THE
NEGRO SERYANT.
%xi Dtatifoe.
BY THE
REV. LEGH RICHMOND,
SECTOR 0? TUBVEY, BEDFORDSHIBK.
PUBLISHED BY THE
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,
28 CORNHILL, BOSTON
What wrongs, what injuries does Oppression plead
To smooth the crime and sanctify the deed?
What strange offense, what aggravated sin I
They stand convicted — of a darker skin I
Hannah Mob*.
THE
NEGRO SERVANT.
PART X.
If a map of the world, instead of being colored,
as is usual, with many gay and brilliant tints, in
order to distinguish its various continents, king¬
doms, and islands from each other, were to be
painted with darker or brighter hues, correspond¬
ing with the spiritual character of the inhabitants,
what a gloomy aspect would be presented to the
eye of the Christian geographer by the greater
portion of the habitable globe! How dark would
be the shade thus cast over the larger districts of
the vast continents of Asia and America! and
what a mass of gloom would characterize the
African quarter of the world !
Here and there a bright spot would mark the
residence of a few missionary laborers devoting
themselves to God, and scattering the rays of
Christian light among the surrounding heathen;
but over the greater part " the blackness of
(3)
4
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
darkness" would emblematically describe the
iron reign of Mahometan superstition and pagan
idolatry.
The Christian prays that God would "have
respect unto the covenant; for the dark places of
the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty."
He hopes to see the nations "open their eyes, and
turn from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgive¬
ness of sins, and inheritance among them which
are sanctified by faith."
The curse originally pronounced on the descend¬
ants of Ham has, in a variety of respects, both
temporal and spiritual, been awfully fulfilled: "A
servant of servants shall he be." Slavery, as well
of mind as body, has been continued amongst the
Africans through their generations, in a manner
which at once proves the truth of the divine pre¬
diction, and yet calls aloud for the ardent prayers
and active exertions of Christians in their behalf.
The time will come when the heathen shall be
proved to have been given to Christ " for an in¬
heritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for
his possession." The degraded Hottentot and the
poor benighted negro will look from the ends of
the earth unto Jesus, and be saved. "Many shall
go to and fro, and knowledge shall thereby be in¬
creased." The Redeemer " shall see of the travail
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
5
of his soul, and be satisfied," in beholding the
gathering together, not only of the outcasts of
Israel, that are ready to perish, but of churches
and people from all the tongues, and kindreds, and
nations of the earth. In the day of his appearing,
the sons of Africa will vie with their brethren
of the north, and the west, and the east, in re¬
sounding the praises of God their Saviour from
one end of the earth to the other.
In the mean time, we rejoice in every occa¬
sional instance of the love and power of God in
effecting the conversion of some, who appear as
the first fruits of that harvest which shall here¬
after so fruitfully grow up, to the honor of Christ
and the blessedness of his redeemed people.
The following narrative of real facts may, per¬
haps, illustrate the importance of the foregoing
remarks.
During a residence of some years' continuance
in the neighborhood of the sea, an officer in the
navy called upon me, and stated that he had just
taken lodging in the parish for his wife and chil¬
dren, and had a negro who had been three years
in his service. "The lad is a deserving fellow,"
said the officer, "and he has a great desire to
be baptized; I have promised him to ask you to
do it, if you have not any objections."
" Does he know any thing," I replied, " of the
principles of the Christian religion ? "
6
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" O, yes, I am sure he does," answered the cap¬
tain ; " for he talks a deal about it in the kitchen,
and often gets laughed at for his pains; but he
takes it all very patiently."
" Does he behave well as your servant ? "
"Yes, that he does; he is as honest and civil a
fellow as ever came on board a ship, or lived in a
house."
" "Was he always so well behaved ?"
" No," said the officer; " when I first had him,
he was often very unruly and deceitful; but for the
last two years he has been quite like another
creature."
" Well, sir, I shall be very glad to see him, and
think it probable I shall wish to go through a
course of instruction and examination; during
which I shall be able to form a judgment how far
it will be right to admit him to the sacrament of
baptism. Can he read ? "
" Yes," replied his master; " he has been taking
great pains to learn to read for some time past,
and can make out a chapter in the Bible pretty
well, as my maid-servant informs me. He speaks
English better than many of his countrymen, but
you will find it a little broken. When will it be
convenient that I should send him over to you ? "
" To-morrow afternoon, sir, if you please."
" He shall come to you about four o'clock, and
you will see what you can make of him."
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
7
"With this promise he took his leave. I felt glad
of an opportunity of instructing a native of that
land whose wrongs and injuries had often caused
me to sigh and mourn; the more so when I
reflected who had been the aggressors.
At the appointed hour my negro disciple ar¬
rived. He was a very young looking man, with a
sensible, lively, and pleasing countenance.
I desired him to sit down, and said, "Your
master informs me that you wish to have some con-
ver-ation with me respecting Christian baptism."
"Yes, sir; me very much wish to be a Chris¬
tian," said he.
" Why do you wish so ? "
" Because me know that Christian go to heaven
when he die."
" How long have you had that wish ? " I said.
" Ever since me hear one goot minister preach
in America, two years ago."
" Where were you born ?"
" In Africa. Me was very little boy when me
was made slave by de white men."
" How was that ? "
" Me left father and mother one day at home to
go get shells by de sea shore; and as I was stoop¬
ing down to gather dem up, some white sailors
came out of a boat and took me away. Me never
see father nor mother again."
8
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" And what became of you then ? "
" Me was put into ship, and brought to Jamaica,
and sold to a master, who kept me in his house to
serve him some years; when, about three years
ago, Captain W , my master dat spoke to you,
bought me to be his servant on board his ship.
And he be goot master; he give me my liberty,
and make me free, and me live with him ever
since."
"And what thoughts had you about your soul
all that time before you went to America?" I
asked him.
" Me no care for my soul at all before den. No
man teach me one word about my soul."
" Well, now tell me further about what hap¬
pened to you in America. How came you there ?"
" My master take me dere in his ship, and he
stop dere one month, and den me hear the goot
minister."
"And what did that minister say?"
" He said me was great sinner."
" What, did he speak to you in particular ? "
* " Yes, me tink so; for dere was great many to
hear him, but he tell dem all about me."
" What did he say ? "
" He say about all de tings dat were in my heart."
" What things ? "
" My sin, my ignorance, my know noting, my
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
9
believe noting. De good minister make me see
dat me tink noting goot, no do noting goot."
" And what else did he tell you ? "
" He sometime look me in de face, and say, dat
Jesus Christ came to die for sinners, poor black
sinners, as well as white sinners. Me tought dis
was very goot, very goot indeed, to do so for a
wicked sinner."
" And what made you think this was all spoken
to you in particular?"
" Because me sure no such wicked sinner as me
in all de place. De goot minister must know me
was dere."
" And what did you think of yourself while he
preached about Jesus Christ ? "
" Sir, me was very much afraid, when he said
de wicked must be turned into hell-fire. For me
felt that me was very wicked sinner, and dat make
me cry. And he talk much about de love of
Christ to sinners, and dat make me cry more.
And me tought me must love Jesus Christ; but
me not know how, and dat make me cry again."
" Did you hear more sermons than one during
that month ? "
" Yes, sir; master give me leave to go tree
times, and all de times me wanted to love Jesus
more, and do what Jesus said; but my heart
seem sometime hard, like a stone."
10
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" Have you ever heard any preaching since
that time ? "
" Never, till me hear sermon at dis church last
Sunday, and den me long to be baptized in Jesus'
name; for me had no Christian friends to baptize
me when little child."
"And what have been your thoughts all the
time since you first heard these sermons in Amer¬
ica? Did you tell any body then what you felt?"
" No, me speak to nobody but to God den. De
goot minister say, dat God hear de cry of de poor;
so me cry to God, and he hear me. And me often
tink about Jesus Christ, and wish to be like him."
" Can you read ?"
"A little."
" Who taught you to read ? "
" God teach me to read."
" What do you mean by saying so ? "
" God give me desire to read, and dat make
reading easy. Master give me Bible, and one
sailor show me de letters: and so me learned to
read by myself, with God's good help."
" And what do you read in the Bible ? "
" Oh, me read all about Jesus Christ, and how
he loved sinners; and wicked men killed him, and
he died, and come again from de grave, and all
dis for poor negro. And it sometime make me
cry to tink dat Christ love so poor negro."
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
11
" And what do the people say about your
reading and praying, and attention to the things
of God ? "
" Some wicked people, dat do not love Jesus
Christ, call me great fool, and negro dog, and
black hypocrite. And dat make me sometime feel
angry; but den me remember Christian must not
be angry for dat. Jesus Christ was called ugly
black names, and he was quiet as a lamb; and so
den me remember Jesus Christ, and me say noting
again to dem."
I was much delighted with the simplicity and
apparent sincerity of this poor negro, and wished,
to ascertain what measure of light and feeling he
possessed on a few leading points. St. Paul's
summary of religion* occurring to me, I said,
" Tell me, what is faith ? What is your own
faith ? What do you believe about Jesus Christ,
and your own soul ? "
"Me believe," said he, "dat Jesus Christ came
into de world to save sinners; and dough me be
chief of sinners, yet Jesus will save me, dough me
be only poor black negro."
" What is your hope ? What do you hope for,
both as to this life and that which is to come ?"
" Me hope Christ Jesus will take goot care of
* " Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the
greatest of these is charity." (1 Cor. 13: 13.) .
12
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
me, and keep me from sin and harm, while me
live here; and me hope, when me come to die,
to go and live with him always, and never die
again."
" What are your thoughts about Christian love
or charitv ? I mean, whom and what do you most
love?"
" Me love God de Father, because he was so
goot to send his Son. Me love Jesus Christ,
because he love me. Me love all men, black men
and white men too; for God make dem all. Me
love goot Christian people, because Jesus love
dem, and dey love Jesus."
Such was my first conversation with this young
disciple; I rejoiced in the prospect of receiving
him into the church, agreeably to his desire. I
wished, however, to converse somewhat further,
and inquire more minutely into his conduct, and
promised to ride over and see him in a few days
at his master's lodgings.
When he was gone, I thought within myself,
God had indeed redeemed souls, by the blood of
his Son, "out of every kindred and tongue, and
people and nation." If many of them for a season
are devoted to earthly slavery* through the cruel
avarice of man, yet, blessed be God, some amongst
* This circumstance took place before the late abolition of the
slave trade.
the negro servant.
13
them are, through divine grace, called to the glori¬
ous liberty of the children of God, and so are
redeemed from the slavery of him who takes so
many captive at his will.
It is a happy thought, that " Ethiopia shall soon
stretch forth her hands unto God. Sing unto
God, ye kingdoms of the earth, oh, sing praises
unto the Lord."
PART II.
When we endeavor to estimate the worth of an
immortal soul, we are utterly lost in the attempt.
The art of spiritual computation is not governed
by the same principl.es and rules which guide
our speculations concerning earthly objects. The
value of gold, silver, merchandise, food, raiment,
lands, and houses, is easily regulated by custom,
convenience, or necessity. Even the more capri¬
cious and imaginary worth of a picture, medal, or
statue, may be reduced t'o something of system¬
atic rule. Crowns and sceptres have had their
adjudged valuation, and kingdoms have been
bought and sold for sums of money. But who
can affix the adequate price to a human soul ?
" What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the
2
14
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall
a man give in exchange for his soul ?"
The principles of ordinary arithmetic all fail
here, and we are constrained to say, that He alone
who paid the ransom for sinners, and made the
souls of men his " purchased possession," can com¬
prehend and solve the arduous question. They
are indeed " bought with a price," but are " not
redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot." We
shall only ascertain the value of a soul, when we
shall be fully able to estimate the worth of a
Saviour.
Too often have we been obliged to hear what
is the price which sordid, unfeeling avarice has
affixed to the body of a poor negro slave: let us
now attempt, while we peruse the foregoing nar¬
rative, to meditate on the value which infinite
mercy has attached to his soul.
Not many days after the first interview with
my negro disciple, I went from home with the
design of visiting and conversing with him again
at his master's house, which was situated in a part
of the parish near four miles distant from my
own. The road which I took lay over a lofty
down, which commands a prospect of scenery
seldom exceeded in beauty and magnificence.
THE NEGRO SEKVANT.
15
It gave birth to silent but instructive contem¬
plation.
The down itself was covered with sheep, grazing
on its wholesome and plentiful pasture. Here and
there a shepherd's boy kept his appointed station,
and watched over the flock committed to his care.
I viewed it as an emblem of my own situation
and employment. Adjoining the hill lay an exten¬
sive parish, wherein many souls were given me to
watch over and render an account of at the day
of the great Shepherd's appearing. The pastoral
scene before me seemed to be a living parable,
illustrative of my own spiritual charge. I felt a
prayerful wish that the good Shepherd, who gave
his life for the sheep, might enable me to be faith¬
ful to my trust.
It occurred to me, about the same time, that my
young African friend was a sheep of another more
distant fold, which Christ will yet bring to hear
his voice. For there shall be one fold and one
Shepherd, and all nations shall be brought to
acknowledge that he alone "restoreth our souls,
and leadeth us into the paths of righteousness, for
his name's sake." On the left hand of the hill, as
I advanced eastward, and immediately under its
declivity, extended a beautiful tract of land inter¬
sected by a large arm of the sea, which (as the
tide was fast flowing in) formed a broad lake or
16
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
haven of three miles in length. "Woods, villages,
cottages, and churches surrounded it in most pleas¬
ing variety of prospect. Beyond this lay a large
fleet of ships of war, and not far from it another
of merchantmen, both safe at anchor, and covering
a tract of the sea of several miles in extent. Be¬
yond this again, I saw the fortifications, dock-yards,
and extensive public edifices of a large seaport
town. The sun shone upon the windows of the
buildings and the flags of the ships with great
brightness, and added much to the splendor of
the view.
I thought of the concerns of empires, the plans
of statesmen, the fate of nations, and the horrors
of war. Happy will be that day, when He shall
make wars to cease unto the end of the earth, and
peace to be established on its borders.
In the mean time, let us be thankful for those
vessels and instruments of defense, which, in the
hands of God, preserve our country from the hand
of the enemy and the fury of the destroyer. "What,
thought I, do we not owe to the exertions of the
numerous crews on board those ships, who leave
their homes to fight their country's battles and
maintain its cause, whilst we sit every man under
his vine and fig tree, tasting the sweets of a tran¬
quillity unknown to most other nations in these
days of conflict and bloodshed!
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
17
On my right hand, to the south and south-east,
the unbounded ocean displayed its mighty waves.
It was covered with vessels of every size, sailing
in all directions ; some outward bound to the most
distant parts of the world; others, after a long
voyage, returning home laden with the produce
of remote climes; some going forth in search of the
enemy; others sailing back to port after the hard-
fought engagement, and bearing the trophies of vic¬
tory in the prizes which accompanied them home.
At the south-west of the spot on which I was
riding extended a beautiful semicircular bay, of
about nine or ten miles in circumference, bounded
by high cliffs of white, red, and brown-colored
earths. Beyond this lay a range of hills, whose
tops are often buried in cloudy mists, but which
then appeared clear and distinct. This chain of
hills, meeting with another from the north, bounds
a large, fruitful vale, whose fields, now ripe for
harvest, proclaimed the goodness of God in the
rich provision which he makes for the sons of
men. It is he who " prepares the corn; he crowns
the year with his goodness, and his paths drop
fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the
wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every
side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the
valleys also are covered over with corn: they
shout for joy, they also sing."
2*
18
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" The roving: sight
"Pursues its pleasing- course o'er neighboring hills
Of many a different form and different hue,
Bright with the ripening corn, or green with grass,
Or dark with clover's purple bloom."
As I looked upon the numerous ships moving
before me, I remembered the words of the Psalm¬
ist : " They that go down to the sea in ships, that
do business in great waters, these see the works of
the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he
commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which
lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to
the heaven, they go down again to the depths;
their soul is melted because of trouble. They
reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto
the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them
out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a
calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then
are they glad, because they be quiet; so he bring¬
eth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for
his wonderful works to the children of men!"
(Psalm 107.)
The negro servant then occurred to my mind.
Perhaps, thought I, some of these ships are bound
to Africa, in quest of that most infamous object of
merchandise, a cargo of black slaves. Inhuman
traffic for a nation that bears the name of Chris-
THE NEGRO SERVANT. 19
tian ! Perhaps these very waves, which are now
dashing on the rocks at the foot of this hill, have,
on the shores of Africa, borne witness to the
horrors of forced separation between wives and
husbands, parents and children, torn asunder by
merciless men, whose hearts have been hardened
against the common feeling of humanity by long
custom' in this cruel trade. " Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." When
shall the endeavors of that truly Christian friend
of the oppressed negro be crowned with success,
in the abolition of this wicked and disgraceful
traffic ? *
As I pursued the meditations which this mag¬
nificent and varied scenery excited in my mind, I
approached the edge of a tremendous perpendicu¬
lar cliff, with which the down terminates; I dis¬
mounted from my horse, and tied it to a bush.
The breaking of the waves, against the foot of the
cliff at so great a distance beneath me produced
an incessant and pleasing murmur. The sea gulls
were flying between the top of the cliff where I
stood and the rocks below, attending upon their
nest, built in the holes of the cliff. The whole
* The day has since arrived, when the persevering efforts
of Mr. Wilberforce to accomplish this happy purpose have
been fully answered. The slave-trade is abolished. The
church of God rejoices at this triumph of the cause of ChriBt
over tha powers of darknesat
20
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
scene, in every direction, was grand and impres¬
sive ; it was suitable to devotion. The Creator
appeared in the works of his creation, and called
upon the creature to honor and adore. To the
believer this exercise is doubly delightful. He
possesses a right to the enjoyments of nature and
Providence, as well as to the privileges of grace.
His title-deed runs thus: "All things are yours;
whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world,
or things present, or things to come ; all are ours ;
and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
I cast my eye downward a little to the left
toward a small cove, the shore of which consists
of fine, hard sand. It is surrounded by fragments
of rock, chalk cliffs, and steep banks of broken
earth. Shut out from human intercourse and
dwellings, it seems formed for retirement and con¬
templation. On one of these rocks I unexpectedly
observed a man sitting with a book, which he was
reading. The place was near two hundred yards
perpendicularly below me, but I soon discovered
by his dress, and by the black color of his features,
contrasted with the white rocks beside him, that it
was no other than my negro disciple, with, as I
doubted not, a Bible in his hand. I rejoiced at
this unlooked-for opportunity of meeting him in so
solitary and interesting a situation. I descended
a steep bank, winding by a kind of rude staircase,
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
21
formed by fishermen and shepherds' boys in the
side of the cliff down to the shore.
He was intent on his book, and did not perceive
me till I approached very near to him.
" William, is that you ? "
" Ah! Massa, me very glad to see you. How
came massa into dis place? Me tought nobody
here, but only God and me."
" I was coming to your master's house to see
you, and rode round by this way for the sake of
the prospect. I often come here in fine weather,
to look at the sea and the shipping. Is that
your Bible ? "
"Yes, sir;* dis my dear, goot Bible."
" I am glad," said I, " to see you so well em¬
ployed. It is a good sign, William."
" Yes, massa, a sign dat God is goot to me; but
me never goot to God."
" How so ? "
"Me never tank him enough; me never pray
to him enough; me never remember enough who
give me all dese goot tings. Massa, me afraid my
heart is very bat. Me wish me was like you."
" Like me, William ? Why, you are like me, a
* In the course of conversation, he sometimes addressed me
with the word " massa," for " master," according to the well-
known habit of the negro slaves in the West Indies; and some¬
times " sir," as he was taught since his arrival in England; but
the former word seemed to be most familiar to him.
22
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
poor, helpless sinner, that must, as well as your¬
self, perish in liis sins, unless God, of his infinite
mercy and grace, pluck him as a brand from the
burning, and make him an instance of distinguish¬
ing love and favor. There is no difference; we
have both come short of the glory of God; all
have sinned."
" No, me not like you, massa ; me tink nobody
like me, nobody feel such a heart as me."
" Yes, William, your feelings, I am persuaded,
are like those of every truly convinced soul, who
sees the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the great¬
ness of the price which Christ Jesus paid for the
sinner's ransom. You can say, in the words of the
hymn,—
' I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.' "
"Oh, yes, sir, me believe dat Jesus die for
poor negro. What would become of poor, wicked
negro, if Christ no die for him ? But he die for de
chief of sinners, and dat make my heart sometime
quite glad."
" What part of the Bible were you reading,
William?"
" Me read how de man upon de cross spoke to
Christ, and Christ spoke to him. Now dat man's
prayer just do for me: 'Lord, remember me.'
Lord, remember poor negro sinner; dis is my
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
23
prayer every morning, and sometime at night, too.
When me can not tink of many words, den me
say de same again—Lord, remember poor negro
sinner."
" And be assured, William, the Lord hears that
prayer. He pardoned and accepted the thief upon
the cross, and he will not reject you ; he will in no
wise cast out any that come to him."
" No, sir, I believe it; but dere is so much sin
in my heart, it make me afraid and sorry. Massa,
do you see dese limpets,* how fast dey stick to de
x*ocks here ? Just so sin stick fast to my heart."
" It may be so, William; but take another com¬
parison : do you cleave to Jesus Christ by faith in
his death and righteousness, as those limpets cleave
to the rock, and neither seas nor storms shall sep¬
arate you from his love."
" Dat is just what me want."
" Tell me, William, is not that very sin which
you speak of a burden to you ? You do not love
it; you would be glad to obtain strength against
it, and to be freed from it; would you not ? "
" Oh, yes ; me give all dis world, if me had it, to
be without sin."
" Come, then, and welcome, to Jesus Christ, my
brother; his blood cleanseth from all sin. He
* A kind of shell fish, which abound in. the place where we
were, and which stick to the rocks with exceeding great force.
24
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
gave himself as a ransom, for sinners. He hath
borne our grief and carried our sorrows. He was
wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised
for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace
was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.
The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us
all. Come, freely come to Jesus, the Saviour of
sinners."
"Yes, massa," said the poor fellow, weeping,
" me will come: but me come very slow, very
slow, massa: me want to run, me want to fly.
Jesus is very goot to poor negro, to send you to
tell him all dis."
" But this is not the first time you have heard
the&e truths ?"
" No, sir, dey have been comfort to my soul
many times, since me hear goot minister preach
in America, as me tell you last week at your
house."
" Well, now I hope, William, that since God has
been so graciously pleased to open your eyes, and
affect your mind with such a great sense of his
goodness in giving his Son to die for your sake, I
hope that you do your endeavor to keep his com¬
mandments ; I hope you strive to behave well to
your master and mistress, and fellow-servants.
He that is a Christian inwardly will be a Christian
outwardly; he that truly and savingly believes in
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
25
Christ will show his faith by his works, as the
apostle says. Is it not so, William ? "
"Yes, sir, me want to do so. Me want to be
faithful. Me sorry to tink how bat servant me
was before de goot tings of Jesus Christ come to
my heart. Me wish to do well to my massa, when
he see me and when he not see me; for me know
God always see me. Me know, dat if me sin
against mine own massa, me sin against God, and
God be very angry with me. Beside, how can me
love Christ, if me do not what Christ tell me ? Me
love my feilow-servants, dough, as I tell you be¬
fore, dey do not much love me, and I pray God to
bless dem. And when dey say bat tings, and try
to make me angry, den me tink, if Jesus Christ
were in poor negro's place, he would not revile
and answer again with bat words and temper, but
he say little and pray much. And so den me say
noting at all, but pray God to forgive dem."
The more I conversed with this African con¬
vert, the more satisfactory were the evidences of
his mind being spiritually enlightened, and his
heart effectually wrought upon by the grace of
God.
The circumstances of the place' in which we
met together contributed much to the interesting
effect which the conversation produced on my
mind. The little cove or bay was beautiful in the
3
26
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
extreme. The air was calm and serene. The
sun shone, but we were sheltered from its rays by
the cliffs. One of these was stupendously lofty
and large. It was white as snow; its summit
hung directly over our heads. The sea fowl were
flying around it. Its whiteness was occasionally
checkered with "dark-green masses of samphire,
which grew there. On the other side, and behind
us, was a more gradual declivity of many-colored
earths, interspersed with green patches of grass
and bushes, and little streams of water trickling
down the bank, and mingling with the sea at the
bottom. At our feet the waves were advancing
over shelves of rocks covered with great variety
of sea weeds, which swam in little fragments, and
displayed much beauty and elegance of form, as
they were successively thrown upon the sand.
Ships of war and commerce were seen at differ¬
ent distances. Fishermen were plying their trade
in boats nearer to the shore. The noise of the
flowing tide, combined with the voices of the sea¬
gulls over our heads, and now and then a distant
gun fired from the ships as they passed along,
added much to the peculiar sensations to which
the scene gave birth. Occasionally the striking
of oars upon the waves, accompanied by the boat¬
man's song, met the ear. The sheep aloft upon
the down sometimes mingled their bleatings with
THE NJEGKO SERVANT.
27
the other sounds. Thus all nature seemed to
unite in impressing an attentive observer's heart
with affecting thoughts.
I remained for a considerable time in conver¬
sation with the negro, finding that his master was
gone from home for the day, and had given him
liberty for some hours. I spoke to him on the
nature, duty, and privilege of Christian baptism;
pointed out to him, from a prayer "book which I had
with me, the principles of our own church upon
that head, and found that he was very desirous of
conforming to them. He appeared to me to be
well qualified for receiving that sacramental pledge
of his Redeemer's love; and I rejoiced in the
prospect of beholding him no longer a " strangeT
and foreigner, but a fellow-citizen with the saints,
and of the household of God." *
" God," said he, " can make me to be clean in
heart, and of a right spirit; he can purge me with
hyssop, and I shall be clean; he can wash me, and
I shall be whiter dan snow."
" May God give you these blessings, and con¬
firm you in every good gift!"
I was much pleased with the affectionate man¬
ner in which he spoke of his parents, from whom
he had been stolen in his childhood, and his
* A fow words having relation to tlie mode of baptism are
here omitted.
28
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
wishes that God might direct them by some means
to the knowledge of a Saviour.
" Who knows," I said, " but some of these ships
may be carrying a missionary to the country where
they live, to declare the good news of salvation to
your countrymen, and to your own dear parents
in particular, if they are yet alive?"
" Oh, my dear fader and moder! My dear, gra¬
cious Saviour," exclaimed he, leaping from the
ground as he spoke, "if dou wilt but save deir
souls, and tell dem what dou hast done for sin¬
ner—but "
He stopped, and seemed much affected.
" My friend," said I, " I will now pray with
you for your own soul, and for those of your parents
also."
" Do, massa; dat is very goot and kind ; do pray
for poor negro souls here and every where."
This was a new and solemn " house of prayer."
The sea sand was our floor, the heavens were our
roof, the cliffs, the rocks, the hills, and the waves,
formed the walls of our chamber. It was not, in¬
deed, a " place where prayer was wont to be made
but for this once it became a hallowed spot; it
will, by me, ever be remembered as such. The
presence of God was there. I prayed. The negro
wept. His heart was full. I felt with him, and
could not but weep likewise.
the negro servant.
29
The last day will show whether our tears were
not the tears of sincerity and Christian love.
It was time for my return: I leaned upon his
arm, as we ascended the steep cliff in my way back
to my horse, which I had left at the top of the hill.
Humility and thankfulness were marked in his
countenance. I leaned upon his arm with the
feelings of a brother. It was a relationship I was
happy to own. I took him by the hand at parting,
appointed one more interview previous to the day
of baptizing him, and bade him farewell for the
present.
" God bless you, my dear massa."
"And you, my fellow-Christian, for ever and
ever."
PART III.
The interesting and affecting conversation which
I had with the negro servant produced a sensa¬
tion not easy to be expressed. As I returned
home, I was led into meditation on the singular
clearness and beauty of those evidences of faith
and conversion of heart to God which I had just
seen and heard. How plainly, I thought, it ap¬
pears, that salvation is "frefely by grace through
3*
30
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God ;
not of works, lest any man should boast." What
but the Holy Spirit, who is the Author and Giver
of the life of grace, could have wrought such a
change from the once dark, perverse, and ignorant
heathen, to this now convinced, enlightened, hum¬
ble, and believing Christian ? How manifestly is
the uncontrolled sovereignty of the divine will
exercised in the calling and translating of sinners
from darkness to light! What a lesson may the
nominal Christian of a civilized country sometimes
learn from the simple, sincere religion of a con¬
verted heathen!
I afterward made particular inquiry into this
young man's domestic and general deportment.
Every thing I heard was satisfactory; nor could
I entertain a doubt respecting the consistency of
his conduct and character. I had some further
conversations with him, in the course of which I
pursued such a plan of scriptural iustruction and
examination as I conceived to be the most suitable
to his progressive state of mind. He improved
much in reading, carried his Bible constantly with
him, and took every opportunity, which his duty
to his master's service would allow, for perusing it.
I have frequently had occasion to observe, that
amongst the truly religious poor, who have not had
the advantage of being taught to read in early
THE JTEGRO SERVANT.
31
youth, a concern about the soul, and a desire to
know the word of God, have proved effectual
motives for their learning to read with great ease
and advantage to themselves and others. It was
strikingly so in the present case.
I had, for a considerable time, been accustomed
to meet some serious persons once a week, in a
cottage at no great distance from the house where
he lived, for the purpose of religious conversa¬
tion, instruction, and prayer. Having found these
occasions remarkably useful and interesting, I
thought it would be very desirable to take the
negro there, in order that there might be other
witnesses to the simplicity and sincerity of real
Christianity, as exhibited in the character of this
promising young convert. I hoped it might prove
an eminent mean of grace to excite and quicken
the spirit of prayer and praise amongst some of
my parishioners, over whose spiritual progress I
was anxiously watching.
I accordingly obtained his master's leave that
he should attend me to one of my cottage assem¬
blies. His master, who was thoroughly convined
of the extraordinary change in conduct and dispo¬
sition which religion had produced in his servant,
was pleased with my attention to him, and always
spoke well of his behavior.
I set out oa the day appointed for the interview.
32
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
The cottage at which we usually assembled was
near four miles' distance from my own residence;
my road lay along the foot of the hill mentioned
in my last account of the negro, from the summit
of which so luxuriant a prospect was seen. On
my right hand the steep acclivity of the hill inter¬
cepted all prospect, except that of numerous sheep
feeding on its rich and plentiful produce. Here
and there the nearly perpendicular side of a chalk
pit varied the surface of the hill, contrasting a
dazzling white to the sober green of the surround¬
ing bank.
On the left hand, at the distance of near half a
mile, the tide flowed from the sea into a lake or
haven of considerable length and breadth. At one
end of it fishing and pilot vessels lay at anchor;
at the other appeared the parish church amongst
the adjoining woods and fields. The bells were
ringing; a gently swelling sound was brought along
the surface of the water, and an echo returned
from a prominent part of the hill, beneath which
I was riding. The whole scene was delightful.
I passed some rural and beautifully situated
cottages, which seemed to be formed as fit resi¬
dences for peace and tranquillity; each was sur¬
rounded by a garden, and each had a little orchard
or field adjacent, where the husbandman's cow
enjoyed her own pasture, and at the same time
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
33
prepared rich provision for her owner's family.
Such was the wise and considerate allotment which
the landlords and farmers had here made for the
laboring poor. The wholesome vegetable, the
medicinal herb, and the sweet-scented flower, in¬
termingled as they grew around those little dwell¬
ings, and reminded me, as I looked upon them,
how comfortable is the lot of the industrious poor,
whose hearts havg learned the lesson of gratitude
in the school of heavenly wisdom! For them, as
mercifully as for their richest neighbor, the sun
shines, the rain descends, the earth brings forth
her increase, the flower blossoms, the birds sing;
their wants are few, and contentment makes them
less. How great the blessing of being poor in
this world, but rich in faith, and a chosen inher¬
itance in a better!
I knew that this was the character of some
whose humble, but neat and cleanly cottages I
passed. A few such features in a prospect render
it most lovely. Peace be to their memory, both
as pilgrims and strangers here, and as ransomed
souls whom I hope to meet in glory hereafter!
The house to which I was traveling was situ¬
ated at the corner of an oak wood, which screened
it both from the burning heat of summer suns,
and the heavy blasts of winter south-west storms.
As I approached it, I saw my friend the negro
34
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
sitting under a treer and waiting my arrival. He
held in his hand a little tract which I had given
him; his Bible lay on the ground. He rose with
much cheerfulness, saying, " Ah, massa, me very
glad to see you; me tink you long time coming."
" William, I hope you are well. I am going to
take you with me to a few of my friends,, who, I
trust, are truly sincere in their religious pursuits.
We meet every Wednesday evening for conver¬
sation about the things that belong to our ever¬
lasting peace, and I am sure you will be a welcome
visitor."
"Massa, me not goot enough to be with such
goot people. Me great sinner. Dey be goot
Christian."
u If you were to ask them, William, they would
each tell you they were worse than others. Many
of them were once, and that not very long ago,
living in an openly sinful manner, ignorant of
God, and the enemies of Jesus Christ by thought
and deed. But divine grace stopped them in
their wicked! course, and subdued their hearts to
the love and obedience of him and his gospel.
You will only meet a company of poor fellow-
sinners, who love to speak and sing the praises of
redeeming love; and I am sure, William, that is
a song in which you will be willing to join them."
" Ohr yes, sir; dat song just do for poor negro."
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
35
By this time we had arrived at the cottage
garden gate. Several well-known faces appeared
in and near the house, and the smile of affection
welcomed us as we entered. It was known that
the negro was to visit the little society this even¬
ing, and satisfaction beamed in every countenance,
as I took him by the hand and introduced him
among them, saying, "I have brought a brother
from Africa to see you, my friends. Bid him
welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
u Sir," said a humble and pious laborer, whose
heart and tongue always overflowed with Christian
kindness, " we are at all times glad to see our dear
minister, but especially so to-day, in such company
as you have brought with you. We have heard
how merciful the Lord has been to him. Give me
your hand, good friend, (turning to the negro.)
God be with you here and every where; and
blessed be his holy name for calling sinners, as I
hope he has done you and mie, to love and serve
him for his mercy's sake."
Each one greeted him as he came into the
house, and some addressed him in very kind and
impressive language.
" Massa," said he, " me not know what to say to
all dese goot friends. Me tink dis look a little
like heaven upon earth."
He then, with tears in his eyes, which, almost
36
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
before he spoke, brought responsive drops into
those of many present, said, " Goot friends and
bredren in Christ Jesus, Got bless you all, and
bring you to heaven at de last."
It was my stated custom, when I met to converse
with these cottagers, to begin with prayer and
reading a portion of the Scriptures.
"When this was ended, I told the people present,
that the providence of God had placed this young
man for a time under my ministry; and that,
finding him seriously disposed, and believing him
to be very sincere in his religious profession, I had
resolved on baptizing him, agreeably to his own
wishes. I added, that I had now brought him with
me to join in Christian conversation with us; for,
as, in old times, they that feared the Lord spake
often one to another, in testimony that they thought
upon his name, (Mai. 3 : 16,) so I hoped we were
fulfilling a Christian and brotherly duty in thus
assembling for mutual edification.
Addressing myself to the negro, I said, " Wil¬
liam, tell me who made you."
" Got, de goot Fader."
" Who redeemed you?"
"Jesus, his dear Son, who died for me."
" Who sanctified you ? "
" The Holy Ghost, who teach me to know de
goot Fader and his dear Son Jesus."
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
37
" What was your state by nature ? "
"Me wicked sinner; me know noting but sin;
me do noting but sin; my soul more black dan
my body."
" Has any change taken place in you since
then?"
" Me hope so, massa, but me sometime afraid no."
" If you are changed, who changed you ? "
"Got, de goot Fader; Jesus, his dear Son; and
Got, de Holy Spirit."
" How was any change brought about in you ? "
" Got make me a slave, when me was young
little boy."
" How, William, would you say, God made you
a slave ? "
" No, massa, no: me mean Got let me be made
slave by white men, to do me goot."
" How to do you good ? "
" He take me from de land of darkness, and
bring me to de land of light."
" Which do you call the land of light ? the West
India Islands ? "
" No, massa, dey be de land of Providence, but
America be de land of light to me; for dere me
first hear goot minister preach. And now dis
place where I am now, is de land of more light;
for here you teach me more and more and more
how goot Jesus is to sinners."
4
38
THE NEGKO SERVANT.
" What does the blood of Christ do ? "
" It cleanse from all sin; and so me hope from
my sin."
" Are, then, all men cleansed from sin by his
blood ?"
" Oh, no, massa."
" Who are cleansed and saved ? "
" Dose dat have faith in him."
" Can you prove that out of the Bible ? "
"Yes, sir. 'He dat believeth on de Son hath
everlasting life; and he dat believeth not de Son
shall not see life, but de wrath of Got abideth on
him.' " (John 3 : 36.)
" What is it to have faith ? "
" Me suppose dat it is to tink much about Jesus
Christ, to love him much, to believe all he says to
be true, to pray to him very much; and when we
feel very weak and very sinful, to tink dat he is
very strong and very goot, and all dat for my
sake."
" And have you such a faith as you describe ? "
" O massa! me tink sometime me have no
faith at all."
" Why so, William ? "
" When me want to tink about Jesus Christ, my
mind run about after oder tings; when me want
to love him, my heart seem quite cold; when me
want to believe all to be true what he says to
THE NEGrltO S Ell V ANT.
39
sinners, me den tink it is not true for me; when
me want to pray, de devil put bat, very bat toughts
into me, and me never tank Christ enough. Now
all dis make me sometime afraid I have no faith."
I observed a very earnest glow of attention and
fellow-feeling in some countenances present, as he
spoke these words. I then said,—
" I think, "William, I can prove that you have
faith, notwithstanding your fears to the contrary.
Answer me a few more questions.
" Did you begin to think yourself a great sinner,
and to feel the want of a Saviour, of your own self,
and by your own thought and doing ? "
" Oh, no; it came to me when me tink noting
about it, and seek noting about it."
" Who sent the good minister in America to
awaken your soul by his preaching ? "
" Got, very certainly."
" Who, then, began the work of serious thought
in your mind?"
" De goot Got; me could not do it of myself;
me sure of dat."
" Do you not think that Jesus Christ and his
salvation is the one thing most needful and most
desirable ?"
" Oh, yes; me quite sure of dat."
" Do you not believe that he is able t<3 save
you ? "
40
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" Yes, he is able to save to de uttermost."
" Do jou think he is not willing to save you ? "
" Me dare not say dat. He so goot, so merciful,
so kind, to say, he will in no wise cast out any dat
come to him."
" Do you wish, and desire, and strive to keep
his commandments ? "
" Yes, massa; because me love him, and dat
make me want to do as he say."
" Are you willing to suffer for his sake, if God
should call you to do so ? "
" Me do tink me could die for de love of him;
he not tink it too much to die for wicked sinner;
why should wicked sinner tink it much to die for
so goot and righteous a Saviour ? "
"I think and hope I may say to you, William,
Thy faith hath made thee whole."
Thus ended my examination for the present.
The other friends who were in the house lis¬
tened with the most affectionate anxiety to all
that passed. One of them observed, not with¬
out evident emotion, —
"I see, sir, that though some men are white,
and some are black, true Christianity is all of one
color. My own heart has gone with this good man
every word he has spoken."
" And so has mine," gently reechoed from every
part of the room,
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
41
After some time passed in more general conver¬
sation on the subject of the negro's history, I said,
" Let us now praise God for the rich and un¬
speakable gift of his grace, and sing the hymn of
redeeming love—
' Now begin the heavenly theme;
Sing aloud in Jesus' name,'" &c.
which was accordingly done. Whatever might be
the merit of the natural voices, it was evident there
was spiritual melody in all their hearts.
The negro was not much used to our way of
singing, yet joined with great earnestness and
affection, that showed how truly he felt what he
uttered. When the fifth verse-was ended,—
" Nothing brought him from above,
Nothing but redeeming love," —
he repeated the words, almost unconscious where
he was,—
" No, noting, noting but redeeming love, bring
him down to poor William; noting but redeeming
love."
The following verses were added, and sung by
way of conclusion:—
" See, a stranger comes to view;
Though he's black,* he's comely too
Comes to join the choirs above,
Singing of redeeming love.
* Song of Solomon 1: 5.
4. *
42
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
" Welcome, negro, welcome here;
Banish doubt and banish fear;
You, who Christ's salvation prove,
Praise and bless redeeming love."
I concluded with some remarks on the nature
of salvation by grace, exhorting all present to
press forward in the heavenly journey. It was
an evening, the circumstances of which, had they
never been recorded on earth, were yet doubtless
registered in the book of remembrance above.
I then fixed the day for the baptism of the
negro, and so took leave of my little affectionate,
circle.
The moon shone bright as I returned home, and
was beautifully reflected from the waters of the
lake: harmony and repose characterized the scene.
I had just been uniting in the praises of the God
of grace and providence; and now the God of
nature demanded a fresh tribute of thanksgiving
for the beauties and comforts of creation; as David
sang, " When I consider thy heavens, the work of
thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou
hast ordained, what is man, that thou art mindful
of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him ? "
In a few days the negro was baptized, and not
long after went on a voyage with his master.
Since that time I have not been able to hear
any tidings of him. Whether he yet wanders as a
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
43
pilgrim in this lower world, or whether he has
joined the heavenly choir in the song of "redeem¬
ing love " in glory, I know not. This I do know:
he was a monument to the Lord's praise. He
bore the impression of the Saviour's image on his
heart, and exhibited the marks of divine grace in
his life and conversation, with singular simplicity
and unfeigned sincerity.
Give to God the glory.
My interviews with the negro suggested the
following lines, which are here subjoined, under
the title of
THE NEGRO'S PRAYER.
Jesus, who mak'st the meanest soul
An object of thy care,
Attend to what my heart would speak —
Hear a poor negro's prayer.
For thou, when bleeding on the cross,
My sins and gTiefs didst bear;
"Wherefore, my Lord, thou'lt not refuse
To hear the negro's prayer.
I was a helpless negro boy,
That wandered on the shore
Thieves took me from my parents' arms—
They saw their child no more.
And yet the lot which seemed so hard
God's faithfulness did prove;
THE NEGRO SERVANT.
For I was carried far from borne,
To learn a Saviour's love.
Poor and despised though I was,
Thine arm, O God, was nigh ;
And when thy mercy first I knew,
Sure none so glad as I.
In ignorance long my soul had dwelt;
A rebel bold I'd been ;
But thy great kindness, O my God,
Saved me from all my sin.
Mine was a wretched state, exposed
To men and angels' view ;
A slave to man, a slave to sin,
A slave to Satan too.
But if thy Son hath made me free,
Then am I free indeed ;
From powers of darkness, sin, and hell,
Thy love my soul has freed.
Lord, send thy word to that far land,
Where none but negroes live ;
Teach them the way, the truth, the life,
"Which thou alone canst give.
Oh that my father, mother dear,
Might there thy mercy see ;
Tell them what Christ has done for them,
What Christ has done for me.
Whose God is like the Christian's God ?
Who can with him compare ?
He hath compassion on my soul,
And hears a negro's prayer.
Lord Jesus, thou hast shed thy blood
For thousands such as mej
THE NEGKO SERVANT.
Though some despise poor negro slave,
I'm not despised by thee.
This is my heart's first wish below,
To prove thy constant care ;
Keep me from sin and danger, Lord,
And hear a negro's prayer.
In heaven the land of glory lies:
If I should enter there,
I'll tell the saints, and angels too,
Thou heard'st a negro's prayer.