Part 33 (1/2)
_Mr J_ I know hi his work to read your book in the field?
_Slave_ I was not leaving his work, sir This book does not teach lect my master's work I could not be happy if I did that--I have donetill the horses are done eating
_Mr J_ Well, what does that book teach you?
_Slave_ Oh, sir! every thing that I want to know--all I am to do, this book tells me, and so plain It shew me first that I was a wretched, ruined sinner, and ould become of ht in dread of God's calling me to account for my wickedness, and did not knohich way to look for ain those dreadful words, ”depart fro fire,” then it revealed to me how Jesus Christ had consented to coht pardon for us by his blood, and how by believing on hiht become a child of God, so that I need be no er but sure of his forgiveness and love
(Here Mr J pursued his walk; but soon reflecting on what he had heard, he resolved to walk by Mr Wilkins's house and enquire into this affair fro conversation took place between the with a ed, while his horses were eating, in reading a book; which I asked him to shew me and found it was the Bible; thereupon I asked hiave of hireatly
_Mr W_ I presuh I do not knohat he may have told you, yet I will undertake to say that he has told you nothing but the truth I a him, and do not believe he would tellthat could be offered him
_Mr J_ Well, sir, you have seen I trust in your fa
_Mr W_ Yes indeed, sir, and thatall arded him as ht the younger ones to read, and by his kindness and exareat benefit to all I have told them that I would do what I could to instruct and improve them; and that if I found any so vicious, that they would not receive it and strive to aious, praying family, and that none would be obstinately bent on their own ruin And from ti at their own good I cannot tell you all the happiness of the change, that God has been pleased tous, all by these means And I have been benefited both temporally and spiritually by it; for my work is better done, and my people are more faithful, contented, and obedient than before; and I have the co that when my Lord and master shall call e, I shall not be ashamed to present theues,” etc, in the Appendix of Thomas Bacon's _Sermons Addressed to Masters and Servants_
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF A PIOUS NEGRO
(Written about 1800)
Soentle other adventures, the following circumstances occurred to him which are related in his oords
”Every day's observation convinces me that the children of God, viz
those who believe in hih Jesus Christ, arethe them when they endeavor to be and continue so
”In one of my excursions, while I was in the province of New York, I alking by myself over a considerable plantation, a it with that of my own country, till I caro, as tilling the ground I felt a strong inclination to converse with hi him some little questions about his work, which he answered very sensibly, I wished hireeable to hie it for his liberty?”
”Massah,” said he, looking seriously upon me, ”I have wife and children; my massah takes care of theood ood book, that lad,” replied I, ”to hear you say so; and pray what is the good book you read?” ”The Bible, ood book” ”Do you understand, friend, as well as read this book? for et hold of the true and good sense” ”O massah,” says he, ”I read the book s in the book which s were they?” ”Why reat sinner, I feared that God would destroyas I should do God was holy, and I was very vile and naughty; so I could have nothing from him but fire and brimstone in hell, if I continued in this state” In short, he fully convinced hly sensible of his errors, and he told me what scriptures came to his mind, which he had read, that both probed him to the bottoht and comfort to his soul I then inquired of him, what ministry or means he made use of and found that his ht his slaves to read, and had thus afforded hih he had not ever conversed with this negro upon the state of his soul I asked hiot comfort under all his trials? ”O ave me coive me rest, for I was very weary and heavy laden” And here he went through a line of thereat things God had done in the course of some years for his soul--Bishop Williaues,” etc, in the Appendix of Thomas Bacon's _Sermons Addressed to Masters and Servants_
LETTER TO ABBe GReGOIRE, OF PARIS, 1809
I have received the favor of your letter of August 19th, and with it the voluroes Be assured that no person living wishes more sincerely than I do to see a complete refutation of the doubts I haveallotted to them by nature and to find that in this respect they are on par with ourselves My doubts were the result of personal observation in the limited sphere of my own state, where the opportunities for the developenius were not favorable, and those of exercising it still less so I expressed theree of talent it is no hts Because Sir Isaac Neas superior to others in understanding, he was not therefore lord of the person and property of others On this subject they are gaining daily in the opinions of nations, and hopeful advances arewith the other colors of the human family I pray you therefore to accept my thanks for the many instances you have enabled ence in that race ofthe day of their relief; and to be sure of the sentih and just esteem and consideration which I tender to yourself with all sincerity--_Writings of Thomas Jefferson_, Memorial Edition, 1904, vol xii, p 252
PORTION OF JEFFERSON'S LETTER TO MA JULIEN, JULY 23, 1818
Referring to Kosciuszko, Jefferson said:
”On his departure from the United States in 1798 he left inafter his death all the property he had in our public funds, the price of his military services here, to the education and ee in this country as this should be adequate to I aue haleine_; but I a measures to place it in such hands as will ensure a faithful discharge of the philanthropic intentions of the donor I learn with pleasure your continued efforts for the instruction of the future generations oftheir rights, I wish theratitude of those ill feel their benefits, and beg leave to add the assurance of s of Thomas Jefferson_, Memorial Edition 1904, vol xv, pp 173-174
FROM MADISON'S LETTER TO MISS FRANCES WRIGHT, SEPTEMBER 1, 1825