Duala Bible History (3)

**List: Duala Ministry the Bible ( the Bible ) Duala... DUALLA. "THE country in which the Dualla or Dewalla language is vernacular lies on the western coast of Africa, north, east, and south of the Cameroons River, and its area is considered to be under 1000 square miles.   The language, however, is known in districts which probably cover 5000 square miles. No correct statistical accounts of the Dualla tribes have been yet obtained; but the mies. state that the number of this people in the immediate vicinity of the mission- station on the Cameroons River amounts to about 30,000.    The Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke, have been translated into Dualla by the Rev. Alfred Saker, of the Baptist My. Society, and an edition of the Gospel of St. Matthew has been printed in Africa.   The Scriptural knowledge imparted to the Duallas, by means of these portions of the Divine word, has been blessed to the spiritual enlightenment of several individuals.   In 1849, a member of the Dualla nation, the first fruits of the mission, was baptised in the River Cameroons, amidst a large assemblage of his countrymen.   And, apart from individual instances of conversion, a great change has been wrought in the general character and disposition of the nation.   "Their ferocious, demoniacal features (says Mr. Saker) are assuming the softness of children; and those who a little time since sought my life, are now saying to me, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’"    A revised edition of the Gospels, together with the Acts, has been subsequently carried through the press by Mr. Saker, whose account of his labours is in the highest degree interesting.   "I have translated (he remarks) every verse afresh of the Scriptures now printing, without any reference to anything previously printed, until each chapter has been completed and then compared."   The printing and binding were executed at Cameroons, and by native labour.   Upon visiting England in 1855, Mr. Saker presented to the Committee of the Baptist My. Society a copy of the volume in which these portions of the sacred word are contained, and also of the grammar of the Dualla language which he had compiled.   These books are well printed and bound.   When asked by whom the work was done, he replied, "By lads belonging to the Mission establishment, themselves the fruit of my. labour, members of the church, not long ago ignorant barbarians; and who are now not only employed in these useful works, having acquired a knowledge of more trades than printing and book-binding, but go out on the week evenings to the suburbs of Cameroons, and on the Lord's days to the neighbouring villages, to preach the Gospel of Christ!"   Surely this alone is a rich reward for the expense and toil bestowed on the mission to Western Africa; and no pious mind can reflect on a fact so striking and important without rejoicing in the success of which it is so signal a proof."--The Bible of Every Land. (1860, Second Edition)   Samuel Bagster   [Info only] DUALLA.--1860   S. Bagster   [Info only: n.d. Matthew 5:1-12 unknown.]

[Christian Helps Ministry (USA)] [Christian Home Bible Course]