MONROVIA, Oct. 19 -- One of Liberia's most prominent clergymen used his Sunday pulpit to challenge the West African nation's leaders and citizens to stop letting past failures dictate the country's future, warning that "Liberia's children cannot eat yesterday's speeches by politicians."

By Rodney D. Sieh

Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves, senior pastor of Providence Baptist Church in the capital, Monrovia, delivered the sermon, titled "Yesterday Ended Last Night," on Sunday, Oct. 18. Founded in 1821 by freed Black Americans who settled the colony, the church is Liberia's oldest and the site where the country's Declaration of Independence was signed in 1847. Often called "the cornerstone of the nation," it has long counted Liberia's political leade...