Letter from Rev. John T. Richardson to Rev. James B. Taylor, May 22, 1858

LIBERIA - AFRICA Letter from Rev. John T. Richardson West Africa, New Virginia, May 22, 1858 Rev. James B. Taylor: Dear Brother-l raise my pen this morning to write you from this end of the world, to let you know that I am yet spared in the land of the living. I find not a moment of time to lose.- Whatever my hands find to do, I am trying to do it with all my might. The fields are already white to harvest, and the labourers are few; therefore it becomes our duty to pray the Lord of the harvest to send for the more labourers into the harvest. The melancholy news of the death of two of our ministers, ere these lines shall have reached you, doubtless has filled your heart with sadness. The Rev. Richard White fell at his post on Monday the 3rd of this month, and Adam Locket on the 1st. The latter was carried to the house for all the living on Sunday, and the former on Monday. It seems that the blessed Lord is holding the rod of chastisement over his churches and people, for one after another is called away continually of late, notwithstanding the fields are inviting all around us; he has continually thinned the ministerial ranks with us. Yet we will not complain of the movements of Divine providence, ignorant as we are of the ways of God, notwithstanding we are so ignorant, though clouds and darkness may be round about him, yet justice and truth are the habitation of his throne. I have paid Millsburg two visits since the death of Elder White, Louisiana one, and Clay Ashland two, for the puipose of building up our cause at these stations. I am called upon by all that is great and good, to be active; and I am trying, my dear brother, to make myself useful the few days I have left me to stay on earth. The Commission July 1858