After his death, the Society of Friends at Mount Holly wrote a Memorial
concerning his character, which was read in their Yearly Meeting. It
concluded thus: "In early life, he was concerned 'to do justly, love
mercy, and walk humbly with his God.' By close attention to the light of
Christ within, he was enabled, not only to bear many precious
testimonies faithfully to the end of his days, but also to bring forth
those fruits of the spirit which redound to the glory of God and the
salvation of the soul. As he lived, so he died,--a rare pattern of a
self-denying follower of Christ. 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the
upright; for the end of that man is peace.'"
ANECDOTE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.
During the war of the Revolution, Primus Hall was the colored servant of
Colonel Pickering, with whom General Washington often held long
consultations. One night, finding they must be engaged till late, he
proposed to sleep in the Colonel's tent, provided there was a spare
blanket and straw. Primus, who was always eager to oblige the
Commander-in-Chief, said, "Plenty of straw and blankets."
When the long conference was ended, the two officers lay down to rest on
the beds he had prepared. When he saw they were asleep, he seated
himself on a box, and, leaning his head on his hand, tried to take as
comfortable a nap as he could. General Washington woke in the night, and
seeing him nodding there, called out, "Primus!" The servant started to
his feet, and exclaimed, "What do you wish for, General?"
"You told me you had plenty of straw and blankets," replied Washington;
"but I see you are sitting up all night for the sake of giving me your
bed."
"It is no matter about me," rejoined Primus.
"Yes, it is," replied General Washington. "If one of us must sit up, I
will take my turn. But there is no need of that. The blanket is wide
enough for two. Come and lie down with me."
Primus, who reverenced the Commander-in-Chief as he did no other mortal,
protested against it. But Washington threw open the blanket, and said,
"Come and lie down, I tell you! There is room enough for both, and I
insist upon it."
The tone was too resolute to admit of further parley, and the General
and his colored friend slept comfortably under the same blanket till
morning.
PRAYER OF THE SLAVE.
BY BERNARD BARTON.
O Father of the human race!
The white, the black, the bond, the free,
Thanks for thy gift of heavenly grace,
Vouchsafed through Jesus Christ to me.
This, 'mid oppression's every wrong,
Has borne my sinking spirits up;
Made sorrow joyful, weakness strong,
And sweetened Slavery's bitter cup.
Hath not a Saviour's dying hour
Made e'en the yoke of thraldom light?
Hath not thy Holy Spirit's power
Made bondage freedom? darkness bright?
Thanks then, O Father! for the gift
Which through thy Gospel thou hast given,
Which thus from bonds and earth can lift
The soul to liberty and heaven.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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