AFRICA
Letter from Brother Day
Writing from Bexley, April 12, bro. Day thus remarks:
Up to the present, I had intended leaving in the packet for
the United States; a violent attack of pneumonia makes it
hazardous to attempt a voyage.
My objects for visiting the United States, were to see my
mother and brother; to forget awhile the scenes of home, and to
have a long talk with you and the Board. - I am, bro. Taylor, an
afflicted man. On that dark day of January last, I lost my
companion, the most affectionate, dutiful and devoted of wives.
The circumstances of her death you will see in the Liberia Herald.
Being in a low state of health, my helper in the
management of a large number of native youths is gone, but little
being done except with the pen. I took two weeks to reflect on the
course that I should pursue. I finally concluded that the
circumstances rendered it necessary that I should give up the
school, and relinquish all but a nominal relation to the Board. I
told my boys they could go home to their parents. One of them
said, I know the reason: You know that you will soon die. I told
them I did not expect to live long, but of the day of my death I
knew nothing. Soon afterward, considering the wants of the
increasing population of Bexley, and seeing my native children
unwilling to leave the place, where “their young ideas were taught
to shoot,” and where they were taught “the morality of the Bible,”
my warmest sympathies were enlisted, and I was induced by these
considerations and the perusal of your letters, to reconsider my
resolution.
As Mr. Hill is a promising youth, requiring, in my opinion,
opportunity and encouragement merely, to become eminently
useful, I concluded to reestablish the school, and employ him as
teacher, and although he is incompetent to take charge of the
school, yet, as I superintend it, its credit is sustained; and Mr. Hill
will have opportunity and encouragement to improve himself. He
has ostensible charge, and the school is likely to do well.
