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
The last day I was there I lay hid in some cotton-pens, close to the
house, when two men came on the hunt of me. They had their blood-hounds
with them, and demanded permission of Dansley to search his house. The
permission was granted, when the men began the search. I could see and
hear all that was going on, and trembled for my safety. I put myself on
the mercy of the Almighty and resigned myself entirely into his hands.
The search was made all over the premises, including the cotton-pens in
which I was hid; but God was on my side, and I was saved from their
clutches. I earnestly thanked God for my deliverance on this occasion.
As soon as dark came I emerged from my hiding-place, and, after being
supplied with what provisions I could conveniently carry, I bid good-by
to Christian Dansley and his family, and started on my perilous journey
to the free states and Canada.
My progress was necessarily slow and wearisome, being compelled to
travel altogether at night. The first point I designed making on my
journey was Memphis, where I hoped to find means of escape to Illinois.
I had plenty of time for meditation and prayer, and my thoughts were
naturally concentrated on my deplorable condition all the time. My past
life came up in review before me, and while sorrowfully wandering
through the woods I would compare myself to persecuted Christians in the
days of the apostles and the early evaneglists. The blessed Savior was
persecuted in his very infancy and had to be hid by his parents. They
had to flee for life; I was fleeing for liberty. What had I to complain
of? Jesus was with me and would protect me. God had delivered him from
the very tomb of death; why need I fear? With these reflections in my
mind I would feel revived and refreshed with the consolation that while
there was life in me there was hope for me. The words of the poet came
to my memory, wherein he says:
"Neither will he upbraid you,
Though often your request;
He'll give you grace to conquer,
And take you home to rest."
The consolation and help I received from my meditations sustained me
through all my trials and hardships, and I plodded my weary way along
with God in my heart and bright hopes for the future. I knew if I drew
nigh unto God he would draw nigh unto me; and that if I would let the
word of Christ dwell in me I would be rich in all wisdom. Yet I was
aware I should suffer persecution if I lived godly in Jesus Christ;
therefore I determined to continue in the things which I had learned.
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