CAPE PALMAS
Letter from Rev. B. J. Drayton
CAPE PALMAS, AFRICA,
September 1 7, 1 860
Rev. A. M. Poindexter:
Dear Brother - You will please allow me to acquaint you that the affairs here
are decidedly healthy and promising, and from the indication around me I am
encourage to labor on for my Lord and Master. The day school for colonists was
organized July 3rd, and has met with far greater encouragement than I expected - and
was hailed with joy by many. Since them it has gone on to operate to my entire
satisfaction and to the improvement and benefit of the children. With this school, is
kept a regular Sabbath school; this also, gives evidence of success. In the meantime,
I am happy to say, that the native school is operating regularly, and I feel pleased to
see the attention exercised by the youths, as well as teachers; they are decidedly
improving, and the influence of the school has its effect. The people are spoken to in
reference to their soul.
The school for colonists numbers 20; the school for natives numbers 12,
regular; both Sabbath schools in all, 70.
The Church are in peace and prospering in that particular grace -
congregations large and attentive. The prayer meetings are very devout and serious.
I am hopeful that soon the Lord will graciously bestow his favor upon us by addition
of more souls. We have here the enemy, using every means to prevent the march of
free grace, but his reign is short, and cannot much longer hold men in captivity to his
will.
Every Baptist minister in Liberia, as far as I know, does his duty, and go
further than any other sect, and are willing to sacrifice more, and have done more
work with less means and encouragements. The denomination today numbers over
1,000 communicants, and is growing - and does not feel second to any in point of
energy and interest for the cause of Jesus. The people in Liberia are doing a great
work, and indeed, for the opportunities they have had, I am free to say the Lord is
certainly with the people. The people are willing to contribute to every good work,
and have done it, and will continue to do it, as far as their means and circumstances
will justify. The people are grateful for favors bestowed, and will not compromise
principles for gain - I mean the Baptists. My little charge is willing to do something,
and have made arrangements to pay the expenses of a visiting brother to the natives,
or do as much as they can toward a general fund for the carrying out of any
reasonable plan to assist in disseminating truth among the natives. Our house of
worship is not finished yet, -- a good size house it is, as I have told you. Can you be
