Christian Cyclopedia

Founded 1822 by Fr. Prots.; several similar groups previously organized in Fr. became auxiliaries; “Maison des Missions” (Mission House) opened 1823; its 1st student was J. King.* Began work in Bechuanaland 1829 (see Africa, B 3; soon abandoned), Basutoland 1833 (see Africa, B 6), Senegal 1862 (see Africa, C 1), Barotseland (in W Northern Rhodesia; see Africa, B 11) 1885. The PEMS lent aid to miss. work in Madagascar (see Africa, B 9) in the late 1890s. The work of Am. Presbs. in Gabon (in W equatorial Afr.) was gradually transferred to the PEMS 1892–1913. As a result of WW I the work of Ger. missionaries in Toga (see Africa, C 13) and of Ger. and Swiss missionaries in Cameroon (see Kamerun) passed into the hands of the PEMS Other fields have included Tahiti (see Society Islands) and the Loyalty Is. and New Caledonia (see Melanesia).