he 2d of July, 1826, he died[119] and
was succeeded early in 1827 by the Rev. G. M'Gill, "an intelligent and
experienced coloured Teacher from Baltimore."[120]

About this time the number of native boys who received instruction was
only 50. These were trained either to be interpreters to American and
European missionaries or religious teachers. Lott Cary had 45 scholars
enrolled in his school at Monrovia.[121] He was assisted by a lad of
fourteen years and by the Rev. John N. Lewis, another missionary sent
out by the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society, but who, from
lack of adequate support, turned to other business.[122]

Lott Cary had a large task to perform with this school. As a matter of
fact, "the hopes of the African tribes," said Ashmun,[123] "from
Gallinas to Trade Town, are at present suspended upon it. Most of the
boys who attend it are sons of the principal individuals of the
country, and more than half can read the New Testament intelligently,
and understand the English language nearly as well as the settlers of
the same age." The expense of a native boy was estimated at $25 and of
a girl at $20.[124]

Gurley believed that the schools were numerous enough and amply able
to afford instruction to every child in the colony. Although this
instruction was compulsory, it is not altogether evident, however,
that at any place save Monrovia a real educational program was begun.
Ashmun related that about six out of every ten emigrants were
illiterate and that just one pious individual assisted by two or three
utterly illiterate exhorters was the only instructor around the
settlement. "Not one in five of these people habitually attend, even
on Sundays, such religious instruction as they possess." Consequently,
he adds that the moral power exerted was not sufficient to offset "the
demoralizing influence of corrupt examples."[125]

The Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society and Lott Cary,
however, were expending their funds liberally on the schools. The
surplus funds in the colonial treasury plus the subscription of $1,400
from the colonists (including $300 subscribed by Ashmun) were spent
for education.[126] Yet from all sources enough money could not be
raised to continue all the schools begun. Cary, in 1827, removed the
day school from Monrovia to Grand Cape Mount. He made appeal after
appeal to send the light to Africa. To prove that the natives would
sooner steal the light than miss it he gives th