MEMOIR OF REV. HILLARY TEAGE
OF LIBERIA
We find in the minutes of the Liberia Baptist Association
for 1857, the following sketch of a worthy Christian and minister.
There are several other biographical notices which we may
hereafter transfer to the columns of the Commission:
The subject of this brief memoir. Elder Hillary Teage was
born in Richmond, Virginia, United States of America, September
12th, 1805. Being early impressed with a sense of his
accountability to God, of his sinfulness, and of his utter inability to
secure the favor of God without the aid of a Saviour, — a Saviour
by whom he had been bought as an all sufficient Saviour, ~ he
became the subject of converting grace in the year 1820, at the age
of 15, while in Boston, Massachusetts.
He was, however, destined for an extensive field of labor; a
field where could be employed advantageously those talents with
which he was so richly endowed, and which have enstamped a
lasting remembrance upon the hearts of his countrymen. With an
energy that was ever ready to lay hold of any great understanding,
and a most ardent desire to contribute what he could to the
elevation of his race, he emigrated with his father Collin Teage, to
Africa in the year 1821 .
The year following, 1822, he entered the ministry, the
profession of his choice, not actuated by undue motives, but moved
by a conviction of his duty. From that time to the end of his life,
he continued to proclaim, as one of Zion’s heralds, the news of
salvation to fallen man, notwithstanding he was compelled to
discharge also most important duties both of public and private
life.
He was constituted a regularly Ordained Minister in 1832,
and eight years after (1840) the pastoral charge of the Providence
Church in Monrovia (the largest congregation of this denomination
in Liberia) was committed to him. Nor did he labor in that
vineyard in vain; for often did he witness the fruit of his labor;
often, although he had sown in tears, did he come bearing precious
sheaves in joy; and often was it his exceedingly great pleasure to
perform the ceremony of the baptism of those whom he had been
instrumental in calling out of darkness into the marvelous light and
liberty of the Gospel. It was at such periods when the times of
