BUCHANAN
Letter from Rev. A. P. Davis
BUCHANAN, Oct. 5th, 1 859
This will inform you of my ministerial labors the quarter ending September 30th. The
30th of June I left home for Marshall, (Junk,) after repeated applications of that church and
pastor, showing the absolute need of my services. With a conviction that the indications of
Providence made the path of duty plain, I set out for Junk. It is given up by the majority of
travellers, that the distance, via the beach, is 40 miles. In this trip I think I encountered two of
the most lengthy and chilling rains I ever experienced in my life.
I arrived at Junk Friday night, wet and cold, but was kindly received and well provided
for. Saturday, 2nd July, met with the officials of the church-made arrangements for the future
duties to be performed. P.M., the same day, attended burial services of two persons. Sabbath
morning preached a sermon preparatory to baptism, and baptized seven persons-preached
preparatory to the administration of the Lord’s Supper, after delivering an address to the
candidates just baptized.
I baptized on Monday again, making nine in all, the church having decided, by a
unanimous vote, to have the ordinance administered Monday P.M. During the day, on Monday,
according to previous arrangements, I visited Monrovia.
I have baptized at my own station, Buchanan, six persons, and reclaimed two, since my
last report. A good discipline is kept up in our church, which is its only life. We have a Sabbath
school in an increasing healthy condition; and among those last united with the church, is a
young woman, well informed, whose father and mother were both Methodists. She is a decided
Baptist, and I think a Christian.
At Marshall I preached three sermons-baptized nine persons, and made five pastoral
visits-attended two burial services-administered the Lord’s Supper twice.
I have preached seven sermons at Edina, besides what my assistant preached, which is
not mentioned in this report. At that church 1 have baptized two persons, made three pastoral
visits, and attended one business meeting.
HOME AND FOREIGN JOURNAL
April 1860
p. 40
