REV. JOHN DAY
Extracts from a Eulogy delivered by Edward C. Blyden, in
Providence Baptist Church, Monrovia,
Liberia, March 2nd, 1859
The Rev. John Day was born in the northern part of the
State of North Carolina, in the year 1797. The circumstances of
his birth were favorable. Born of a family of a high degree of
respectability, and held in great esteem by their white neighbours,
his privileges were superior to those of many of his race in that
country. In his youthful education Mr. Day was fortunate. He
attended the best schools in the country.
Having been put to the trade of cabinet-making, he made
such proficiency in that branch of industry that he was soon
enabled to establish himself in business. By the superior finish and
strength of his work he attracted considerable custom. The most
distinguished persons for miles around furnished him with work.
He soon made himself a competency. But just as he was forming
plans large and magnificent for his worldly aggrandizement and
gratification; just as he was beginning to say with the rich man of
old, — “My ground has brought forth plentifully, what shall I do?”
it pleased the Great Head of the Church, by that mysterious
influence, whose operation is like the wind, blowing where it
listeth, to transform his moral nature, and make him a child of
God. He found himself, to use his own words when relating the
wonderful transition, in a new world. He found himself with new
feeling and new desires — new predilections and new antipathies.
He must now, therefore, fonn new plans. He looked abroad upon
the world, and his enlarged heart took in all mankind. He felt that
he had a work to do. He felt that it was his duty as he esteemed it
his privilege, to exhort others to flee from that impending wrath,
from which as a brand from the everlasting burning he had been
plucked. He was strongly impressed with the conviction that he
should devote himself to the important business of preaching the
gospel.
Having enjoyed the advantages of a good English
education, he entered, through the recommendation of some
friends, a theological class, whose reading was directed by Rev.
Mr. Clopton, a Baptist minister of profound learning, skilful in the
languages, and an adept in Metaphysical Science. Standing
foremost in the ranks of Baptist ministers at that time, Mr. Clopton