GREENVILLE - SINOE
Letter from Rev. R.E. Murray
It is gratifying to know that the cruel practices of
heathenism are rapidly declining as appears by the following from
Bro. Murray.
Since my last letter, I have to record the death of “Soldier
King,” of whom mention was so frequently made in my
communications to the Board. I regret I was not with him in his
last moments; however, brother Roberts and the interpreter were at
the town, while he was dying. He spoke of me, they say, to the
last; he said the medicine administered to him by me had lost its
effect upon his system, that God was going to take him. He was
grateful for my attention to him. After his death, a messenger was
sent to inform me of it, with a request that I should have a decent
coffin made for him, and should go up and see him buried; but
other duties prevented my going. Last week, another chief, “Tom
Nimbly,” died; before he died, he said he frequently thought upon
what the preacher said to him, and would beg for mercy. Would to
God I could report more favorably of their last end. I have been
waiting with intense anxiety to hear if Lossywood has been given
to anyone, but nothing of the kind yet; and if for such an influential
man as “Soldier King,” it is not given, then our labour is not in
vain, and this cruel ordeal is losing its power over the Sinoe tribe.
If the weather clears up, so as to admit of traveling, I will, next
week, assemble as many of them as possible, by way of making an
improvement of the solemn scenes they have witnessed. Another
of their chiefs, Governor Pine, died recently at Lettrakroo, whither
he had gone to live. Altogether, these sad events have made a deep
impression on their mind, and may result in much good. I begin to
feel that we are on the eve of seeing the fruit of our labors in a
small way. Still I feel fearful of disappointment. Of one thing I
am certain, the name of Jesus is not strange to many of them. The
creation of the world, the fall of man, the necessity of a Saviour,
their accountability to God - the solemnity of death, and the
dreadful scenes of the judgment day - have frequently been
impressed on their minds; with what effect, time will discover. At
Butaw, there will probably be a fine school. Brother Neyle says,
parents are willing to have their children taught. He has found it
difficult to get his house finished. You cannot get the natives to
understand the value of time; this has seriously embarrassed him. I
hope it will soon be completed. Brother Britton has written several
