"Asante's Last Quarter's Report from Akim"

He had returned to Akim after the court case in Accra, but had received a letter from the directing committee (G.C. Ausschuss) saying he must be posted out of Akim in view of the Governor's second letter to the Mission, which had threatened to give him over to the caprices of the Okyenhene. In spite of this he made a last visit to some of the most praising centres. The two centres where they received the best reception on this journey were Akrofufu and Kwabeng. The Abomosu baptisms - the women catechumens were not satisfactory when examined prior to baptism. The examination involved the candidates repeating the main parts of the catechism, and then answering questions designed to find out if they understood what they had said. After the examinations Asante had to settle the catechumens' marriage circumstances, and issue instructions e.g. about relations with the chief of the town. The baptisms took place in the courtyard of one of the catechumens. The 38 baptised ranged from 1 to 40 years in age, with only 3 women. The Christians' main enemies are the fetish priest and a few of the elders. On leaving, Asante gave the Christians 'according to, English law' over to the protection of the local chief. He also baptised in Tumfa, 12 people, only one woman, the ages ranging from 2 to 42. Buck held his first street preaching there - translated by Asante. On returning to Akwapim Asante met friends he had not seen for 6 years. Assessing Ata's position after the case in Accra, Asante reports also that some of his people want to depose claims that Ata acknowledges his fault in this respect, and in a public assembly said to him 'My son, I am sorry I have acted with you so. I would not have done this if other people had not instigated me to this'. Asante also reports that Ata is in financial difficulties, and links the meeting about the Okyenhene's debts (he gives the figure of 120 ounces of gold) with the bribes which the Okyenhene had distributed in Accra.

05.04.1878

05.04.1878

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