NEW VIRGINIA STATION
Journal of brother F. S. James
April 1 - I left Monrovia for my station, and arrived safely
after two hours travel up the river; reported myself, and then
proceeded on as far as Louisiana, where I called the church
together, and after a short interview, the brethren unanimously
resolved to build for themselves a meeting house, the size eighteen
by twenty feet.
Sunday 2 - I felt unwell, remained in reading and
meditating preparatory to worship. Brother A. B. Henderson
arrived from Monrovia, and at the usual hour of 10 the horn blew
and we went to the house of God. I preached from Romans viii: 6;
had a pretty full house and an interesting meeting. The hearts of
believers rejoiced in the contemplation of the life of the spiritually
minded. I visited the houses of the members whom I did not see at
meeting, and found them quite sick; one in particular, a native re¬
captive African, seemed to be full of the Spirit, and perfectly
resigned to the will of God. She expressed herself in the language
of the apostle: “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain; I had
rather be absent from the flesh and present with the Lord.” I felt
myself abundantly paid for my visit to this poor sister’s house, and
endeavored to encourage her in the exercise of faith in Christ.
Leaving her, I traveled through the settlement to the last house, and
then returned to the chapel. At 3 P.M., brother Henderson
preached; and I closed with exhortation, prayer and singing. Had a
lively meeting. After service gave each other the parting hand; and
I set off for New Virginia. On my arrival I felt rather unwell, and
retired, but at 7 in the evening, I endeavored to preach from the
first epistle of John, third chapter, first verse. Brother Drayton
followed me with an exhortation, and closed by prayer and singing.
Our hearts were greatly rejoiced in contemplating the love of God,
and our peculiarity as being called the sons of God. We hope that
sinners were affected by the contrast between themselves and the
believer in Christ, under the solemn appeals made to them from the
word of God.
Monday 3 - I arose early, feeling tolerably well. At the
usual hour, opened school, devoted my time in teaching the
children through the day, and in this way spent my time, every day,
until Friday, the 7lh; visiting in the mean while, in the morning and
afternoon, the public receptacle, going from room to room, among
