Clay-Ashland
Our missionary at this place. Brother J. T. Richardson, under
date of February 1 2th, remarks:
My heart is rejoiced on account of the bright prospect
among the heathen in this vicinity. I have commenced preaching
to them regularly during the week, and the Sabbaths I give to the
church in this town. My first visit I made to the heathen, with the
bible, hymn book and interpreter, caused some little excitement;
but so soon as they were informed, through my interpreter, of my
object, they at once made me welcome to the town, and all that
they had, which they thought would make me comfortable. The
king ordered my dinner while I was trying to feel my way through
the darkness that covered his mind; he called his people together to
hear what the god-man had to say, and during the exercises, I have
not seen in any congregation, better order and attention paid to
what I said than on this occasion. I have been visiting them in this
way, from town to town, as time and circumstances would warrant,
from the first of January up to date. All that seems to be necessary
is, perseverance, patience, and faith, and at no distant day I hope to
see some of the fruits of my labor. Before this shall have reached
you, you will not doubt have heard the sad intelligence of the death
of our agent, Bro. John Kingdom he fell a victim to disease and
died on the 16th of January, at Monrovia, at the residence of Bro.
Day, while he was away on a visit to Sierra Leone. The particulars
of his death 1 know not, as I was at my station when he died, and
did not know of his illness until he was carried to the house for all
living. It is hoped that you will get all the particulars through Bro.
Day. Oh! how are the ways of divine Providence to be understood
by God’s creatures. They are shrouded in mystery. The subject of
these remarks came among us with his soul filled with that divine
benevolence which caused the blessed God to give up his only
begotten Son to die to redeem a lost and wicked world. And just
as we had began to consult together and to arrange matters for
future action and usefulness to the sons of Ham, in this benighted
land, he is cut off in a moment in the midst of his usefulness, and is
no more to be seen. But we shall see him again, notwithstanding;
for we all must go to him; he cannot come to us. Let us rejoice in
the midst of our affliction, knowing that our Father has done it, and
what he does is right.
Home and Foreign Journal
July 1855
p. 3-4
