AFRICA
FROM BROTHER JOHN DA Y
Bexley, March 10, 1849
I drop these lines to inform you I have just returned from
Monrovia, and the settlements above that place. 1 had feared the
schools would be neglected, and wishing to examine into their
state, concluded to hold protracted meetings in the several
settlements in that country, and arranged to go with Mr. Cheesman,
but he could not be ready to embark with me, and concluded to
walk the beach, taking Junk in his way.
I preached twice Sunday, 18th February, in Providence
chapel, to a full house of attentive hearers. Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday, I preached in New Georgia, where we have a most
interesting school of Congors, Ebors, Deys, &c. That school,
under Wm. W. Stewart, is making excellent progress. He appears
to delight in his work, and the parents and children delight in him.
I wish I could speak of all our teachers, as I can of Stewart. He
appears in his glory with these poor ragged children around him. I
saw one little boy come in entirely naked; Stewart said to him,
“you cannot remain here in that state.” The poor little fellow with
a heavy heart left the house; Stewart then said to me, “that poor
little fellow is very anxious to learn, and learns very fast, but he
cannot attend school regularly for want of clothes.” 1 looked out of
a window, and made no reply, for I had been taken up in
contemplating the eagerness with which the ragged school were
engaged in study; the intelligent countenances of many of the
children; their future prospects, &c; which filled me with delight,
blended with the sorrow I felt at seeing the boy turned off, I found
my eyes had filled with tears, which I did not wish any one to see I
was weak enough to indulge. Suppressing these feelings, I said I
will try to do something for such children.
On Thursday, was observed that a most interesting state of
things existed. I was told many of the youths were praying, and
that four excluded members were anxious to return to the church.
The church seemed fired with heavenly love. At night, the deacon
had the church called together after preaching; three were restored.
I was requested to return Sunday to preach a funeral sermon for
some prominent member; to baptize and administer the Lord’s
supper. Friday I went to New Virginia, and preached Friday,
