MONROVIA -AFRICA
Letter from Rev. John Day
Reference has been before made to the school edifice which has been
erected for a high school in Monrovia. The following adverts to the
opening of the schools, male and female. We have reason to rejoice at
the prospects of these seminaries, and to pray that the Superintendent
may be spared to carry out the good work so well begun:
Monrovia, Liberia, Oct. 1 1th, 1856
Rev. James B. Taylor;
Very Dear Sir: — I drop these lines to inform you that I had
Sunday school in the school edifice Sunday last; that more than
120 children attended. At 1 1 o’clock, A.M., I addressed the school
and congregation. The house could not contain the crowd who
attended. Monday morning I took in the schools, and found not a
boy prepared to enter the higher department. Indeed I was
astonished at the little progress of the school. I soon found the
secret. The teacher having 64 boys then present, attempted to
teach them without classification. I took charge, and found the
whole could be arranged in three classes. I organized the school
and took the superintendence. I then went to organize the female
school, (taught in that part of the edifice intended for the high
school, to which some are coining from other schools soon,) but
found that school so well, that I concluded to let “well enough”
alone. I have been in and out all whole week, and find Miss Lewis
deserving better pay. She is amiable and dignified. Commands
respect, and quietly preserves order. Her school is far in advance
of the boys.
I took in five young preachers, and as they were just
capable of reading and writing, I concluded to put them on the
study of the Bible, English grammar, and history. These I shall
aim to make, to some extent, acquainted with the proofs of the
revelation of the bible, the Bible history, church history, Scripture
geography, manners and customs of the east, evidences of
Christianity, systematic divinity; and, if I find they can lay hold
readily, the Greek language. And to keep them from ranting, very
common here, and very disgusting to me, I shall endeavor to teach
a little pulpit oratory. I wish them to be acquainted with
philosophy, mental, moral, and natural; and, indeed, if they could