Biography of a Slave, Being the Experiences of Rev. Charles Thompson, a Preacher of the United Brethren Church, While a Slave in the South.: Together with Startling Occurrences Incidental to Slave Life.Thompson, Charles
Religion
Biography of a Slave, Being the Experiences of Rev. Charles Thompson, a Preacher of the United Brethren Church, While a Slave in the South.: Together with Startling Occurrences Incidental to Slave Life.
Thompson, Charles
African American clergy -- Mississippi -- Biography; African Americans -- Mississippi -- Biography; African Americans -- Mississippi -- Religion; Church of the United Brethren in Christ (1800-1889) -- Clergy -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- Mississippi -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- Mississippi
I was given a letter to Leadbitter, and immediately started on foot for
the railroad. When I arrived there I handed the letter to Mr.
Leadbitter, who asked me how long I had come to stay with him. I told
him one month. He broke the letter open, and after reading it informed
me that James Wilson stated in the letter that I was to stay as long as
he wanted me. This was a piece of intelligence that learned me that
James Wilson would lie, and from that time forward I had no confidence
in his truthfulness. I did not know what was best to do, but finally
made up my mind to fulfill and make good my promise, and trust to the
future to compel James Wilson to perform his. I thought this the right
course. I did not deem that I would be justified in breaking my promise
because Wilson was unreliable and broke his. I concluded that if
Leadbitter kept me longer than one month he would have to be smarter
than I gave him credit for being. I asked Leadbitter how many days there
were in that month.
I went to work, and kept account of the days. I worked carefully. The
time passed slowly and wearily. My associations were of the worst
character possible, and my co-laborers were of that lowest class of
southern blacks whose ignorance and waywardness render them most of the
time more than brutal. I made every effort to do good among them, and
endeavored to preach to them on several occasions, but was interrupted
and deterred by the whites, who forbade my preaching. I talked to the
blacks, however, whenever opportunity occurred, and I hope that my
labors for Jesus were not in vain.
The last day of my month came and passed. It was Friday. On Saturday
morning, about three o'clock, I started for home, and with rapid walking
I reached my destination about two hours after sunrise. When I reached
the plantation I "cut across lots," and passed through the field where
Wilson was at work with the hands. I approached, unobserved by him, and
spoke to him. He looked at me with astonishment, and in surprise asked,
"What are you doing here?"
"You told me to stay one month; I done so," I answered.
"Did Mr. Leadbitter know when you left?"
"I do not know, sir," I replied. "I left at three o'clock this morning,
and did not think it worth while to disturb Mr. Leadbitter's rest."
"Three o'clock!" exclaimed Wilson.
"Yes, sir," I quietly answered.
"You ran away, did you?"
"No, sir, I did not run away. I stayed as long as you required me to
stay, when, in obedience to your expressed promises, I came home."
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