Milford chronicle., 1922-04-28
A TRIBUTE TO AN EMPLOYEE

nuultu race was ODluS6 anu DIuulSC
so as to believe that some portions Of
mankind had divine right to hold in
subsection as slaves-to buy or sell
the bodies and souls of another race
that happened to be less fortunate in
opportunity for intelligence.
Especially was this true of the Cau-
casian toward the African races, and
for years and even centuries the Afri-
can was a profitable chattel of mer-
chandise disposed of as easily as
cattle by sale from the auction block
to the highest bidder.
This system was made tOlerable for
the African only when he became the
property of people who were sincere
Christians.
This condition fell to the lot of Hen
ry Sharp, an aged negro who died full
of years (88) Friday, April Z, 1922, in
Milford, Delaware. He was sold when
only six months old with his mother,
to Mrs. Sarah Sharp, wife of Clement
Sharp. She was a consistent Christ
ian woman, and was never more hap
py than when doing something for
the betterment of the down-trodden,
to alleviate their sufferings and lift
them up to higher planes, mentally,
physically and spiritually.
Many times have seen her in this
capacity, visiting people to comfort
and sOlace and cheer. She was cap
able of rendering spiritual advice
when it was comforting.
Only a few days before the death
of Henry Sharp, he told me of the
comforting influence of the sainted
Mother in Israel which helped for his
everlasting welfare. She gave him ad-
vice and instruction, and, thru that
advice he reformed his life and was
born of the spirit-throwing off the
bondage of sin and was at least spir-
itually-made a free man. Thus the
poor slave boy, Henry Sharp's life
was transformed by a real Christian
n-who-thOugh slave owner,
did the work that the Master had di-
rected and became an instrument
thru His grace for the saving of hui
man souls. The boy Henry ever af-
terward revered the memory of Sarah
Sharp, and repaid nobly in the years
of after life, when freedom came to
the slaves, her kindnesses fOur-fOld;
for, when he started for himself as a
free man he returned the debt he Ow-
ed to her for her kindness.
After the death of Sarah Sharp, the
former slave boy-Henry Sharp
started to build his own life and pros
pered in modest way; but Clement
Sharp suffered financial reverses and
suffered many troubles. 1t was then
that the former slave saw the OppOr-
tunity to repay the kindness of his
good mistress by dividing and assist
ing his old master by relieving his
wants. Doing by others as
we would have them do by us-thus
eXamplifying the Golden Rule, which
from the Master, Who was
Graded in a manger in Bethlehem, far
across the sea, and which is the foun-
dation for every institution for better
ing and aleviating sufferings of hui
manity. Every charitable home or hos |
Dital grew from this Divine command. |
Bards, patriots, sages, the great and
good of all ages whose deeds crowd /
history pages, and Divine origin thru /
love and mercy, and thru it the spirit /
Of justice and right was born. Thru |
His mercy, every wrong shall be right /
I'd and made as was Eden Of old.
By this all-wise and ruling prOvi-
lence, George Washington was born
% become the Father of His Coun-
ry," while a new birth of freedom
vas given to the world. Might does
lot make right any more in this coun-
ry. Then thru the same great all
wise Power the martyred Abraham
lincoln was born to become the saw
~,fk F1rrh hfc
trike the shackles of slavery from
our million OF African slaves-say-
ng a government for the people, by
he people, that it shall not perish
rom the earth. This was Lincoln's
nissiOn-given thru Divine power. He
vas born for this purpose, and died
martyr, sealing his life work with his
ife blood-and thru Lincoln's proc
Henry Sharp BECAME a free
nan-priveleged to worship according
o the dictates of his own conscience
nder God, and this in my opinion he
i'd consistently.
1 worked and played with Henry
sharp whilst we were bOys-fOr l
isited Mrs. Sarah Sharp frequently,
nd when we went to Milford on bus
ness, the colored boy Henry was
rought along. We worked at various
asks together as bOys-and when 1
tarted in business in Milford for my
elf, 1 was glad to get him as my de- +
endable handy man and head teams
relation continued during
lany busy years-until I quit active t
business and manufac-
lring. In all that time l never heard t
i'm swear an oath or tell lie. He t
ever betrayed a trust and he was al
avs prompt and reliable. He was in 4
,lligent and manly. 1 had many Ia 7
orers. and others in my employ, but y
3 was the only one in his class-he q
lrned more and with satisfaction.
He married, but never had any chill :
rem to live-but he took and raised l
ur into good citizens and useful in
Ie community. He was an ardent
of the church of his choice,
Id helped literally to pay for and n
lproVe the present brick church US n
by his race in Milford. r
was at his home frequently dur
g his last illness-he never uttered
complaint or murmured-but was :,
ltient and resigned to the Masters 9
i'll. +,
His home was neat and comfortable, -
i'd his children attentive to his ev- z
v want. He addressed them as "chil- -
en-" or, "our folks" which was the G
nguage taught him by his old mis- "
ess in slave days. He delighted in G
aiding the Bible and the children !"
ad it to him frequently, for which he =,
ways thanked them kindly. He had g
r fha same impression upon the =