AFRICAN MISSION
Missionaries — John Day, A. P. Davis, B. J. Drayton, J. H. Cheeseman, S. Pervis, Wm.
A. Johnson, W. W. Stewart, with six additional teachers and interpreters — total 13.
Bexley Station — This station is occupied by brother John Day. Though his health has
been at different times feeble, but little interruption to his missionary work has been experienced.
Under his care is a school of about forty-five boys — some of these are colonists but most are
natives. They are required to labor a portion of every day.
In addition to the management of the school, brother Day has supplied regularly the
church at Bexley, and as often as possible has gone into the interior preaching among the native
towns. “I think,” he writes, “a large extent of the Bassa country is ripe for the reception of truth.
As far as I have been, which is about 75 miles in the interior, and say 150 miles coast-wise, I
have found the preaching of the word acceptable. I have preached to 1000 persons, 70 miles in
the interior, and speaking low, could be heard by the whole. Not a whisper, not a stir, until I had
done, every ear attentive, every eye fixed. All around where I labor, there is perfect order.”
Bassa Cove — At Bassa Cove, and among the contiguous native towns, brother A. P.
Davis is laboring as our missionary. He has been permitted to preach the word of life to
multitudes of the degraded heathen around him, besides which, the church at Bassa Cove and the
school have received his fostering care. He has also made tours on the coast below, as far as
Cape Palmas, and above, among the churches and stations on the St. Paul’s river. Several have
been baptized by him. His interpreter, a promising man, is one of the number.
Monrovia — The church at Monrovia being without a pastor, by permission of the Board,
one of its missionaries, brother B. J. Drayton, was engaged for several months in preaching for
them, while a portion of his time was employed in the vicinity of that town.
Cape Palmas — Subsequently, by direction of the Board, brother Drayton passed down
the coast and was located at Cape Palmas. By our last communications from Africa, we learned
that he had commenced supplying the languishing church at that place, and was arranging for a
series of efforts on behalf of the surrounding brethren.
New Virginia — New Virginia, situated a few miles from Monrovia, up the St. Paul’s
river, was the scene of labor in which the lamented brother F. S. James, moved. He was engaged
in conducting a school, and preaching at New Virginia and in the surrounding towns. His labors
were judicious and untiring. Nor was he without the tokens of God’s blessings. From the time
of his entrance into our service, he was permitted to baptize many joyful believers.
The church at Millsburg is in rather a low state, her number is small and in adverse
circumstances .
The church at Louisiana, constituted last November, numbering then 8 persons, has since
received by letter 4; by baptism 8; lost by death one, and now numbers 19.
