Letter of Rev. J. B. Drayton
CAPE PALMAS, Liberia,
June 23d, 1859
REV. A. M. POINDEXTER:
My Dear Brother — Your esteemed favour of April 22d and
27th came duly to hand by mail, and I was sorry to know my
reports had not reached you. I am equally happy to know that you
were cheered by the report of the progress of the native school.
I am sanguine that there is no doubt of signal victory by the
army of God in that quarter, as we have daily indications of the
growing weakness of Satan’s power there, and the effectual
working of the Spirit of the Lord on the minds of the people. Only
listen, if you please! The Lord moved on the heart of a native
chieftain, living some thirty miles from the sea-shore, near the
rolling of the majestic Cavalla river, to send me a special message,
inviting me to come over and help him and his people: to teach
their children and show them the “way” which leads to God. More
than any other message I have received from them, this hath
impressed me most. I told them to satisfy their urgency, I would
write you to authorize me to send a teacher and Godman all
combined to teach them. With this they have rested.
My brother, this is your field by choice and Divine direction, and it
is the Lord’s vineyard, -and it needs the workmen. I have no need
to use extra exertions to press this matter upon you, because I
believe you are fully awake to it; your heart is open and big with
benevolence, your arm is stretched out to give aid and comfort to
the sin-sick and lost, by preaching to them Jesus. Then, with due
respect, I most earnestly appeal to you to send them a teacher; send
them the word of life, and save some. I am desirous to see this
field studded with schools and churches as the stars doth the
heavens, and shining with equal brightness, guiding and directing
the poor wayfaring wretched heathens to God-to heaven. Fully,
my dear brother, has the time come to occupy this field as we
should; I mean, if you please, the patient and persevering exertion
to evangelize the heathens. Our attention must be fixed upon
them, and if any extra amount of means must be spent, let it be
directed there.
How much do I wish to see our operation, in ample time,
waging a direct battle against that quarter. I know of no particular
