LIBERIA - AFRICA
Letter from Rev. A. P. Davis
BUCHANAN, Aug. 16, 1859
Rev. A. M. Poindexter,
Richmond:
DEAR BROTHER — I hasten to drop you a few lines in
reply to yours, dated April 22d and 27th. In the one I find counsel
and advice, and in the other the information of the death of our
venerable brother Day. But, previous to this, I have had much
cause to mourn and inquire of myself, does the Lord of the harvest
approve of us as his servants in this field of labor? Brother Murray
was removed from the Sinou station, which seems to leave that
station, till this hour, somewhat crippled. The latter part of last
year brother R. White was removed from the Millsburg station.
The early part of this year Brother Day was called from a greater
position, and one much more difficult to fill. The 20th of last June
brother Cheeseman fell in a most important field, the Edina station,
and right by his side, brother J. T. Neyle fell at the same moment,
by drowning in the St. John’s, and both their bodies were found in
one day, and buried in one grave. From the hour of the death of
brethren Cheeseman and Neyle, Edina has been in mourning until
this hour.
It was with difficulty that I could preach the funeral
sermons of those brethren, more than a month after their death, in
Edina. My own feelings and those of the whole of Edina were
very sad. The meeting-house was dressed in deep mourning; the
pulpit, Bible and Hymn book were distinctly dressed. Last
Sabbath I spent the day with a part of my congregation there, and
baptized two males; and I think the service will be useful to the
cause. I also administered the Lord’s Supper. The meeting-house
is still in mourning. We had a most solemn and impressive season.
I know not what we are to do for laborers in our mission field. I
am not able to understand what the Lord is about to do, whether it
is his purpose to blot us all out, and raise up a people that will eye
his glory more closely, I cannot tell; so I say with one of old, “It is
the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.”
In reply to some of your queries, I believe brother
В.
P.
Yates is the best suited for superintendent; and my opinion is, that
