The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His AchievementsBrown, William Wells
History
The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements
Brown, William Wells
African Americans -- Biography
At the expiration of his imprisonment, Mr. Grimes returned to
Washington, and employed himself in driving a furniture car, and
jobbing about the city. Feeling himself called to preach, he underwent
the required examination, received a license, and, without quitting
his employment, preached as occasion offered. Not long after this,
he removed to New Bedford, Mass., where he resided two years. There
was in Boston a small congregation, worshipping in a little room, but
without a regular preacher. An invitation was extended to Mr. Grimes
to become their pastor. He accepted, came to Boston, and, under his
ministration, the society increased so rapidly that a larger house was
soon needed. A lot was purchased, the edifice begun, and now they have
a beautiful church, capable of seating six or seven hundred persons.
The cost of the building, including the land, was $13,000; all of
which, except $2,000, has been paid. We need not say that this was
accomplished through the untiring exertions of Mr. Grimes. Besides his
labors in the society, he was often engaged in aiding fugitive slaves
in the redemption of their relations from the servitude of the south.
During his fourteen years' residence in Boston, he has had $6,000 pass
through his hands, for the benefit of that class of persons. In action
he is always--
"Upward, onward, pressing forward
Till each bondman's chains shall fall,
Till the flag that floats above us
Liberty proclaims to all."
In 1854, Mr. Grimes became conspicuously connected with the fugitive
slave Anthony Burns. Mainly through his efforts the latter gained his
freedom. The pastor of the Twelfth Baptist Church is, emphatically, a
practical man. Nearly all public meetings are held either in his church
or vestry, he taking a suitable part in every thing that tends to the
welfare of his race. "Brother" Grimes is above the middle size, good
looking, has a full face, a countenance which has the appearance of one
who has seen no trouble, and rather more Anglo-Saxon than African. He
is polite in his manners, and genteel in his personal appearance. As a
preacher, he is considered sound, and well versed in theology. He is
regarded as one of the ablest men in prayer in Boston. His sermons are
characterized by deep feeling and good sense. No man in the city has
fewer enemies or more friends than Leonard A. Grimes.
PRESIDENT GEFFRARD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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