The Smyrna telegraph. (Smyrna, Del.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-28
-Aaectinr storr.

Jack is Methodist local preacher. In ono
of his sermons he told this story; when was
"a lad, there were no religious people near
where lived. But, | had a youag master
about my age, who was going to school; and
he was very fond of me. At night he would
come into tho kitchen 10 teach me the lesson
he had learned himselfduring the day at school.
In this way learned to read.
WhenI was well nigh grown up said Jack.
we took up the New Testament, and agreed TO
readit Verse by verse. When one would make
a mistake the other was to correct him, so that
we could learn to read we'll.
In short time we both felt that we wero
sining before God, and VIC both agreed to seek
the salvation Of our souls. The lord heard our
prayers, and gave US both a hope in Christ
Then began to hold meetings for prayers and
exhortation among the colored people.
Ny old master soon found out what was 60.
ing on. He was very angry, especially be-
cause his son had become pious. He forbid
me holding any more meetings, saying III did,
he would whip me severely forit.
/
From that time continued to preach. and
Iexhort on Sabbaths and Sabbath nights and
on Monday morning my old master would tie
me up, and cut my back to pieces with a cow
hide, so that it never had timeao get we'll.
l was obliged to do my work in great deal Of
pain from day to day.
Thus 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 cewhide. 1t was beautiful moru.
ing in the summer time, and the sun shone
very pleasant. He came up to me with cool
delibcraion, took his stand, and looked at me
closely, but the cowhde hung still at his side.
His conscience was at work and it was a great
moment in his life. -
Well, Jack, said he, your back is covered
with scars and sores, and see no place 10 be-
gin to whip. You obstinate wretch, how long
do you intend to 60 on this wayl
Why, master, just as long as the Lord will
let me live, was the reply.
Well, what is your design in iti
! Why, master, in the morning of the rcsur-
reclfon, when my pooE body shalt riss lroEa
the grave, l intend to show these scars to my
heavenly Father, as SO many witnesses cfmy'
faithfuness in his cause.
He ordered them to unite me, and sent me
to hoe corn in the field. Late in the evening
he came along pulling weed here, weed
there, till he got 10 me, and told me TO sit
down.
Jack, said he, want you to tell me the
truth. You know that fora long time your
back has been sore from the. .cowhide.; you
have had to work very hard, and are poor
slave. Now tell me are you happy or not,
under such troubles as thesel @S
Yes, master, believe am as happy man
:. as there is on EARTH o..
Well, Jack, said he, | am not happy. Re-
ligion, you say, teaches you to pray for those
that injure you. Now, will you pray fer your
, old master, Jack1
Yes, with all my heart, said l.
4 We kneeled down, and prayed for him.
lie came again anu again 10 me. prayed LOT
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 liberty, and told me to
go on Preaching as lived, and at last meet
him in heaven.
/ have seen, said Jack, rnahy christians
whom loved, but have never seen any l
loved SO well as my old master. | hope l
:; shall meet him in heaven Western Chris.
tias Ad,ocatcs @