Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-05-05
O RIGINAL PAPERS
For the Spirit OF the Age.
Uncle Jack-The Negro-Preacher.
BY INVALID.

OnCle Jdck-4ne negrO-freacner.
BY INVALID.
| distinctly recollect one bright, balmy
morn in May, years ago when was scarce
ly high as the couch upon which now
lie, as | was trudging along by my fathers
side whilst he was taking his accustomed
morning ramble, Of meeting venerable
looking old coored man, dressed plainly
yet with scrupulous neatness and cleanli-
ness slightly bowed with age and leaning
upon sturdy staff; with whom my faith
er, after the usual congratulation had been
cordially exchanged, entered into CONVEX
sation, while they seated themselves side
by side upon log which chanced to be
near, apparently with as much familiar in
timacy as if they had been friends and
equals for years. The unpretOnding case
and simplicity of his manners, the calm
bcnignity and native goodness Of soul
which beamed from every feature of his
coantenancc and was apparent in every
word he spoke, the unassuming modesty
and courtesy vet dignity of conscious mer-
it, which marked his intercourse with one
elevated above him by so many social dis
tnctions won my admiration as if intui-
lively; and half an hour had scarcely
elapsed before | had insensibly glided from
my fathers side, and as if attracted by a
mysterious influence had clambered upon
the knee of the aged stranger, and was
resting in his arms as con6dingly as though
he were long tried friend. My father
observing the intimacy which hail so sud-
denly sprung up between us, asked me if |
knew that this was Uncle Jack, the old
Negro Preacher Of whom Ihad so frequent
ly heard
Uucle Jack A burst of thunder from a
cloudless sky would not have been more
astounding than was this announcement.
could scarcely credit it. Thousands of
times had heard of Uncle Jack-indeed
his name was n household word among the
servants of the nursery and from their
representations had long since learned to
regard him with emotions of reverent awe
AS u being almost superhuman-as a very
prodigy among men. Gazing intently into
his face for moment, as if to satisfy N.Y.
self as to the truth of the revelation,
made an initiatory movement toward a
hasty descent; but he gently restrained
me, rcmuking that he was not aware his
name hal become so terrible as to incite
terror in the minds OF innocent little boys.
lie soon succeeded however, by dint OF
tender caresses, aided by the gift of an
enormous apple which he abstracted from
the depths OF capacious pocket, to re.
move all my apprehensions and to restore
the amicable relations which had been SC
auspiciousy commenced and 10y the time
he babe us good morning he had establish
ed himself so permanently nmy affections
that | ayerred to my father, that with thC
exception Of "Granny Judy" (anothe
character who is to figure prominently il
my sketches,( had Lever seen blacl
person whom | liked so well.
During the brief interview to which
have reverted, the theme of conversation
was an enterprise recently projected b,
Uncle Jack, which he was earnestly ur
ging upon the attention of the neighbor
ing planters: the erection Of house Of wor
ship exclusively for the colored popula
ton but the urgency Of his engagement
f"rbidding thorough exposition Of the d,
tails OF his plan, at my fathers sugge
tion he proposed to call on him on bis r.
turn home. During the intervening tin
my new acquaintance was not long abser
from my thoughts, and when his vener
he form was seen approaching the gate,
was ready to meet and escort him to Il
house suchlwas the sincere affection whiC
this good old man had already inspired
my young heart. The remainder of Il
,lay he spent in conversation with my fat
er, or in interrhanging friendly greetin
with the servants, who regarded it as
especial honor to have the old preacher
their guest; but wherever he went q
not fora moment leave his side, and ere
had bidden us adieu in the evening,
cipEocad contract had been agreed on |
tween It's; the provisions of which we
on his part, that he should never pass
without trrying for q while; on ours (tl
is mine and my brothers, my senior
two wears, who. had become as much
tached to- the old man as myself) that
should avail ourselves Of the earliest opp
tanity to visit his '@little boys" rs he ter
el them, me ming the sons Of his own
After ihis we were importunate and
wearying in eutreating our father to
company us to the residence Of Mr.. ST
ley, who, by the by, was an old friend a
comrade an'b with whom visits were
qnently interchanged. Bc gave us no
finite response till some weeks after. wi
at breakfast-tableone morning he promo
TO us, II we would diligently apply q
selves during the day to our lessons
might on the morrow make the visit
ca ,erly desired.
The retlernsel not to be told that
rccitations were prepared with unnsual 9