Extracts of letters from Brother Richardson, circa 1855 and January 29, 1856

MONROVIA - LIBERIA Extracts from Brother Richardson The following, though narrating events which occurred last year will be read with interest: DEAR BROTHER: — It affords me no little degree of pleasure to write you on the close of this month. Especially as I have seen so much of the fruit of my labor during the last three months. I came to this station on the 18th of June. Everything seemed to be spiritually dead. I preached the word of God without any apparent success. I tried to exercise faith; and patience; knowing that a Paul might plant and Apollos water; but God must give the increase or all labor would be in vain. This state of things continued three months. During this time sinner became bold in sin; and the love of many waxed cold, and iniquity abounded in the land. At a time not expected by me, the Lord heard and answered the prayers of his dear children, to the joy and great satisfaction of their souls. On the 2nd inst., after morning service, I baptized twenty willing subjects of God’s grace. On the 10th I baptized three more, making the number baptized twenty- three: there are three more waiting to unite fully with the Church by baptism. 1 wish to make a few remarks relative to the native convert whom I mentioned in a former letter. He was convicted at one of our prayer meetings held at a private house. For three days he laid prostrate, without eating or drinking; during which time his cry was “mercy! mercy! or I shall be lost in the fires of hell for ever, and ever!” He was so troubled on account of his sins that he sent for me, I went immediately; when I reached the house where he was, he said, “I sent for you to tell me what I must do to be saved. I have done all that I can do. Yet I am afraid I shall die in my sins.” I told him he could do nothing of himself to gain the favor of God, but that Jesus the Son of God, had died to make a full, a complete atonement for lost sinners just such as he; to Jesus I told him to look for that life and salvation which he so much needed, and he would be saved at once. On the fourth day he burst from behind the darkness of the cloud of disbelief, and laid right hold on Jesus by that spiritual and living faith that saves a soul from hell. No sooner were his eyes opened to behold the light of the glory of God shining forth in the face of Jesus than he went right to work - that is to say, preaching the gospel to his own tribe, telling of the goodness of the Lord; the beauties of heaven; and the pains of hell. His conversion has had a very good effect among the natives. I have taken him with me several times to my native station, as he preaches to the natives to greater advantage than I. One native boy was convicted under his preaching, and his conviction resulted in his conversion and baptism. These native converts are constant in attendance upon the means of grace. I am pleased to have it in my power to inform you that the Church is doing her duty towards the heathen. From thirty to forty members accompany me on Sabbaths to my native station, and offer me the aid of their presence and prayers. The church is doing well, and also the school. Those converted in this revival are all members of the day and Sabbath school. I am trying to the best of my feeble abilities to spread the gospel in this vicinity; likewise to build up the Church in the faith one delivered to the saints. I close by saying I hope that a suitable brother will finish Brother Kingdon’s Mission to Africa. I am yours in the common faith. □□□□