It must be apparent to the interested friends of languishing Africa, that there are yet two more problems presented for our solution; and they are certainly difficult of solution.  First, we must solve the problem of African geography; second, we must redeem by the power of the gospel, with all its attending blessings, the savage tribes of Africans who have never heard the beautiful song of the angels:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.”  That this work will be done we do not doubt.  We have great faith in the outcome of the missionary work going on now in Africa; and we are especially encouraged by the wide and kindly interest awakened on behalf of Africa by the noble life-work of Dr. David Livingstone, and the thrilling narrative of Mr. Henry M. Stanley.

It is rather remarkable now, in the light of recent events, that we should have chosen a topic at the close of both our academic and theological course that we can see now was in line with this work so near our heart.  The first oration was on “The Footsteps of the Nation,” the second was “Early Christianity in Africa.”  Dr. Livingstone had just fallen a martyr to the cause of geography, and the orators and preachers of enlightened Christendom were busy with the virtues and worth of the dead.  It was on the tenth day of June, 1874, that we delivered the last-named oration; and we can, even at this distance, recall the magnificent audience that greeted it, and the feeling with which we delivered it.  We were the first Colored man who had ever taken a diploma from that venerable and world-famed institution (Newton Seminary, Newton Centre, Mass.), and therefore there was much interest taken in our graduation.  We were ordained on the following evening at Watertown, Mass.; and the original poem written for the occasion by our pastor, the Rev. Granville S. Abbott, D.D., contained the following significant verses:—­

    “Ethiopia’s hands long stretching,
      Mightily have plead with God;
    Plead not vainly:  time is fetching
      Answers, as her faith’s reward. 
          God is faithful,
      Yea, and Amen is his word.

    Countless prayers, so long ascending,
      Have their answer here and now;
    Threads of purpose, wisely meeting
      In an ordination vow. 
          Afric brother,
      To thy mission humbly bow.”

The only, and we trust sufficient, apology we have to offer to the reader for mentioning matters personal to the author is, that we are deeply touched in reading the oration, after many years, in the original manuscript, preserved by accident.  It is fitting that it should be produced here as bearing upon the subject in hand.

     EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA.

     ORATION BY GEORGE W. WILLIAMS,

     ON THE OCCASION OF HIS GRADUATION FROM NEWTON THEOLOGICAL
     SEMINARY, NEWTON CENTRE, MASS., JUNE 10, 1874.