AFRICAN MISSION
VIRGINIA STATION
Death of A nother Missionary
It becomes our painful duty to record another death in the
missionary ranks. By a letter received from Monrovia, Africa,
dated November 15th, 1848, we learn that on the 9th of that month,
our missionary at New Virginia, brother F. S. James, was suddenly
called from his labors on earth, as we verily believe, to the joys of
the upper world. Brother James was a colored man of good talents,
sound discretion, and ardent piety. His constitution was naturally
feeble, but the hope was entertained that he might be long spared
to preach Christ among the tribes by whom he was surrounded.
God has ordered otherwise. To his behest, it is ours to bow.
Our deceased missionary, was bom in Bertie county, North
Carolina, March 8, 1817. When he was about nine years of age, he
was taken to Liberia by his father who with a wife and five
children, sailed for that country on board the Indian Chief in 1 826.
At the age of sixteen he lost his father, and he being the eldest son,
the care of his mother and the younger members of the family
devolved upon him. He succeeded in acquiring the carpenter’s
trade, and at the same time, in affording assistance to his widowed
mother. About the year 1838, he entered the employment of Rev.
Collin Teage, as a clerk in his mercantile establishment, at which
time, he doubtless improved well his leisure moments in the
cultivation of his mind. Soon after this period, he became deeply
concerned on the subject of his immortal interests. This concern
seems to have been occasioned by the preaching of the Rev. H.
Teage, now a resident of Monrovia. He was baptized about the
close of 1839. Such was his consistent piety and sound judgment,
that the church after a suitable time, appointed him to the deacon’s
office. In 1 845 he was licensed to preach. At the meeting of the
Providence Association in 1 847, he was ordained by prayer and the
imposition of hands, the Presbytery consisting of brethren John
Day, J. Clarke and A. P. Davis. In June of the same year, his
appointment as a missionary of this Board took place. During the
short occupancy of his station, he has more than equaled the
expectations of his brethren. The communications received by the
Board from him, have indicated an intelligent devotion to his work,
which has given promise of the happiest results. But his work is
