Bexley Station
Appeal to Colored Baptists
We request our brethren, the pastors of our churches, to
read the following appeal to their colored members, both for the
puipose of informing them what we are doing to give the gospel to
the benighted in their father land, and of exciting a scriptural
benevolence in this good work. Bro. Day is a colored man,
formerly of Virginia, and in addressing his brethren, he has been
governed by a desire to quicken their zeal, and in the belief that
they would do much to aid in giving the gospel to the heathen.
May we not ask that in reading this appeal, a collection be taken on
behalf of the African mission. Our colored brethren are both able
and willing to contribute much to this object.
Bexley, West Africa,
Nov. 15th, 1849
To Southern Colored Baptists:
Beloved brethren - I have been nearly three years in the
service of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention; having served the Northern Board about ten years, as
missionary to the Bassas; and yet this is the first appeal I have ever
made to you for pecuniary help.
I have traveled and preached over much of this part of the
country, and have witnessed much of the wretchedness occasioned
by the superstitions of our kindred here. I have clambered
mountains, waded and swam waters, and braved inclement
weather, to carry the news of a Saviour’s love, of God’s
willingness to save, until my constitution broke. My own labors
are now confined to my chapel, my school, and immediate
neighborhood. But O, the sympathy I feel for the thousands
sinking to flames. They listen with attention, some are converted
to God, many profess to have renewed hearts, and great is the
reformation around us.
The field is vastly large, the work vastly immense,
requiring the energies of Southern Baptists. To you especially 1
look, for on you Africans have especial claims. They are bone of
our bone, flesh of our flesh, our family, our household; and if we
