A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North America — John Shaqi
A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North AmericaBayley, Solomon
Religion
A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North America
Bayley, Solomon
African Americans -- Biography; Bayley, Solomon; Enslaved persons -- Delaware -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- United States -- Biography; Enslaved persons' writings, American -- Delaware; Fugitive slaves -- United States -- Biography; Slavery -- Delaware -- History; Slavery -- Virginia -- History
ELDEST DAUGHTER, MARGARET BAYLEY,
_Who died in the twenty-fourth year of her age_.
She was a pleasant child in her manners and behaviour, yet fond of gay
dress and new fashions; yet her mind was much inclined to her book, and
to read good lessons.
And it pleased the Father of mercy to open her understanding, to see
excellent things out of his law, and to convince her that it was his
will she should be holy here and happy hereafter; but custom, habit,
and shame, seemed to chain her down, so that she appeared like one that
was halting between two opinions.
But about a month before she was taken for death, she went to Meeting
under a concern about her future state; and the Meeting appeared to
be favoured with the out pouring of the spirit of love, and of power:
Margaret came home under great concern of mind, and manifested a
wonderful change in her manners and behaviour; I believe the whole
family were affected at the sight of the alteration, which indeed
appeared like that of the prodigal son coming home to his father; for
my own part I felt fear and great joy; such was her delight to read
the Bible, and ask the meaning of certain texts of Scripture, which
evidenced a concern to make sure work for eternity.
In this frame of mind she was taken for death; she appeared very
desirous to live for the first four weeks, but was very patient, and
of a sweet temper and disposition all the time: I recollect but one
instance when she was known to give way to peevish fretfulness; then
I, feeling the evil spirit striving to get the advantage of her, very
tenderly and earnestly admonished her not to regard trifles, but to
look to that power which was able to save her; and from that time she
became passive and resigned.
The following two weeks her pain was great, and baffled all the force
of medicine: a few days before her departure, she was urged with much
brokenness of heart to make confession; when she was let into a view
of the vanity of the world, with all its glittering snares; and said,
she could not rest till her hair was cut off; for she said, “I was
persuaded to plait my hair against my father’s advice, and I used to
tie up my head when father would come to see me, and hide ruffles and
gay dress from him, and now I cannot rest till my hair is cut off.” I
said, “no, my daughter, let it be till thee gets well:” she answered,
“Oh! no, cut it now:” so I to pacify her took and cropped it.
After this she appeared filled with raptures of joy, and talked of
going, as if death had lost its sting; this was about three days before
her departure; she seemed to have her senses as long as she could
speak: a little before her speech left her, she called us all, one by
one, held out her hand, bade us farewell, and looked as if she felt
that assurance and peace that destroyed the fear of death; and while
she held out her hands, she earnestly charged us to meet her in heaven.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account