Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly: A Story of the Wilmington Massacre.Thorne, Jack
History
Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly: A Story of the Wilmington Massacre.
Thorne, Jack
African Americans -- North Carolina -- Wilmington -- Fiction; Wilmington (N.C.) -- History -- Fiction
It was Sunday evening in New York. Bethel Church was crowded to the
doors. The sermon had been concluded, and the choir and congregation had
solemnly chanted the Lord's Prayer. "As I looked over this audience
to-night," said Dr. Henderson, descending from the pulpit, "I think of
the words of the blessed Saviour, 'The fields are white and ready to
harvest,' so I'm going to open the doors of the church. Who here is
ready to make a start for heaven to-night? Come, sinner! God's not
calling the righteous, but you. There is a prodigal child here to-night
who has wandered from home. Come home; there is bread and to spare, and
a warm welcome there. Here comes one, thank God!" A young man went
forward and took the minister's hand, followed by two others. "Who else
will come? There is some one that is almost persuaded. Remember that to
be almost persuaded is to be lost. Come, sinner.
"'Will you scorn the message
Sent in mercy from above?
Every sentence, oh how tender!
Every line is full of love.'
"Listen to it: 'Every line is full of love.' God requires no
preparation; come just as you are. Just surrender yourself, yourself
to--" "I surrender, Lord." This exclamation startled the audience, and
all eyes were turned upon a tall and stately woman, who suddenly arose
in the centre of the church and started forward. This was Molly
Pierrepont, making the final step. "Poor Magdalene," she whispered as
she took Dr. Henderson's hand. "But God is gracious, my child," returned
the minister.
A month went by. It was Sunday evening, and again Bethel was filled to
overflowing; but, large as that audience was, a serene stillness
prevailed, for out from the choir loft a rich soprano voice, pathetic
and appealing in its tone, fell serenely upon listening ears.
"Just as I am thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe
Oh Lamb of God, I come.
"Just as I am, thy love unknown,
Hath broken every barrier down,
Now to be Thine, yea Thine alone,
Oh Lamb of God, I come."
Molly has done her part nobly and well, so I close the story with
Molly.
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
The following changes have been made to the text:
Page 4: "Whose there" changed to "Who's there".
Page 13: "State from mountian" changed to "State from mountain".
Page 21: "Good da , Gideon" changed to "Good day, Gideon".
Page 25: "Georgia and Florida its" changed to "Georgia and Florida
it's".
Page 29: "Kidder s Hill" changed to "Kidder's Hill".
Page 35: "anti-bellum liking" changed to "ante-bellum liking".
Page 44: "the main thorougfare" changed to "the main thoroughfare".
Page 44: "by offering to puschase" changed to "by offering to purchase".
Page 59: "it is writeen" changed to "it is written".
Page 63: "great' eal" changed to "great 'eal".
Page 92: "Wilmington Record" was italicized.
Page 93: "Dr. Pond" changed to "Dry Pond".
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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