Monrovia
Rev. John Day writes under date of August 1, assuring the Board
of his increasing confidence in the success of their endeavors. The fact
to which he calls attention, relative to the desire of instruction in spiritual
things on the part of the natives, is peculiarly encouraging. He writes:
Since my letter of last month, I have gotten in possession of
a fact which before was unknown to me; that is, that the natives are
moving in and settling thick around Millsburg and other
settlements up the Saint Paul, in this country, for protection. I
witnessed the frantic joy of the natives last July 26, and called
brother Clarkâs attention to it. The next day, the orator, Mr.
Russell, Episcopalian preacher, called on me and gave the
intelligence alluded to. This kind treatment of natives here, is
attributable to the superior intelligence of this country. In Bassa,
the American population are ignorant and oppressive, and the
natives to avoid difficulty move off. The fact that the natives are
moving in and around these settlements, renders this a most
desirable field for such missionaries as would work if work is
brought to their doors, and a first rate chance for the Board to
sustain these poor churches, have the gospel preached to the
heathen, and the children of poor manumitted slaves, and the
poorer free negroes, instructed in civilization and Christianity. I
say not that in reproach of the free colored ones, whose very name
is a hissing and reproach, but that you may be moved with pity
towards that class of men, who as really need a missionary as the
heathen. By a proper management of things, all natives within five
miles of the different settlements may hear the word of God once a
week. There should be a man at Millsburg, one at Clay-Ashland,
one in Virginia, and one at Monrovia. All should be required to
preach constantly.
Home and Foreign Journal
February 1855
P-31
