This was a grand place to found a Negro state,—­a missionary republic, as Dr. Christy terms it.  When the republic rose, the better, wealthier class of free Colored people from the United States embarked for Liberia.  Clergymen, physicians, merchants, mechanics, and school-teachers turned their faces toward the new republic, with an earnest desire to do something for themselves and race; and history justifies the hopes and players of all sincere friends of Liberia.  Unfortunately, at the first, many white men were more anxious to get the Negro out of the country than to have him do well when out; and, in many instances, some unworthy Colored people got transportation to Liberia, of whom Americans were rid, but of whom Liberians could not boast.  But the law of the survival of the fittest carried the rubbish to the bottom.  The republic grew and expanded in every direction.  From year to year new blood and fresh energy were poured into the social and business life of the people; and England, America, and other powers acknowledged the republic by sending resident ministers there.

The servants of Christ saw, at the earliest moment of the conception to build a black government in Africa, that the banner of the cross must wave over the new colony, if good were to be expected.  The Methodist Church, with characteristic zeal and aggressiveness, sent with the first colonists several members of their denomination and two “local preachers;” and in March, 1833, the Rev. Melville B. Cox, an ordained minister of this church, landed at Monrovia.  The mission experienced many severe trials; but the good people who had it in charge held on with great tenacity until the darkness began to give away before the light of the gospel.  Nor did the Board of the Methodist Missionary Society in America lose faith.  They appropriated for this mission, in 1851, $22,000; in 1852, $26,000; in 1853, $32,957; and in 1854, $32,957.  In the report of the board of managers for 1851, the following encouraging statement occurs:—­

“All eyes are now turned toward this new republic on the western coast of Africa as the star of hope to the colored people both bond and free, in the United States.  The republic is establishing and extending itself; and its Christian population is in direct contact with the natives, both Pagans and Mohammedans.  Thus the republic has, indirectly, a powerful missionary influence, and its moral and religious condition is a matter of grave concern to the Church.  Hence the Protestant Christian missions in Liberia are essential to the stability and prosperity of the republic, and the stability and prosperity of the republic are necessary to the protection and action of the missions.  It will thus appear that the Christian education of the people is the legitimate work of the missions.”

At this time (1851) they had an annual Conference, with three districts, with as many presiding elders, whose duty it was to visit all the churches and schools in their circuit.  The Conference had 21 members, all of whom were colored men.  The churches contained 1,301 members, of whom 115 were on probation, and 116 were natives.  There were 20 week-day schools, with 839 pupils, 50 of whom were natives.  Then there Were seven schools among the natives, with 127 faithful attendants.