A black man, has been a member of this Colony since the beginning
of the year 1820. He made a profession of religion in America:
but never never since I knew him, either discharged its duties,
or evinced much of its spirit, till within the last ten months.
He was a man of good natural sense, but wretched in the extreme;
and the cause of equal wretchedness to his young family. His
wife, naturally of a mild and placid temper, failed in almost
every thing to please him, or prevent the constant outbreakings
of his morose and peevish humor. He was her tyrant--and so
instinct with malevolence, the vain conceit of superiority,
jealousy, and obstinate pride, as to resemble more an Arab of the
desert, or a person destitute of natural affection, than a person
by education and in name, a Christian. As a neighbor, his
feelings were so soured and narrow, as to render him disobliging,
suspicious, and equally an object of general dislike and neglect.
His heart was a moral desert--no kind affection seemed to stir
within it; and the bitter streams which it discharged had spread
a moral desolation around him, and left him the solitary victim
of his own corroding temper.
Such an ascendant had these evil qualities over the other
faculties of his mind as in a great measure to dim the light of
reason, and render him as a subject of the colonial government,
no less perverse and untractable, than he was debased and
wretched, as a man.
Several times have the laws, which guard the peace of our little
community, been called in, to check the excesses of his turbulent
passions, by supplying the weakness of more ingenuous motives.
Still this person discovered, in the midst of this wreck of
moral excellence, a few remaining qualities, on which charity
might fix the hope of his recovery to virtue, usefulness and
happiness. But these were few, and mostly of a negative kind. He
was not addicted to profane discourse. He allowed himself in no
intemperate indulgences. He observed towards sacred institutions
a cold, but still an habitual respect. And, strange as the fact
may seem, he was laborious in his avocations, even to severe
drudgery, and equally a stranger to avarice, and a passion for a
vain ostentation. Whether these relieving traits of his character
were the effects of habit, produced by the influence of former
piety; or whether they were the result of constitutional
temperament, or of education, is not for me to decide. But such
was L. C., until the autumn of 1824; when not only a reform but
an absolute reversal, of every perverse disposition and habit in
the revolting catalogue of his character took place. A more
obliging and affectionate husband I am convinced is not to be
found on the Cape, few in the world! And there is no appearance
of constraint, or affection in this display of tenderness. It is
uniform, untiring, cordial, and increasing, as far as it is
permitted to any one, except the Searcher of hearts, to judge. In
all his intercourse with his family, and neighbors, he carries
with him, an inimitable air of sweet and profound humility. You
would pronounce it to be the meekness of the heart springing from
some deep-felt sentiment of the interior of the mind. But so far
from abasing the possessor, in the estimation of others, this
very trait commands their respect, and their love. It gives to
him a value, which he never appeared to possess before. Ten
months have I now had daily opportunities to observe this altered
man in a great variety of circumstances, and some of them, it
must be confessed, sufficiently trying. In one instance, I have
had to regret, and censure the appearance of that perversity
which made an important part of his character. But happily this
fit of turbulence was of short duration; and some months have
passed since, without witnessing a repetition of the infirmity.
Were I this evening asked to name a man in the Colony, who would
most carefully guard against offending, or causing even a
momentary pain to any of his fellow-men, I should not hesitate to
say that in my judgment, the man is L. C. On this point I insist,
because it was precisely in his revolting and unfeeling
churlishness, that his greatest and most incurable infirmity
seemed to consist. I hardly need add, were silence not liable to
misconstruction, that the duties and ordinances of religion are
matters of his most devout and diligent observance. How often
have I been awaked at dawn of Sabbath, by his devout strains of
prayer and praise, sent up from the midst of a little company of
praying people, who at that hour assemble for religious exercises
in a vacant building near my residence. How sure am I to find him
reverently seated in his place, among the earliest who assemble
in the house of God. What an active promoter of every commendable
and pious design, is sure to be found in him.
Every laudable habit, which had survived the general extinction
of all practical virtue, seems to have acquired additional
confirmation: and from the operation of higher principles, seems
to follow of course, and derive the best guaranty of its
continuance. I might go on to particularize; but it would only be
to fill up the outline already sketched, and which, whether
relating to his former or his present character, however,
imperfect, is strictly true. Ask of him the cause of so obvious
and surprising a change, and he humbly, but unhesitatingly
ascribes it wholly to the power of the Divine Spirit, operating,
he cannot tell how, but evidently by means of the word and
ordinances of God, upon his whole mind. Such was the origin of
this great moral renovation, and such are the agency and means by
which its effects are sustained, and under the operation of which
they are beginning to combine into a habit of holiness. He
rejoices in the hope of its duration to the end of life, solely
he would say from the confidence he has in the immutable love and
faithfulness of the Holy Being, who has wrought so great a work
in him. And let philosophers cavil and doubt, if they must; but
this man's example is a refutation in fact of a thousand of their
sceptical theories. He is a new man, and the change was effected
chiefly before discipline, or example, had time to work it. He is
an honest man, and soberly asserts that to his certain knowledge
he did not perform the work himself. But where is the example to
be found of _such_ and _so great_ a change, wrought by mortal
means? The history of the human race is challenged to produce it.
To God then who created man, to Christ who redeemed him, and to
the Holy Ghost who sanctifies him, be ascribed without abatement,
or reserve, the power and the grace displayed in this and every
similar instance of the conversion of a blind, and hardened and
wretched sinner.
Gurley, _Life of Jehudi Ashmun_, appendix, pp. 136-138.
"June 16th, 1827.
"To the Rev. R. R. Gurley.
"Rev. and Dear Sir, I transmit to you a few lines, which I trust
may find you well. The last emigrants that you sent out, has
fared remarkably well, as it respects the disease; we have only
lost two children. We have several cases of bad ulcers; and from
seeing advertised in the Compiler of Richmond, a medicine called
Swaim's Panacea, said to be a sure cure for ulcers; please try if
possible to procure some, and send out, for we should have very
healthy inhabitants at present, but for the prevalence of that
uncontrolable disease. We are also in want of Salts, Castor-oil,
Cream of Tartar, mignesea, and Mustard, as much as you can send
well put up. I am greatly in hopes to be over the next spring,
and try to wake up my colored friends in Virginia. We have a plan
in contemplation which if accomplished will, I think insure my
making one visit to America, that is, to purchase, or aid in the
purchase of a vessel to run constantly from this, to America, to
bring out our own supplies, emigrants, &c. I hope sir, when such
an attempt is made you will facilitate it all that you can.
"I think that you would be pleased with the improvements that we
have made since you left if you were to make another visit to
this country--both our civil and religious state I think has
improved very much. No more but wishing that the blessing of the
Lord may attend you, both in your public and private life, and
the Board of Managers, in all their administrations.
"Yours, &c.
"LOTT CARY."
Gurley, _Life of Jehudi Ashmun_, appendix, p. 153.