Mende Version of the Scriptures

Mende Version Of The Scriptures The Mende is spoken by a considerable population to the south and south- east of Sierra Leone. A version of Matthew had been prepared at an early period by American missionaries, who had settled on the border of the Mende country. A translation of the four gospels was made by the Reverend J.F. Schon, of the Church Missionary Society, the standard alphabet of Prof. Lepsius (q.v.) being adopted for the version. Mr. Schon was aided in the work of translation by Harvey K. Ritchell, of the Mende country. In 1871 the Acts of the Apostles were printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society; the translation having been made by the Reverend H. Johnson, a native African clergyman. In 1872 the Epistle to the Romans was published. The remainder of the New Test. is still in manuscript. (B.P.)