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Biography of Elder Lott Cary, late missionary to Africa
This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
- GenresBiography
Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2015
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January 26, 2025
I don't know why Lott Cary's story is not as well known as that of Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, and other such pioneering missionaries. This was one of the most incredible missionary biographies I've ever read, with so many convicting quotes.
Cary's story begins as a slave 3o miles South of Richmond. As a young man, he became involved in the sale of tobacco, and at some point happened across the Gospel message. After becoming convicted of his sinful condition, He accepted Christ, and his entire life turned around. He began to vigorously apply himself to education, Bible knowledge, and attaining integrity. After his first wife died, he bought his and his children's freedom. He was ordained as a preacher and was known to organize and deliver his sermons well, especially when compared to his colored peers.
Upon hearing of the need for missionaries in West Africa, Cary and one of his brethren decided to go. When questioned by a friend on why he would leave the comforts of America for the dangers of Africa, Cary said, "I wish to go to a country where I shall be estimated by my merits, not by my complexion; and I feel bound to labor for my suffering race."
The missionary board warned them of the potential dangers that awaited them, but they were not deterred. Sadly, shortly after they arrived in Africa, Cary's second wife passed away, leaving him a widower with three children. This sorrowful event did not deter him from what he had set out to do, and he immediately set to work farming, evangelizing, educating, and making relationships with the natives and colonizers.
His work ethic and diplomacy were so sublime, that he managed to create peaceful, ethical situations between the colonizers, recently freed slaves, and natives. More than once, he chased away slave traders from the land. He set up several treaties with the kings in the area, one of which had to do with building a missionary school in the village. He frequently wrote back to the missionary society asking for more Bibles, English books, cloth for student uniforms, and materials for the church house and school house.
My favorite mini-story was that of John. John was sent to Sierra Leone by his Liberian family to learn English. During his three-month stay, he became curious about a church service and decided to attend. Upon hearing the gospel from a Canadian missionary, John struggled with accepting Christ, but did later that evening. He returned to his family after acquiring a very primitive education. Sometime after his return, a man from Cary's Liberian settlement was sailing to Sierra Leone, and his boat washed up on the wrong shore. John happened to be there and took the man in, asking only for a Testament in return for his hospitality which the man gladly gave him. Despite his extremely limited education, John taught himself to read a decent part of the Scriptures. He soon realized that he should be baptized, but had nowhere to go to do that. Three years after his salvation, he heard of Cary's church and decided to make the trek to get baptized. Cary related the story of the young man in a letter to the missionary society, quoting him as closely as possible. After John's story had been shared, he and Cary participated in a Q&A (I suspect so Cary could make sure John understood the Gospel message). John was baptized shortly after in a widely celebrated church service, and the church folks sent him away with $5.25 worth of their money, a new change of clothes, three Bibles, and two hymnbooks.
The work was authored by a Richmond pastor in 1837. It is largely comprised of letters written by Cary, Jehudi Ashmun (Liberia's de facto governor), the missionary board Cary was associated with, and others. The story is mostly told in chronological order with few exceptions.
Cary's story begins as a slave 3o miles South of Richmond. As a young man, he became involved in the sale of tobacco, and at some point happened across the Gospel message. After becoming convicted of his sinful condition, He accepted Christ, and his entire life turned around. He began to vigorously apply himself to education, Bible knowledge, and attaining integrity. After his first wife died, he bought his and his children's freedom. He was ordained as a preacher and was known to organize and deliver his sermons well, especially when compared to his colored peers.
Upon hearing of the need for missionaries in West Africa, Cary and one of his brethren decided to go. When questioned by a friend on why he would leave the comforts of America for the dangers of Africa, Cary said, "I wish to go to a country where I shall be estimated by my merits, not by my complexion; and I feel bound to labor for my suffering race."
The missionary board warned them of the potential dangers that awaited them, but they were not deterred. Sadly, shortly after they arrived in Africa, Cary's second wife passed away, leaving him a widower with three children. This sorrowful event did not deter him from what he had set out to do, and he immediately set to work farming, evangelizing, educating, and making relationships with the natives and colonizers.
His work ethic and diplomacy were so sublime, that he managed to create peaceful, ethical situations between the colonizers, recently freed slaves, and natives. More than once, he chased away slave traders from the land. He set up several treaties with the kings in the area, one of which had to do with building a missionary school in the village. He frequently wrote back to the missionary society asking for more Bibles, English books, cloth for student uniforms, and materials for the church house and school house.
My favorite mini-story was that of John. John was sent to Sierra Leone by his Liberian family to learn English. During his three-month stay, he became curious about a church service and decided to attend. Upon hearing the gospel from a Canadian missionary, John struggled with accepting Christ, but did later that evening. He returned to his family after acquiring a very primitive education. Sometime after his return, a man from Cary's Liberian settlement was sailing to Sierra Leone, and his boat washed up on the wrong shore. John happened to be there and took the man in, asking only for a Testament in return for his hospitality which the man gladly gave him. Despite his extremely limited education, John taught himself to read a decent part of the Scriptures. He soon realized that he should be baptized, but had nowhere to go to do that. Three years after his salvation, he heard of Cary's church and decided to make the trek to get baptized. Cary related the story of the young man in a letter to the missionary society, quoting him as closely as possible. After John's story had been shared, he and Cary participated in a Q&A (I suspect so Cary could make sure John understood the Gospel message). John was baptized shortly after in a widely celebrated church service, and the church folks sent him away with $5.25 worth of their money, a new change of clothes, three Bibles, and two hymnbooks.
The work was authored by a Richmond pastor in 1837. It is largely comprised of letters written by Cary, Jehudi Ashmun (Liberia's de facto governor), the missionary board Cary was associated with, and others. The story is mostly told in chronological order with few exceptions.
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