Stepney was an extraordinary man, his countenance indicating great
goodness of heart, and his gratitude to his heavenly Father for his
deliverance proved that he was fully aware of the Source whence his help
had come. Being a man of excellent natural gifts, as well as of
religious fervor and devotion to a remarkable degree, he seemed
admirably fitted to represent the slave in chains, looking up to God
with an eye of faith, and again the fugitive in Canada triumphant and
rejoicing with joy unspeakable over his deliverance, yet not forgetting
those in bonds, as bound with them. The beauty of an unshaken faith in
the good Father above could scarcely have shone with a brighter lustre
than was seen in this simple-hearted believer.
Stepney was thirty-four years of age, tall, slender, and of a dark hue.
He readily confessed that he fled from Mrs. Julia A. Mitchell, of
Richmond; and testified that she was decidedly stingy and unkind,
although a member of St. Paul's church. Still he was wholly free from
acrimony, and even in recounting his sufferings was filled with charity
towards his oppressors. He said, "I was moved to leave because I
believed that I had a right to be a free man."
He was a member of the Second Baptist church, and entertained strong
faith that certain infirmities, which had followed him through life up
to within seven years of the time of his escape, had all been removed
through the Spirit of the Lord. He had been an eye-witness to many
outrages inflicted on his fellow-men. But he spoke more of the
sufferings of others than his own.
His stay was brief, but interesting. After his arrival in Canada he
turned his attention to industrial pursuits, and cherished his loved
idea that the Lord was very good to him. Occasionally he would write to
express his gratitude to God and man, and to inquire about friends in
different localities, especially those in bonds.
The following letters are specimens, and speak for themselves:
CLIFTON HOUSE, NIAGARA FALLS, August the 27.
DEAR BROTHER:--It is with pleasure i take my pen in hand to
write a few lines to inform you that i am well hopeping these
few lines may fine you the same i am longing to hear from you
and your family i wish you would say to Julis Anderson that he
must realy excuse me for not writing but i am in hopes that he
is doing well. i have not heard no news from Virgina. plese to
send me all the news say to Mrs. Hunt an you also forever pray
for me knowing that God is so good to us. i have not seen
brother John Dungy for 5 months, but we have corresponded
together but he is doing well in Brandford. i am now at the
falls an have been on here some time an i shall with the help of
the lord locate myself somewhere this winter an go to school
excuse me for not annser your letter sooner knowing that i
cannot write well you please to send me one of the earliest
papers send me word if any of our friends have been passing
through i know that you are very busy but ask your little
daughter if she will annser this letter for you i often feel
that i cannot turn god thanks enough for his blessings that he
has bestoueth upon me. Say to brother suel that he must not
forget what god has consighn to his hand, to do that he must
pray in his closet that god might teach him. say to mr. Anderson
that i hope he have retrad an has seeked the lord an found him
precious to his own soul for he must do it in this world for he
cannot do it in the world to come, i often think about the
morning that i left your house it was such a sad feeling but
still i have a hope in crist do you think it is safe in boston
my love to all i remain your brother,