SIERRA LEONE - AFRICA
Letter from Rev. H. P. Thompson
Waterloo , June 18th, 1856
At the request of the Rev. John Day of Monrovia, whom I
providentially became acquainted with nearly two years ago, as at
my own desire, I now write to inform you of my acceptance of an
appointment under your Board as a laborer in the mission field at
Waterloo, a place 24 miles from Freetown.
Although at present I am laboring under a very great
disadvantage for want of a Church, yet I am not at all discouraged.
- The prospects are cheering, but until I can get a place of worship
and a school established, I shall not be able to write much. I have
already engaged a competent teacher for the school, but there are
many things to keep back the work. The building has to be
delayed for the want of maps and school books from the Alphabet
card upwards, will be another hindrance, there being none to be
bought in Sierra Leone.
A Day and Sabbath School established here, as well as in
Freetown, under competent teachers, will be one of the surest
means, with God’s blessing, to promote and extend the
Redeemer’s cause under the Baptist exertions.
Since the establishment of Sierra Leone, more than 65
years ago, there have never been a single Baptist school
established in Sierra Leone. You may judge how very weak and
low the state of our churches is. Not until the latter part of 1853
was a school opened in our church. The Rev. J. Brown and I
purchased books, &c., and paying the teacher’s salary, one was
started. The members of our church being all poor widows and
distressed men, were not in a position to help us. This school
continued from October, 1853, to April, 1855, at which time we
were unable to keep it up any longer, and consequently closed it
till now.
But since we have got the church to consent to give
themselves up to the management and direction of your Board,
under Brother Day, (which they are loud in thanksgiving to God
for,) there is a great charge taking place amongst them, we trust for
the better. Their attachment towards Brother Day is very great,
