Letter from Brother John Day
Brother Day thus refers to the importance of cultivating the
African Mission: —
The earth does not afford a better scope for the display of
goodness, love, mercy, and power, than does the colored race.
And will God lose this chance of getting to himself glory? He
raiseth the poor out of the dust, sets them among princes, and
makes them inherit a throne of glory. My conclusion is, that as
long as I live I will contribute to the accomplishment of this great
object, the salvation of Africa. I feel it an object so near my heart,
so connected with God’s glory, that I apply the promise, those who
bless Africa, God will bless, and those who curse Africa, God will
curse. Feeling that I am engaged in a work adapted to secure the
greatest glory to God, what a privilege I esteem it! How unwilling
to abandon it! The redemption of heathen anywhere is a great
work - a work worthy the people of God. But Africa is a land
which God loves, has special promises, has been suffered to come
exceedingly low, that the greater glory might redound to God, who
will redeem and exult her. Who that loves God would not love
Africa? Who that has felt his love, would not desire to promote his
glory? In what will God be more glorified, than the evangelization
of Africa? O, brethren, come to this work. This is the field in
which he that reapeth receiveth wages; he that reapeth and he that
soweth may rejoice together. Here we may make friends with
Mammon, who will receive us into everlasting habitations. Here
we may labor with the assurance that we shall be approved and
hear the words “well done good and faithful servant.” Here the
faithful will feast on the luxury of doing good. There the supporter
of the missions can have the consolation that they support the most
glorious cause, the most exalted object.
Affectionately and gratefully, yours, &c.,
JOHN DAY
Home and Foreign Journal
November 1852
p. 19
