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261

Sep. 6

[[Rev.?]] J. S. Backus D. D.
Cor. Sec. A.B. H. M. Soc.

Dear Sir:

I desire to call your attention to Coalfield, 16 miles from Richmond on the Danville R.R. as a most important field of usefulness for your Association, where a little aid will go a great way. This is a coal mining station with a large population entire[[ly]] dependent upon the colored Baptist church -- the only religious organization in the place -- for their moral and religious culture. Rev. Fields Cook (colored of this city), has been serving this people as pastor and school teacher for more than a year, almost without compensation. Mr. Cook has not his superior among the colored citizens of the state, for talent, energy, candor and an intelligent devotion to the interests of his race. He is every way a first class man, -- one of those who by all means should be maintained as a public teacher. From the fullest information from the reliable sources, as well as from Mr. Cook, it appears that it is impossible for the people