CAPE PALMAS STATION
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BROTHER B. J. DRAYTON
As I expect in a short time, an opportunity to send to
America, I take pleasure to commit a few running thoughts in
haste, holding it in readiness to be dispatched.
I arrived here on the 17th of this month, from the
Association, with my family, all in good health, and well pleased
with the location. With every possible dispatch I made suitable
preparations for my work; and in a short time, found myself
comfortably fixed. I thank the Lord, who has been with me all the
time with his goodly providence.
I was welcomed here with many cheering smiles, which,
while it encouraged us, had a tendency to humble me in the dust. I
am thankful, but my prayer daily is, Lord, take away self-will, self-
dependence, pride and carnal ambition. In looking around, I
behold a large field awaiting my weak and unworthy labors. A
field not ripe to harvest, waiting the reaper’s sickle, but requiring
much preparatory toil. I see the living mass enveloped in the very
grossest darkness. The scales of blindness are on their eyes, while
they are apparently without disposition to have them taken away.
To elevate them appears to be the almost impossible part. Yet it
will be done. I have the word of God on my side. This encourages
me to labor in this sultry clime; to enter with all my heart and
strength upon the work.
The surrounding tribes are as yet uncivilized. No customs
of their own seem to be good. They are guided by the caprices of
the devil. He is their leader. He sits upon the throne, swaying here
a universal scepter. This is obvious to the observer. Their sad
condition cannot be hid, heathenism has no covering here. All are
bent on doing wrong. They have strong confidence in their
“devil’s bush,” the “gree gree,” and other heathenish rites; these
keep them buried in the mire of degradation. But I believe that a
radical change will be brought about.
The missionary’s brightest hope is in the children, and the
prospect of procuring them is good. Their desire for books
surpasses our most sanguine expectations. They will, we pray and
hope, in a short time carry the gospel of Jesus to their parents. To
effect this, I beg, dear brother, that you and the churches generally
