Somewhere between 1840-45, a colored church was organized in Selma,
the first colored leader of which was a Mr. Samuel Phillips, a man who
obtained his liberty (so the late Mr. A. Goldsby reported) by some
service he rendered the country in the Mexican war. A. Goldsby and
Charles White (late treasurer of our Convention) were principal persons
in the organization.
* * * * *
So much has been said to show the ante-liberty growths. It seems
fitting to close this chapter with the appearance of freedom as the
writer saw it.
From the days of my earliest recollection, freedom’s shadowy forms
moved before the eyes of the Southern slave. He felt or thought that
he felt--he saw or thought he saw--the touch and visage of approaching
liberty. In subdued tones it was whispered upon ears that could be
trusted, that slavery, with all its accompanying horrors, was soon
to be a thing of the past. Praying bands were organized and met in
distant groves to pray for liberty. Gathered beneath the sighing trees
and nightly skies, they whispered their agonies upon the ears of the
Almighty--whispered _lowly_, lest the passing winds should bear their
petitions to the ears of the overseer or master. And often--as with
Daniel and his companions in Babylon--the God who reveals secrets to
them that love him, uncovered before our minds coming events, which
caused us to laugh and cry. But we kept these things in our hearts, and
it was a wonder to all around that the slave could sing in his furnace
of hot afflictions. God, in unfolding hope, was with us in the fire,
and so we were sustained.