GREENVILLE
Letter from Rev. Isaac Roberts
April 19th, 1858
Rev. J. B. Taylor:
Dear Brother — Another period has rolled around which
makes it my duty to write you my Quarterly Report; and before I
proceed, I cannot but, first of all, express my gratitude to a kind
and Heavenly Father, through whose abundant goodness my life is
yet spared to preach the word of life to a dying world. When I cast
my eyes around and see what God is doing for Africa, I cannot but
say, how unsearchable are his works, and his ways past finding
out. I thank God that I have lived to see the field blossoming and
blooming. While the cry of Maseedonia is heard, come over and
help us.
I have been an observer of the indications of Providence.
When I would have gone into the field, moved as I trust by the
Holy Ghost, my commission seemed to be confined to “India and
Jerusalem,” but now I feel that the door is opened, and we are
invited by the gentle Spirit to go to craggy mountains, for the time
is come for Ethiopia to stretch forth her hands to the Tree of Life.
And I can assure you, dear brother, the cause of Africa is dear to
my heart.
Though we have not, as yet, realized the powerful effect of
the Gospel in converting the heathen, every day shows the dawn of
that day when the heathen who surround us, now bowing down to
idols, will be found in their right minds, sitting at the feet of Jesus.
The work is one of fearful responsibility, and the Spirit of God, I
feel, must nerve one for the work.
My desire is more and more toward the heathen. If called
away from time, I pray God that I may be called from the midst of
the heathen, preaching unto them Jesus; for then I will be able to
say, “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes
have seen thy salvation.”
During this quarter, the Lord has been pleased to visit our
community. Through the mercy of God I have laboured at home
and abroad in this noble work. I have baptized for my son,
В.
B.
