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Children of Africa

Chapter 3: CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY
By James B. Baird
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About This Book

An accessible survey for young readers that sketches everyday life across African communities, with descriptive chapters on houses, villages, children, games, dances, musical instruments, food, ornaments, bathing, and illustrative plates. It collects folklore, animal tales, finger rhymes, and riddles alongside discussions of indigenous beliefs, traditional responses to sickness, and magic medicine. The work also presents a Christian missionary viewpoint, outlining perceived hindrances to and suggested methods for evangelistic work. Chapters alternate cultural description and practical missionary reflection, aiming to inform readers and foster sympathetic engagement.

CHILDREN OF AFRICA

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY

“From Greenland’s icy mountains,
From India’s coral strand,
Where Afric’s sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error’s chain.”

There is not one of you, my dear boys and girls, who does not know this oft-sung missionary hymn. But if there is, then of this I am sure, there is not one who knows it who does not love it, for it is one of the most beautiful of all our hymns. Since it was written many years ago by Bishop Heber, hundreds and hundreds of young voices have sung it; hundreds and hundreds are singing it to-day; and hundreds and hundreds will yet sing it.

It is a great call to us who know Christ our Saviour to spread abroad into all heathen lands our knowledge of Him who came down from heaven and died to save mankind. And nobly has the call been responded to. The Christian Churches have sent forth messengers into all the ends of the earth to preach the “glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people” in obedience to the command of their risen Lord who said, “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations.”

So in our own day we find that Christ’s ambassadors have gone into every continent and penetrated into the most distant lands; that the Bible, or some part of it at least, has been translated into many different languages; and that the lives of countless numbers of native peoples have been made purer and holier and happier by their knowledge of Him who loves them.

As you all know one of the continents of the earth is called Africa—the dark Continent; and it is about Africa and its children I want to write to you.