A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. HavilandHaviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Religion
A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. Haviland
Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Freed persons; Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith), 1808-1898; Underground Railroad
"I was three years ago, an' I lived a prayin' life a year; then the
white folks did so bad, it 'peared like I couldn't live 'ligion, an' I
giv' it all up. Missus sole my poor gal down de river, to sen' her two
gals to de Norf to school now she's gwine to sell my Mary, kase they's
runnin' short o' money; an' she missed sellin' my gal las' year. If I
hadn't lef de Lord maybe dis hard trouble wouldn't come 'pon me." And
again she began to wring her hands with convulsive weeping.
As I looked upon that poor, crushed spirit, the most frantic with grief
of any person I ever saw, a feeling of confidence sprang up in me that
she would become free. Said I, "You have known what it was to ask God
to give you freedom from sin, and make you free from the bondage of
Satan. Now go to him with full purpose of heart, and he will restore
the joys of his salvation and again will set you free in soul. Then, I
feel confident that the Captain of the soul's freedom will open the way
for freedom from this chain of slavery that now binds you as a family.
Now go to Jesus; he will do great things for you. You lose confidence
in your friends, you lose confidence in yourself; but go to the Lord
Jesus, and believe he will direct you, and he will do it. Let prayer be
thy constant work, then faith will increase--that will not fail." At
these few words she became calm, and said, as she looked up, "Can you
tell me where my daughter is?"
"Certainly," I said, "I heard from her yesterday; she is in
Carthaginia, Indiana. I had supposed she went directly to Canada, and I
was sorry she stopped so near to the line--not more than one hundred
miles off."
"I was tole she went through this city with her baby."
"It was true," I answered. I was astonished to see her wipe her tears
away and become calm so soon, and converse with so much composure.
"If we come soon can you go a piece wid us?"
"It will make no difference whether I am here or not, if you go to
either of the places I told you of. There are a great many safe places
here, but I gave those places you know so well, and can find day or
night I shall probably go to my home in Michigan next week, and it is
uncertain when I return; but don't forget to carry your burden to the
Lord by constant prayer for his directing hand; and whatever way he
opens, take it; if it should be any other way than the plan I
suggested, take it, regardless of what I have said, except to mind
closely the impressions you feel confident come from an All-wise
Director. Do this, and I have great faith in your success.
"Never have I had the strong faith that I have at this moment, that if
you go to the Savior for his help in this time of your great need, he
will lead you out of slavery. I advise you not to wait for Bailey. If
you come here you can all be taken to Canada without a dollar."
This seemed to surprise her. She said she could get a few dollars, as
she was earning good day wages.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account