No. 2 is the African pamphlet, and contains (1) a history of the Mendi Mission, carefully compiled by Dr. Dana, now of Minnesota. It is much more full and detailed than that read by him at Syracuse, and printed in the December MISSIONARY. The valuable suggestions at the close of the paper are repeated only in their headings. (2) A brief supplement brings the history down to the departure of the second party of colored missionaries, Feb. 23rd, 1878. Large extracts are given (3) from the sermon by Dr. Scudder, of Brooklyn, full of information, quaintly put, as to the land, its products and its people; (4) from an address by Dist. Sec. Pike, on “The Relation of the Freedmen to Tropical Africa”; (5) from Secretary Strieby’s address, before the National Council, on “America and Africa”; and (6) from a paper by Dr. Bevan, of the Brick Church, New York, on the “Relations of England and America to Africa”. The history, the present aspects, and many important relations of the African Mission, are set forth with great fulness in this pamphlet of forty-eight pages.
No. 3 contains the address by Rev. Joseph Cook, at the Annual Meeting in Syracuse, revised and corrected by him. Those who heard it will not need to be reminded how vividly, in his own inimitable way, he set forth the perils to the nation from the three despised races, if suffered, by neglect, to remain in ignorance and degradation.
No. 4 is on the educational work of the Association. Its contents are excerpts from various papers, sermons and addresses. (1) “The Negro and his Needs,” by Gen. S. C. Armstrong, of Hampton, Va.; (2) “Who are Affected?” by Rev. Dr. Brown, of Newark, N. J.; (3) “Can he Care for Himself?” by Dr. Noble, of New Haven, Ct.; (4) “The Weapons of our Warfare,” by Rev. Washington Gladden, of Springfield, Mass.; (5) “Southern Attitudes,” by Dr. Rankin, of Washington, D. C.; (6) “A Southerner’s Approbation,” by Col. Preston, of Virginia; (7) “Rome in the South,” by Dist. Secretary Powell, of Chicago; and (8) “The Special Needs of the A. M. A.,” by Secretary Strieby.
These four pamphlets are not intended for indiscriminate distribution, nor for a temporary need. Rather, we have prepared them to serve as fixed ammunition, to be drawn upon by requisition, according to need. They are cartridges which will fit any gun, anywhere. If sent to individuals from our office, it will be always with a purpose, and for an end. But they will be most gladly sent in answer to requests from pastors, or from friends who may be seeking information on the special departments of our work. If we find these useful, and in demand, we may hasten the publication of other four, which are in process of preparation; on (5) The Church Work in the South; (6) The Chinese Work; (7) The Indian Work; and (8) Systematic Beneficence.