GREENVILLE
The subjoined paper from the pen of our Brother R.E.
Murray, will inform our readers in reference to the field occupied
by him and others in Sinou County, Liberia. We regard this as one
of our most important positions. God we trust will ere long pour
out abundantly, a blessing upon it.
Dear Brother Taylor,
Your kind favour of 18th April, ult., came to hand on the
30lh inst. It cheers my heart to perceive that my poor labours give
satisfaction; I only regret, that more has not been done, for the
promotion of the cause of Christ. Living in the vicinity of the
natives, acquainted with their manners and customs; their
degrading superstition and vile habits, and the decidedly hostile
feelings of many of them to our laws and institutions, I cannot but
feel a deep anxiety for the spread of the gospel among them, being
certain that it will remove their prejudices, and we can live
together as brethren, in peace and harmony. I am truly convinced
of the soundness of your remarks that “It may seem to be a slow
process to enlighten the dark minds of the heathen men, but the
gospel will, by the accompanying influence of the Holy Spirit
accomplish this result.” This is my hope, this my dependence.
The path of duty, I find to be encompassed with difficulties, of
which a large portion has fallen to my lot, but I know him who has
said, “My grace is sufficient.”
The books &c. were safely delivered, for which, accept the
thanks of parents, teachers, and children. A smaller number of
Bibles and Testaments, and a larger number of spelling books
would have suited our wants better. I will remark on this head,
that a good supply of books, at all times, exerts a great influence in
this country, and will generally secure a large attendance of
scholars. We have in Sinou county two churches. The “First
Baptist Church of Sinou county,” is situated in Greenville, of
which I am pastor; a branch of it is in Farmersville and another at
Lexington. The Second Baptist Church is in Farmersville, under
the Pastoral charge of Bro. I. Roberts. They are known simply as
the First and Second Baptist Churches. There are three ordained
ministers, viz: Isaac Roberts, Joseph Byng, R. E. Murray. —
Moses Dent, Stephen Britton, Isaac Mason, Licentiates. --
Teachers, J. W. Lewis, Greenville, Andrew J. Morel, Farmville;
Jonathan Strother, Lexington; Elizabeth Simpson, Kroo-Town.
