Letter from Brother Drayton
Cape Palmas, Sep. 18, 1850
Dear bro. Taylor, - Your letter by the packet, has been duly
received, and as the vessel will sail in a few days, I hasten to reply.
The most of my communications have been written some time ago
as I expected to have much to do at this time. I am sorry to hear of
your illness, and that and that you have been prevented from
attending to such business as you desired.
My communication dated Sep.
18й1
accompanying this, is
intended to inform you of our condition, from which, no doubt,
you may be able to collect some satisfactory information about the
mission here: on the whole, 1 cannot refrain from making some
allusions to this field under the present date, and some remarks on
other subjects relative thereto.
The operation is still moving along slowly. Matters do not
appear to be confused, nor does the machine seem to be on a strain
in its revolutions. The steam seems to be at its proper medium and
every screw in its place. The natives are still calling for the god-
man to bring his books and teach them. Native fields are opening
to our command every month, as far back as 1 00 miles. Prospects
for doing well among them are cheering. O, that we could occupy
all the places, which are open unto us! I perceive that we cannot
now, but must wait until God shall enter into the hearts and
pockets of his people. Be assured, dear brother that we are trying
to do our business here in a faithful and constant manner. You
know that I am alone here, having all the duties to fulfill by myself
- in this I am not discouraged, but feel like pressing to the “ mark ”.
The prayers of the churches I desire much. What am I, and, who
am I, but a weak, worthless creature, having no abiding place here,
traveling to one far above the stars? When shall I get there, and by
what means? The answer occurs to me, by the grace of God.
Grace is what the missionary wants— it is grace that shall make him
feel his dependence on God, and that he will accomplish nothing
but by the grace of God — it is grace that commenced and shall
complete the great economy of salvation - it was the first thing that
caused you to commence a work here, and has kept you along up
to this time; we must, therefore, look to it to accomplish the work.
“Grace all the work shall crown,
