American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-11-19

50 awful, so solemn, every light and trifing thought
should DE chased from their minds; and as this man
had fallen, so should we all that if the minds of
asy we're disposed to stray from the solemn scene,
ant the humble servant Of the day let them look
arc und to the fresh grave near them-if that did
not warn them OF coming day, ifthat did not teach
them humility and reverence for holy things he
would leave them in the hands of his and their Cod.
By this time you may well imagine that was
half petri6ed with astonshment, and involuntarily
exclaimed 10 the Slave nearest me.--'sWho is he,
and to whom does he belong:" believing, from his
van and haggard appearance, that labour under
some task master, rather than voluntary service,
had increased the marks OF age. had Just time
10 learn, in reply, his name and master, when he
read aloud his text; which, in my admiration OF the
man, the precise verse and words have been forgot
ten. II was passage from some one OF the dlscl-
pies of the Saviour, and the scene where a mixed
multitude gather around him, and he taught them
the will of his father. He made many remarks
eucidatory Of the passage selected; and spoke OF
the allurng promises OF that gospel he had been
labouring TO teach them; he described aifectingly
the sufierngs OF the Saviour" pierced by the Ro-
man sword,'' and the goodness OF the Father in
giving up his only begotton Son to atone for the
crimes of rebellious man. In short, his whole
discourse was Of that and manly cast, that
often made me forget that was the listener to an
untutored slave; ard whilst admit that have heard
NOR learned sermons, | never yet have heard
more purely christian doctrines advanced and push
ed home to the minds OF an audience, by more
striking illustrations.
was much struck with his delicate alusion to
his sectarian creed BY it learned that he belonged
TO that sect who hold with baptism by immersion.
He said be had followed his Saviour through toll
and trouble for twenty three years, through good
and through evil report and that he had followed
him even dozen into tie catcr--and that by the
help OF his God he hoped 70 follow him TO his grave.
He dwelt with rapture the joys Of that Heaven
in another, the sure reward Of pious life in this
world where he said there were mo distinctions,
where old Jerry and his fellow servants may be as
happy as they deserve
eel uEable to do justice to the discourse of this
venerable black man, and have ever since been
haunted BY the reflections it has given birth to- II
has redeemed in my estimation, the whole unlor
tunate race from their unmered prejudces OF my
early years / confess that fell handled under its
influence. The doctrines so modestly endeavored
to BE- incucated, were SO charitable in themselves
that the recollection rushed upon ME how often !
have heard the educated minister OF the gospel Of
peace, holding their titles to Heaven much clearer
waste great portion of the time of service, in
elaborated defences oftheir various church tenets-
oflen warmly and uncharitaOly EXPIRE sed, as al
most to hazard the assertion that theirs was the
only avenue to it--whilst from this man no hint
escaped, saved an Innocent aIlusion-preaching
simply The broad doctrine Of the fall and redemp-
ton. prayer and mercy. could but accord to him
more the christian spirit than TO any man have
yet heard.
have since enquired into the character q this
remarkable slave, and 6ndi., as wished, unimpeach-
abe-he is represented TO me as the best Of servants
Now, it he who iabors six days under task master,
and draws from his own labor only subsistence, |
can on the seventh bless the Power that ordans
it, he must be more than an ordinary man; and
ought II not to inculcate upon us, who are the mas
tiers OF all our time, and every action, lesson of
patience never to be forgotten? Or is man happier
the more numerous the shackles that bind himS or
religion the inestimabe that has so inAuenceAy
the character of this humble slave?
believe that could the vehement declamer or
hetr sectarian have heard this sermon, the advo
Cate, tor spacious churches well endowed, have
witnessed This scene, they would have left it COM
foress; whilst left it determined no more TO
anguish under ills. that to this mans are like an
atom to the universe; and should ever forget the |
impressions wrought upon my mind by this scene,
1t will only be then that can be miserable. Sure
I am, that If ever become seriously enamoured Of
things thought holy: If ever become free from
the shadows, clouds and darkness that rest upon
1t" shall own the instrumentaity of him who in
this world is a slave himself-Wt'sis' Lft1
old Jerry. Amherst, August, sal. B.