LETTER FROM SAMUEL G. DAY
The author of the following letter is a young native African, brought up in one of the schools, a
member of the church, and now engaged as an assistant.
Edina, April 12th, 1850
Rev. Jas. B. Taylor:
Dear father in the lord, —I wrote to you by the last packet, but have not as yet heard from
you; though, by the never-failing mercy of God, I am spared again to drop you a few lines.
Sir, you are aware, as I told you in my first and last letter, that I am a native of Africa,
bom, like other natives, under the influence of superstition and sin; but God, who is merciful, has
graciously brought or sent his word among us, and I, with other youths, was taught to read it, and
now feel that his word has been blessed to me. Having enjoyed these blessings myself, I feel
anxious to see my brethren and kinsmen, according to the flesh, enjoying them also. It is a
source of great joy to see my brethren brought into schools and taught the word of God. Here I
attend every day, and take much interest in teaching the scholars and watching their steady
progress. Those boys who were brought in last year, are not only reading small books, but the
sacred book of God. How pleasant it was to me, when first they began to turn over the sacred
pages. They recite their catechism in Sunday school. The Sunday school is large, and there are
many who act as teachers, and seem to take much interest in it. Yes, Christ our Saviour is
pointed out to my brethren, and they can learn how they may be saved. I hope, by the blessing of
God, to be able to bring in many of my countrymen, as well as my own kindred. I have brought
many of my own brothers and sisters in school.
Please pray for me, that the Lord may make me one of His instruments, remembering my
brothers and sisters, and all the Ethiopic races, in your prayers; and please write to me.
Your most ob’t serv’t.
Samuel G. Day
The Commission
July 1850
p. 26-27