The First American Mennonite Missionary To Africa.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019

A rare African Missionary's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Mennonite Evangelist Eusebius Hershey (1823-1891) who, after many years of work in Canada, sensed a calling to Africa. He sailed from New York City in late 1890 and after only six months of preaching, all through interpreters, he died of disease on the faraway continent, thus becoming the first foreign missionary of the American Mennonites. It should be noted that several books have been found online by or about Missionary Hershey. He writes, in small part: "Thanks be to God; I Live am well…I came to Africa [and] perhaps you thought I had forgotten you…I am near three month in Africa…when I feel a little fever. I take the axe…& cut wood till I get sweat on me. Then I feel better…I hope my Heavenly father will spare my life…that I can go forth in my calling and celebrate my 50th spiritual birthday [on] the 17 of Aug. 1891…you cant think how my heart often feels while I am preaching to the Naked Heathens. I have commenced to preach by an interpreter in a Mahamden town…and teach the old and young out of the A. B. C. books which I bought in Philadelphia not knowing then that God would lead me to the most important point in Africa. This is one of the first Mahamadene converted. The first, I think, in Liberia…I told their preacher I stands for alter the name of God, in their language, stand also for Almighty God in the English…I am the only White person within 12 miles…I travel through woods, sometimes, by myself. I did drink no cold, fresh water in Africa…I travel through woods sometimes…I meet the Mahamden man with his sword, the wives with their butcher knives, the baby on the back and smoke pipes in their mouth. I carry Jesus in my heart and an old Bear claw knife in my pocket…I will go the gospel…and when my work on Earth is done…hope to reach my home and meet the Pius in that sphere where death and sorrow is no more…no railroad here no[r] horses. The regular mail comes only once in two weeks…pray for me…let us be true…Eusebius Hershey." Also, included is an Oct. 1890 letter written by Hershey shortly before his calling in October 1890. Both with expected folds, else VG.

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