The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-04-13
Incident.

Jack is Methodist local preacher In one
of his sermons told this story. When l was
a lad there were no religious people near where
[ lived. But I had young master about my
age, who was going to school: and he wasvery
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, In this way
learned to read.
When was well nigh grown up, said Jack,
we took up the New Testament and agreed to
read it verse by verse. When one would make
mistake, the other was to correct him, SO that
we could learn to read we'll.
In 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 ahope in Christ
Then began to hold meetings for prayers and
exhortation among the colored people.
My old master soon found out what was go
ing on. He was very angry, especially because
his son had become pious. He forbid my
holding any more meetinsg, saying that if l
did, he would whip me severely for it.
From that time continued to preach and
exhort on Sabbath and Sabbath nights; and
Monday morning, my old master would tie me
up, and cut my back to pieces with a cowhide
so thatit never had time to getwell. was OBJ
| liged to do my work in great deal pain from
day to day.
| Thus lived near year and half, One
| Monday morning, my master, as usus; had
made my fellow slaves tie me to a shade tree
in the yard, after stripping my back naked ito
receive the cowhide. 1t was beautiful morn
| ing in the summer time and the sun shone
very bright. Everything around looked very
pleasant He came up to me with cool delb-
eration took his stand and looked at me
closely; but the cowhide still hung by his side.
His conscience was as work, and it was great
moment in his life.
Well Jack, said he, your back is covered all
over with scars and sores, and ee-no place
to begin to whip. You obtained wretch, how
long do you intend to go on this way?
! Why, master, Just as long as the Lord will
let me live, was the reply.
Well, what is your design in it
Why, master in the morning of the resur-
recton, when my poor body shall rise from
| heavenly Father, as so many witt,,,sssFso of mr.
faithfulness in his Gauss.
| He ordered tbesTto 20 unite me, and sent me
TO hoe esHfn the field. Late in the evening
he came along, pulling weed here and a
weed there till he got to me, and then told
me to sit down.
Jack, said he, want you tell me the truth.
| You know for 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 these?
Yes, master, believe am as happy man
as there is on earth.
Well Jack, said he, am not happy Rel-
ion, you say. teaches you to pray for those
that injure you. Now, will you pray for your
old master, Jack.
Yes, with all my heart, said |.
We kneeled down, and prayed for him
He came again and again to me. l prayed
for him 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 goon
preaching as long as lived, and at last meet
him in heaven.
have seen, said Jack, many Christians
whom loved, but have never seen any low
ed SO well as my old master l hope shall
meet him in heaven.
Western Christian Advocate