Address of Rev. J. H. Cheeseman to the Coloured Churches in the U. S. of America, April 29, 1858

COMMUNICATIONS For the Home and Foreign Journal Address of Rev. J. H. Cheeseman Edina, April 29th, 1858 To the Coloured Churches in the U. S. of America: Dear Brethren: — Allow one who has been a resident in Liberia for more than twenty-nine years, to drop you a few lines by way of stirring up your minds to active efforts for the diffusion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in this land of superstition and error, the land of your forefathers. You cannot but be aware of the fact that you are identified with this people, — and however degraded they may be, they are our brethren and demand our sympathy. I have been a long time a spectator to their miseries. I have seen their abominable practices and wept over them, and very confident am I, that if you could see them as they are, and feel for them as you ought, you would not hesitate to make any sacrifice for their relief. You can do much to aid in the great missionary enterprise, and ought to do all you can to redeem the poor, oppressed, and downtrodden sons of Africa. It may be that you have concluded that your condition in the U. S. exonerates you from engaging in the mission cause; but not so, my brethren. You are under as great obligations to do what you can for Africa as any other, — and indeed more, since this people are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh; and can you, my brethren, be contented to hear of their misery and wretchedness, and do nothing to redeem them? Can you be satisfied to make no effort to save the thousands who are annually making their down to the world of misery and woe? Surely not - if you yourselves have been saved by Divine grace. There is a cry from Africa as from Macedonia, “Come over and help us.” Give us your aid. You can do much by your prayers and your money. If you wish to receive good, you must do good. Please receive this as an introduction to what may follow hereafter. To you 1 may be a stranger, but perhaps, there are some yet remaining in Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk, who remember my dear father Abram Cheeseman, — (by the name Abram he is