Part 1 (2/2)

Other hest testimony to her uniform Christian deportment

In 1847, Mary's ht a house in Hampton, where they resided until the toas burned by the rebels in 1861 Though sustaining herself by her needle, Mary found tiinated a benevolent society, called the ”Daughters of Zion,” designed for ministration to the poor and the sick It is still in existence

Her house, like that of Mary and Martha of old, was a place of spiritual resort There the pastor, deacons, and other leading an the exercise of her gifts as a teacher At that ti her pupils Thompson Walker, her stepfather, William Thornton, and William Davis, all now able and eloquent exhorters She was afterward of great service to others, who are now efficient exhorters andof Ha children and adults, through her shrewdness and the divine protection eluding the vigilance of conservators of the slave law, or, if te her labors of love with cautious fearlessness, and this in thea feeble constitution

In 1851, Mary was married to Thoht colored, intelligent, pious, and in every respect a congenial companion, hom she lived happily till her decease

The bereaved husband bears affectionate testiment which dwelt in that feeble frame He loves to speak of his indebtedness to her richly stored e of the Bible At his request, she would sit for hours and relate Bible history Others of our leading brethren also gratefully acknowledge that they have drawn largely froe

CHAPTER II

Coht of the Rebels fro of the Town--The Place reoccupied by Freedmen

About the first of September, 1861, the writer commenced the mission at Fortress Monroe, under the auspices of the American Missionary association, and was quartered in a building called the _Seminary_

Three months before this, the Union troops entered Ha scenes connected with this event have been narrated tothese troops were Duryea's Zouaves, called by the people ”red men,” from the color of their dress

The utmost consternation seized the inhabitants of Ha Many of the colored people even were in a state of suspense All kinds of stories had been told in regard to what the Yankees would do with them Yet hope predominated over fear They could hardly believe that the Yankees ated fear filled the breasts of the secessionists There had been loud boasts of what they would do; but when the red trowsers approached, their bravery all ran down into their niuns which they had planted, and which reat mischief to the Union troops, had they been bravely e was first fired, and then the fire extinguished Men, wo, ”They come!

they coun in hand, pacing the floor in consternation, ever and anon rushi+ng to the , and casting a frightened glance in the direction of the road fro ”double quick,” when he darts fro!”

Off he flies, with the fleetness of fear, and in a few moments is seen no more

But in one house there are _two_ individuals, fearless and calhter Daisy sit alike unalarmed; the one in child-like faith, the other in child-like sihbor's house Some ti great confidence in sister Walker's prayers, said to her, ”Sally, you must pray harder”

”Oh,” said she, ”I do pray as hard as I can”

”How do you pray, Sally?”

”I pray that the Lord's will ht, Sally,” said one of them; ”you must pray for Jeff Davis”

”Oh,” said she, ”I pray as well as I can, and as hard as I can I aht,” said the other; ”pray on, Sally--your prayer will surely be heard You can't pray any better prayer than you do Pray that the Lord's will may be done: I am sure it is the Lord's will that the Yankees should not come here to disturb us; and I have faith to believe they will not Pray on, Sally; pray as hard as you can”

”I will, ma'a, just after the sun has peeped above the horizon, lo, the Yankees! The strong faith above expressed fails the possessor; and she, ould scarcely have set foot on the ground for very delicacy, and ould not have been seen riding out, unless in a fine carriage, drawn by fine horses, elegantly harnessed, is now heard calling for any old horse or on or cart, with rope harness--any thing--any thing to take her out of the reach of the Yankees! Masters and itives

Here is one of many interviews between masters and slaves

”What's the !”