"Mohr's First Quarter's Report for 1877"

They are looking forward to baptising 21 people when the chapel is consecrated on Ascension Day. 8 of them are women, 4 the wives of the men already baptised. All have been forbidden from travelling so that they may be regularly instructed and kept under the eye of the missionaries. They also hope to celebrate the first Christian marriage. The chapel has unfortunately no bell, but they are looking forward to establishing a proper liturgy of morning and evening prayers in it. So far this year the number of members of the Christian community has grown by 4 men and 4 children. 2 of the children are newly born to Joseph Su, and Johannes Asamoah. Mohr has collected the conversion histories of the men: Mose Nkroma (baptised with a small son, Immanuel). He had once stayed with a Christian family in Aburi and heard something about the contents of the Christian religion. He had also noticed how Christians behaved on his journeys for trading. He had also been much troubled by the fetish priests, when he or one of his family was ill then they had to sacrifice a sheep or some money to the fetish. With the coming of the mission he had decided to rid himself of these troubles: his wife will be baptised too 'on Ascension Day. David Asare, baptised with a son Theodor, and has a brother in the Middle school in Akropong. He had been much involved with fetish practices but claimed to have recognised that those would ruin him and therefore when the mission arrived sought work from them, became a sawyer and has worked on the station ever since. Immanuel Frey had by his own account lived a highly immoral life – his business was in the trade in spirits. He became aware of the fact that this was leading to his ruin, and decided therefore to break with his old life. He still has a ready tongue, but the missionaries have heard no evil of him. Petro saw, aged about 18 is a model of seriousness. Before his baptism he was very self-abasing. He had apparently been on intimate terms with a girl until Mader and himself came to Begoro 2 years before, and had then been very frightened by Mohr’s street preaching about the Day of Judgment. He went straight away to Kibi to join the school and so, as he thought, avoid the wrath of God. In Kibi he was one of the least gifted pupils, and has been back in Begoro working on the building for some time. Mohr is particularly pleased to bring such a penitent individual forward to baptism, his candour will let God succeed with him.

15.04.1877

15.04.1877

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