The American Missionary — Volume 48, No. 10, October, 1894Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 48, No. 10, October, 1894
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
But most thrilling was the story of a slave boy and his following him
from his early years, his learning to read and write, his conversion and
desire to become a preacher, praying for three or four years, every
morning, noon and night, that God would set him free, and how that his
prayers were not answered till he prayed with his heels. At about
seventeen years he ran away, reaching Massachusetts, where he publicly
told his story, till, hearing that the slave catchers were after him, he
fled to England, where he lectured till his English friends purchased
him from his late master for $750, when he returned to his native land
and worked in the anti-slavery cause till by the war every bondman was
free. He has since served his country as U.S. Minister to Hayti, U.S.
Marshal at Washington, and in other positions of trust, and also tried
to serve his race to the best of his ability. It needed not that he
should further identify himself, but if so he could do it by the scars
on his back and the "bill of sale" of himself in his pocket.
Mr. Douglass believed most heartily in Cappahosic, and has two very
efficient granddaughters there, one at the head of the culinary
department, and the other as teacher.
Short addresses followed by Rev, Mr. Spiller, of Hampton, Va., Mr. Lewis
Douglass, and the editor of the _Afro-American_, Rev. M. Alexander, of
Baltimore, Md. The writer told of, and is glad here to bear witness to,
the noble, self-denying labors of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver and their corps of
teachers and scholars during these struggling years, as also to the
growing and earnest help of the people around them in sustaining the
school to so large a degree. They appreciate most highly the fostering
care and help of this Association, and hope that within a few years they
may be able to take the entire pecuniary burdens upon themselves.
Mr. Holmes told of the breaking of the ground for the new building last
winter, under very trying difficulties, with little to draw upon but
their oft-proved Bank of Faith and Prayer, and of Mr. Weaver's coming
North for help, and his return, telling his wife he hardly ever felt so
discouraged. She handed him a letter which came in his absence. On
opening it, he exclaimed, "Bless the Lord! here is a check for $250."
Reading the letter, he shouted, "Praise the Lord! it is $2,500," and he
has been praising Him ever since and praying for more, for he needs
about twice as much to complete and furnish the building, which is 70x46
feet, and three stories high.
The people of Gloucester and adjacent counties have taken about a dozen
rooms to finish and furnish at a cost of $50 to $100 each, and yet there
will be many more wanted by the boys for the coming winter. All the
work, including the plans and supervision, has been done by colored men,
assisted quite largely by the boys of the school. Who will supplement
the magnificent gift of Mrs. Powers of Philadelphia by small or large
amounts?
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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