The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-09
THE LIFE OF JOHN JASPER.
Story Of The Career Of This Most Re-
maTkable Character.
HOW He ACQUIRED HIS VIDE FAME.
In At emptinc to Espound the Text 'Ihe
Lord IL u Man of War" Jasper Gave
to the World His "sun Do
Move" Sermon.


character in this country is Rev john
Iasner the pastor of Sixth Mount Zion
Baptist church. I'm this city, and the IA
tber I'm Israel Of the col0red race OF the
South.
Indeed. 1t is hardly an exaggeration 10
say that since the death of Douglas, ne
IS the most influential colored man Nv
ing. go
His influence is widely different from
that possessed by the more learned ana
worldly wise Douglas. but 1t is none the
less potent.
While Douglas was nearly white, Jas
per As a typical negro from the top OF his
retreating forehead TO the soles of his
ample feet. 1t is doubtful IL any sketch
has been written of John Jasper that
gives a true-tO-life picture Of him. News
paper sketches have been devoted prln-
cipally 10 his famous ''Sun DO Move SER
mon" and perhaps unconsciously eNas'
sorated his negro characteristics ana IL
literacy so as to hide his native aDil'y
I'm a rather erotesque picture OF ;he man.
whereas on the other hand the admirers
Of his own race. who had the ability 10
write concerning his life have idealized
him as "A learned and powerful pulpit
orator. and in the fattering portrayal OF
his abilities smOthercd the fact that ne Is
iuiterate. and that not little OF the
strength of his remarks lie in his very
original grammar, or rather the lack OF
it.
HOW he BECAME FAMOUS.
While the need OF education, and the
grandiloquent misuse of big words MAKES
his speeches at times quantity absurd
there is such an evidence of native Dig
nifty and honesty of purpose In his char-
a.ter. that 1t commands respect even
when ne Is presenting his novel theory
ON .~rhe sun DO Move" problem, ana
the tendency to mirth is subdued IN me
exhibition Of his sublime faith IN the
literal interpretations of Scripture.
Had not Rev John Jasper been re-
auested eilsltecn years ago by member
OF his congregation TO eNpound the text
found In Exodus, chapter XIV, ana verse
3 ..thc Lord is "a man of war; the Lord
is His name" he would in all probability
never have been known outside OF ms
native State. but on account OF the theo'
~. developed In this sermon that the sun
moves around the earth. he has received
a notoriety that is almost Worldwide.
lie first saw the light of day on a farm
in Fluvanna county belonging TO the
Poachy estate lie was born on the an
Of July 1872 and was the youngest OF
twentv-four children. According 10
biography of the noted colored divine
written by II. \. Randolph. colored
lawyer Of this city, he received ms most
striking characteristics from this very
prolific mother who was particularly
valuable to her master, because OF mel
Intelligence and hardness AT whatever
work she was put. According to the same
authority his father was also noted
preacher. and held great sway In FluVan
ma and other counties where his master
owned property. and had him TO 60
IL is said that John also showed more
than usual intelligence, and was at an
early age put TO work as a handy boy
about the home Of his master.
PRoFtssFD RELIGION.
His career up to July 4, 1859. his TWEEN
ty-seVenth birthday. was only disturbed
bv such events OF being hired out ana
doing the labor which was the lot OF
most slaves during that period.
ON the day named. while walking
through Capitol Square in the midst OF a
great demonstration by the white people
who were celebrating this historic day,
he was deeply convicted of his sins
and his distress OF soul greatly Increased
until the 18th day OF the same month
when ne made confession, and joined the
church.
be saws IL was at once made known
10 him. and he was fully persuaded that
he was called and set aside 10 preach
the Gospel
lie applied himself 10 learn TO read so
that ne could cNpOund the scripture, and
after seven months OF hard study in a
"New York" spelling book, assisted by
another slave. named William Jackson
ne learned TO read sufficiently. and 10
further improve himself without the as
slstance OF another.
lie soon became a popular preacher,
and the hiOgrapher heretofore mentioned
tells many striking episodes in his ca
reer. one OF which is that he Was wei.
come visitor TO the sick and wounded
Confederate soldiers in the hospitals. &c
whom he often preached. The same
writer gives the interesting information
that al :he fan of Richmond, when ne
was made a free man. ne had - cents
and was si2 IN debt. but that now ne IL
worth more than 5000
his PRESENT WORK.
lie has presided ever a number OF col
ored churches In this ani other cities
AT one time IL Is said he baptized 800 can
didates. commencing az II o'clock In the
morning. and by o'clock IN the after
noon he was through. thus taking only
TWO hours. or baptlzing them at the rate
OF one every twenty-fcur seconds. lie
FIRST preached his famous sermon ia ms
present church. a neat brick structure.
81 which the accompanying cut gives an
exact picture. IL was bought by his con-
xresation In 1868 for $2.o2o. and mas since
been remodelled at cost OF $500 The
church has a membership OF 1900, and u