Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-21
THE SLAVE PREACHER.

Jack is n Methodist local preacher In one of
his sermons he told this story. When | was
lad there were 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 tench me the lesson he had learned himself
during the day at school. In this way learned
to read.
When was we'll nigh grown up, said Jack,
we took up the New Testament, aud agreed TO
rend it verse by verse. When one would make
mistake the other to correct him, so that
we could learn to read we'll In II short time we
both felt that we were sinners before God, and we
both agreed TO seek the salvation Of our souls
The Lord heard our prayers, and gave us both
hope in Christ. Then began to hold meetings
for exhortstion and prayer among the colored peo~
pie.
My old master soon found out what was going
on. Ne was very angry, especially because his
son had become pious He forbid my folding
any moretaeelngs, saying thai if | did he would
whip me severely.
From that lime continued to preach or exhort
on Sabbath and Sabbath nights, and on Monday
morning my old master would tie me up and cut
my back to pieces with cow-hide, SO that il new
err had time to get well ! was obliged to do my
work in great deal Of pain from day to day
Thus lived near n year and Il half One Mon
day morning my master, as usual, made my fell
low slaves lie me TO u tree in the yard, after strip
ping my back naked TO receive the cowhde. 1t
was beautiful morning in the summer time, and
the sun shone very bright. My master came up
to me with cool deliberalion, took his stand and
looked at me closely,-but the cew-hde still hung
at his side Conscience was at work, and it was
n great moment in his life.
Well Jack, said he your back is covered al
over with scars and sores, and | place tC
begin to whip You obstinate wretch, how long
do you intend TO go on in this way
L.. l~,x tltn prIxN n
me live replied.
Well, what is your design in it !?
Why, master, in the morning of the resurrec
ton, when my poor body shall rise from the grav
intend TO show these scars to my heavenly Faith
err us so many witnesses Of my iaithiuness t
Him.
He ordered Them 10 unite me, and sent me t
hoe in The corn field. Late IN the afternoon h
came to the field, pulling weed here and weet
there, till he got TO me, and then told me to 81
down.
Jack, said he want you to tell me the truth
you know that for long time your back has bee
sore from the cow hide you have had 10 wor
very hard, and are poor slave Now tell IN
honestly, are you happy or not under such trout
les as these?
Yes, master, believe am as happy man 8
there is on earth.
Well Jack, SAID he, am not happy. You sa
that your religion teaches you TO pray tor thos
that injure You. Now will you pray for your oil
master, Jack
Yes, with all my heart said |.
We knet down, and ! prayed for him. II
came again and again to the. 1 prayed for Hit
in the field till he found peace in the blood {
Christ. After this we lived together like brother
in the same church. On his death bed he CAV
me my liberty, and told me to 60 on preachin
as long as lived, and meet him al last in HEAVIER
have seen, said Jack, many christians whoi
l loved, but none that loved SO we'll my oil
master. | hope shall meet him in heaven
; Vest. Oh. .4du.