AFRICA
EXTRA CT OF A LETTER FROM BROTHER JOHN DA Y
In a letter written by brother Day the 17th of April, he thus refers
to his school at Bexley. His enthusiasm is natural. May it be caught by
the reader, and lead to increased prayer for God’s blessing.
My little boys are from 7 to 12 years old. Ten read in the
Bible; two of them write and cypher,— there are three, but Damble,
who was likely to be the brightest ornament to the school, is dead.
He went to see his mother buried, and never returned. Those who
read in the Bible are from ten to twelve. About as many read in
easy lessons. The balance are coming on well, spelling in two and
three syllables. There are five girls belonging to school, but two
are now absent. One was sister or some near relation to one of the
murderers of William Dedrick, and ran off through fear. She was
learning finely, and is a very fine girl. I think I shall get her back.
Two now with me are reading easy lessons; the other is rather
indolent. These are all pretty much one size, say about seven years
old. The fifth one is the daughter of a man under my protection,
his town being on my land; indeed, he is now a free citizen. She is
about five years old, and feels of as much consequence as the
President’s daughter. She is the pet of my wife, and is in and out
of school pretty much as she pleases.
Before you get this letter, I shall have taken in all of Mr.
Elkins’ school I can. Their parents wished to retain them until rice
was planted, which is now being done.
You say you hope I will be encouraged to prosecute my
efforts. Dear brother Taylor, I can hardly suppress a measure of
enthusiasm. All our people are not what I wish them. But, sir, last
Dec’r I was cast down. James, the man I loved, dead! And all
seemed dead to me. Those we now have I fully confide in; to them
I fear not to speak, and in whom I recognize a spirit akin to my
own. Peace, with her balmy wings, broods over a large portion of
these Bassas. Our churches are filling with native hearers. The
natives around are beginning to assume the sober aspect of
civilized men. I am weak, but can do something, and deem that a
high privilege. I hope the most of my larger boys are thinking of
eternity. 1 am not discouraged, for I have never witnessed such
bright prospects for the mission. I fear, but it is because I have
over-leaped my bounds. But could the Board see, as I do, the
