The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-23
From the Western Christian Advocate.
AN AFFECTING STORY.

Jack is Methodist local preacher. In
one of his sermons, he told this story
When was lad, there were no reIig-
ous people near where | lived. But
had a young master about my age, who
was going 10 schoo, and he was very
fond OF me. At night he would come ia
to the kitchen to teach ne the lesson he
had learned himself during the day at
school. In this way, learned TO read.
When l was well nigh grown up,
said Jack, we took up the New Tesla
ment, and agreed to read it verse by verse
When one would make mistake. the 9TH
er was to correct him, 50 that we would
learn to read we'll.
In a short time, we both felt that we
were sinners before Cod and we both
agreed 10 seek the salvation Of our souls.
The Lord heard our prayer, aud gave
US both "a hope in Christ. Then | began
TO hold meetings for prayer, and eXAor
lation among the colored- people
NV old master soon found out what wa
going on. He was very angry, especial
Iy because his son had become 2lous.-
He forbid my holding any more meet
ings, saying that if | did not cult, he
would whip me severely for it.
From that time, | continued to preach
or exhort on Sabbath and Sabbath nights
and on Monday morning my old master
would tie me up, and cut my backto piec
es with cowhde; so that | had never
time 10 get we'll. | was obliged to do my
work IN great deal of pain from day to
day.
Thus l lived near year and half
One Monday morning, my master, as
usual, had made my fellow slaves tie me
to shade tree in the yard, after stripping
my back naked to receive the cowhide.
1t was beautiful morning, in the sum
mer time, and the sun shone very bright
ly. Everything around looked very
pleasant. He came up to me with cool
delberation. took his stand, and looked at
me closely; bat the coWhide hung still at
his side. His conscience was at work,
and i: was great moment in his life.
Well, Jack, said he, your back is COW
cred all over with scars and sores, and l
see no place to begin to whip. You OBJ
stinate wretch. how long do you intend 10
90 on in this way2
Why, master, just as long as the Lord
will let me live, was my reply.
Well, what is your design nit?
Why, master, in the morning OF the
resurrection, when my poor body shall
rise from the grave, [ intend to show
these scars to my heavenly Father, as SO
many witnesses of my falthfulness in his
cause.
He ordered them to unite me, and sent
me to hoe corn la the field, Lite in the
evening he came along, pulling a weed
here, and wead there, til he got to me,
and then told me to sit down.
Jack. said he, want you to tel! me the
truth. You know for long time, your
back has been sore from the cowhide
you have had 10 work very hard, and are
a poo. slave. Now tell me, are you hap.
ply or not, under such troubles as these
Yes, master, believe | am as happy
a man as there is OH earth.
Well, Jack, said he, | am not happy
Religion, you say, teaches you to pray
for those that injure you. Now, will you
pray for your old master, JACKIE
Yes, with all my heart, said /.
We kneeled down, and prayed for
him. He came again and again 10 me-
prayed fer him in the field, till he found
peace in the blood Of the Lamb. After
This, we lived together like brothers, in
the same church. On his death-bed, he
gave me my liberty, and told me to go on
preaching as long as lived, and meet
him at last 10 heaven.
| have seen, said Jack, many Christ
ians whom | loved bat | have never
seen any | loved so we'll as my old mas
ter. hope shall meet him in heaven.