"Eisenschmid's Report on the Station in 1873"

In the station statistics it appears that Eisenschmid has returned to Kibi in mid-1873 to replace Lodholz, troubled by persistent severe illness. Haas is already a widow. Eisenschmid too suffered an extremely severe attack of illness in November - at the time of writing the report there was no missionary at Kibi. The catechists on the station are William Adow and William Obeng - both unmarried. Teacher Ako is still on the staff. The number of members of the community has remained stable in the course of the year at 45. 24 of these are communicants, 7 non-communicants, there are 14 children. 8 people are catechumens, and there are 23 boys in the boarding school. Despite the stationary numbers, 7 people were baptised, 3 died, and 7 moved away - only 3 Christians moved to Kibi to make up this loss. Services in the Kibi church are attended by heathens and excluded Christians. Two Christian young men are betrothed to two of the girls working as servants for the missionaries. The opposition to the school is not so serious – some pupils have been voluntarily sent by their families. 2 of the Christians are capable carpenters. Some of the others are involved in trade to a certain extent. The missionaries travelled 22 days in the year (on preaching tours), the catechists 73. People were visited in their houses in Kibi proper - this brought many people to the services. On the whole the elders and the Okyenhene had a very pleasant attitude to the missionaries during the year. Two of the catechumen are young men, and have been threatened by their fellows, but after Eisenschmid had spoken to the two head men they were given peace.

15.01.1874

15.01.1874

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