"Ramseyer to Basel"

An answer to questions about marriages between Christians and heathens posed by the Basel Committee (see Anum letter no. 118). The answer is roughly the same as for Anum, though more detailed. Dieterle and Eisenschmid had both advised him in the early days in Abetifi that it had been permitted for Christian men in Akim to marry heathen girls in default of Christian girls – and this is still to some extent the case in Abetifi. Even though there are marriageable Christian girls they may not choose to marry a particular man, and then the man must look elsewhere. Before this happens, however, the presbyters have to examine the case, and the girl has to promise to live on the station, while the relatives have to promise that if the girl later offers herself for baptism they will not hinder her. After the traditional ceremonies are complete, the man and wife come before the presbyters who set out to them the regulations about marriage, and then pray with them. Ramseyer declares himself satisfied with this procedure - many of the wives have in fact become Christians later.

28.06.1891

28.06.1891

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