Extract of a letter from Brother B. J. Drayton, July 28, 1848

AFRICAN MISSION MONROVIA STATION Extract of a letter from brother B. J. Drayton The letter below, from brother Drayton, is dated Monrovia, July 28, 1848. As a few hours remain before “the Col. Johnson” sails, I hasten to transmit you a few lines. Since I wrote you by “the Liberia Packet,” I have nothing of great importance to communicate. I am happy to say we are moving along gradually, and I think with success. From all appearance the Lord is about to visit his people. As a token of it, the members are attending more regularly than they had been doing, and much interest is taken in the promotion of the cause. This is an encouragement to me, and stimulates me to renewed action. May the Lord continue to make his people willing, and awake those who have been slumbering with their arms folded, doing nothing. I am happy to inform you, that my Sabbath school and Bible class operations are prospering. The school is growing weekly with natives as well as American children. From the state of things, I expect much good to flow from it. The natives are improving. They exhibit so much zeal in attending, that it is to be hoped the Lord will make still more willing to come. There are some who do not belong to the church that attend regularly at public worship and the school. The Bible class has taken good root. It is pleasing to see with what pleasure young and old attend the class. So far as I have been informed, the mission operations on the coast are in a healthy condition, every thing proceeding in a peaceable and successful manner. Bright prospects all around appear. The rays of light from the Sun of Righteousness, can be seen to spread. The natives are giving us the privilege to come among them and preach the gospel. I can say the mission is in a fair way of doing much good. I feel that I am very imperfect and frail. I am subject to many trials, having the important charge of men’s souls. I know my weakness, and have to cry out, “Guide me, О thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land, I am weak, but thou art mighty, Hold me with thy powerful hand.”