Letter of Rev. Jacob Vonbrun
VONBRUNVILLE, June 24th, 1859
Dear Bro. Poindexter.
We have to inform you we are more encouraged to preach the word of God to our friends,
the Bassas, who show more willingness now, and manifest a desire to learn the way of life.
Many of them come from some distant places to attend meeting. I preach to them in the Bassa
language regularly every Sabbath. Sometimes the number of the congregation is one hundred
and fifty and upwards. All are the natives of this country. We are surrounded by thirty little
native towns, allowing twenty-five persons to the town, (being the lowest number in some of the
towns.) Our school consists of twenty-nine native children, who are faring well in their learning.
Over the St. John’s are several other towns containing a number of souls. To these I preach
alternately. The number that assembles there is fifty and upward.
Brother Poindexter, I would in particular apprize you with regard to this station, but 1 am
sorry my pen is not able to do me the justice. However, depending on your judgment in this
matter, I am satisfied.
At the close of last year, while I was at Monrovia, I endeavoured to show the state of
things as they appeared to me here. In regard to the means used by you, our friend in the States,
to benefit the people in this country that they were not lost. I tried to show, also, that this station,
being immediately situated among the natives, you need more labourers here. Look at the
number of country towns above mentioned. These are only those under my immediate
protection, independent to the vast number of inhabitants of the land among whom we labour.
This obliges us to feel, as we do now, the want of another teacher beside myself.
Please pardon my forwardness in taking on myself to name any one to you. I have once
named brothers Thos. G. Clarke and W. D. Crocker. Both are natives of this country like myself,
and able teachers.
Ten of the children of this school are most able to read in the Holy Bible, but are not clad,
and so are several of them. We hope you will enable us to procure some clothing for them.
Dear brother in Christ, I remain
Most affectionately yours,
JACOB VONBRUN
The Commission
September 1859
p. 85-86
