PROGRESS IN LIBERIA

The following circular has been sent us for publication from Liberia. The Ricks Institute, founded about two years ago by Mr. Moses Ricks, a Negro, a native of Petersburg, VA, sent to Liberia under the auspices of the American Colonization Society in 1853, is one of those evidences of the growing self-reliance among the people of the rising republic, which are cheering to her friends in this country. Mr. Ricks is a prominent member of the Baptist Church, which has for several years been carrying on its operations and extending its Christians influence among the Aborigines without any pecuniary help from this country.

This spirit of progress seems to be pervading all the denominations. The last mail brought us intelligence that Mr. Witherspoon, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Monrovia, has just completed at his own expense, near his farm on the Mesurado River, a church edifice, which he has presented to the Presbyterians. The church buildings erected by Mr. T. DeCoursey and Senator Coleman of the St. Paul's River, for the use of the Episcopalians, have already been reported in these pages.

The Ricks Institute is under the management of a local Board of Trustees, chiefly members of the Baptist Church. The faculty are Baptist ministers. Rev. John S. Washington, the General Superintendent, emigrated to Liberia, when a child, with his parents, and grew up with no regular school training, but in constant intercourse with the natives, several of whose languages he has mastered. Rev. Robert B. Richardson was born in Liberia, and educated at Liberia College. Rev. James O. Hayes was educated at Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, Duada Kana, is a Mandingo, born at Musardu, who, under the teaching of Mr. Washington, left Mohammedanism and joined the Baptist Church, without impairing his influence among his own people.

This Institution includes among its pupils aborigines and colonists, and is working away from the coast towards the interior. The industrial feature of its operations is made prominent. We are requested to solicit on its behalf farming and mechanical implements, and books of all kinds for the library and the school room. Any books or tools sent to this office or to Monrovia, Liberia, care of Hon. C.T. O. King, will be duly forwarded to the Institute.

"Ricks Institute--- An institution founded by Africans for the religious, literary, mechanical and agricultural training of African youth, is located about eight miles back from the St. Paul's River, Liberia, and eighteen miles from Monrovia, on the main road to the interior. The soil is fertile, the air is salubrious, and good water plentiful.

"The Faculty --- Rev. John S. Washington, General Superintendent, Rev. Robert B. Richardson, Principal, Rev. James O. hayes, Tutor, Dauda Kana, Teacher of Arabic and Native Languages.

"Studies --- Primary Department: Spelling, Reading, Geography, Penmanship, Mental Arithmetic, and Scripture Lessons. Intermediate Department: Advanced Reading, Penmanship, English Grammar, Geography, Higher arithmetic, Algebra, Latin, Arabic, Vey, and Mandingo, History of Liberia, General History, English composition and Declamation, Vocal Music and Scripture Lessons. Industrial teaching and exercise every day throughout each term. Three months constitute a term.

"Term --- Primary: One pound ten shillings or seven dollars and twenty-cents. Intermediate: Two pounds or nine dollars and sixty cents per term. Lodging, fuel, washing and board furnished. Students are admitted from the age of seven years. The Bible is used as a textbook, but no religious test is required of applicants for admission. Good moral character and sound physical health are the only indispensable requisites.

"Applications for admission should be made to the General Superintendent,

JOHN S. WASHINGTON, Virginia, Liberia, West Africa"