number. 
 Give me to feel my weakness and my sinful- 
 ness, and to look alone to Jesus. 
 
 " Sept. 5th. — Our wedding-day. * * * 
 God has most graciously helped me in ruling 
 my household and controlling my temper. 
 Help me still, my Father. 
 
 " Oct. 9th. — * * Carried our babe to 
 baptism. Our dear little girl behaved well. — 
 ' Kate Seton.' We give her to Thee, our God, 
 and believe that Thou dost receive her. We 
 look up to Thee for wisdom to guide her. 
 
 "Oct 14th. — My twenty-first birth-day, 
 and still I am spared and blessed. * * * 
 God has sent many messages during the past 
 year to warn my soul : let me give heed and 
 seek the Spirit more and more. There are 
 solemn duties resting on me in this position. 
 Give me strength, Father ; make me holy 
 in heart and mind, raised above earth, living 
 in heaven — and -having tasted the blessed- 
 ness, let me bring others to it, yea, bring all. 
 
 " Oct. 31st. — Oh ! for a heavenly mind, for 
 watchfulness, that amidst all earth's cares, I 
 may rise above them. Make me watchful 
 and prayerful, daily growing in meetness for 
 heaven." 
 
134 "faint, yet pursuing/ 7 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 "FAINT, yet pursuing." 
 
 "A man on earth He wandered once, 
 
 All meek and undefiled: 
 And those who loved Him, said 'He wept'- 
 
 None ever said He smiled, 
 Yet there might have been a smile unseen, 
 When He bowed His holy face, I ween, 
 
 To bless that happy child." 
 
 In the month of July of this year, a new 
 era opened in the life of Mrs. Hoffman. As 
 we have seen in the last chapter, she be- 
 came the mother of a sweet babe. God 
 was merciful to her, and brought her safely 
 through her trial. Under the skilful and kind 
 treatment of Dr. McGill, in whose house she 
 was kindly received and watched over with 
 unceasing care, her health was soon restored, 
 and she was fitted to return to her duties. 
 
 Her first record after this event is dated 
 August 8th, 1853 : — 
 
 " Since I last wrote you, I have another 
 claimant on your interests here, in the shape 
 
f FAINT, YET PURSUING.'' 135 
 
 of a little African, who is notwithstanding as 
 fair as possible, with blue eyes and light hair, 
 looking very like my clear husband. We call 
 her Kate, and next week hope to have her 
 baptized by the Bishop, at St. Marks, which 
 is Mr. Hoffman's church at this place (Cape 
 Palmas). I do not intend to let my precious 
 one take away my thoughts, or occupy all my 
 time, so that my work will suffer. During 
 my sickness, I was counting how many, since 
 I left home, had gone before me, and would 
 welcome me, if my time had come ; and truly 
 it was a goodly number that in three years 
 have entered into rest; but the sweetest 
 thought to me was that Jesus was there. His 
 love has especially of late seemed to me truly 
 to pass all understanding. 
 
 " Since I last wrote you, we have been 
 called to stand beside a death-bed, about the 
 same time that you were watching the depar- 
 ture of our beloved sister, Mrs. Hening. Mrs. 
 Scott was so much under the influence of 
 opiates as to be unconscious in her last mo- 
 ments, and without a struggle her spirit left 
 its earthly tenement, to be ' clothed upon, that 
 mortality might be swallowed up of life." 
 
136 "faint, yet pursuing." 
 
 "I have daily lessons that behind a frown- 
 ing providence our Father ever hides a smi- 
 ling face. I see it towards others, and have 
 felt it too often to correct myself; yet I am 
 distrustful when the clouds arise. How happy 
 might we be, if with childlike confidence we 
 would say, ' It is well.' 
 
 " Cavalla, August 30th. — Once again re- 
 stored to our home, made doubly dear by two 
 months' absence, and with my babe sleeping 
 in such perfect health, and my own strength 
 so much restored, I have surely cause for 
 thankfulness. 
 
 " On Friday, our two sisters leave us for 
 America. The health of both is very delicate. 
 
 "Mrs. Payne leaves me housekeeper, and 
 I am busy trying to get the last directions. 
 The girls' school is under a native teacher, as 
 Miss Colquhoun is still unable to take charge. 
 Mr. Rogers has the boys, and I have the sew- 
 ing school." 
 
 Mrs. Hoffman greatly rejoiced at the tidings 
 which this last mail brought from home, of 
 the accession of so many souls to the fold of 
 Christ's Church in Norfolk, at the last Easter, 
 and among them of many well known to her. 
 
"faint, yet pursuing." 137 
 
 To one of these, who had been a Sunday 
 scholar in her class in Norfolk, she thus pours 
 forth her heart : — 
 
 "Your letter, my dear C , conveying 
 
 to me the glad intelligence that you had felt 
 your heart drawn by the love of Christ to 
 consecrate yourself to Him, came to me the 
 23d of June. Nothing but sickness prevented 
 my sending you an answer at once. You 
 cannot know how much joy it gave me; it 
 was what I had often prayed for. It was a 
 sweet comfort to me, on my sick bed, to think 
 the time was past, and that you had openly 
 declared yourself on the Lord's side. That I 
 need no longer pray that your heart might 
 be awakened to see God's great love to you, 
 but that the same prayer I offer for myself 
 should be for you ; that ' He who had begun 
 a good work in us, would perform it until the 
 clay of Jesus Christ.' I trust you will never 
 be contented with being a half-hearted Chris- 
 tian, but give your whole heart and all your 
 powers to Him who died for you. The Holy 
 Spirit's aid we must constantly seek, or else 
 we can do nothing. You are blessed with 
 many religious privileges ; be careful to im- 
 
138 "faint, yet pursuing." 
 
 prove them, for you may not always be able 
 to enjoy them. I shall hope, now, that you 
 will love to remember us in your prayers, for 
 as you have felt the blessedness of having 
 your sins forgiven, you will long that every 
 one should enjoy the same inestimable bless- 
 ing. I shall feel an increased interest in hear- 
 ing from you now, and learning of your ad- 
 vancement in holiness, for you must remem- 
 ber we cannot stand still ; we are daily grow- 
 ing more or less meet for heaven." 
 
 The family at Cavalla was at this time 
 much reduced in number. The Bishop had 
 accompanied Mrs. Payne and Miss "Williford 
 as far as Monrovia, and for two months was 
 absent upon the duties of the mission. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hoffman, Miss Colquhoun, Mr. 
 Eogers, and the Eev. Mr. Scott were all 
 left to discharge the duties. During the ab- 
 sence of the Bishop God gave them tokens 
 of His favor in an increased interest in the 
 gospel among the men of the Grebo tribe 
 around them. " One old man," writes Mrs. 
 H., Nov. 7, " we trust is truly converted — 
 the first of the natives who, without attend- 
 ing our schools, has turned to God. He 
 
"faint, yet pursuing." 189 
 
 comes often to hear the Bible read and ex- 
 plained, and we only wait the Bishop's return 
 from Monrovia to witness his baptism. 
 
 " We observed the first Thursday of this 
 month as a day of thanksgiving. "We en- 
 joyed it very much ; for we felt that we had 
 abundant cause for thanks onvin g. And not 
 alone for temporal blessings did our praises 
 ascend ; for since my last sickness God seems 
 to have given me clearer views of His holi- 
 ness, leading me to renounce all trust in my- 
 self and rely more on the righteousness of 
 Christ. And are we ever as happy as when 
 making Jesus our all in all, our only Strength 
 and Eighteousness ? " 
 
 The year 1853 was an eventful one to Mrs. 
 Hoffman for other reasons. In the summer 
 several of her most intimate friends in Nor- 
 folk had been removed by death ; two of them 
 closely connected with her by family ties. 
 These sad tidings did not reach her until De- 
 cember ; and, though sorrowing deeply over 
 their loss, it is delightful to mark the spirit 
 of thankfulness to God with which she re- 
 ceives trial from His hand. 
 
 December 3d she writes to one of the be- 
 
140 "FAINT, YET PURSUING. " 
 
 reaved ones, and one very dear to her, " Bless- 
 ed, blessed be God, dear D. ! blessed be His 
 holy name, that he hath called to Himself the 
 objects of our love; that these heads of ours 
 are bowed, and these bodies even are bent 
 beneath the burden of a saddened spirit ! At 
 the very time when the glories of eternity 
 were unfolded to F's glorified spirit, I was 
 beside the Dark River which he had passed, 
 and I was thinking of the many dear ones 
 who waited to welcome me ; but I knew not 
 of him. For thirteen years you, my dear 
 friend, I for six, have been travelling home- 
 ward. He who hath kept us will keep us 
 still, and none shall pluck us out of His 
 hand. Let patience have her perfect work. 
 I will not mourn for F. ; he is serving, glori- 
 fying, and praising God without sin. We 
 have no time to mourn; our Father has a 
 work for us to do — either to do or to suffer 
 His will; and the time is short for us to show 
 our obedience. May we have grace to rise 
 above this world ; and while bur bodies are 
 detained here yet a little while, may oui 
 souls' life be ' hid with Christ in God ! ' " 
 
HOMEWARD BOUND. 141 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 The close of the year 1853 was to bring to 
 Mrs. Hoffman a change little anticipated or 
 even desired by her. Her strength began to 
 fail more rapidly as the year drew to its close ; 
 and repeated attacks of sickness had rendered 
 her unable to discharge any duty. The 
 health of Mr. Hoffman was also seriously im- 
 paired. Nearly three years had been spent 
 in Africa, and they began to think of a visit 
 to their native land in search of health. Yet 
 they hesitated to leave the mission, enfeebled 
 as it was by the absence of Mrs. Payne and 
 Miss Williford in America. Her feelings at 
 the opening of the new year are thus ex- 
 pressed : 
 
 " January 1st. — The hopes of the past year 
 have been realized, and our darling babe is 
 sleeping in health. Trials have been passed 
 through, and our God has safely and tenderly 
 
142 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 delivered us in them all. Yes, and He will 
 yet deliver. Duties ! Oh, they have been 
 too unfaithfully performed. Self, and not 
 Thee, my God, has been too much wor- 
 shipped ; and now what is before us ? Thou 
 knowest. If we are led homeward by Thee, 
 give us grace in our varied situations to mag- 
 nify Thy holy name ; and if it be not Thy 
 will for us to go, prevent us. We ask Thee 
 so to do. Let me learn to commune hourly 
 with Thee." 
 
 Nothing but stern necessity could have in- 
 duced these faithful missionaries to leave, 
 even for a time, their loved work among the 
 heathen. Soon, however, tidings reached 
 them 'of a joyful character from home, which 
 decided their course, New laborers were on 
 their way to join their little band; and on 
 the 8th of January eight missionaries arrived 
 at Cape Palmas. These were Mr. and Mrs. 
 Rambo, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Miss Smith, 
 Miss Ball, Dr. and Miss Steele. The way 
 was now open for Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman to 
 leave; and on the 16th of January, 1854, 
 they embarked on the ship Banshee, bound 
 to Rio Janiero. 
 
HOMEWARD BOUND. 143 
 
 "What will you say," she writes to a friend, 
 from on board the ship, " when you read by 
 this that we are on our way home ? You 
 know that the only reason that could take us 
 home is inability to live in Africa. Sickness 
 alone has forced us to leave. Much as we 
 love to revisit our loved home and friends, 
 it is hard to forsake our happy home in Af- 
 rica, and our blessed work, which ' might fill 
 an angel's heart, and filled the Savior's 
 hands.' We go hoping to gain strenth for 
 body and soul, that we may return again 
 strong to work for God. How sweet it will 
 be to see a Christian land again, and enjoy 
 its privileges!" 
 
 At Eio de Janeiro, they took passage on 
 the bark "Indus," for the United States, and 
 after a voyage of forty-eight days from that 
 port, and seventy-three from Africa, reached 
 " the haven where they would be," in renewed 
 health, on the 3d of April. Who shall tell the 
 feelings with which Mrs. Hoffman first looked 
 upon the faces and met the glad embraces of 
 her friends in Norfolk ? It was indeed a chas- 
 tened pleasure ; many loved ones were miss- 
 ing who bade her God-speed as she left home 
 
144 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 more than three years before. Her loved 
 sister's home was, however, full of brightness 
 to her, and deep and rich was her joy to press 
 once more to her heart that only sister and 
 her precious little ones, the youngest of whom 
 she had never before seen. 
 
 " Norfolk, May 7th, 1854. — It is three 
 years and nine months since I last met in this 
 then dear home, and sought for strength in 
 future duties at the table Thy love provides. 
 Do I not feel that I have been much strength- 
 ened ? But for Thy grace I should have 
 fallen — but for thy grace I should have re- 
 turned disgraced. Let me daily magnify Thy 
 wondrous love ! Praise thou the Lord, O my 
 soul. God has rewarded my endeavors to 
 rejoice in His will. 
 
 "I listened with a thrilling heart to our 
 brother, the Rev. Eobt. Smith, from the words, 
 ' Brethren, I count not myself to have appre- 
 hended,' &c. Phil. cxi. 13. It was rich food 
 for my soul. 
 
 " May 14th. Sunday after Easter. — Through 
 the past week Thy grace has enabled me to 
 draw nearer to Thee. Three times a day I 
 have and would continue thus to seek Thee. 
 
HOMEWARD BOUND. 145 
 
 " May 21st. — A bright morning. Conven- 
 tion in session. * * * My last Sunday 
 here for some time." 
 
 The one great object of this visit to their 
 native land was the restoration of health ; but 
 it was far from their desire to remain idle 
 during this period. They felt that much could 
 be done by their intercourse with the Church 
 at home, and by kindling anew in many hearts 
 an interest in their work in Africa. Alas ! 
 it must be recorded to the reproach of the 
 professed people of God that these devoted 
 servants of Christ found everywhere, to a 
 great extent, apathy and unconcern with re- 
 gard to this the noblest work of the Church 
 of Christ. True, there were those in different 
 places whose hearts beat responsive to their 
 own, and who ever remembered in their 
 prayers God's work among the heathen, but 
 these were only the exceptions. The writer 
 of these pages knows too truly how the heart 
 of this Christian woman sunk within her to 
 find the Church at home so little alive to its 
 duty to the heathen, and how, oftentimes feel- 
 ing her loneliness and the want of deep sym- 
 pathy with her work, she longed to be once 
 10 
 
146 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 more in her humble home in Africa, and 
 among those who like her had given up all 
 for Christ. 
 
 Who will deny that it is too true that as a 
 Church we are sadly behind our duty, and 
 wanting in a true appreciation of this great 
 work, and the claims of the heathen upon us ? 
 If the true ideal of an earnest, faithful Church 
 were realized, how different would be the 
 scene ! Every minister of the Church would 
 be faithful in pressing upon the people of his 
 flock their duty to the heathen — every church- 
 member would bear the cause upon his heart 
 in prayer — the whole Church would be a 
 company of missionaries enlisted for the con- 
 version of a world to Christ, and the laborers 
 in heathen lands would be only the advance- 
 guard of this mighty army, with whom would 
 go forth the intense anxieties and sympathy 
 of the whole sacramental host of God's elect. 
 How depressing, how disheartening to one 
 of these, to return from long years of labor, 
 worn out by severe toil in an uncongenial 
 climate, and find everywhere the great body 
 of Christians unresponsive to their own w^arm 
 and glowing zeal for Christ's cause, and love 
 for the perishing ! 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 147 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman, under the direction of the 
 Board of Foreign Missions, was to act as their 
 agent, visiting different portions of the Church 
 and bringing the claims of Africa before them. 
 After a sojourn in Norfolk of a month or two, 
 he proceeded to Goshen, New York, the resi- 
 dence of his mother, which place he proposed 
 to make his central post for the summer 
 months, that Mrs. Hoffman and her babe 
 might have the benefit of a cool climate, and 
 that he might visit the churches in the North 
 without long absence from his family. 
 
 It will not be expected that this portion of 
 Mrs. Hoffman's life will afford much material 
 for the biographer. The summer passed 
 quietly and peacefully, her health becoming 
 stronger, and her little one daily growing 
 more and more attractive in its little ways. 
 
 From this place she writes to one whose 
 
148 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 heartbeat responsive to her's in love to Christ 
 and to His work among the heathen : — 
 
 " My Dear M . 
 
 " We were called from Harrisburg, to stand 
 by the bedside of my aged grandmother. 
 Before we reached there, she had passed 
 through the last sorrow, and entered into the 
 joy of the Lord. To her it was a sweet re- 
 lease, and I cannot sorrow that another link 
 is added to the chain that lifts my heart hea- 
 venward. I have been very much interested 
 in my first perusal of Cumming on the Apo- 
 calypse. I am now reading it for the second 
 time. 
 
 " The agreement between prophecy and 
 the signs of the times is wonderful. If it be 
 true that our Saviour's coming draweth near, 
 and the time when ' holiness to the Lord ' 
 shall be inscribed on everything is at hand; 
 when the ' new earth wherein dwelleth right- 
 eousness' shall be our habitation, surely it 
 matters but little what afflicts or troubles us ; 
 for ' He that shall come, will come, and will 
 not tarry.' It only remaineth for us to make 
 His name glorious in the way of His own 
 appointment. 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 149 
 
 "We have had joyful tidings from Africa- 
 informing us of the ordination of Mu-su and 
 the confirmation of fourteen of our school- 
 children.'' 
 
 She was much distressed at this time by 
 the news of the illness of her sister, who was 
 prostrated in Norfolk by a severe attack of 
 inflammation of the lungs. 
 
 As it was out of her power to go to her, 
 she strove to cheer her by frequent letters 
 assuring her of her prayers. 
 
 " May God make all your bed in sickness," 
 she writes. " I have felt sickness sweet when 
 
 thus sustained. D says she reads < McGhee 
 
 on the Ephesians' to you. I know you enjoy 
 it. The sweet way in which he describes our 
 relation towards God, as being His dear chil- 
 dren, for Christ's sake, and not for anything 
 we have done, is very precious to a Christian's 
 heart. Miss Williford is now with us, but 
 still quite unwell. I rejoice to tell you that 
 the prospect before me in Africa offers more 
 happiness than ever, because the way is opened 
 for more usefulness." 
 
 Early in the month of September, her sister 
 arrived in Goshen, bearing sad traces of her 
 
150 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 long illness. Mrs. Hoffman was startled, and 
 truly she had cause for gloomy forebodings, 
 for even then that insidious disease, consump- 
 tion, inherited from her mother, had marked 
 her for its victim. Still Mrs. H. was not aware 
 of her true condition, and looked forward 
 hopefully to her improvement. 
 
 Mrs. Payne and Miss Williford were now 
 about to return to their work in Africa, accom- 
 panied by Rev. Eobt. Smith and Miss Alley, 
 and Mrs. Hoffman went to New York to take 
 leave of them. From that city she writes, 
 October 18th. 1854 : — 
 
 " We are here, my dear M , waiting to 
 
 part from some of our dear friends for Africa. 
 We are glad to have them sail, and cannot 
 help feeling a little home-sick that we are not 
 of the number. The vessel sails on the 23d 
 or 25th, and I know that your prayers will be 
 offered with ours, for the safety of those, dear, 
 not only for their work's sake, but also for 
 their own." 
 
 The month of November was passed among 
 her friends in Albany, while her husband was 
 employed in visiting the churches in Western 
 New York. 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 151 
 
 From this place she writes to a friend, un- 
 der date Nov. 7th : — 
 
 " I am now staying at one of my old homes, 
 where I went to school, and I have had the 
 pleasure of meeting a number of my old 
 schoolmates, all of whom have become pious. 
 We shall sail in the spring, but we do not know 
 yet whether from Baltimore or New York. 
 My poor sister's health will make it painful 
 to leave her; but there is One who comfort- 
 eth and healeth all our sorrow. Each clay let 
 Christ become more and more our all in all, 
 for therein consists our enduring happiness. " 
 
 Early in December, she returned to Nor- 
 folk, to pass the winter with her sister, whose 
 health was still very precarious. " Sister 
 seems cheerful," she writes, " and I think we 
 shall pass, if her life is spared, a pleasant win- 
 ter. We both feel the uncertainty of her con- 
 tinuing even as comfortable as now, yet while 
 God still grants this, we strive to enjoy the 
 present with chastened thankfulness. Mr. PL 
 is at the North, and will remain till February. 
 It is a long separation for us ; still he is in the 
 path of duty, and there are many alleviations 
 
152 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 to such a trial when it comes to us in the dis- 
 charge of duty." 
 
 January 1st, 1855, she writes to a friend : 
 " Most sincerely do I wish you, my dear M — , 
 a happy New- Year ! May we begin it with 
 the recollection that we are witnesses for God. 
 Enabled by the grace of God to take this high 
 stand, we shall meet all life's changes with 
 calmness, nay, with joy. It matters little 
 whether we see the fruit of our toil ; our Mas- 
 ter's life w r as cheered by little apparent fruit, 
 and 'the disciple is not above his Master.' 
 My husband is still on his tour of visitation 
 to the churches in the North ; he seems to 
 have been blessed in awakening an interest 
 in our work; and for such an end I would 
 gladly have him absent from me. My own 
 health continues good, and I long to be spend- 
 ing my strength in Africa." 
 
 Mr. Hoffman returned to Norfolk the first 
 week in March. She writes of their plans to 
 the same friend, then at the Theological Semi- 
 nary, near Alexandria: "We go to Eichmond 
 soon after his arrival, and from thence Mr. II. 
 goes to Florida, while I will proceed to Alex- 
 andria, and hope to meet all the kind friends 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 153 
 
 on the Seminary Hill. Can we not meet, and 
 together mingle our hopes and prayers for 
 that glorious day when this earth, now spot- 
 ted with sin, shall be wholly renewed, and 
 again pronounced very good? 
 
 " We have heard, by way of England, that 
 Mrs. Payne and her party were at Monrovia 
 the 17th December, after a passage of thirty- 
 one days ; all well. A number of the emi- 
 grants on board became awakened on the 
 voyage, through the faithful labors of the 
 missionaries." 
 
 The second and third Sundays of March 
 were spent in Washington. These precious 
 days were our last interview with her on 
 earth. We took sweet counsel together, and 
 walked to the house of God in company ; we 
 conversed of the coming of Christ's kingdom; 
 of the blessedness of life spent in the work 
 of saving souls ; of the sweetness of Jesus' 
 love ; of the sainted ones who had passed be- 
 fore us within the veil ; and of the hope of 
 reunion with the loved and the lost ; and 
 above all, of seeing Him who is fairest among 
 ten thousand, and altogether lovely, and pass- 
 ing an eternity in His smile. The pulpit to- 
 
154 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 pics of those Sundays were congenial to her 
 heart, and she thus alludes to them : 
 
 "March 20th. — The text in the morning 
 was ? not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, 
 serving the Lord ;' and the theme was on ear- 
 nest Christianity, or the Church in earnest. 
 The vivid picture of the Church in earnest I 
 see now, and God helping, could my heart 
 have been seen, the train of thought could 
 not have been chosen more entirely adapted 
 to my feelings when I left my house. At 
 night the topic was the self-consecration of 
 Henry Martyn's life as a model to young men. 
 It was all for me, and I took in every word 
 to profit by it. 
 
 " The following Sunday the text was, 'Lord 
 it is good for us to be here ; let us build three 
 tabernacles, one for Thee, one for Moses, one 
 for Elias.' We were taught that we must not 
 tarry on even Mount Tabor in the compan- 
 ionship of Jesus to build our tabernacles, but 
 descend to the dust and toil and battle-field 
 of earth to work for Christ, even as He came 
 down from the Mount of Transfiguration to 
 cast out the evil spirit." 
 
 At this time sad news reached her concern- 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 155 
 
 ing the prospect of her departure for Africa ; 
 we will let her describe it, and her feelings 
 under it : — 
 
 Alexandria, March 27, 1855. 
 
 "My Beloved Sister: 
 
 " My mind is occupied by one thought, and 
 it is no less than the prospect of our detention 
 in this country until the fall. The funds of 
 the committee are so much embarrassed that 
 they think of detaining Mr. Hoffman, to act 
 as agent, while they cannot send out Mr. 
 Holcomb. As soon as I heard of it, I wrote 
 to Mr. Denison, telling him how much I hoped 
 it was only a passing thought, urging that the 
 Bishop was now almost alone. I received a 
 reply to-day from him, very kind, but giving 
 me little hope ; and I own, dear sister, that I 
 am very sad. If we must stay, it will be the 
 way in which God will be most glorified ; and 
 if it is decided so, I trust to be able to say, 
 1 Thy will be done !' and to yield all my power 
 to the work He has for me to do. In this 
 case, Mr. H. will be away from me all the 
 time, and I may try my skill in teaching, that 
 we may not further drain the funds of the 
 committee by requiring any salary." 
 
156 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Such was the spirit manifested by this 
 faithful servant of Christ — such her earnest 
 longing to return to her field of labor, where 
 sickness and weariness awaited her, if only 
 she might testify to the heathen of the grace 
 of God. 
 
 A week was spent at the Theological Semi- 
 nary near Alexandria, surrounded by most 
 congenial friends and people of God, who 
 were one with her in love to the cause of 
 Christ in Africa. From that Seminary had 
 gone forth nearly all the missionaries of our 
 Church to that field, as well as to China. On 
 Good Friday eve, Mr. H. returned from the 
 South, bringing with him more cheering 
 news with regard to their departure. He had 
 seen a letter in Savannah, from the Foreign 
 Committee, in which they spoke of being 
 much moved, even to tears, by letters from 
 Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Williford, and thought 
 they could not refuse to let them go. Mr. H. 
 at once wrote an earnest letter to them, and 
 hastened on, to urge in person their request. 
 On Tuesday the 10th of April, they took their 
 final leave of the Seminary. As the carriages 
 passed in front of the main building, they 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 157 
 
 beheld the whole body of students standing 
 in a line ; and immediately they began to 
 sing, with great beauty and effect, Bishop 
 Heber's hymn — 
 
 " From Greenland's icy mountains," &c. 
 
 This was their last farewell to this beloved 
 Antioch of our Church. The next day they 
 reached New York. 
 
 There the most cheering news awaited 
 them. The Foreign Committee had held a 
 meeting on Tuesday evening, and decided 
 that Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, and Miss "Willi- 
 ford, should sail on the ensuing first of May. 
 After a short visit to Goshen, they turned 
 their faces southward, and Mrs. Hoffman 
 reached Norfolk on the 28th of April. 
 
 After Mrs. H. left Norfolk in May, we find 
 the following in her journal under date July 
 21st, 1854 : — 
 
 " Sin reigns, and death by sin. I have 
 never found my heart so dead to all holy 
 things. 'The things that I would I do not, 
 and what I would not, that I do.' God, be 
 merciful to me a sinner. 
 
 " August 13th. — I have felt unwell, and 
 
158 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Satan taking advantage of a weak body, has 
 tempted me sorely. 'Ascribe ye strength unto 
 God.' Let this week find me watching unto 
 prayer. 
 
 Sept. 3d. — Blessed be Thy name that Thou 
 hast given me clearer views of Thine own self, 
 and while I know how deep sin has dyed my 
 soul (though I know not the half), yet I know 
 'tis for the vilest sinners Thy blood is shed, 
 and Thy righteousness provided. I bless 
 Thee for the glorious hopes beyond, that Thy 
 word reveals, the hope of Thine own glorious 
 appearing. The time is short; make me a 
 living, willing sacrifice : to save souls, let me 
 live and labor : as wife and mother, make 
 me faithful. 
 
 . "New York, Oct. 14th. — My birth-clay, 
 twenty-two. A year of renewed health ; let 
 me anew consecrate myself to Thee, my 
 Father. 
 
 " Albany, November 5th. — Communion 
 at the church of the Holy Innocents, at which 
 Jesus, as my husband, brother, friend, and 
 Saviour, was revealed ; and I, as His bride, 
 spouse, and sister. I would pray that to all 
 He might be in like manner known. Till 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 159 
 
 He come again, we remember His atone- 
 ment for us. Why am I ever sorrowful with 
 such blessed hopes ? With friends or with- 
 out, Christ is all. To His glory living each 
 second, moment, hour, day, year. 
 
 "Norfolk, Dec. 25. — I would praise the 
 wondrous love of God which has redeemed 
 rne without money and without price. There 
 is no more condemnation, but a sweet lean- 
 ing on Jesus, and a looking up to Him for 
 the spirit to walk in all those good fruits (of 
 the spirit). ! that my life may be wholly 
 Thine ; and to witness for Him be all my 
 aim. 
 
 "Dec. 31st. — The last record of the old 
 year's departure, and the entry of the new, 
 were made in my room in Africa. Now I 
 am in my old home in Norfolk. We know 
 not what this year shall bring. Let me not 
 have spent the past as a tale that is told, but 
 seriously lay its experience to heart. I am a 
 ivitness for Jesus, and in me must the image 
 of my Father shine forth. Every cent, every 
 moment, every thought, must witness for 
 Thee : living for the happiness and good of 
 all around me. Bring, I beseech Thee, 
 
160 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Father, every talent into use. Let me im- 
 prove the time to meditate much on Thee, 
 and walk thereby closer to Thee. 
 
 "January 7th, 1855. — Time is short. Let 
 all the emotions of my heart, with their in- 
 tensest power, be Thine, Lord ; and all my 
 powers of body and soul, and external gifts, 
 be Thine. Each moment find me preparing 
 for eternity, and advancing Thy kingdom. 
 
 "Alexandria, Va., March 21. — DearM 
 
 has just called, and told us of the letter from 
 the Committee, saying we may be detained. 
 May God guide us, and enable us to honor 
 Him wherever He calls us. I have (in the 
 absence of my husband) sent a letter to the 
 Committee, remonstrating against our being 
 detained. 
 
 " Theological Seminary, Va., April 7th. — 
 
 Easter Even. A sweet walk with M , to 
 
 where the Arbutus lifted its lowly head. 
 
 "April 8th, Easter. — The Lord is risen 
 indeed. Oh ! I feel my heart raised to new- 
 ness of life. We are at this lovely home, and 
 all hearts are occupied in contemplating our 
 risen Lord, and drawing therefrom comfort. " 
 
 Who does not blush at the fact that the 
 
A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 161 
 
 Foreign Committee, representing a Church, 
 so abundantly blessed with wealth, should 
 have been forced to hesitate in sending back 
 to their field of labor these devoted mission- 
 aries, whose hearts were longing to go ? At 
 the very time when this occurred, the mis- 
 sionary Bishop of Africa was devising plans 
 for enlarging greatly the work under his 
 charge. In a letter dated the 12th March, 
 he writes to the Committee, "I cannot en- 
 tertain the idea that any embarrassments of 
 the great Mammon world can affect the paltry 
 contributions to foreign missions. I say ad- 
 visedly, paltry, though the receipts of your 
 treasury during the past year reached sixty 
 thousand dollars; for what was that sum, 
 compared with what Episcopalians might 
 have contributed — to what they may contri- 
 bute — without even approaching the virtue 
 of self-denial? Oh for the spirit of self- 
 devotion to Christ, and then the treasury of 
 the Lord would no longer languish ! " 
 
 11 
 
162 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 The long-desired day at length arrived; 
 and on Saturday, the 5th of May, accom- 
 panied by many dear friends, they were 
 taken by steamer to the barque Cora, in 
 Hampton Roads. It was not without deep 
 and painful feelings that she parted from her 
 friends and native land ; she felt that, in all 
 human probability, she should see them on 
 earth no more. Her sister, the dearest one 
 left behind, was fast wasting away under the 
 ravages of disease. It may appear strange 
 to some that she should not have preferred to 
 remain for a longer period with her sister ; 
 and without doubt all her deep feelings of 
 affection prompted her to such a course. But 
 she felt that duty to her work and her hus- 
 band's work in Africa required her to make 
 even this sacrifice; and at the same time, 
 that no ministration of kindness or care on 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 163 
 
 her part could avert from her loved one the 
 threatened blow. On the evening of the day 
 on which she reached the ship she sent back 
 the following note : 
 
 "My beloved Sister: 
 
 "We have been unpacking and getting 
 our things in order, in readiness for an attack 
 of sea-sickness. We have just been down to 
 hold evening prayers. The captain came, 
 and we sang a hymn ; all seem happy, and 
 make the best of little ills. Miss Williford 
 is delighted with her good accommodations. 
 
 " Dearest sister, what else is worth living 
 for than to honor our loving God ? and is it 
 not a privilege to be able to give up some- 
 thing to testify our love ? " 
 
 Another letter, at the end of three weeks, 
 tells of the favorable progress towards the 
 clime of the East. 
 
 "Off St. Antonio, May 29th, 1855. 
 
 "My much-loved Sister: 
 
 " Three weeks find us well on our way. 
 We have been favored with strong breezes ; 
 
164 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 and, though. I have been more than usually 
 sea-sick, yet we have had a blessed voyage. 
 Our captain and first-mate are pious, and our 
 crew are the most quiet we have ever been 
 with. The emigrants have kept well, and are 
 very well behaved. Sunday we went out of 
 the Capes, and Mr. H. had service on deck. 
 The following week we were all sick. After 
 this the sea was less rough, and we began our 
 school. Miss Williford has the boys, Mr. H. 
 the men, and I the girls. Many of them are 
 from Kentucky, and are as ignorant as hea- 
 thens; not one of fifteen knew the Lord's 
 Prayer, the Commandments, or who Jesus 
 was. 
 
 "May 30th. — We are passing the last of 
 the islands ; St. Iago we see above the Clouds. 
 If we have favorable winds, six days will find 
 us at Monrovia. We are always so blessed, 
 dear sister, that you will no longer feel anx- 
 iety about us. Many times has my mind's 
 eye gone back to you, and I have seen you 
 telling Mary and Willie to add to their usual 
 prayers one for our safety while on the great 
 deep. Your sweet bouquet of flowers lasted 
 over two weeks, and was such a refreshment 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 165 
 
 to us ! My basket of flowers continues to 
 thrive. 
 
 "May 31st, Thursday. — Tis possible we 
 may reach Monrovia by Sunday. How I 
 long to know, dear sister, if you bear our 
 leaving cheerfully! I expect many of my 
 Norfolk friends think me cold-hearted to 
 leave so cheerfully; but my precious sister 
 feels, with me, that it is but a little time in 
 which we can testify of our love to Jesus ; 
 soon we shall enter into the full enjoyment 
 of His presence.'' 
 
 While the good ship Cora is speeding her 
 way across the Atlantic, bearing her precious 
 freight rapidly to their adopted home under 
 the shade of the cocoanut-trees, we will turn 
 aside to give a brief sketch of what has 
 transpired in the mission during their absence 
 of eighteen months. 
 
 It will be remembered that two days be- 
 fore they sailed from Cape Palm as eight 
 missionaries had arrived to fill up the ranks 
 thinned by death and disease. Their arrival 
 cheered the heart of the Bishop, and enabled 
 him to fulfil his cherished design of opening 
 
166 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 new stations along the coast, and greatly en- 
 larging the boundaries of the mission. This 
 was now extended to a distance of 250 miles 
 along the coast, from Cape Palmas to Mon- 
 rovia, the capital of Liberia. At the latter 
 place the prospect was very encouraging, and 
 the Rev. Alexander Crummel had lately ar- 
 rived from England to minister to the peo- 
 ple. Gathering a small flock about him, in 
 the preceding September the church had vo- 
 luntarily declared itself under the ecclesiasti- 
 cal jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Protest- 
 ant Episcopal Church in Western Africa, and 
 adopted the Constitution, Canons, and Liturgy 
 of the same, " except that, in the prayer for 
 those in authority, 'Liberia' instead of 'the 
 United States' be used." 
 
 At Clay Ashland also, on the St. Paul's 
 River, ten miles from Monrovia, Mr. Russel, 
 a candidate for orders, and formerly a Meth- 
 odist minister, was successfully employed, 
 and during the visit of the Bishop in the pre- 
 ceding autumn several persons had been con- 
 firmed. A church edifice was at that time in 
 process of erection. In Bassa County, and 
 in Sinoe settlement, midway between Cape 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 167 
 
 Palmas and Bassa, also, most favorable open- 
 ings were presented for missionary labor 
 among natives and colonists. 
 
 The new laborers were thus distributed : 
 the Rev. Mr. Wright and wife, with Miss 
 Smith, were appointed to Rocktown, in con- 
 nection with Mr. and Mrs. Home, where they 
 w T ere surrounded by a native population of 
 6000 persons. Mr. and Mrs. Rambo were 
 first to reside at Cavalla, before the acclima- 
 tion of Mrs. R., and then proceed to Bassa. 
 
 "You see, then," writes the Bishop to the 
 Foreign Committee, "how readily, and thank- 
 fully, and joyfully we receive all that come, 
 and can still cry, ' and yet there is room.' I 
 notice," he adds, "in your report to the 
 Board of Missions, that you announce (no 
 doubt with some anxiety) that your Commit- 
 tee have assumed the responsibility of an 
 expenditure of sixty thousand dollars for the 
 current year. In connection with this, the 
 thought has occurred to me that this is just 
 the amount said to have been cleared by a 
 vessel engaged in the African trade in one 
 voyage made last year. That is, a single ves- 
 sel, in one voyage, on an average of African 
 
168 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 produce, cleared as much, as is given by the 
 whole Episcopal Church in the United States 
 towards the spread of the gospel in Africa 
 and in all heathen lands; and this vessel 
 owned by a member of that Church ! " 
 
 On the 15th of January, Mr. G. W. Gib- 
 son, one of the colored teachers, and a colo- 
 nist, was ordained a deacon by Bishop Payne, 
 and continued to reside at Mount Vaughan, 
 to assist in the High School and preach in 
 the Grahway town. One month later, on the 
 15th of February, Mr. Alfred F. Eussell was 
 admitted to the Diaconate. 
 
 But more cheering indications of God's 
 blessing were to follow. Two native Afri- 
 cans, but a few years before rescued from 
 heathenism, were now to be introduced into 
 the sacred ministry; an event marking a 
 most important era in the history of the mis- 
 sion. Nor did they come unprepared; the 
 first examination of one of them occupied 
 the mornings of several days, and was en- 
 tirely satisfactory ; and this was a specimen 
 of all the examinations. 
 
 It was on Easter Sunday, April 16th, 1855, 
 that Ku-Sia (Clement F. Jones) and Musu 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 169 
 
 (John Minor) were admitted to deacons' or- 
 ders. These were to do the work of evange- 
 lists ; the former among the twelve tribes 
 scattered along the Cavalla River to a point 
 sixty miles in the interior ; the latter in the 
 Babo and Plabo towns along the sea-coast, 
 from Grand Bassa to the Cavalla River. 
 
 Immediately after the ordination of Ku 
 Sia, he proceeded on a missionary tour, ac- 
 companied by Harris, or Thomas Freeman, a 
 converted native, of fifty years of age. Ku 
 Sia preached seventeen times to about 800 
 persons, and on every occasion Harris fol- 
 lowed with an account of his conversion. 
 
 On the 23d of February Miss Sophia M. 
 Smith died at Rocktown, and in her last 
 hours declared that she was most happy to 
 have come, even though spared for so brief a 
 period for the work. 
 
 This was but the first of a series of afflic- 
 tions which befell the mission during the pe- 
 riod of Mrs. Hoffman's absence, and made 
 the year 1854 one of the most memorable in 
 its history, both on account of the tokens of 
 God's blessing upon their work in the con- 
 
170 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 version of the heathen and for the sad record 
 of trials and deaths. 
 
 Among the band of eight persons who ar- 
 rived at Cape Palmas on the 8th of January, 
 was Dr. J. R. Steele, a young physician of 
 great promise, from the city of "Washington. 
 For a long time it had been the earnest desire 
 of the friends of the Mission to procure the 
 services of a missionary physician. Lately, 
 Dr. McGill, the skilful physician at Cape 
 Palmas, whose kind services had been so gen- 
 erously rendered for many years to the mis- 
 sionaries, had removed to Monrovia, and 
 there was an urgent necessity that his place 
 should be supplied. Great hopes were enter- 
 tained that Dr. Steele might be long spared 
 to the Mission. Very soon, however, after 
 his arrival, his health began to fail, and on 
 the 11th of July, he was removed to the rest 
 of the people of God. 
 
 Bishop Payne thus speaks of his Christian 
 character under date of July 12th : — 
 
 " Yesterday morning, Dr. J. R. Steele died 
 at this place (Cavalla), in the faith and love 
 and peace and joy of the Gospel of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 171 
 
 " The voyage to this country proved inju- 
 rious rather than an advantage, insomuch that 
 on his arrival at Cape Palmas, he seriously 
 thought of returning in the same vessel which 
 brought him. He determined, however, to 
 remain ; but his malady increased apace unto 
 the bud. During the six months of his mis- 
 sionary life, days and nights of weariness 
 were appointed to him. But the ' life of Jesus 
 was manifested in his mortal body.' In love 
 and faithfulness he instructed and prayed with 
 the heathen with whom he came in contact ; 
 in unity, like the precious oil which ran down 
 Aaron's beard, he dwelt with brethren and 
 sisters of the Mission, ever ready to do them 
 service, ever regretting he could not do them 
 more ; in patience he abided the short night 
 of affliction, yet longing for the morning; 
 and, as the shadows of Tuesday night with all 
 his earthly might were fleeing away together, 
 the glorious heavenly day was dawning upon 
 him. Yesterday morning about eight o'clock, 
 amidst sorrowing yet rejoicing missionary 
 brethren and sisters, did this lovely disciple 
 fall asleep in Jesus, and was carried by angels 
 
172 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 into Abraham's bosom ! Amen ! Amen ! 
 Blessed be God !" 
 
 Mr. Hoffman, on bearing this sad intelli- 
 gence in this country, made unceasing efforts 
 to obtain a physician to take his place, but 
 without avail ; and up to this time no one has 
 offered to fill this responsible post. The mis- 
 sionaries are left amid sickness, without a 
 medical man to minister to their frequent 
 necessities. 
 
 The next name to be added to this list of 
 martyrs is that of the Rev. G. W. Home. 
 Mr. H. had accompanied the Bishop on his 
 return to Africa, in 1852, and was detained 
 at Rocktown as the successor of Mr. Hening. 
 He had long been in feeble health, and had 
 made arrangements to return to the United 
 States, when he was called away on the 2d 
 of October. " He expired," writes the Bishop, 
 " most unexpectedly to every one but to his 
 faithful, sorrowing wife. She alone was fully 
 aware of the certain failing of his strength 
 and life." He sleeps where a missionary's 
 grave should be — among the people for 
 whom he willingly sacrificed his life. 
 
 But the saddest item in this record of sor- 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 173 
 
 row is yet to be added. One of the most 
 competent and promising of those who have 
 ever given themselves to the work of Christ 
 in heathen lands w T as the Rev. Robt. Smith, 
 who sailed for Africa in company with Mrs. 
 Payne and Miss Alley, in October, 1854. 
 
 " Mr. Smith," says the report of the Board 
 of Missions, " was 'educated at Yale College, 
 and subsequently received his theological 
 training at the Seminary, near Alexandria. 
 From the outset of his preparation for the 
 ministry, he devoted himself to the work of 
 missions in Africa: and when the Foreign 
 Committee were called upon to act with re- 
 gard to his application, they felt assured, from 
 the testimony everywhere borne to his intel- 
 ligence, energy, and piety, that they had se- 
 cured the services of one eminently qualified 
 for usefulness. 
 
 We insert the letter written four days after 
 his arrival at Cape Palmas, as giving an idea 
 of his spirit, and in itself of great interest : 
 
 Cavalla, January 15, 1855. 
 
 " Our long voyage is ended, and we are at 
 home. We anchored off Cape Palmas on 
 Thursday evening, the 11th instant, and the 
 
174 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 next day accompanied the Bishop to Cavalla. 
 We were greeted with a missionary welcome 
 by all the missionaries stationed there. 
 
 "Amidst the multiplicity of duties incident 
 to my arrival, I can do little more than say 
 in general terms, that my first impressions 
 of everything I have seen, except the natives, 
 are of the most pleasing character. The Cape, 
 as it is approached from the sea, is beautiful, 
 and much more beautiful as seen from many 
 positions on land. The Orphan Asylum, now 
 rapidly approaching completion, is a fine- 
 looking building, and finely situated, com- 
 manding a most ample view of the ocean, 
 and fanned continually by refreshing ocean 
 breezes. Shepard Lake, along whose smooth 
 surface our party glided in the mission boat, 
 late in the afternoon, is beautiful. And of 
 Cavalla I can only say that it looks more like 
 a pleasant country home in the United States 
 than the rude product of sheer necessity, 
 which mission-houses are too often conceived 
 to be by those who have never seen them. 
 Everything about Cavalla looks beautiful — 
 the houses large and tastefully constructed — 
 the avenue which leads to the main building 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 175 
 
 bordered by twelve large, handsome cocoa- 
 nut trees, whose branches meet in an arch, 
 and cast a delightful shade over the way — 
 the garden large, tastefully laid out, and con- 
 stantly supplying the well-furnished table 
 with a profusion of fruits and vegetables of 
 both tropical and temperate climates — the 
 situation being a slight eminence, command- 
 ing a fine prospect of the ocean, whose eter- 
 nal waves dash their beautiful crests unceas- 
 ingly on the beach, not a hundred paces dis- 
 tant. And, as might be expected, in view of 
 these and other objects of interest which clus- 
 ter about this lovely spot, the missionaries all 
 seem most cheerful and happy. Indeed, I do 
 not believe a more contented or happier circle 
 could be found in the world, if I may judge 
 from all that has come under my observation 
 during the few days I have been here. T\ r e 
 enjoy all the pleasures of social intercourse 
 which are known in Christian lands ; and 
 these are rendered peculiarly sweet by one- 
 ness of purpose, labor and sentiment which 
 so remarkably characterize our African mis- 
 sionaries. Such are my first impressions of 
 Africa ; and I do not see how they can be 
 
176 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 changed or modified by longer acquaintance. 
 But the beauties of Africa are confined to 
 those objects of which I have spoken. It is 
 most distressing to turn from them to the sa- 
 vages who roam about in a state of almost 
 total nudity. These are as vile in their cha- 
 racters, their habits, and their physical aspect 
 as it is easy to conceive humanity capable of 
 being. The influence of the Gospel upon 
 them is gradually becoming perceptible ; and 
 there is reason to hope that at no distant clay 
 multitudes will experience its transforming 
 energy. But thus far, only the faintest dawn 
 of the approaching day is manifest. That day 
 will assuredly come, and in its genial ray all 
 Africa will bask. But 0, how much is de- 
 manded of God's people ! — what increase of 
 fervent prayer ! — what enlarged contribu- 
 tions!— -what increasing number of conse- 
 crated laborers ! — before this blessed hour 
 shall arrive ! 
 
 For two or three months he seemed to 
 suffer very little inconvenience from the cli- 
 mate ; and accounts from Africa confirmed the 
 hopes before entertained that God w r ould 
 spare him for years of service in that field. 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 177 
 
 How great was the surprise, then, and how 
 deep the sorrow of the Church at home to 
 learn that on the 24th of May, four months 
 after his arrival, he was called to a higher 
 ministry and heavenly duties. This informa- 
 tion was communicated in a letter from Mr. 
 Hoffman, elated Monrovia, June 24th. He 
 writes : — 
 
 " We cannot but feel very sad at the loss 
 of our valued friend and brother; one so 
 holy, so full of Godly zeal, and, we should 
 say, eminently fitted for the missionary work. 
 But the Lord's ways are not ours. Though 
 it was in his heart to build the Lord's house, 
 yet He suffered Him not." 
 
 " To this mournful record of death in the 
 African Mission," says the Eeport of the 
 Board, in October, 1855, "we are obliged to 
 add the name of Mr. Augustus Rogers, who 
 for several years was a teacher in the Mission 
 school at Cavalla. Mr. Eogers was very 
 highly esteemed, and possessed admirable 
 qualifications for the station which he occu- 
 pied. He continued in Africa until the fall 
 of 1854, when failing health obliged him to 
 relinquish his duties. Seeking an opportu- 
 12 
 
178 RETURN TO AFRICA. 
 
 nity to embark for the United States, and not 
 finding any that was direct, he sailed in a 
 German vessel for Hamburg. He was a great 
 sufferer on the voyage, but arrived safely. 
 Within two weeks after his arrival, he died 
 of the disease from which he suffered before 
 his departure." 
 
 " In addition to all this, the African Mission 
 has had the further trial of losing the services 
 . of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who left 
 this country in the fall of 1853. The health 
 of both, during their stay, was very bad. Mr. 
 Wright's constitution was being gradually 
 undermined, and constant attacks of fever so 
 disabled him, as to unfit him for active mis- 
 sionary work. There being no hope of his 
 getting better, the Bishop advised the return 
 of himself and wife to this country ; and their 
 connection with the Mission ceased." 
 
 Such was the record of sore trial endured 
 by the Mission for a single year, during the 
 visit of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman to this coun- 
 try. In reviewing this period, the faithful 
 Bishop, undaunted and unshaken by these 
 reverses, thus writes : — 
 
 "I believe I truly represent the feelings 
 
RETURN TO AFRICA. 179 
 
 and sentiments of those who do remain, when 
 I say, the loss by death and withdrawal has 
 caused no discouragement here. ' It is the 
 Lord.' 'He doeth all things well,' is the sus- 
 taining conviction of heart and mind. But, 
 seeing ' the harvest truly is plenteous and the 
 laborers are few,' we cease not with thousands 
 in the ' holy Church Universal ' to pray the 
 Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into 
 His harvest. And the conviction is abiding, 
 that since it is His harvest, and He knows its 
 need, and is more interested than we can be, 
 and prompts the prayers for the needed sup- 
 ply, that supply will not be withheld." 
 
180 A NEW HOME. 
 
 CHAPTEB XVIII. 
 
 A NEW HOME — LIFE AT EOCKTOWN. 
 
 "We must now return to follow the course 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, as they are borne 
 pleasantly and rapidly across the ocean, to 
 strengthen the stricken band awaiting them. 
 After a passage of thirty-four days, they an- 
 chored on Saturday evening, the 8th of June, 
 off Monrovia. From this place, Mrs. Hoffman 
 writes, under date of June 10th, 1855 : 
 
 Barque Cora, off Monrovia. 
 
 "My Beloved Sister: 
 
 "We have letters from Cavalla of as late a 
 date as May 27th. All well. Our brother 
 Smith is eternally well, for he rests from his 
 labors. You will be surprised, as we were, 
 when we received the tidings. At half-past 
 one, on the 24th May, he was seized with 
 great difficulty of breathing, and suddenly 
 expired. The Lord's hand is heavy on us, 
 but it is also underneath us. You will not 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 181 
 
 fear for us ; it is well for us to have our faith 
 thus tried, and to look well to our motives, 
 that the love of Christ alone constraineth us. 
 Eev. Mr. Crummell is here, Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
 at the Asylum, and Mr. and Mrs. Eambo are 
 at Bassa. 
 
 Again she writes, June 16th, Saturday, 
 " We have been at anchor one week ; land- 
 ing cargo is slow work at this season, for the 
 rain is frequent and the bar is rough. Hear- 
 ing of Mr. Smith's death, Mr. and Mrs. 
 "Wright's return, and Miss Alley's feeble 
 health, has kept us from going on shore to 
 stay ; we want to take all our strength to the 
 relief of the few left." 
 
 June 23d she writes, still on board the 
 barque off Monrovia, "Last Saturday the 
 United States ship Dale anchored about ten 
 miles from us. We stopped the canoe which 
 had gone for the mail, and Mr. H. sent a 
 note to Captain W. He replied very kindly, 
 and said that as soon as the weather permitted 
 we should see him. On Sunday two mid- 
 shipmen came on board, but it was raining 
 too hard for the captain, and he was not very 
 well. On Monday, however, he came, and 
 
182 A NEW HOME. 
 
 the Dale was brought close to our vessel. 
 Captain W. stayed all day, and we had a nice 
 chat about Norfolk. He sent me a loaf of 
 bread for Kate, and it was a treat to her ; for 
 she will not eat the ship-biscuit, and our 
 bread is not good." 
 
 For three weeks the vessel was detained at 
 Monrovia, discharging her cargo ; and not 
 till the 1st of July did she reach Cape 
 Palmas. 
 
 At last our voyagers were at " the haven 
 where they would be," and once more in the 
 happy home at Cavalla, surrounded by the 
 dear friends whose hearts were so congenial 
 to their own. 
 
 Great was their joy at being permitted to 
 renew their labors among the heathen ; but 
 it was a joy mingled with many sad feelings. 
 Mr. Hoffman writes, on his arrival at Ca- 
 valla, 
 
 " The house whence I write you this has 
 been the house of mourning during nry ab- 
 sence. From my bed-room the spirit of Bro- 
 ther Steele took its happy flight to heaven ; 
 from my study departed, with blessed hope, 
 peacefully, the soul of my friend and brother 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 183 
 
 Robert Smith. We yet survive, but how 
 long — who can tell ? May it be our blessed 
 portion like them to finish our course with 
 joy and enter into our rest ! The work is 
 worthy of the life. May God raise up others 
 to supply the place of the fallen ! " 
 
 Mrs. Hoffman thus describes her arrival 
 and reception : 
 
 "Cavalla, July 4th, 1855. 
 
 " My loved Sister : 
 
 " Our vessel anchored off Cape Palmas on 
 Sunday, the 1st. On Monday we came on 
 shore, and dined with Mr. and Mrs. Scott. 
 The Orphan Asylum is incomplete, but they 
 have two comfortable rooms. The Bishop 
 came up at noon, and we received his warm 
 greeting, and Miss Williford went down the 
 same evening. On Tuesday w r e started, and 
 without accident came to our loved home. 
 You would not have one sad thought about 
 us could you know what good tidings we 
 have been greeted with. There is a decided 
 improvement among the Christians and a 
 deep interest among the heathen." 
 
 Great, indeed, was the change apparent. 
 God's blessing had been given to the labors 
 
184 A NEW HOME. 
 
 of His servants, and everywhere were there 
 tokens of a richer blessing to come. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman also alludes to this in a letter 
 of the same date : 
 
 " I find things much improved here since 
 my absence. Though our force has been 
 weakened by the loss of our beloved fellow- 
 laborers, God is certainly causing His work to 
 prosper abundantly in the hands of His ser- 
 vants. I was astonished at the unusual inte- 
 rest manifested by the natives at Cape Pal- 
 mas; upwards of two hundred weekly as- 
 semble at the new chapel on the Lord's Day, 
 and a night-school of from forty to seventy- 
 five is attended by most earnest and success- 
 ful learners. Mr. Scott says he never in any 
 place saw more anxiety for instruction than 
 is manifested by the adult population of Cape 
 Palmas. Here, too, the Bishop is cheered in 
 his work. The Spirit seems to have been 
 poured out from on high ; and while wan- 
 derers are reclaimed, and the weak strength- 
 ened, God is adding to His Church those 
 who shall be saved." 
 
 The Church of the Epiphany, at Cavalla, 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 185 
 
 was progressing, and the Orphan Asylum at 
 Cape Palmas near completion. 
 
 A new home seemed now to be opened 
 before them. Roektown and Fishtown were 
 now vacant, and needed greatly a resident 
 missionary. " The first evening of our ar- 
 rival," writes Mrs. Hoffman, "our going to 
 Rocktown was discussed ; and soon it was 
 determined that we should go. We shall 
 miss our kind friends here, but Miss Alley 
 and Miss Payne have promised to visit me. 
 It seems more like home to be here than any- 
 where else ; but I am full of happiness. If 
 ever I doubted God's presence with us I can 
 do so no longer. The history of the past 
 year has abundantly proved it. Love to all 
 from your happy sister." 
 
 We are now about to enter upon a period 
 of the deepest interest in the history of the 
 African mission ; nothing less than an espe- 
 cial outpouring of God's spirit upon the la- 
 bors of the missionaries, and the awakening 
 of the heathen mind to a sense of the value 
 of the gospel and the need of salvation. 
 Short as was the life of Mrs. Hoffman in her 
 loved work, yet she was permitted to witness 
 
186 A NEW HOME. 
 
 the fullest fruition of her wishes and che- 
 rished hopes. We will not anticipate, how- 
 ever, but follow the order of her letters. 
 
 "Cavalla, Monday, July 9th, 1855. 
 
 "My loved Sister: 
 
 " It is one week since we landed, and we 
 have been busy packing for our removal; 
 to-morrow Mr. Hoffman visits Rocktown to 
 see how many things are there. We shall 
 not leave till Tuesday. Our sweet little Kate 
 is making herself very contented ; the Bishop 
 and she have frequent conversations across 
 the piazza. He is delighted with her, as are 
 all the ladies. She has her doll, and it would 
 amuse you to hear the natives' astonishment. 
 The old men ask Mr. Hoffman to let them 
 see it, but most of the women are afraid 
 of it, 
 
 " Yesterday was a delightful day. We had 
 a large congregation, and many of our old 
 friends gave us a hearty Na-wio. 
 
 " There is such, a blessed change here ! I 
 do not remember to have ever passed a hap- 
 pier week than the last. Every day we heard 
 
LITE AT ROCK TOWN. 187 
 
 and saw evidences of the presence of God's 
 Spirit. 
 
 "Fifteen adults have received baptism, and 
 nineteen others are seriously inquiring the 
 way of salvation. The congregation yester- 
 day was deeply attentive ; numbers whom I 
 remember as sleeping or laughing attendants 
 gave most serious attention. 
 
 "One old woman, not baptized, said to 
 Ku-Sia that she is afraid of Kobo (white 
 people), and does not come here ; but that 
 she loves the words they speak, and for a 
 long time has never travelled or worked on 
 Sunday. Yu-Wa, one of the Christian wo- 
 men, shook my hand and said she had asked 
 God to change her heart, and He had heard 
 her. 
 
 "Our villagers are alive to their duty. Or- 
 der and neatness are observable ; and last 
 week they went on an expedition to look for 
 the scholars who at different times have run 
 away, and persuaded them to come back. 
 
 " Our deacon, Ku-Sia (C. F. Jones), read 
 the service last night ; and, without any ex- 
 aggeration, it was sweet. He has a musical 
 voice, and reads with correct intonation. 
 
188 A N EW home. 
 
 "At Cape Palmas the natives are coming 
 three evenings in the week to learn to read, 
 and Messrs. Scott and Harris teach them. 
 Miss Williford finds her school-house ready 
 for her ; it is a good building, and conveni- 
 ent. The children have improved much un- 
 der Miss Ball, and we see the work of grace 
 plainly in some whom we thought past hope. 
 Our loved Bishop is as earnest and loving as 
 ever; and I have never felt my heart so 
 drawn towards our people as now. "We shall 
 have much to write from Rocktown when 
 settled there. We hear that the house is in 
 excellent order. I have but one wish — that 
 God may send His Spirit ; we shall have all, 
 and abound, if His presence is with us." 
 
A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 189 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 We have before alluded to an important 
 work of grace that began among the heathen 
 about this period ; and so important an era 
 has it proved in the history of the mission 
 that we insert an account of it in a letter 
 from the missionary Bishop to the Church at 
 home. After describing other instrumen- 
 talities employed in the work of evangelizing 
 the heathen, such as the boarding and day 
 schools, and visiting from house to house, he 
 adds, 
 
 " But it is preaching, in towns and villages, 
 to the many and to the few, the gospel of sal- 
 vation through Jesus Christ, which, blessed 
 be God, has ever been the prominent busi- 
 ness of the mission. And truly here the 
 kingdom of God is 'like leaven.' It has 
 worked so invisibly, and to human perception 
 so slowly, that many superficial, faithless 
 
190 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 ones, have grown tired; and because they 
 could not see the progress which God alone 
 can fully see, they have grown weary in well- 
 doing, or ceased altogether to do. And yet 
 the leaven has ever worked. 
 
 "Its first effect was to arouse the worst 
 elements of heathenism into active antago- 
 nism and conflict with the truth. 
 
 " The next was, to produce a lull of this 
 strife — a decent respect to the representatives 
 of Christianity, and for the truths they 
 taught. 
 
 "Next followed a general assent to the 
 great doctrine of one God over all, and in 
 all, and consequent rejection of gree-grees, 
 of idols and demons. Multitudes of these 
 vanities were cast away under these influ- 
 ences. 
 
 " And lastly, the mists of superstition and 
 rubbish being thus cleared away, the rays 
 from the Sun of Righteousness penetrate the 
 mind and the soul, and the heathen i behold 
 the Lamb of God, which taketh away the 
 sin of the world.' 
 
 " The first rising of life from the dead mass 
 of adult heathenism was manifested Sunday, 
 
A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 191 
 
 December 11, 1853, when Hyano, a convert- 
 ed demon-man, and Gida-Wudai, in the pride 
 of youthful life, stood up in the presence of 
 a full assemblage of their people to receive 
 baptism. 
 
 " The next was the case of a man of mid- 
 dle age, who, under the silent dews of the 
 Spirit, was brought to Christ. 
 
 "After this was that of a poor diseased 
 woman. She seldom or never attended pub- 
 lic service ; but a sister of charity sought her 
 and led her to the Savior. In her little hut, 
 on September 19th, 1854, she received, in 
 baptism, the name of Mary Louise, after the 
 angel of mercy who had saved her.* In 
 about one month more, in the town of Hy- 
 ano, his wife and a grey-headed woman were 
 gathered into the true fold ; and now in Hy- 
 ano's house, morning and evening, assembled 
 the little church of five, to offer prayer and 
 praise to the God of all, in their own lan- 
 guage wherein they were born. Soon a few 
 others assembled with them. 
 
 " In the beginning of this year (1855), it 
 
 * Reference is here made to Mrs. Rainbo, who died 
 shortly after these lines were written. 
 
192 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 being determined to make rice farms at a 
 great distance from town, Hyano went with 
 his people to reside in temporary huts. He 
 was in feeble health, and apprehensions were 
 felt that the exposure might be more than he 
 could bear. But he made prayer, as before, 
 morning and evening, in his frail house, with 
 all who would meet there, and rested on the 
 Sabbath, ' according to the commandment.' 
 
 " Many watched him with an evil eye. They 
 said Hyano would die, or that he would have 
 no rice. But H}^ano's health improved, and 
 no one's rice grew better than his. And 
 many observed and said, Hyano's God is the 
 true God. 
 
 " The year passed on. On a cloudy after- 
 noon, at Diima-Lu, on the Cavalla river, the 
 missionary had preached, as he had done 
 many scores of times before, and the hearers 
 said Jiaut te nonte, (true things) as many scores 
 of times before also. The missionary asked 
 in sorrow, 'How long will you say, and never 
 do ? ' One replied, ' Do what ? Long have I 
 believed the Gospel, and I am ready to do 
 whatever it requires.' Another and another 
 said so likewise. Amongst these was a young 
 
A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 193 
 
 man whose past life had been notoriously bad. 
 His companions reminded him of this, and 
 expressed the conviction that whatever others 
 might do, he never could be a Christian. 
 i And can a wicked man never turn from his 
 wickedness?' he replied. 'I know I have 
 been very bad, but it is this course which I 
 mean to forsake.' 
 
 " The interest continued and extended. 
 One Sunday morning, a middle-aged man 
 from the above town presented himself, and 
 said, 'I have come to inform you that I have 
 resolved to do the mind (lu, head) of God.' 
 ' "Why is this V ' You knew my father. He 
 had many idols, and had great faith in them. 
 But these prevented not his sickness, nor his 
 death. While sick, I consulted many deyabo 
 (demon-men) in reference to him. All said 
 he w x ould recover, and all lied. After his 
 death, I again consulted them, and they said 
 he was bewitched, and in one month the witch 
 should be manifested by an untimely death. 
 Again they all lied. Henceforth I will have 
 nothing more to do with debayo or gree-grees. 
 I shall serve God.' Similar cases soon fol- 
 lowed. Amongst these, the principal man in 
 13 
 
194 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 the town, on one Sabbath afternoon, after the 
 Rev. C. F. Jones had held services, gave him 
 up all his gree-grees, and announced his de- 
 termination to be a Christian. From this 
 town seven have already been baptized, and 
 as many more are candidates. They meet 
 morning and evening for prayer in the house 
 of one of their number ; and when visited by 
 the missionary, it is cheering to observe the 
 devout manner in which they join audibly in 
 prayer and praise. In the largest of the Ca- 
 valla towns, as well as in two smaller ones, a 
 hopeful interest is manifested by quite a num- 
 ber, male and female — of these, four have 
 been baptized, making in all, eleven adults, all 
 of them old and middle-aged men and women. 
 (The number soon was increased to thirty- 
 four.) There is reason to believe that the in- 
 terest is extending. 'S ,' said the mis- 
 sionary to one, formerly the most hardened 
 heathen, ' why are you not a Christian V ' I 
 have many things to keep me back,' he re- 
 plied ; 'but of one thing be assured, I believe 
 the Gospel, and so do all my people. Once 
 it was a matter of discussion amongst us, but 
 it is no longer so. We are convinced of its 
 
A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 195 
 
 truth. Hence the number coining to baptism ; 
 and we all shall receive it yet.' 
 
 " At Cape P almas, the state of things is 
 quite as encouraging. Since the missionary 
 took charge of that station, some two months 
 since, the congregations on Sunday have been 
 full almost to overflowing ; and at night, from 
 fifty to two hundred have attended school. 
 Nor does this satisfy them ; along the roads 
 they are to be seen with books in their hands, 
 asking of each other, and of colonists who 
 may chance to be passing along, the instruc- 
 tion they seek. 
 
 " Quite a number, the missionary, Eev. Mr. 
 Scott, writes, are interested in their soul's 
 salvation. 
 
 " Many of the people here have thrown 
 away their gree-grees. Amongst these are 
 Pe-Gipamo, brother of the late king Freeman, 
 and virtually his successor. This aged man, 
 who was also a cleya^ has not only thrown 
 away his own gree-grees, but walks about 
 amongst his people, and exhorts them to 
 follow his example. The subject of throwing 
 away the public gree-grees has been discussed, 
 and although the measure cannot yet proba- 
 
196 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 
 
 bly be carried, there is a large number in its 
 favor. 
 
 " Co-existent with this religious interest 
 amongst the people, has been a remarkable 
 quickening of zeal and sense of responsibility 
 amongst our native assistants. This, under 
 God, is greatly attributable to the death of the 
 late Rev. Robert Smith. 
 
 "At the monthly missionary meeting in 
 June, being that immediately after Mr. Smith's 
 death, the Eev. Clement F. Jones (native 
 deacon) made an address. In this he ex- 
 pressed his own deep conviction that God, in 
 thus suddenly calling away the foreign mis- 
 sionary, spoke to him, and all native agents, to 
 rouse themselves to action. They must cease 
 to depend upon the laborers from abroad. If 
 the country is to be evangelized, it must be 
 done chiefly by its own people. And why 
 not V he asked. ' What is the Gospel ? It is 
 words — words which I may speak, and you, 
 and all. God must give power to the words, 
 but the ivords we may all pronounce. God has 
 evidently placed our work before us. Let us 
 resolve to do it. 
 
 "N. S. Harris, native teacher at Cape Pal- 
 
A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 197 
 
 mas, and candidate for orders, followed in a 
 similar and most effective speech. He 
 mourned over his past want of zeal, and called 
 upon all henceforth to unite with him in 
 amendment of life. 
 
 "It is gratifying to state that action has 
 followed words. In public and in private — 
 in assemblies of people called by themselves 
 — and with old companions in school, but 
 now relapsed to heathenism, have the teach- 
 ers and catechists and native missionaries 
 exerted themselves. 
 
 "In the meantime, gratitude and joy and 
 faith and hope find their delightful expression 
 in the words of the apostolic missionary, 4 JSTow 
 thanks be unto God, which always causeth 
 us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest 
 the savor of His knowledge by us in every 
 place/ " 
 
198 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 During the last week in July, Mrs. Hoff- 
 man removed to Rocktown, and under date 
 of August 3d, 1855, we find the following 
 letter to a friend : — 
 
 " Here we are, living in dear Mrs. Hening's 
 old home, occupying her accustomed place. 
 My seat, while writing, is the one she had, 
 and my eye rests over the same beautiful 
 scene. We had spent but one night on land 
 when, in conversation with our Bishop, it was 
 decided that we were to come here. Mr. 
 Wright had returned home, and this station 
 was vacant. 
 
 « We remained but a fortnight at Cavalla, 
 enjoying the society of our loved friends there, 
 and also enjoying the good work, which is 
 advancing. Almost daily does the Bishop 
 hear the question, 'How can we do God's 
 will V The Church has doubled its numbers, 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 199 
 
 and calls now its members from the old 
 heathen. 
 
 " The number asking for baptism, whom 
 the Bishop bids wait, is larger than the num- 
 ber received. Our visits to the towns are 
 seasons of grateful joy, for we meet willing 
 and anxious listeners. 
 
 "The change to us, remembering what they 
 were when we left, is wonderful ; nothing 
 less than the moving of the Spirit of God over 
 the darkness could have wrought this. 
 
 "Thus it is, while God has apparently 
 weakened our strength by removing one and 
 another, He manifests His own power with- 
 out our being apparent instruments. To the 
 Bishop, who has lived years of patient wait- 
 ing, you can imagine how refreshing this 
 season is. Had it not been that it was our 
 duty, it would have been with regret that we 
 left the society of Cavalla. Here we have 
 met with a much kinder reception than we 
 anticipated. This people have usually been 
 very troublesome, but God seems to have 
 turned their hearts to favor us ; they supply 
 us readily and kindly with provisions, and 
 seem very willing to listen to our words. We 
 
200 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 
 
 have been cheered by large congregations on 
 Sunday, and some few seem seriously to 
 weigh what they hear." 
 
 On the 9th of August a quarterly meeting 
 of the Cape Palmas Convocation was held at 
 Rocktown. It was a season of great spiri- 
 tual refreshment from the presence of the 
 Lord. His Spirit seems to have been abun- 
 dantly poured out upon His faithful ser- 
 vants. 
 
 Here for several days a most interesting 
 series of services took place, with sermons, 
 and addresses, and reports from foreign and 
 native ministers and assistants. It was with- 
 out doubt the most memorable occasion in 
 the history of the mission, and one fraught 
 with the richest spiritual blessings. 
 
 To Mrs. Hoffman it was the fulfilment of 
 long-cherished hopes, the answer to unwea- 
 ried prayers, the accomplishmet of her heart's 
 most earnest longing, the crowning blessing 
 of life. She felt that she had not lived in 
 vain ; all her sacrifice in coming to Africa 
 appeared now infinitely lighter than ever; 
 she had been permitted to see Ethiopia 
 stretching out her hands unto God, and a 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 201 
 
 native African ministry going forth with 
 apostolic zeal to the evangelization of their 
 countrymen. 
 
 How precious to the Christian to trace the 
 wondrous instrumentality by which this great 
 blessing was imparted. While the Church 
 at home was mourning over the death of the 
 Rev. Robert Smith as the loss of one so gift- 
 ed, so holy, and so admirably fitted for his 
 work, little could we have imagined that out 
 of this sad event God was to work for Africa 
 inestimable good ! Yet all the surviving 
 missionaries agree in tracing this great work 
 to the instrumentality of his death. 
 
 Among the few precious letters of Mrs. 
 Hoffman which yet remain to us, is one de- 
 scribing the services of the Convocation, 
 which is full of holy joy and gladness. 
 
 "Rocktown, Monday, August 13. 1855. 
 
 ""Would, dear sister, that pen and ink 
 could enable you to take the cup of joy which 
 is now filled to the brim for us ! How would 
 you rejoice that your sister is honored to 
 witness the fulfilment of the promise in 
 which we trusted before we came ! 
 
202 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 "On Thursday, the 9th, our Convocation 
 met ; and as it was to meet here, we gladly 
 made our arrangements to accommodate our 
 friends. Bishop Payne and Mrs. Payne came 
 on Thursday evening. That evening we had 
 a sweet service, in which the Bishop urged 
 our seeking by earnest prayer the presence 
 of the Holy Spirit in all our assemblings. 
 
 "After service we had supper, and after 
 that the rest of the evening was spent in re- 
 lating the work of the Lord at Cavalla, and 
 at Dima Lu, a town three miles from Cavalla. 
 Mr. Scott came up Friday morning. 
 
 "At 7 o'clock Friday Messrs. Gibson, Har- 
 ris, Jones, Bedell, Boyd, Humphries, May, 
 and Robinson, all native youths, held service 
 for the people. At 11 we gathered in our 
 sweet little chapel, and Mr. Hoffman preached 
 the Convocation sermon. 
 
 "Friday afternoon, at 6, we again assem- 
 bled in the chapel ; and after a hymn, and 
 prayers by Mr. Gibson, the Bishop read his 
 report, and was followed by Mr. Hoffman. 
 Then Mr. Boyd, a native, who has charge of 
 Fishtown, related in Grebo his report. Be- 
 dell, who is with us, gave his report in cor- 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 203 
 
 rect English. He was followed by Mr. Scott. 
 Harris, who lives at Cape Palmas, and teaches 
 the native school, read an English report and 
 then spoke in Grebo. Rev. C. F. Jones re- 
 lated his labors in English, followed by 
 Humphries, from Taboo. Valentine, a brick- 
 maker, told us in broken English how he had 
 stood by the kiln and preached Christ. 
 
 " The hour of 9 was passed, when the Bi- 
 shop rose and said he felt that he could say, 
 like Simeon, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant 
 depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy 
 salvation I ' 
 
 "It was a quarter past 10 o'clock when we 
 returned to our home, after singing in con- 
 clusion the hymn, i Go preach my gospel, 
 saith the Lord,' etc. "Words fail to tell how 
 our hearts burned within us. The day long 
 looked for and prayed for has come. The God 
 who never failed to answer prayer has heard, 
 and His Spirit rests upon our people, begin- 
 ning by reviving the good work in the hearts 
 of the native Christians. There was no feel- 
 ing of weariness during the four hours we 
 were together. The earnest tones of the 
 young men, as they told of their labors and 
 
204 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 God's blessing upon them, roused all our 
 warmest gratitude, that we had lived to hear 
 them speak thus. 
 
 "Had all the pain and weariness of a hun- 
 dred lives been felt in mine, I would welcome 
 them, to have witnessed such a scene. 
 
 " Saturday morning a business meeting 
 was held, in which plans were devised for fu- 
 ture usefulness. 
 
 " Sunday morning, at 7 o'clock, Harris, 
 Boyd, and Bedell called the people together, 
 and talked to them. Harris is a candidate 
 for orders. 
 
 "At 11 o'clock the people came together 
 again. Two persons from the school were 
 baptized; the Bishop and Mr. Hoffman 
 preached, and for two hours the people lis- 
 tened. In the afternoon Confirmation was 
 held ; in the evening, a sermon again by the 
 Bishop ; and now this evening we have all 
 separated, strengthened for our work, and 
 blessing God for what we have seen and 
 heard." 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 205 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. — CONTINUED. 
 
 " I have not the heart to tell you of any- 
 thing else than this good work. You will 
 rejoice that for six weeks we have all kept 
 well. Our little Kate has grown fat, and is 
 full of play; she sits in her iron chair and 
 eats rice like a rice-bird. 
 
 The house we are in is not large, but is in 
 good order, and looks very sweetly. I have 
 white curtains in my room, white and blue 
 in the parlor, white in the stranger's room, 
 and white and pink in my closet and study. 
 Not anticipating certainly coming here, we 
 made but little provision for the table. We 
 have a fine garden ; beans, corn, tomatoes, 
 and egg-plants are abundant. Oleanders are 
 on every side of us, of the size of peach-trees. 
 A young colonist, studying for the ministry, 
 lives with us, and aids us in trading with 
 the natives. So far we have been able to get 
 
206 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 fowls; but fowl money (tobacco) is nearly 
 out, and we shall be in some trouble if the 
 Estelle does not bring tobacco, 
 
 " I am able to do more for the people than 
 ever before; I am happy to find that my 
 Grebo is understood. Now that Convocation 
 is over, I have begun a regular course of du- 
 ties, which sickness only will interrupt. The 
 people were not allowed to come near the 
 house before we came, and they look strangely 
 when we meet them kindly ; so that when I 
 give one of the head women a snuff-box I 
 gain the good-will of many, and thus am 
 able to speak to them as a friend. 
 
 "At one of our convocation-meetings reso- 
 lutions were passed to send a memorial home, 
 showing the opening of the field, and the 
 need of laborers. You will probably see it 
 published, as well as many of the incidents 
 connected with the recent converts. Sixty- 
 five persons knelt at communion last Sunday 
 at Oavalla — old men and young men, doctors 
 and women, no longer Satan's servants, but 
 freemen of the Lord. 
 
 "We think that some are serious here. 
 To-day, a doctor went to get medicine in the 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 207 
 
 bush, and the devil came on him (as he said) ; 
 he returned, foaming and screaming;, and toss- 
 ing about his body ; but the people threw him 
 into the sea, which is their mode of driving 
 the devil away ; and told him they wanted no 
 more doctors. 
 
 "Dear D and L will rejoice with 
 
 us, as well as our band of Christian friends ; 
 but none can realize our feelings. "We feel 
 that God's presence is with us, and with that 
 we want no more. Our Bishop's sojourn with 
 us was most blessed. He attributes to Mr. 
 Smith's death, under God, this general awa- 
 kening. 
 
 "Where are you now, dear sister, and how 
 are you ? May you be strengthened to bear 
 bodily pain, and may you have abundant con- 
 solation in your soul !" 
 
 Alas ! when this was written, that loved sister 
 was beyond the reach of human sympathies, 
 and at rest. On the first of July, she fell 
 asleep sweetly in Jesus, a child of God, sanc- 
 tified by affliction, and meet for the society 
 of the just made perfect. ]Sot yet had the 
 tidings reached Mrs. Hoffman. Soon after 
 the delightful services recorded above, indeed 
 
208 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 on the very day her letter was written, she 
 was taken sick with a more than ordinarily 
 severe attack of African fever. On her re- 
 covery, little Kate was also attacked with the 
 same disease, and for a time was dangerously 
 ill. 
 
 August 30th, Mrs. Hoffman writes, alluding 
 to this : — 
 
 " My Dear M . 
 
 " God hath spoken gently and in love since 
 I last wrote, bidding me fix my heart on Him ; 
 and while discharging the duties He appoints, 
 to seek a meetness for His presence. My 
 clear little one has been very sick with the 
 acclimating fever. God's goodness so ordered 
 it, that her old nurse was with me at the time, 
 and her presence was a great comfort to me. 
 Kate had not seen her for six weeks, but re- 
 membered her, and was so happy to be with 
 her. Her fever lasted nearly forty hours, 
 without intermission, and left her so weak, 
 that we watched by her side for two days, 
 doubting whether she would survive. She is 
 now recovering her strength and color, and 
 is a dear companion to me. Mr. Hoffman is 
 well, and constantly occupied. He is kept in 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 209 
 
 great peace amidst the various duties of the 
 station. 
 
 A paragraph in a letter at this time reveals 
 the anxiety often endured by our faithful mis- 
 sionaries, from the want of a generous and 
 liberal support on the part of the Church at 
 home : — 
 
 " The want of (missionary) funds at home 
 causes us greater embarrassment than can be 
 understood at home, and also many careful 
 but not anxious thoughts, for we know the 
 work is not ours, but God's. The natives at 
 home do not understand how there can be 
 want of means in a country like America. 
 The prayer needs to be literally offered, 6 Give 
 us this day our daily bread ! " 
 
 In the midst of all their anxieties and trials 
 from sickness, they were blessed with great 
 spiritual blessings in beholding the work of 
 the Lord prospering in their hands. 
 
 An extract from Mr. Hoffman's journal at 
 this time describes a scene of deep interest, 
 when we remember that those who were par- 
 ticipants in it were but lately under the do- 
 minion of the most degrading superstition : 
 
 " August 31st. — We had a most interesting 
 14 
 
210 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 meeting, this evening, of all our native com- 
 municants. The Sunday following, the Lord's 
 Supper was to be administered, and I invited 
 the communicants to the Mission House for 
 religious worship, and to partake of an even- 
 ing meal. Having assembled, we sang a 
 hymn. I told them something of the ancient 
 Agapce (or feasts of love), and we knelt in 
 prayer. I read a chapter in the Bible, and 
 exhorted to love, and faith, and good works ; 
 read also a letter giving an account of the 
 interest in religion among another part of the 
 tribe ; a native Christian offered a prayer, 
 and we sang a hymn, rising at the doxology. 
 Our table, having been previously arranged 
 in the room, a few plain dishes were brought 
 in, of which we sat down and partook, as 
 being the blessing of our God. Our cheerful 
 meal finished, all parted in peace and good- 
 will. These meetings are monthly. At the 
 Bishop's station they have been held for two 
 years, with good results. They tend to unite 
 the native Christians and us altogether, and 
 promote peace and love. If natives eat to- 
 gether, it is proof that there is peace between 
 them." 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 211 
 
 On the 7th of September, there was an ar- 
 rival from the United States, bringing the 
 first tidings from home Mrs. Hoffinan had 
 received since her departure. It was her cus- 
 tom always, while in Africa, when letters ar- 
 rived, before opening them, to kneel and ask 
 in prayer, that she might be prepared for 
 whatever sad message they brought. These 
 letters bore to her the intelligence of the de- 
 cease of her loved sister, and she thus writes, 
 on the receipt of them, to her dearest friend, 
 who had ministered so faithfully to her sister 
 during the last days of her life : — 
 
 Rocktowx, Sept 12th, 1855. 
 
 " My Dearest D . 
 
 " On the evening of the 7th, your letter 
 came. Mr. Hoffman and I knelt, and asked 
 for grace to say, 'Father, Thy will be done/ 
 before we read it. 
 
 " Though I knew my precious sister could 
 not long continue with us, yet, while she was 
 spared even in weakness and suffering, it was 
 a comfort to me. There is now such a void; 
 for years, sister has been in my prayers, and 
 now to feel that she needs them no more 
 
212 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 
 
 (while I rejoice that she is taken from so much 
 suffering) brings a feeling of loneliness. But 
 I shall not mourn for her long. Soon, very 
 soon, will we be re-united, where our Elder 
 Brother hath eternal mansions for us. 
 
 "What thanks ought we to give, that God 
 so sustained my darling one ! She seemed 
 hardly like herself, so marvellous was the 
 work of grace. You were privileged to be 
 with her, and to receive her parting kiss. It 
 is a comfort to me to know 7 she had your lov- 
 ing care, and that every comfort was provided 
 for her. I do not fear for the children : w r e, 
 as orphans, proved the truth of God's pro- 
 mises, in answer to our dear mother's pray- 
 ers, and so will Mary and Willie. 
 
 "It was the day before we anchored at 
 Cape Palmas, while we were arranging our 
 things, and saying, ' to-morrow — to-night, 
 we will be there,' that my beloved one en- 
 tered into her eternal home, from whence she 
 will go no more out. We have had sorrow 
 and sickness — our little Kate and myself 
 have neared the entrance to our beloved one's 
 abode ; but God had work for us, and restored 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 213 
 
 us. She has been praising, without weari- 
 ness, Him who hath loved her, and washed 
 her from her sins in His own blood. 
 
 "I had trusted that she would have re- 
 ceived my letters, telling of the work of grace 
 progressing here. But, surely if the angels 
 rejoice over repenting sinners, do not also the 
 spirits of the just ? And as one and another 
 of our people have confessed Christ, has not 
 dear sister tuned her harp to rejoice over 
 those for whom we are laboring ? 
 
 " I thank you for telling me so much of 
 her last days. Every word is precious — I 
 treasure them to help my own heart, and to 
 show my little one, if she lives, to know her 
 loss. Her last words to me are indeed pre- 
 cious. Oh ! that they may be written on my 
 heart, and sanctified to me and mine ! 
 
 " I feel that it is good for the heart to be 
 chastened ; in our multiplied duties the world 
 and Satan would strive to hold us, and our 
 Father in compassion helps us on our way. 
 
 Brother B will need an Almighty arm 
 
 on which to lean, and I trust he will place 
 his whole confidence there, that he may real- 
 
214 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 ize that ' perfect peace' which sister told 
 him of. 
 
 " To all who were kind to my dear one, 
 remember me with love. Oh, what links 
 have we to draw us heavenward ! May we 
 feel this to be only a sojourning place ! 
 
 " Tell me of anything you remember of 
 dear sister; you know how the heart clings 
 to the earthly memory. Kiss the dear chil- 
 dren. If I live I will write to them, and 
 daily are they in our prayers. 
 
 "Love and peace from God be with us, 
 support us, and lead us to himself. 
 
 Two days afterwards, she writes to another 
 friend; showing that, amidst many severe 
 trials, her heart was deeply enlisted in her 
 work. 
 
 "Rocktown, September l^th, 1855. 
 
 "Dear Mrs. M.: 
 
 " God has testified of His love towards us 
 since we parted from you. 
 
 "My husband and Miss Williford have 
 written to you, but I think you have had no 
 letter from me. I devoted all my time for 
 writing to my precious sister, hoping to com- 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 215 
 
 fort her in our absence by tidings of God's 
 blessings on us. I knew not she was in her 
 Savior's bosom, counting the sufferings of the 
 past (and they were great) not worthy to be 
 compared with the glory she enjoys. She 
 was my last near relative. Our family in 
 heaven is now complete ; and when the Mas- 
 ter calls, if any thought save that of Jesus 
 can enter the mind, I may look for my greet- 
 
 " Mrs. Payne mentions in a note, i that 
 little Blanche has gone to her mother.' My 
 own little darling has been so near the grave 
 that I can better realize Mr. Hening's loss. 
 I do not doubt that God will comfort him, 
 for I well know that none other can. 
 
 " Our little one's acclimation was very se- 
 vere ; two days she seemed waiting for God's 
 word for life to cease. He dealt gently with 
 us, showing us her frailty, and then bade 
 health return, and we rejoiced over our re- 
 stored one as a second gift. 
 
 " Though outwardly we have not been 
 without trials, yet God has poured out His 
 Spirit so abundantly that we are rejoicing 
 
216 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 more than sorrowing. Mr. Hoffman never 
 replies to my inquiry whether he has had a 
 pleasant time at his afternoon preaching- 
 places, without telling me of attentive con- 
 gregations, comfort in his own soul, and some- 
 times of serious inquirers. How Miss M's 
 heart would warm to go with her sisters at 
 Cavalla to the houses of the native Christians, 
 and listen to their cheerful trust in the one 
 true God ! " 
 
 The journal of her husband during this 
 month contains the record of many facts con- 
 firming her report, and evincing the abun- 
 dant prosperity of the work of the Lord in 
 their hands. 
 
 On the 6th of September, at the usual mis- 
 sionary meeting at the station, the native 
 Christians agreed to assist in the support of 
 G. W. Hutchings, a native youth from Rock- 
 town, to live among his own people and 
 teach them the gospel. One youth, a school- 
 boy not receiving any salarj^, went to the 
 bush and gathered a bundle of rattans, which 
 he split and offered for sale, and gave the 
 proceeds, nine cents, for the work of God. 
 
LIFE AT ROCKTOWN, 217 
 
 And a poor blind boy, who received but six 
 shillings a month, wanted to give a portion 
 of this for the spread of the gospel. 
 
 Will not these rise up in judgment to con- 
 demn many in a Christian land who give but 
 grudgingly of their abundance to bear the 
 tidings of mercy to a vast continent shrouded 
 in midnight darkness ? 
 
 Sunday, the 9th, Mr. Hoffman baptized 
 four persons, all of whom gave most delight- 
 ful evidence of the renewal of the heart by 
 the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Monday, the 17th, three native men ex- 
 pressed to him their desire for baptism. One, 
 the son of the head man of the town, had 
 three wives, but was willing to relinquish two 
 of them and join the people of God, 
 
 Sunday, the 23d, he preached at Fishtown 
 to 250 people under the shade of spreading 
 trees. Two were candidates for baptism. 
 
 An incident occurred at this time which so 
 strikingly illustrates missionary life in Africa 
 that we have given it a place. 
 
 " On the 25th of September a native was 
 taken sick and died on the road. His corpse 
 was brought to the town, and the bearers of 
 
218 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 
 
 it struck against the house of his brother. 
 This was an indication that the brother had 
 caused the death by witchcraft. The man 
 thus accused (Torobo) was one of considera- 
 ble influence; and knowing the consequence, 
 he fled to the mission-house for protection. I 
 found him in the parlor ; and descending the 
 stairs, observed a crowd of men (the soldiers) 
 rushing into the house, and with angry words 
 and fierce looks demanding the man. Be- 
 lieving he was innocent, and unjustly ac- 
 cused, and having sought my protection, I 
 was not willing to give him up to what I be- 
 lieved would have been certain death, so in- 
 censed were the people against him. So, 
 although the lower room was full of men de- 
 manding his surrender, with the assistance 
 of some native Christian youths and two na- 
 tive friends, we stood at the foot of the stairs 
 and kept them down. They feared to use 
 violence ; and finding us resolute, they gra- 
 dually left the house, and we barred the 
 doors : they continuing, however, to make a 
 great noise outside. Gradually they went 
 away ; and we, supposing we would not be 
 further annoyed, were taking dinner, when 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 219 
 
 guns were fired near the house, and the crowd 
 approached again, bringing the corpse with 
 them. Those who carried it pretended that 
 it would not pass the house; so it was 
 brought in the gate, carried violently about 
 and round the house, and struck against one 
 of the pillars. 
 
 " I had barred the doors, and we continued 
 our dinner ; the people still making a great 
 noise outside, and demanding the man, to 
 give him sassa-wood. The poor man was a 
 a good deal frightened, as well he might have 
 been ; for death seemed very near. I told 
 him to prepare for it ; to repent of his evil 
 ways, and seek pardon through the blood of 
 Jesus. He seemed affected by the conversa- 
 tion, and knelt in prayer. After about half 
 or three-quarters of an hour, the corpse was 
 carried away, the people gradually left, and 
 the sisters and brothers, wives and children 
 of the man stole in to see him. I would 
 gladly have been rid of him ; but it w r as 
 thought best for me to keep him over night, 
 as the people would watch for him in all 
 quarters. Towards evening, however, one of 
 
220 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 
 
 the head men came to take him away to 
 Middletown, the soldiers having consented 
 that he should go there to drink it. The 
 man being willing to go, I gave him up, and 
 with no little satisfaction saw him depart." 
 
 Two weeks after, during service on Sun- 
 day, Mr. Hoffman heard that the people were 
 engaged in giving sassa-wood to Torobo. In 
 order to clear his character, and prove his in- 
 nocence of the crime of witchcraft, he had 
 twice drank sassa-wood of his own accord at 
 Middletown, whither he had fled. He now 
 returned with a proud heart, and called the 
 people to witness to his innocence. 
 
 " When I heard of this," says Mr. H., " just 
 at church-time, I sent Bedell to expostulate, 
 and beg of them, in my name, to observe the 
 Sabbath. They refused. The town was full, 
 the church empty. We were sitting at din- 
 ner when we heard the bitter cries of a w t o- 
 man, as she was hastening to a town beyond 
 us. What we thought might have occurred 
 had happened ; Torobo had drank the sassa- 
 wood, and it had killed him, We could not 
 but exclaim, ' Is not this the hand of God V 
 
LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 221 
 
 This man had been solemnly warned; the 
 wickedness of his having gree-grees had been 
 shown him, and acknowledged by him ; and 
 yet, though perfectly aware of the sacredness 
 of the Sabbath, he polluted it with coming to 
 drink sassa-wood on it." 
 
 (17) 
 
222 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 < All sorrow ought to be Hein-weh" (home-sickness). 
 
 German saying. 
 
 "'I know,' is all the mourner saith, 
 
 * Knowledge by suffering entereth, 
 And Life is perfected by Death ; — 
 
 I am content to touch the brink 
 Of pain's dark goblet, and I think 
 My bitter drink a wholesome drink. 
 
 I am content to be so weak ; 
 
 Put strength into the words I speak, 
 
 For I am strong in what I seek. 
 
 Glory to God — to God,' he saith 
 
 * Knowledge by suffering entereth, 
 And Life is perfected by Death.'" 
 
 Our records concerning Mrs. Hoffman's 
 life from this period become very meagre. 
 ]STo letters have come to us in the period from 
 September 19th to January 16th, 1856. This 
 is doubtless easily explained. The whole of 
 the interval was one of sickness and suffering. 
 
GATHERING CLOUDS. 223 
 
 She seems to have been fully aware that her 
 life was drawing rapidly to a close. On the 
 19th of September, she writes : — 
 
 " Life's sands run more rapidly here than 
 in healthier lands ; and when the Master calls 
 me, I know that there are multitudes of loved 
 ones to greet me." 
 
 During the month of October, she was 
 prostrated by a severe attack of inflammation 
 of the lungs; and after a partial recovery 
 from this, symptoms of consumption began 
 rapidly to manifest themselves. The months 
 of October, November, and December, were 
 passed in her home at Kocktowm ; but now 
 the providence of God kindly prepared for 
 her another home, where the trials of sick- 
 ness might be better soothed by the presence 
 of a skilful physician, and the kind offices 
 of many Christian friends. 
 
 During the latter part of December, the 
 Eev. Mr. Scott, feeling that his impaired 
 health required a change of climate, left Cape 
 Palmas, accompanied by his wife, for Rio de 
 Janeiro, bound to the United States. In con- 
 sequence of Mr. Scott's departure, the Bishop 
 appointed Mr. H. to reside at the Orphan 
 
224 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 Asylum, with the supervision of St. Mark's 
 church, the natives of Cape Palmas, and the 
 two stations of Rocktown and Fishtown. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1856, they removed 
 to their new residence, and in a few days 
 were joined by Miss Alley, who had the chief 
 charge of the children of the institution. Of 
 these there were seventeen, and, besides the 
 boarders, twelve day-scholars. The health 
 of Mrs. Hoffman was too feeble to allow her 
 to take any part in the schools. From this 
 place she writes : — 
 
 Orphan Asylum, 
 Cape Palmas, January 6ik, 1856. 
 
 "My Dear D . 
 
 "It w r as with great joy that we received 
 your letters about the last of December. The 
 English papers told us of the yellow fever in 
 Norfolk, in October, and I was most anxious 
 for you all. How many dear friends have 
 been taken ! But I look for more judgments. 
 God grant that we may be found faithful. 
 
 " The dear children are in my heart, and I 
 was so glad to know that they still kept sister 
 in remembrance. 
 
 " I cannot write much to you, dear D , 
 
GATHERING CLOUDS. 225 
 
 for I have been laid aside from work, with 
 many symptoms of my lungs being affected. 
 It commenced with an attack of pneumonia, 
 but my cough continues, with much pain in 
 my side, loss of blood from coughing, frequent 
 fevers and profuse perspirations. 
 
 " Could you see me, I think you would be 
 struck with my likeness to clear sister. 
 
 " You see we are in another home. I have 
 been unable to pack anything, but we are 
 moving by degrees. Miss Alley, a most lovely 
 and efficient sister, has the entire charge of 
 the institution. 
 
 " I have been in bed nearly all the time 
 that we have been here ; but Miss Alley comes 
 to my room, and we arrange our plans ; and 
 sometimes there is writing to be done, which 
 I do, as I am now writing this, lying in bed. 
 
 " We are, you know, living in the colony, 
 and my neighbors are very kind. Hearing 
 that my appetite was not good, they have 
 been sending me milk, with nice bread and 
 butter. Our flour and butter are out ; and 
 owing to the want of funds at home, the Sec- 
 retary could not send our supplies for some 
 time. 
 
 15 
 
226 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 " My dear husband feels anxious about me, 
 and amid his many duties, finds time to pro- 
 vide many comforts for me. Then Miss Alley 
 is one of the kindest, warmest-hearted of 
 friends. The Doctor here has been able to 
 relieve me often, and now we live quite near 
 him. Kate has frequent chills, and I have 
 had to leave her very much to others." 
 
 Shortly after this letter was written, she was 
 called upon to bear a heavy sorrow, but which 
 was afterwards regarded, both by herself and 
 husband, as an act of loving-kindness from 
 their merciful heavenly Father. Her little 
 Eate, now at a most interesting age, and who 
 had been to her a source of such unfailing 
 happiness, amidst the trials and privations of 
 a heathen land, was suddenly removed by 
 death on the 1st of February. 
 
 This deep affliction was thus noticed by 
 Mr. Hoffman, in a letter to the Secretary of 
 the Foreign Committee, dated 
 
 " Orphan Asylum, 
 "Cape P almas, February ith, 1856. 
 
 "My Dear Brother. 
 "A few days ago, I wrote to Mr. Irving, 
 not late enough, however, to tell him of our 
 
GATHERING CLOUDS. 227 
 
 affliction, in the loss of our clear little daugh- 
 ter, Kate. To us she was most suddenly 
 called away by Him who loved her, and took 
 her to Himself. She had been uncommonly 
 well until within two days of her death, 
 when she had fever, apparently light as in 
 her previous attacks. On the third day, how- 
 ever, in the afternoon, she was taken with 
 spasms, which continued till half-past ten 
 o'clock at night, when her spirit was released, 
 and joined the redeemed ones in the heavenly 
 kingdom. 
 
 "She was buried on Saturday at Mount 
 Vaughan. The Rev. Mr. Eambo and Mr. 
 Gibson performed the service. The Bishop 
 was too unwell to come up. Though our 
 little one was each day more precious to us, 
 my dear wife bears up wonderfully under the 
 trial. She herself is exceedingly unwell ; a 
 severe cold, taken three months since, has 
 settled on her lungs, and she has a cough and 
 other symptoms, which cause me to fear she 
 is about to follow her dear sister by the same 
 way to the celestial city. She is scarce able 
 now to leave her bed without assistance, but 
 is cheerful and resigned to God's holy will." 
 
228 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 We can well understand how the afflicted 
 mother could bear so cheerfully the loss of 
 her precious child. She felt deeply conscious 
 that the sands of her own life were fast run- 
 ning out, and could but rejoice that her little 
 one should pass before her into the heavenly 
 home. 
 
 It was a grievous trial to her, that her own 
 exceeding feebleness rendered it impossible 
 for her to minister to her child during its last 
 illness. 
 
 The picture drawn in the following letter, 
 written but ten days before her own decease, 
 of the sick mother, dragging herself from her 
 sick room to the side of her dying child, to 
 watch its closing breath, and imprint a part- 
 ing kiss upon its lips, is one which must touch 
 every heart. March 13th, she writes (and the 
 very writing exhibits traces of great weak- 
 ness : — 
 
 "Many days, all of sickness, since I wrote, 
 
 dear D . It has been our Father's will 
 
 to take our little lamb into His own arms. 
 She had been severely taken with fever, and 
 was threatened with convulsions. On the 1st 
 of February, at 3 P. M., one of these came 
 
GATHERING CLOUDS. 229 
 
 on ; and gathering from the noise that some- 
 thing had happened, I crept to Miss Alley's 
 room, and saw my darling one in great agony. 
 Too weak to sit up, they laid me where I 
 could watch her, and her father and Miss 
 Alley miuistered to her. I think she was 
 unconscious, although her groans were dis- 
 tressing. 
 
 "About 10 o'clock she seemed easy, and 
 in a little while they led me to kiss the silent 
 lips of my first-born and only one. 
 
 " Sweet it is to us that her first words were 
 spoken in heaven's language ; for she never 
 talked on earth. God's sustaining grace was 
 granted us, and we thanked Him that our 
 babe was in His arms. We have had much 
 joy in her. 
 
 "I cannot write more of her; for since 
 then other symptoms connected with my 
 cough have reduced my strength to almost 
 nothing/ ' 
 
230 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE CLOSING SCENE — THE GATE OF HEAVEN 
 
 "And friends, dear friends, when it shall be 
 That this low breath is gone from me, 
 
 And round my bier ye come to weep, 
 Let one, most loving of you all, 
 Say, 'not a tear must o'er her fall ; 
 
 He giveth His beloved sleep.'" 
 
 It was now the season of Lent ; a time 
 which had ever been very dear to her since 
 she first consecrated herself to Christ. It 
 was the period when, in her home in Nor- 
 folk, she was accustomed to look for a special 
 blessing on the Church, and upon her own 
 soul; and in Africa its return was ever 
 greeted with joy. Though confined to a 
 sick-bed, she was not without many spiritual 
 comforts; the word of God was more than 
 ever precious to her heart, and in the quiet 
 of her own chamber she enjoyed fellowship 
 with the Father and with His Son, Jesus 
 Christ. Nor can we doubt that sweet fore- 
 
THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 231 
 
 tastes of heaven were granted her, and that 
 bright anticipations of re-union with her lost 
 loved ones often cheered the hours of bodily 
 depression. 
 
 On Sunday, the 9th March, she received 
 for the last time, from her husband's hands, 
 the memorials of her Savior's broken body 
 and shed blood, soon to drink it anew in her 
 Father's kingdom. 
 
 Saturday, 15th, Mr. H. records in his jour- 
 nal, " Mrs. Hoffman too ill for me to be long 
 absent from her. She herself has little anti- 
 cipation of prolonged life; she rejoices in an 
 assured sense of her acceptance with God, 
 through Jesus Christ." 
 
 The last words from her pen were written 
 Monday, 17th of March. After sending mes- 
 sages of love to all her dear friends at home, 
 she adds, " I have said but little of our work, 
 as, with the few we have left, we can only 
 keep up old works. The Committee tell us 
 to stop some of these, for want of means. It 
 is hard to have this added to our other trials. 
 Miss Ball returns home, on account of sick- 
 ness. Dear Mrs. Eambo's loss was a great 
 one ; she was so efficient, and so sweet a 
 
232 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 Christian. But we know God rules, and out 
 of this cloud will yet bring light." 
 
 So true to the last did her heart beat with 
 deep affection and firm faith towards the 
 great work to which she had consecrated her 
 life. Two days after the above was written, 
 "Wednesday, 19th, Mr. Hoffman says, in his 
 journal, 
 
 "As the physician advised my not being 
 absent from the house, the usual lecture for 
 the day was omitted. In conversing with 
 Mrs. H., who had been suffering extreme 
 pain, she said she was full of sin ; but lifting 
 her eyes, and with a smile, exclaimed, 'His 
 righteousness ! covered with the role of His 
 righteousness ! ' 
 
 "Good-Friday. — A night of pain to the 
 sufferer, but sustained by Him 'who had 
 wonderfully led her all her life long,' 'in 
 which she beheld herself as nothing, and 
 Him as everything.'" 
 
 "Saturday, 22cl March. — Mrs. H. able to 
 speak but little, yet her thanks and prayers 
 ascend: 'I thank Thee, O Father, for the 
 means of relief afforded. May I glorify Thee 
 by life or by death ! ' " 
 
THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 233 
 
 This was Easter Even. One more night 
 alone intervened before an Easter morning 
 whose sun should not go down, and of which 
 "the Lamb is the light and God the glory." 
 
 Who would not rejoice to die on that blessed 
 day on which Jesus rose, the first fruits of 
 them that slept ? This favor He showed to 
 His sanctified one, who now prayed, " even 
 so come, Lord Jesus." 
 
 The history of that closing scene has been 
 written by the one most deeply afflicted, in a 
 letter to the writer of these pages, which we 
 now subjoin. 
 
 " Orphan Asylum, Cape Palmas, 
 "March 25, 1855. 
 
 " Eev. and dear Brother : 
 
 " To you, who were chosen of God to be 
 the blessed instrument of bringing the glo- 
 rious light of the gospel of Jesus to the 
 knowledge of my beloved wife, must I now 
 relate the circumstances of her happy depar- 
 ture to Him. 
 
 " It occurred on Easter morning, the 23d, 
 at twenty minutes past 9 o'clock. Peaceful, 
 joyous, she fell asleep in Jesus. 
 
234 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 "You know that on our arrival we were 
 appointed to take charge of the station at 
 Rocktown, where we settled the 18th of July. 
 Mrs. Hoffman and our little daughter both 
 had rather severe attacks of fever; from 
 which, however, they entirely recovered. It 
 was in the month of October that Mrs. Hoff- 
 man took a severe cold, which gradually af- 
 fected her lungs, and terminated her life by 
 consumption. 
 
 "But God was very, very gracious to her, 
 and to me also. The departure of Eev. Mr. 
 Scott for America made it necessary for us to 
 leave Rocktown and to reside at the Asylum. 
 This at the time was a subject of regret; but 
 it was plainly the path of Providence, and 
 therefore cheerfully followed. 
 
 " But what mercy was in it ! Here she 
 had an airy and comfortable room, very kind 
 friends and neighbors, and the attendance of 
 a physician, who was enabled to afford her 
 great and frequent relief. Moreover, soon 
 after our departure from Rocktown, war broke 
 out between the Cape and Rocktown natives, 
 and intercourse was in a great measure 
 stopped. Under such circumstances, without 
 
THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 235 
 
 a female friend, or means of hearing from 
 the doctor, or opportunity of getting many 
 necessary things in her sickness, how much 
 she might have suffered! How very kind, 
 then, in our Heavenly Father, to bring her 
 here and give her all these comforts ! 
 
 " She oftentimes thought that her sickness 
 might end in death, but not one shade of 
 trouble or anxiety did it cause her. Her 
 little lamb had been gathered to the Savior 
 on the 1st of February ; it was another love- 
 token from 4 her Father/ to gather it first and 
 then to call its mother ; and so she felt it. 
 
 "A few days before she died, as in the silent 
 watches, we talked together, she spoke of 
 herself as a sinner, ' nothing but sin ;' she felt 
 the effects of evil habits in youth, but all co- 
 vered, fully covered in the robe of the right- 
 eousness of Jesus. 
 
 "Always has she retained a sense of accep- 
 tance with the Father, through the merits of 
 the Son ; never have I known doubts of this to 
 cloud her spiritual vision. 
 
 " The last night of her suffering she was un- 
 able to lie down in bed, and was supported 
 by pillows. At 5 in the morning, I assisted 
 
236 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 her to the rocking-chair, where she was more 
 comfortable. She was in pain, and oppressed 
 for breath, and I sent for the physician. Mean- 
 while I sat by her side, repeating to her pas- 
 sages of Scripture and portions of hymns, 
 w r hich refreshed and strengthened her soul. 
 Sweet smiles, amid her agony, enlightened 
 her countenance. 
 
 " The physician came, and she inquired how 
 long it would be ere she would depart ? When 
 told 'not long,' she smiled for joy, and said, 
 ' Doctor, you have been kind to me, but Jesus 
 kinder.' 
 
 " "When pain caused her brow to contract, 
 and her countenance spoke the agony of her 
 body, she prayed to be released — ' Father, 
 take Thy child,' was her simple, childlike 
 prayer. And again, strengthening herself in 
 the Lord, she said, in the midst of suffering, 
 ' Thy will be done, but oh ! the flesh is weak.' 
 
 " I said to her, ' Darling, is your trust in 
 Jesus V and, with a smile and voice of firm- 
 ness, she replied, 'In Him alone.'' I asked 
 her if she had any message to her friend, Miss 
 D , and, with a smile of sweet remem- 
 brance, she said, ' Love ' — 'to all ' — ' at Ca- 
 valla' — 'Annie.' 
 
THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 237 
 
 " I asked (not that I doubted, but to receive 
 her dying testimony) if she had any regrets 
 for coming to Africa, She turned half to- 
 wards me, and with a smile almost of reproach, 
 said, ' Oh ! no — never ! ' 
 
 " She had expressed, during her sickness, 
 some fears of the pangs of death, but none 
 of her acceptance with God ; yet the Lord 
 was very gracious to her, and her sufferings 
 were not protracted. Once in her pain, she 
 said, 'It is so wearisome,' but added, 'I will 
 bear it.' I reminded her of the more bitter 
 cup that Jesus had drank for her, whose suf- 
 ferings and death we had been at this season 
 contemplating, and she remembered them, 
 smiles mingling with expressions of submis- 
 sion to her Father's will. 
 
 "To a female friend, who had been very 
 kind to her, in sending comforts in her sick- 
 ness, and whose soul is much exercised in the 
 things of God, she sent a message, saying, 
 'Tell her she must meet me.' At a later 
 period of quiet, she said, 'I do not suffer.' 
 
 " As her dissolution approached, I asked, 
 ' Is all well ?' ' Yes ' — (with a sweet smile) — 
 < Joy '—and still later, < Is all well V and ' Yes,' 
 with a smile of triumph. 
 
238 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 " Afterwards followed these broken sen- 
 tences : ' Love to the Bishop ' — ' Love to Miss 
 Alley ' — c of our work ' — i the Lord reign- 
 eth,' perhaps remembering how few remained 
 to perform the work. 
 
 " As time grew short, I leaned to kiss her, 
 and said, ' Farewell, my blessed one,' and she 
 kissed me. Then she fell into a sweet sleep, 
 resting her head against Miss Alley. The 
 servants gathered around her, and for half an 
 hour, while her breath was shortening, she 
 slept quietly ; then opened her eyes, and cast 
 them round her, and slept again. Her breath 
 returned at increasing intervals. It ceased — 
 without a struggle — she slept in Jesus. 
 
 "We knelt beside her, and thanked our 
 Father and Jesus, and the blessed Spirit, for 
 the grace and loving-kindness granted to our 
 best beloved. 
 
 " Our good Bishop came up in the evening, 
 and, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Gibson, con- 
 ducted the service at 10 o'clock the next 
 morning. Sweet were his words of her, and 
 solemn his address to all. 
 
 " Eight natives, with white clothes, carried 
 her body to the burial ; behind them walked 
 
THE GATE OF HEAYEN. 239 
 
 the orphan children ; friends and mission 
 scholars followed. She was buried at Mount 
 Vaughan, by the side of her little Kate. 
 
 " Of earthly friends, my dear Brother, none 
 beside her husband, were more beloved than 
 you, because the joyous news of salvation 
 was by you imparted to her; and for you and 
 yours her prayers were ever offered. 
 
 " God dealt very graciously with her; and 
 she confessed that she seemed nothing, and 
 He everything. She was like clay in the pot- 
 ter's hands. She ever rejoiced in her mis- 
 sionary work, but regretted that she had not 
 been more faithful in it. 
 
 " Thus, my dear brother, receive the record, 
 and bless God for His w T ondrous grace. Oh ! 
 what a mighty Savior — what a loving Sa- 
 vior is Jesus ! May He be with us, make 
 us more faithful and zealous in His service, 
 that we may win such souls to Him, to swell 
 His praise forever ! 
 
 "I remain your brother in Christ, 
 
 " C. C. Hoffman." 
 
 Thus passed from earth to heaven this 
 saintly spirit. Not yet twenty-four years of 
 age, her earthly life completed ; and of that 
 
240 THE CLOSING SCENE. 
 
 brief period, more than five years spent in the 
 blessed work of winning the heathen to the 
 knowledge of Christ. Who does not feel that 
 it was a life well and nobly spent — a life 
 complete and whole — a life whose sublimest 
 object w r as achieved ere its brightest morning 
 hour was spent? "Her sun has gone down 
 while it was yet morning;" but early death 
 is no cause of regret to a life thus glorious. 
 Henry Martyn closed his career at the age of 
 thirty-two, and Harriet Newell at the earlier 
 period of nineteen, yet their work was done ; 
 and hereafter, to many hearts the name of 
 Virginia Hoffman will be deemed worthy to 
 be enrolled by the side of theirs, and of that 
 glorious company who, having turned many 
 to righteousness, shall shine as stars in the 
 firmament forever and ever. 
 
 Within an iron enclosure, at Mt. Vaughan, 
 two green mounds are seen : roses and lilies, 
 acacias and geraniums, mingle their odors 
 and drop their leaves. The birds find a rest- 
 ing-place on the white tomb-stones, to sing 
 their morning and evening carols. 
 
 It is a spot of peace and beauty. The iron 
 gate is unlocked, and the flowers may yet 
 
THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 241 
 
 give place to the green mounds of the dead. 
 We draw near and read — 
 
 "SHE SLEEPS IN JESUS." 
 
 THE GRAVE OF VIRGINIA HAVISIDE HOFFMAN, WIFE OF THE 
 REV. C. C. HOFFMAN, MISSIONARY OF THE 
 PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 OF THE U. S. AMERICA. 
 AFTER PATIENTLY AND JOYFULLY LABORING THREE YEARS 
 AND SEVEN MONTHS IN THE MISSIONARY WORK, 
 HER HAPPY SPIRIT ROSE ON EASTER MORN- 
 ING, 23d march, 1856, to him who 
 
 CLOTHED HER WITH HIS SPOTLESS 
 
 ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 
 
 AND IN WHOM 
 
 "ALONE SHE TRUSTED." 
 
 SHE WAS BORN IN GLASTONBURY, CONN., AND FINISHED 
 
 HER WORK, AT THE AGE OF 23 YEARS AND FIVE 
 
 MONTHS, AT THE ORPHAN ASYLUM, 
 
 CAPE PALMAS. 
 
 DID SHE EVER REGRET LEAVING HER NATIVE LAND, TO 
 
 LABOR FOR JESUS AMONG THE HEATHEN? 
 
 "o! no! never!" was her dying 
 
 TESTIMONY. 
 
 On the other tomb-stone is this inscription : 
 
 "HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS AKMS." 
 
 THE GRAVE OF KATE SETON HOFFMAN, 
 
 INFANT DAUGHTER OF 
 
 THE REV. C. C. AND VIRGINIA H. HOFFMAN, 
 
 WHO DIED AT CAPE PALMAS, 
 
 FEBRUARY 1, 1856, 
 
 AGED 2 YEARS AND 7 MONTHS. 
 
 16 
 
242 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 "Break, break, break, 
 On thy cold gray stones, sea! 
 But the tender grace of a day that is dead 
 Will never come back to me." 
 
 The sad event cast a deep gloom over the 
 surviving members of the mission. The faith- 
 ful missionary Bishop felt that he had lost 
 one of his most efficient co-laborers, and the 
 heathen, too, dropped their tears over her 
 grave. 
 
 Very many hearts were filled with sorrow 
 as the tidings reached her native land. The 
 Church grieved the loss of so devoted a ser- 
 vant, and many were the kind words spoken 
 of the departed, and of her faithfulness even 
 unto death. 
 
 Said one of our Church papers : " Our worst 
 fears have been realized. It is with intense 
 pain we learn from the Qavalla Messenger, of 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 243 
 
 the death of this saint of God. And yet for 
 her we cannot mourn. With her it was 
 peace — the sweetestpeace and most blessed as- 
 surance. For her we do not and ought not to 
 mourn. We sorrow for the work she has left 
 behind unfinished. We grieve with our bro- 
 ther, who is left to tread life's journey alone. 
 We sympathize with the other missionaries, 
 who thus see their companions falling at their 
 side. But we know that Jesus lives. The work 
 is His. He is its Head. He in His own time 
 will put down everything that exalteth itself, 
 and opposeth Him. Soon there will be peace 
 throughout the earth. Every kingdom and 
 tribe will belong to Him. The workmen die : 
 but the work goes on — will go on — must 
 go on. 
 
 " Mrs. Hoffman, as if typical of her blessed 
 end, and what was to be revealed to her, 
 died on Easter morning. She was buried on 
 March 24th, and there she will lie until the 
 Eesurrection. And then? And then for 
 ever with the Lord ! " 
 
 The Foreign Committee of the Board of 
 Missions of our Church thus appropriately 
 
244 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 recorded its sense of her value to the mission 
 and the loss to the Church. 
 
 " The Sub-Committee on the African Mis- 
 sion, in presenting a report to the Foreign 
 Committee, beg first to notice the sore afflic- 
 tion which has fallen upon that mission in 
 the death of Mrs. Hoffman, wife of the Rev. 
 C. C. Hoffman, and his faithful fellow-laborer 
 in the work of giving the gospel to the hea- 
 then. 
 
 "Little more than twelve months since, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hoffman, with their only child, 
 were with us in health, and surrounded by a 
 large circle of loving kindred and friends. 
 None who saw them then, and heard them 
 speak of the joys of a missionary life, and 
 listened to the expressions of their earnest 
 desire to return to the scene of their labors 
 in Africa, can fail to have been convinced of 
 the singleness of purpose and heartiness of 
 devotion with which these servants of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ had given themselves to 
 the work. Had they been mindful of earthly 
 comforts surrounding a home in this country, 
 to none were these more freely proffered ; to 
 none could they have been more abundantly 
 
IN ME MORI AM. 245 
 
 secured. But any gain so obtained they 
 would have regarded as a grievous loss; 
 counting the service of Christ amid the hea- 
 then of Africa greater riches than all the 
 treasures of their native land. 
 
 " Now your missionary stands alone ; wife 
 and child are laid in the grave. 
 
 "Is the question asked, how does his faith 
 bear the shock ? His letters answer, it is un- 
 shaken ; and the reason is plain — he endures 
 " as seeing Him who is invisible." Calm and 
 undismayed, and with a spirit evidently the 
 abode of peace and of patient acquiescence, 
 he gives us, the very day of his wife's depar- 
 ture, the particulars of her last hours. Bless- 
 ed confidence, this, in the goodness and faith- 
 fulness of God, and a striking testimony of 
 the value of the Christian's hope. 
 
 " In view of these facts, the Sub-Committee 
 offer the following resolutions for adoption by 
 the Foreign Committee : 
 
 "Resolved, That it is with deep sorrow the 
 Committee have received intelligence of the 
 death of Mrs. Hoffman, at Cape Palmas, 
 West Africa, on the 23d of March last ; sor- 
 row, however, not unminglecl with joy, inas- 
 
246 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 much as the Committee have received with 
 this intelligence the dying testimony of the 
 departed of unshaken confidence in the work 
 there undertaken, and of her rejoicing to the 
 last, in that she had been permitted to labor 
 therein. 
 
 "Resolved, That the faith which, amid the 
 heaviest afflictions of sickness, bereavement, 
 and death itself, has sustained the missiona- 
 ries in Africa, and led them to urge on the 
 prosecution of the work, should in like man- 
 ner sustain the hearts of the Committee, and 
 of the Church generally, and lead to more 
 vigorous efforts for the extension of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom, and especially in the mis- 
 sionary field of Western Africa. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Committee desire to 
 give expression to their sympathy with their 
 beloved missionary, the Rev. Mr. Hoffman, 
 in the heavy trials to which he has been 
 called; and in doing so, they cannot but re- 
 cord their sense of the goodness of God and 
 the power of Divine grace in sustaining and 
 cheering the heart of his servant in the dark- 
 est hours of adversity. 
 
 "Resolved, That the reduction of the num- 
 
IN MEMORIAL 247 
 
 ber of laborers in Africa, by death and re- 
 moval, may well excite solicitude on the part 
 of the Committee and the Church, and lead 
 to more earnest supplication to the 'Lord of 
 the harvest to send forth laborers into His 
 harvest.'" 
 
248 PROGRESS OP THE MISSION. 
 
 -CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE AFRICAN MISSION SINCE THE 
 DEATH OF MRS. HOFFMAN. 
 
 We have thought it would be appropriate 
 to add to this Memoir a condensed sketch of 
 the history of the mission since the decease 
 of Mrs. Hoffman. 
 
 It is indeed painful to begin that task by 
 the statement that up to this time of writing 
 (September, 1857) so few laborers have stepped 
 forward to take the places of the fallen mis- 
 sionaries — to be " baptized for the dead." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Holcomb, a graduate of the 
 Alexandria Theological Seminary, of the 
 class of 1855, was appointed during that year 
 a missionary to Africa, and sailed on the 14th 
 of March, 1856, arriving at Monrovia on the 
 8th of May ; at which place he met Bishop 
 Payne, then on a visit to that station. 
 
 The only appointment to the mission from 
 this country in 1856, was that of Mr. W. A. 
 
PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 249 
 
 Davies, of Baltimore, as business agent and 
 teacher. 
 
 In September, 1856, the mission was again 
 called to mourn the loss of a valuable mem- 
 ber. Miss Isabella Alley died at Cavalla, on 
 the 29th of that . month, of consumption. 
 "Moved by the Spirit of God, Miss Alley 
 left a comfortable and beloved home in King 
 George County, Virginia, in October, 1855, 
 to join the mission at CapePalmas." Though 
 her career of service was short, yet most 
 faithfully did she perform her part. Her ef- 
 forts for the conversion of the heathen were 
 evidently blessed of God, and these gathered 
 about her tomb to mourn her early loss. She 
 was buried at Cavalla, by the side of the 
 Eev. Robert Smith, who had accompanied 
 her to Africa, and passed before her to his 
 rest on high. 
 
 Yet, amidst losses, sorrows, and sickness, 
 the work of God went on ; and the year 
 1855 was a year memorable for the tokens of 
 God's favor upon his servants' work. Fifty 
 converted heathen were during that year 
 added to the Church. The Cavalla Messen- 
 ger, of January, 1857, thus sums the results 
 
250 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 
 
 of many years' unwearied labor for Christ 
 and the salvation of the heathen : 
 
 " ' Ebenezer ! hitherto hath the Lord helped 
 us,' 
 
 "It is just nineteen years, last Christmas 
 
 day, since the Rev. Dr. Savage formally 
 opened the mission at Mount Vaughan, in 
 the only building connected with it, and this 
 but half finished. 
 
 " On that day, only about half a dozen com- 
 municants, if so many, were in connection 
 with the Episcopal church. Since then, 
 c through the good hand of our God upon 
 us,' the mission has established permanent 
 stations, of greater or less efficiency, at four- 
 teen different places, amongst colonists and 
 natives. 
 
 "It has expended for churches, mission- 
 houses, and school-houses, a sum not less 
 than one hundred thousand dollars. In the 
 day and boarding schools sustained by it, not 
 fewer than three thousand children and adults 
 received the rudiments of a Christian educa- 
 tion. 
 
 "From six, the communicants, partly now 
 living, partly dead, foreign, colonist, and na- 
 
PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 251 
 
 tive, have numbered at least three hundred. 
 The number at the present time is two hun- 
 dred and forty-one. The blessed gospel is 
 preached regularly to four colonist congrega- 
 tions, and in some twenty different native 
 tribes, and to a hundred thousand people. 
 There are now, including the Orphan Asy- 
 lum, seven commodious mission-houses, three 
 churches completed, and a fourth nearly so, 
 two being of stone, one brick, and one wood, 
 besides one very superior school-house, and 
 several more indifferent, for natives and colo- 
 nists. 
 
 "A more sufficient cause of thankfulness 
 still is to be found in the number and charac- 
 ter of the schools connected with the mission. 
 
 " The High School and Female Day School 
 at Mount Vaughan, the Orphan Asylum at 
 Harper, the native schools atFishtown, Rock- 
 town, Cape Palmas, Cavalla, Hening Station, 
 Rockbookah, and Taboo, the Boarding and 
 Colonist Day Schools at Bassa Cove, the Fe- 
 male High School at Monrovia, and Native 
 Boarding School and Colonist Day School in 
 Clay Ashland, give evidence of earnest and 
 well-directed efforts to diffuse Christian in- 
 
252 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 
 
 struction throughout the bounds of the mis- 
 sion. 
 
 "And these institutions, with the precious 
 fruits yielded by them, and the stations with 
 which they are connected, the children and 
 youths instructed, the souls converted to God, 
 the colonists and native ministers, and teach- 
 ers, and assistants raised up, the grace given 
 to those who labor, and to the Church in the 
 United States which sustains the laborers — 
 all these are our precious Ubenezer-stones — the 
 monuments of God's presence in the past, 
 and pledges of His blessing in the future. 
 
 "Among the tokens of God's favor among 
 the mission, we have to notice a remarkable 
 work of grace among the children of the Or- 
 phan Asylum at Cape Palmas. 
 
 " This was first discovered by the Kev. Mr. 
 Hoffman, on the 31st July, 1856, and conti- 
 nued to progress with encouraging indica- 
 tions for many weeks. With regard to six 
 of these, whom he was preparing for confirm- 
 ation and the holy Communion, Mr. Hoffman 
 writes, under date of 11th August, 
 
 " ' The whole demeanor, expression, and 
 conversation of these children indicates the 
 
PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 253 
 
 greatest sincerity, and gave the sweetest as- 
 surance that the work is the work of God. 
 Whose else can it be ? See ! He removes my 
 beloved wife, and they no longer have her 
 influence or instruction ; then He takes their 
 faithful teacher, and leaves them without a 
 female instructor; and then, when I am 
 alone, — yea, even when I am away, — He 
 works in them ! Even so, Lord, be Thine all 
 the praise, for ever and ever.' " 
 
 It is gratifying to know that this good 
 work still continues. In a letter from the 
 Rev. Mr. Hoffman, of the date of April 27th, 
 1857, he says, 
 
 "At the Orphan Asylum the lambs are 
 being brought to the Good Shepherd. Yes- 
 terday I baptized a very promising girl, about 
 ten years of age, whose life shows a renewed 
 heart — Catherine JSToel Johnson." 
 
 The present year has been one marked by 
 the excitement of war around the Mission ; 
 but this has not hindered its spiritual pros- 
 perity. In the beginning of the year, an un- 
 fortunate conflict arose between the colonists 
 n the Maryland settlement and the native 
 tribes. During some of the skirmishing which 
 
254 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 
 
 took place, the Mission buildings at Mount 
 Vaughan, the first established in the Mission, 
 in 1836, were destroyed by fire, by some of 
 the natives. The Cape Palnias natives after- 
 wards expressed their regret and shame at 
 this deed, and said it was not done by their 
 authority, but by the caprice of some indi- 
 viduals. 
 
 God has overruled this event, however, 
 for good. The Maryland Colony, for its bet- 
 ter protection from the violence of the native 
 tribes, has been annexed to Liberia ; and the 
 Church at home has already contributed over 
 six thousand dollars to replace the buildings 
 at Mount Vaughan, and to repair the losses 
 of the missionaries. 
 
 Eighteen months* have elapsed since the 
 death of Mrs. Hoffman, and a year since the 
 removal of Miss Alley ; but as yet no addi- 
 tions have been made to the reduced band of 
 laborers. Still do they press on undaunted 
 in their assaults upon the kingdom of dark- 
 ness. Nor do they toil in vain. Each arrival 
 from the Coast of Africa brings more cheer- 
 ing tidings. Bishop Payne, under date of 
 April 23, 185T, says : — 
 
 * This was written a year ago. 
 
PROGRESS OP THE MISSION. 255 
 
 " God's special blessing appears to have 
 rested upon the efforts of our beloved brother 
 Hoffman, at Cape Palmas. At the convoca- 
 tion just held in St. Mark's church, at Easter, 
 thirty-one persons were confirmed, and two or 
 three others were prevented by sickness from 
 coming forward. Since that time he informs 
 me that others have expressed their desire for 
 confirmation. Our beautiful little St. Mark's 
 is now becoming too small for the congrega- 
 tion attending it. 
 
 "At this station (Cavalla), the congregation 
 continues to average 200 to 250, and within 
 the past nine months, sixteen adult heathen 
 have been baptized into the Church's fold. 
 Others are hopeful candidates." 
 
 Without doubt, however, the highest result 
 of the mission is the raising up of our Af- 
 rican ministry to take the place of the fo- 
 reign missionaries. Besides three colored 
 colonists who are now ordained missionaries, 
 two native clergymen and seven native teach- 
 ers are proclaiming to their countrymen in 
 their own tongue the wonderful works of 
 God. Through these, and others ivho are yet to 
 follow, Africa is to be evangelized and re- 
 deemed. 
 
256 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 
 
 Since the last paragraph was written, God 
 has raised up other faithful laborers for the 
 field, willing to be baptized for the dead. 
 While the mission has been called to mourn 
 the sad loss of Mrs. Payne, and the return 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Scott to the United States, 
 it has been cheered and strengthened by eight 
 others, some of whom are at this time upon 
 the wide ocean, speeding their way to the 
 land of darkness and spiritual death. May 
 their example call forth others, who will count 
 not their lives dear unto themselves so that 
 they may preach among the heathen "the 
 unsearchable riches of Christ ! " 
 
 THE END. 
 
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