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FOREIGN MISSION SCHOOL, 1817 - 1826 The Foreign Mission School was a bold new venture in evangelism: to find in this country, convert, and educate young men, predominantly people of color, from indigenous cultures around the world, and send them home to be native preachers, translators, teachers, and health workers. It was established by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, who held the view that Christianity and civilization were inseparable gifts to be brought to the heathen. Cornwall was chosen for the site because of its pious citizenry, healthy climate, and willingness to donate land, work, and money to a devout cause. This small institution, which during its short lifetime taught about one hundred young men, quickly gained a wide celebrity here and abroad as a manifestation of the “Second Great Awakening” of American religious fervor. Its successes linked little Cornwall to great issues of the day - the worldwide missionary efforts; the settlement and conversion of Hawaii; the abolition movement; and the Trail of Tears, which resulted from the forced removal of the Cherokees from Georgia under Andrew Jackson in 1838-9. The founding pupil was Heneri Opukahaia, an unlettered 18-year-old Hawaiian refugee from a blood feud, left by a ship’s captain in wintry New Haven in 1810. His circumstances inspired efforts to shelter and educate him and others, some from American Indian tribes, many displaced from great distances - Asia, Europe, Polynesia, and Africa - as missionaries. As an exponent of the ABCFM’s vision, he traveled widely to preach its message, but he died in Cornwall at 26 before he could return home as a missionary. The students brought 24 different native languages to Cornwall. While they were objects of curiosity,
