Uncrowned Community Builders

James H. Deputie was born at Barre Forge, Pennsylvania on May 8, 1838. In 1853, he sailed for Liberia and reached Monrovia in December. His parents were Charles and Mary Ann (Molson) Deputie. In addition to James, the family consisted of John Molson Deputie, Hannah C. Deputie (Dillon), E.W., Robert A.M., Mary and Margaretta Deputie. His father moved to Marshall and in September 1855, James was converted and united with the Church.

He taught a mission school at Marshall but desiring an academic education applied for admission in the Monrovia Seminary. Bishop Burns however needed a teacher for the mission school at Robertsport and sent him there. President Benson also appointed him at the same time to take charge of the colonization school. He was licensed to exhort in 1858 and on October 20, 1859 married Mary Jane Dent.

He was licensed to preach in 1860 and in 1865 united with the Liberia Conference and received his first appointment to a mission station in the Vey country. In 1866 he was stationed at Mount Olives, a mission among the Bassa tribe. Sickness here occurred in his family and being far away from medical attendance he applied himself to the study of medicine and became his own family doctor, as well as rendering great relief to those around.

In 1867 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Roberts and elder in 1869. Bishop Haven appointed him Presiding Elder of the Bassa District in 1876, where he served acceptable and faithfully for twenty years. He was also twice appointed Presiding Elder of the Cape Palmas District and when he resigned in 1896 the people did not willingly give him up after so long a service among them, for they loved him.

No disadvantages in traveling, rain or sunshine could deter him when duty called. ââ?¬Å?I would rather wear out than rust out,ââ?¬ was his adage. He visited the United States in 1877, on leave of absence, and was gone from his work ten months, returning to his field of labor with renewed zeal. He was sent as ministerial delegate to the General Conference in 1888. An attack of ââ?¬Å?la grippeââ?¬ at Careysburg, in 1892, left him with serious bronchial troubles, but he still persevered in his work with the aide of the brethren of the district. He was a lover of study and a great reader; he possessed a strong memory, which enabled him to retain all he read. He perhaps kept up a constant correspondence wit more person I the United States than any one man in Liberia. For many years he regularly subscribed for more than ten church papers and other periodicals, secular and religious.

While in the United States in 1888, he solicited funds to aid in building a substantial brick church at Mount Olive. With these means and aid from friends in Liberia he succeeded in putting up a commodious edifice. For four years his health had been visibly failing, yet, though often entreated to take rest, he would reply, ââ?¬Å?No rest this side the river.ââ?¬ For some years he was chairman of the Provisional Court at Marshall and was commissioned as associate justice of the Supreme Court, while attending the Conference of 1896, where he was also elected delegate to the General Conference of 1896. on his return home his family was much worried at the proposition to go to the United States, as he was constantly growing weaker; but their disapproval of his attempt to make such a long voyage was met with ââ?¬Å?It is the Lordââ?¬â?¢s work, and I would be unworthy of his blessing did not I attempt to go.ââ?¬

Every preparation was made for his leaving on March 10. On Sunday, March 1, he attended a love feast and though almost too weak to stand, baptized eight persons. He was then carried to the river in a chair and witnessed the baptism of eight others. At the afternoon serve he baptized an infant, and thus closed his long official work. On the Sunday following many of the church members came to bid him good-bye, and to many of them he gave charges concerning the work. On Monday night he said, ââ?¬Å?I will not be able to go Monroviaââ?¬, and called his daughter and told her to write his substitute to that effect, and tell him, ââ?¬Å?not to disappoint the Church, but go to the General Conference.ââ?¬ Later on he said, ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢ll not go to Monrovia in the morning, but I shall die.ââ?¬ On Tuesday morning he bade the children go and have prayers, laid down on his bed, and in a few moments passed quietly into the glorious world above. He left a sorrowing wife, three sons, and three daughters to mourn him. He died March 10, 1896, the very day he had appointed to leave for Monrovia, en route to America. He was secretary of the Liberia conference for many years, and was efficient in the discharge of his duty.