Liberian Mission
The most recent intelligence from our stations in Liberia, contained in the following
extracts of letters from Bro. John H. Cheeseman:
Edina, April 9, 1850
The school under my supervision, is well attended, and the children are improving finely.
My native youths would astonish you, were you to hear them recite; they are interesting, and
should be encouraged. They are select children -- the sons and daughters of chiefs and
influential men. I was rather afraid when I saw the amount of appropriation for native boarders
that 1 should have to dismiss some, but have since concluded to dismiss none, unless compelled.
I will make all the sacrifice I can, consistently with the demands of my family. 1 have now
fifteen natives in my family, that is, boarders; for three others I must solicit a donation of
clothing. Will not a number of sisters undertake to provide clothing for them? I mention sisters,
because they are always full of good works, and the most forward in any benevolent enterprise.
Please see to it for me. Bro. S. G. Day has been with me for a long while, is eminently useful as
an assistant, and is a devoted Christian. We hope to raise up many such, believing (with you) that
they are to be the future evangelists of Africa, for which we labor and pray.
Our little church is much revived; five have been received and united to the church
recently. The Methodists have made strenuous efforts to gain the entire population, but have
failed. The Baptist cause is on the advance, and rapidly increasing in influence. The Methodist
E. Church is well furnished with men to labor in this place; they have one missionary and four
local preachers. I am here alone, and my labors greatly divided. I trust in my Heavenly Father,
and though at times I feel I cannot long continue to preach so constantly, yet the cause is God’s,
and he can, yea, will give strength. The Methodists sometimes rail out against us, but I pursue
my way, endeavoring to preach the plain truth, studiously avoiding controversies. The Baptist
cause will prosper. The natives are unwilling to be sprinkled or poured upon, and if induced to
join the Methodists at all, must be immersed. Great hopes are entertained for Africa. Our most
sanguine expectations a few years ago, are more than realized. The natives baptized, gave very
intelligent views of the work of grace wrought in the heart. I regard it as a matter of the highest
importance, that in the great doctrine of regeneration, they be correctly taught, lest they mistake
the shadow for the substance. Some of my youths have been very serious, but I am apprehensive
that as yet they are not sufficiently enlightened.
I have just received a letter from Bro. B. J. Drayton. He seems much encouraged. He
writes, March 14: “The Lord has greatly blessed us; seven are baptized, and seven more are
waiting to have the ordinance administered.”
On the 22nd of April, brother Cheeseman again writes as follows: —
After writing from Bassa, I received several letters from brethren of different churches in
this county, which induced me to make my visit rather sooner than I intended, especially as it
would at the same time afford an opportunity of laying before you more particularly the state of
the schools and churches in this county.
