MONROVIA-LIBERIA
Letter of Rev. J. T. Richardson
MONROVIA, Aug. 22d, 1859
Rev. James B. Taylor.
VERY DEAR BROTHER:-I avail myself of the present
opportunity to write you from these ends of the world, by which
you will learn that I am still in the living’s land, and am
prosecuting with all the power I possess, the blessed work
committed to my charge. We are moving on in the usual way.
My time is still employed as named before, having charge
of the mission station, and preaching for the Church, having entire
charge of it as pastor. Up to date my success as such has been
great, having much to encourage me in this field of my present
labors. There have been added to her numbers by baptism, thirty-
one precious souls hopefully converted to God, five of the number
are natives of the soil, of the different tribes, consisting of Vies,
Congoes, and Bassas, and eight fallen members restored likewise.
So that the church can be said to be in a good condition.
Notwithstanding having much to encourage me in the blessed
work, yet I beg to say that my trials are great. I find that I need
much grace, strong faith and unwearied patience in this great
conflict with the devil and wicked men. Therefore will you
remember me when you approach the mercy seat? Particularly
name me to the Father of all Grace, that I may from him receive
the necessary aid to enable me to fight the good fight of faith, and
lay hold on eternal life.
Oh! my dear brother, I have not words to express my
feelings when I cast my eyes over this region of darkness, that is to
be redeemed from its present condition. More particularly, when I
look at the few left in the field to labor in the vineyard of the Lord,
I am compelled to ask, “who is sufficient for these things?” Our
constant prayer should be to the Lord, to send forth more laborers
into his harvest. Seeing the fewness of laborers in the field, has
caused me to double my diligence in trying to make myself more
useful than ever. I am trying to improve myself in every way that I
can to meet the demands as presented. I have entered upon the
study of the Greek, and have advanced so far as to be able to read a
little in my Greek Testament. In reading my Greek Testament I
