James ---- was born a slave in the State of Maryland. He was so useful
as a blacksmith that his value was at least one thousand dollars. He
was brought up in total ignorance of letters or of religion, but he
always aimed to be trustworthy. He sought to distinguish himself in
the finer branches of the business, by invention and finish, making
fancy hammers, hatchets, etc. One day his master thought James was
watching him improperly, and fell into a panic of rage. "He came down
upon me with his cane," said James, "and laid over my shoulders,
arms, and legs about a dozen severe blows, so that my flesh was sore
for several weeks." He felt the disgrace of the beating so acutely
that he determined to abscond, and if possible reach the free soil of
Pennsylvania.
One Sunday night, in November, he stole away into the woods, with only
half a pound of Indian corn-bread to sustain him on his journey, which
would take several days. At three o'clock in the morning his strength
began to fail, his scanty supply of food afforded poor nourishment, and
the only shelter he could find, without risking travelling by daylight,
was a corn-shock but a few hundred yards from the road, and there he
passed his first day out. As night came on he pursued his journey;
it was cloudy, and he could not see the north star, which was his
only guide to freedom. His bread was all eaten, he felt his strength
failing, and his mind was filled with melancholy.
In this condition he travelled all the night, and just at the dawn of
day he found a few sour apples, and took shelter under the arch of a
bridge, where he lay in ambush through the day. Night came on, and
he once more proceeded on his wearisome journey. Frequently he was
overcome with hunger and fatigue, and sat down and slept a few minutes.
At dawn of day he saw a toll-bar, and here he ventured to ask the best
way to Philadelphia, and set off in the right direction. His taking the
open road was fatal. He was observed by a man, and ordered to give an
account of himself. After a parley, James took to his heels; but a hue
and cry being raised he was speedily captured. Led to a tavern as a
prisoner, he was questioned. He persisted in saying he was a free man,
but he had no free papers. Though his story was false, we must remember
that he knew not the wickedness of a lie, for he knew nothing of God
and our Saviour.
Toward night, being watched only by a boy, he contrived to slip away,
and again took to the woods.
Wandering in darkness, the north star being covered with clouds, he
was at a loss as to what course to pursue. "At a venture," says he, "I
struck northward in search of a road. After several hours of laborious
travel, dragging through briers and thorns, I emerged from the woods
and found myself wading through marshy ground and over ditches, and
came to a road about three o'clock in the morning.
"It so happened I came where there was a fork in the road of three
prongs. Which was the right one for me? After a few moments' parley
with myself, I took the central prong of the road, and pushed on with
all my speed. It had not cleared off, but a fresh wind had sprung up;
it was chilly and searching. This, with my wet clothes, made me very
uncomfortable."
He saw a farm with a small hovel-like barn; into this he went and
buried himself in the straw. Here he lay the whole day; his only danger
was from the yelping of a small dog, and the noise of horsemen who
passed in search of him. He heard them say they were after a runaway
negro, who was a blacksmith, and that a reward of two hundred dollars
was offered for his recovery. Night came, and he was again on his way,
but all he could do was to keep his legs in motion. There came a heavy
frost, and he expected every moment to fall to the ground and perish.
Coming to a corn-field covered with heavy shocks of corn, he gathered
an ear and then crept into one of the shocks; he ate as much as he
could, expecting to travel on, but fell asleep, and when he awoke the
sun was shining. He was obliged to conceal himself as well as he could
through the day; he began again to eat the hard corn, and it took all
the forenoon to eat his breakfast. Night came, and he sallied out,
feeling much better for the corn he had eaten.
He now believed himself near to Pennsylvania, and under this
impression, skipped and danced for joy. He says: "A little after the
sun rose I came in sight of a toll-gate; for a moment I felt some
hesitation, but on arriving at the gate I found it attended by only an
elderly woman, whom I afterwards heard was a widow and an excellent
Christian. I asked her if I was in Pennsylvania. On being informed
that I was, I asked if she knew where I could get employment. She said
she did not, but advised me to go to W. W., a Quaker, who lived about
three miles from her, and whom I would find to take an interest in me.
In about half an hour I stood at the door of W. W. After knocking, the
door opened upon a comfortably spread table. Not daring to enter, I
said I had been sent to him in search of employment.
"'Well,' said he, 'come in, and take thy breakfast and get warm.'
"These words made me feel, in spite of all my fear and timidity, that
I had, in the providence of God, found a friend and a home. He at once
gained my confidence, and from that day to this, whenever I discover
the least disposition in my heart to disregard poor and wretched
persons with whom I meet, I call to mind these words: 'Come in, and
take thy breakfast and get warm.'
"I was a starving fugitive, without home or friends, and no claim upon
him to whose door I went. Had he turned me away I must have perished.
Nay, he took me in, and gave of his food, and shared with me his own
garments."
By W. W. the wretched wanderer was fed, clothed, and employed, and not
only so, but he was instructed in reading, writing, and much useful
knowledge. Here, for the first time, did he learn one word of the
truths of religion.
James resided with the benevolent Quaker for six months, when it became
necessary for him to depart and go elsewhere. He found employment on
Long Island, opposite New York. By the kindness of his friends he was
educated, and became a Christian minister and pastor of a colored
congregation in connection with the Presbyterian Church.