The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-10
Concluded merit iceek.
THE SLAVE PREACHER.

Jack is Methodist local preacher. In
one Of his sermons he told this story. When
was a lad there was no religious people
near where | lived But had young
master about my age, who was going TO
school, and he was very fond Of me. AT
night he would come into the kitchen TO
teach me the lesson he had learned himself
during the day at school. Ia this way
learned TO read.
When was well nigh grown up. said
Jack, we took up the New Testament, and
agreed 10 rend it verse by verse. Wher one
would make mistake the other was 10 cor
rect him, so tina, we could learn 10 read well
ln a short time we both felt that we were
sinners before God, and we both agreed 10
seek the salvation of our souls. The Lord
heard our prayers, and gave US both hope
in Christ. Then began 10 hold meetings
for exhortation and prayer among the col
ored people.
My old master soon found out what was
going on. He was very angry, especially
because his son had become pious. He for
bid my holding any more meetings, saying
that If did he would whip me severely.
From that time continued 10 preach or
exhort on Sabbath and Sabbath nights, and
on Monday morning nv old master would
tie me up and cut my back 10 pieces with
COW. hide, go that it never had time to get
well. was obliged to do my work in a
great deal Of pain from day TO day.
Thus lived near year and half. One
Monday morning my master, as usual, made
my fellow slaves tie me 10 tree in the
yard, after stripping my back naked 10 re.
ceive the cow-hide. Il was a beautiful
morning in the summer time, and the sun
shone very bright. My master came up to
me with cool deliberaiion, took his stand and
looked at me closely,-but the COW hice still
hung al his side. Conscience was at work,
and it was great moment in his life.
Well Jack, said he, your back is covered
all over with scars and sores, and see no
place to begin 10 whip. You obstinate
wreicl., how long do you intend 10 go on in
this way?
Why, master, just as long as the Lord
will let me live, replied.
Well, what is Your design in il
Why, master, in the morning of the res
direction, when my poor body stall rise from
the grave intend 10 show these scars 10
my heavenly Father, as so many witnesses
of my faithfulness 10 Him.
He ordered them 10 unite me, and sent
me 10 hoe in the corn. field. Late in the
afternoon he came 10 the field, pulling a
weed here and weed there, till he got 10
me, and then told me TO sit down.
Jack, said he, want you to tell me the
truth-you know that for a long time your
back has been sore from the cow-hide you
have had to work very hard, and are poor
slave. Now tell me honestly, are you hap
py or moi, under such troubles as these
Yes, master, | believe am as happy a
nan as there is on earth.
Well Jack, said he, | am not happy. You
say that your religion teaches you to pray
for those that injure you. Now viii you
pray for your old master. Jack
Yes, with all my heart said ].
We knelt down, and prayedfor him.
He came again and again to me. prayed
for him in the field ill he found peace in
the blood of Christ. After this we lived
ogeiher like brothers in the same church.
On his death bed he gave me my liberty,
and told me TO 60 on preaching as long as
lived. and meet him at last in heaven.
have seen, said Jack, many christians
whom loved, but none that loved so well
as my old master. hope shall meet him
in heaven.-WeSt. Oh. ADJ.
GIRLS, DO you HEAR THAT 1T is said |