I left my family in Boston, and went to Providence, R. I., to live with
President Wayland. While living with Dr. Wayland, I tried to improve
my mind, and it gives me pleasure to state, that that gentleman did
all in his power to assist me. I connected myself with the Rev. Mr.
Ashur’s Church in Providence, and had a bible class, being as active
as possible in the Sabbath School. After being connected with Brother
Ashur’s Church a short time, he invited me to officiate for him one
Sunday morning, as he knew I was accustomed to exhort when in Boston.
I left Dr. Wayland and went to work with Mr. Andrew, a stone mason,
and continued to work for him while he had employment for me. In this
time, I had moved my family from Boston to Providence. Finally, I told
the brethren and pastor of the church that God had called me to the
work of the ministry. They agreed to give me a hearing. They did so,
and appointed a committee to see me; and the result was, the brethren
thought I was not called to preach--“that Brother Black had better wait
awhile longer.” Dr. Wayland thought I had not learning enough to preach.
I know that I am of a slow tongue, and unlearned; but what says the
prophet Zachariah? “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith
the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel
thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the head stone
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it;” iv:6, 7.
At length I got discouraged, let myself out to Mr. Foster in
Providence, and run in his canal boat from Providence to Woonsocket.
The few books I had I carried to auction, and almost gave up in
despair; for some of the brethren were looking upon me with a frown
and dark looks. I knew I was a poor unlearned fugitive. I had given
up the idea of preaching, nor did I wish to hear about it, and was
sorry I mentioned it to the brethren or any one else. So I went to the
canal boat, working for $12 a month, having a family to support. But
oh! Lord! my trouble had not come. Mr. Foster was a kind man. I had
worked on the canal about three weeks, when I met with a sad accident.
We arrived at Woonsocket one night with a load of coal; it began to
rain, and rained all the next day. The captain said we must get up at
2 o’clock the next morning, and carry the boat up through the lock,
for the current ran so hard when the factory started, it was difficult
getting up. The coal was going to Waterford, one mile from Woonsocket.
When I mounted the horse to return, it being very dark, and raining
very hard, the horse started before I was fairly upon his back; his
hind legs gave way, he fell backwards on me, and broke my leg. While
I was struggling with the horse upon me, words came unto me like
these--“This is for your disobedience.” My companions were a little way
behind, and they heard me haloo. The horse in struggling to get clear,
cut my face with his foot. I was hurt so badly that my wife had to feed
me with a tea-spoon. The men came up and got the horse off of me, and
I was not aware my leg was broken until I started to run. It was about
four o’clock in the morning. They laid me on the horse, and carried me
back to the tavern; but oh! the pain, the misery I was in. It rained
hard, and they were all asleep at the tavern; so that I remained
exposed to the rain some time. They sent for the doctor immediately,
but he did not arrive until nine o’clock, and then set my leg. The
owner of the tavern sent me home in a carriage, a distance of nineteen
miles, where we arrived at sundown.
My folks thought I was dead. The moment the carriage drew up to the
door, they took me out, carried me into the house, and laid me on a bed.
My distress of body was very great, and the anguish of my mind was
extreme--for I had but little victuals in the house, was without
money, and there was about to be an increase in my family. My wife was
unwell, and I was laid prostrate on the bed. Then the saying of the
apostle Paul came fresh to my mind--“In every thing give thanks, for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you;” Thes. v:18.
At first, I could see no place where I could give thanks. The streams
of livelihood were dried up, and the hand of Providence was closed, it
seemed to me. I had no income save my daily labor. I was a stranger in
that community, but in reflecting on Him whose kindness tempers the
wind to the shorn lamb, I had reason to be thankful; first, that both
legs were not broken; second, that my arms were whole; and last and
greatest, that God had spared my life to see my family once more.
Not many days after, the hand of Providence was directed to my house.
Unexpected stores were opened to my relief. President Wayland and other
benevolent individuals, ladies and gentlemen, remembered me in their
kindness. While I was confined to my couch, the scenes of by-gone
ages passed in review. I remembered the vow I had made to God. My
eyes gushed out with tears. I could say then as did David of old--“I
found trouble and sorrow; then called I upon the name of the Lord.” I
found the Lord my refuge and strength, a present help in trouble. I
said it was better to have a broken leg in a land of freedom, than to
have sound limbs under the curse of slavery. While I was musing one
night, and meditating upon God and his providence, I closed my eyes,
and whether asleep or awake I know not, but I viewed a rod at the foot
of my bed, about four feet high. It was wrapped in black and red, and
a smaller rod was lying in the bed with me. The large rod reflected
on the small rod, and the words of John (iii:14,) came to me--“And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, the son of man must be
lifted up.” Then I remembered the words of the Lord, and promised Him
at that hour if he would raise me up again, I would obey His call. In
the course of a few months God raised me up, and I was willing to obey
Him, took my life in my hand, and went out into the wide world as a
lamb in the midst of the wilderness. I trusted that God would be with
me; His rod and His staff would encompass me.
When I started, I left a wife and two children. I left them in the
care of God. I went a little ways down east, and was gone seven weeks.
Wherever I went, the brethren received me gladly. I returned, but
remained at home but little while, and as I had never seen New Bedford,
I left what little means I had with my family, and started for that
town. When I got there I knew not where to go, for I was a stranger.
I inquired for the Rev. Mr. Allen, the Baptist minister, and also for
the Rev. Mr. Jackson. I stayed at New Bedford a few days; and as I had
heard much said of Nantucket, I wanted to go there. I told Mr. Jackson
I wanted to go to Nantucket, but had no money. He said, “You should
not have left home without money.” “No, sir,” said I, “but I had none
to fetch.” But two wrongs will not make one right. Mr. Jackson gave me
half a dollar, and I obtained some more money among the brethren and
sisters, and took the steamboat for Nantucket. I had yet no license to
preach. I had a letter of recommendation from the pastor of the church
to which I belonged, not only as a brother, but as a beloved brother.
When I arrived at Nantucket, I inquired for Deacon Berry, of the York
street, Baptist Church, and handed him my letter of recommendation.
They had no preacher. When I went to the church on Sabbath morning,
the house was open for preaching. The fame went abroad that a strange
minister from Providence had arrived. I preached for them that Sabbath
to the best of my ability. I was but a child in the Gospel.
It was my intention to leave for Providence on the following Tuesday;
but the brethren prevailed on me to stay longer, and I remained several
weeks. The brethren gave me a call, and being young, I accepted it. I
went out to beg money to repair their house of worship, and afterwards
left for Providence.