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A PIONEER MISSIONARY IN AFRICA.


[Illustration: REV. GEORGE THOMPSON.]

Rev. George Thompson was early enlisted as a missionary in the Mendi
Mission on the west coast of Africa. He had been a most ardent friend of
the slave, active in aiding their escape from the house of bondage, and
as a consequence had spent five years in the Missouri State Prison. He
went to Africa in 1848 under the commission of the American Missionary
Association, and proved himself to be remarkably useful. One of his most
far-reaching efforts was in the work as a peacemaker. A fierce and
unrelenting war had been raging among the tribes around the mission, and
this was brought to a close through the wise and persistent efforts of
Mr. Thompson. He was chosen umpire for the contending chiefs, and after
repeated and wearying excursions, and ten interviews or councils with
both parties, he at length succeeded. Then came the joy which peace
brings. Warriors met and fell on each other's necks; chiefs, who were
for years enemies, now shook hands and embraced each other with the
affection of long-separated friends; sisters, wives and daughters, long
captives, fell into each other's arms, weeping for joy. A chief's
daughter was seen running to embrace her father's feet, a wife hastened
to welcome her husband and children, and entire towns were filled with
cries of gladness. The beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers," belongs
to Mr. Thompson.

Ill health at length compelled Mr. Thompson to relinquish the work in