The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-12-31

/ llSntS IN the SKY 10 winch the cnllQreu OI
darkness gave other names than what they
really were; for they were the lights OF
the Saviors hands, stretched forth from
east to west, even as they we're extended
ON the cross on Calvary for the redemption
of sinners. And l wondered greatly at
these miracles, and prayed to be informed
of a certainty of the meaning thereof; and
shortly afterwards, while laboring in the
field, l discovered drops of blood on the
corn, as though it were dew from heaven /;
and L communicated it to many, both white
and black, in the neighborhood; and then
found on the leaves in the woods hero
glyphie characters, and numbers, with the
forms of men in different attitudes, portray
ed in blood, and representing the figures l
had seen before in the heavens. And now
the Holy Ghost had revealed itself to me,
and made plain the miracles it had shown
me- for as the Blood of Christ had been
shed ON this earth, and had assembled to
heaven for the salvation of sinners, and
was now returning to earth again in the
| form of dew, and as the leaves on the trees
bore the impression of the figures | had
seen in the heavens, it was plain to me that
the Savior was about to lay down the yoke
he had borne for the sins of men, and the
great day of Judgment was at hand. About
| this time | told these things to white man
(Ethelred L. Brantley) on whom it had
wonderful effect, and he ceased from his
wickedness, and was attacked Immediately
with cutaneous eruption, and the blood
oozed from the pores of his skin, and after
praying and fasting nine days he was heal
ed, and the Spirit appeared to me again,
and said, as the Savior had been baptised
so should we be also-and when the white
people would not let us be baptised by the
church, we went down into the water to-
gether, in the sight of many who reviled
us, and were baptised by the Spirit After
this L rejoiced greatly, and gave thanks to
God. And on the 18th of May, 1923, l
heard loud noise in the heavens, and the
Spirit instantly appeared to me and said,
the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had
laid down the yoke he had borne for the
sins of men, and that J. should take it on
and fight against the serpent, for the time
was fast approaching when the first should
be last, and. the last should be first.
q. Do you not find yourself mistaken
now2
A. Was not Christ crucifed And by
signs in the heavens, that it would make
known to me when should commence the
great work-and until the first sign appear
cd, should conceal it from the knowledge
of men-And on the appearance of the
sign, (the eclipse of the sun last February
| should arise and prepare myself, and slay
my enemies with their own weapons And
Immediate y on the sign appearing in the
heavens, the seal was removed from my
| lips, and communicated the great work
laid out for me to do, to four in whom
had the greatest confidence, Henry, Hark
Nelson and Sam. twas intended by us
to have begun the work of death on the
4th of July last. Many were the plans
formed and rejected by us, and it affected
my mind to such degree, that fell sick,
and the time passed without our coming to
any determination how to commence, still
forming new schemes and rejecting them,
when the sign appeared again, which deter
mined me not to wait longer.
Since the commencement of 1880, had
been living with Mr.. Joseph Travis, who
was to me kind master, and placed the
greatest confidence in me; in fact, l had no
cause to complain of his treatment to me.
On Saturday evening, the Goth of August,
it was agreed between Henry, Hank and
myself, to prepare dinner the next day
for the men we expected, and then to con-
cert plan, as we had not yet determined
on any. Hank, on the following morning,
brought pig, and Henry, brandy, and be-
ing joined by Sam, Nelson, Will and Jack,
they prepared in the woods dinner, where
about three o'clock, joined them.
Q. Why were you SO backward in join
ing them
A. The same reason that had caused me
not to mix with them for years before
saluted them on coming up, and asked
VIII how came he there, he answered, his
| life was worth no more than others, and his
liberty as dear to him. l asked him if he
thought to obtain it Z He said he would. OF
lose his life. This was enough to put him
in full confidence. Jack, knew, was only
tool in the hands of Hank; it was quickly
agreed we should commence at home (Mr.
j. Travis on that night, and until we had
armed and equipped ourselves, and gather
ed sufficient force, neither age nor sex was
to be spared, (which was invariably adhered
toy. We remained at the feast, until about
two hours in the night, when we went to
the house and found Austin; they all went
to the cider press and drank, except myself.
On returning to the house, Hank went to
the door with an axe, for the purpose of
breaking it open, as we knew we were
strong enough to murder the family should
they be awakened by the noise; but reflect
ing that it might create an alarm in the
neighborhood, we determined to enter the
house secretly, and murder them whilst
sleeping. Hark got ladder and set it
against the chimney, on which assembled,
and hosting window, entered and came
down stairs, unbarred the door, and remov-
ed the guns from their places. 1t was then
observed that must spill the first blood.
On which, armed with Ratchet, and ac-
companied by VIII, l entered my masters
chamber, it being dark, / could not give a