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The Earnest Laborer; or, Myrtle Hill Plantation (XHTML)
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2006-02-23 23:06
A juvenile antislavery and religious novel by an anonymous author, published by the American Sunday School Union in 1864 for use in Sunday schools. Digitized and annotated by the Antislavery Literature Project.
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<div class="Section1">
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:150%'>THE EARNEST LABORER;</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:150%'>OR, </span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:150%'>MYRTLE HILL PLANTATION</span></b><b><span style='line-height:
150%'> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>This is an annotated text of <i>The Earnest Laborer;
or, Myrtle Hill Plantation</i>, published by Sunday School Union in 1864. The
author is unknown. Original spelling, punctuation and page citations have been
retained; minor typographic errors have been corrected.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" align="center" style='text-align:
center'><b>This electronic edition has been prepared for the Antislavery
Literature Project, Arizona State University, a public education project
working in cooperation with the English Server, Iowa State University. Digitization has been supported by a grant from the Institute for Humanities
Research, Arizona State University.</b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" align="center" style='text-align:
center'><b>Editorial annotation and proofing by Joe Lockard. Annotation
research by April Brannon. Digitization by </b><b>Noel Borde, Mahesh Bhutkar,
Nilesh Ralbhat, and Manoj Salvi at NetConnect India. All rights reserved by
the Antislavery Literature Project. Permission for non-commercial educational
use is granted.</b><br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
</p>
<h1><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%'>INTRODUCTION</span></h1>
<p><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The
Earnest Laborer, or, Myrtle Hill Plantation</span></i><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>, is a juvenile novel published by an anonymous author in 1864. While
a work of fiction, it sought to gain credibility by representing itself as
“being sketches and incidents drawn from the experience of a school teacher.”
The accuracy of this claim remains unknown. The novel’s New York publisher, Carlton and Porter, printed this and other juvenile novels for the Sunday School Union. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The
Union had been founded as the Sunday and Adult School Union in 1817 in Philadelphia as a non-demoninational missionary society, and in 1824 changed its title to
the American Sunday School Union. The Union had as its goal establishing a
Sunday school in every American town and it produced massive amounts of
juvenile literature for distribution throughout the United States.<a
href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title="" id="_ftnref1"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[1]</span></span></span></a>
The Sunday School Union was slow to challenge slavery, since it had pro-slavery
Southern officers and relied on the white Southern public for financial support
of its activities.<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title="" id="_ftnref2"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[2]</span></span></span></a>
However, by the late 1850s both it and the American Tract Society sided with moderate
antislavery politics and their publications began to attract censorship in
Southern states.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title="" id="_ftnref3"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[3]</span></span></span></a></span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The
novel tells the story of George Freeman, a Connecticut-born young teacher,
beginning with his developing religious inclination from boyhood. He receives
notice and encouragement from his Sunday school superintendent, Mr. Ela. From
a family of modest means and lacking funds to continue his college education,
George takes a tutor’s position on the Myrtle Hill plantation somewhere in the Mississippi Valley, teaching the five children of the plantation owner, Mr. Walter
Craig. Gradually, George introduces a new spirit of evangelical Christianity
and Sabbath observance into plantation life and the surrounding area. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>He
begins a Sunday school that leads towards moral reform among both whites and
blacks. A religious revival takes place in this rural area that, by advocating
bible-reading for personal salvation, confronts the limits of what a slave
society can accommodate. The novel’s moderate and gradualist antislavery
advocacy emerges slowly, describing slavery as a manifestation of spiritual
rot: “While the Spirit of God was thus at work, the demon of slavery was
rousing to his customary work of evil against the ripening spiritual
harvest-field.” (120) A revolution against slavery, the novel suggests by
using the story of Moses in Egypt (60ff.), must first be bible-centered and
spiritual. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Racial
stereotyping characteristic of some antislavery literature accompanies this
religious didacticism. A mulatto carpenter, Yellow Jim, exhibits the most
visible intelligence, personal resistance to slavery, and speaks in white idiom
and accent. An old black slave, Uncle Simeon, is faithful, subservient, and
highly religious. The author has little use for black culture, describing
religious progress, for example, in such terms as “The senseless songs of the
quarters, so long, heard mingled with the noise of the rude dance, were
exchanged for the sweet and melting songs of Zion.” (92-93) Working-class white
Southern culture receives equal scorn. Melville, a poor white teenager who
joins George’s revival, exemplifies potential class mobility; through learning
religious virtues, he eventually goes on to receive an education in the North.
The author comments pejoratively on and suggests a shared general opprobrium
against poor whites, writing “<span style='color:black'>when, as was often the
case, [whites] were poor, and very wicked, and quite as ignorant as themselves,
[blacks] esteemed them as they were truly, ‘poor white trash.’” (93-94) </span></span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>Unlike many antislavery stories, this novel – likely in part
because of its intended juvenile audience – describes plantation life as
generally lacking in violent incidents. It mentions only briefly one proposed
slave sale that would separate a mother and son. Myrtle Hill plantation is a
site of spiritual lapse and disorganization; the revival works to improve
relations between parents and children, and effects beneficial changes for both
masters and slaves. According to this story, there is a unity of interests
between masters and slaves in joining a shared spiritual revival. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>The novel construes opposition, support, or active participation
among slave-owners to religious education for slaves as indicative of social
liberalism or illiberality. It is the wrong-headed master such as Mr. Craig
who keeps religious instruction from his slaves, and the enlightened one such
as Judge Walker who assists religious learning but finds himself forced to
comply with the slave system. The most religiously enlightened slave-owner, a
minister named Father Clifton, lets his slaves hire their own labor towards
self-purchase; unable to live with the system, he eventually leaves the South
together with his slaves in order to free them. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:black'>Each converted soul, whether the aged anti-religious slave Uncle
Griffen who collaborates with his master Mr. Craig against revival meetings, or
the slave-owner ‘Yankee Smith’ who repents before he dies, brings the end of
slavery closer. The overthrow of plantation slavery, in this view, will be the
triumph of true Christianity. Any distinguishable interests between master and
slave are temporal, not spiritual. Abolitionism is thus the achievement of a
new pan-racial spiritual harmony. A newly-built Sunday-school and abolitionism
come to be conflated, and so the school is shut down. </span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The
novel concludes with the successful escape of two slaves to the North and, as
the public attributes blame for their flight to George Freeman’s teachings and
the local religious revival, his forced return to his Connecticut home.
Arriving there George meets the pair of fugitives, who have followed the
Underground Railroad and fortuitously taken refuge with his parents. George
goes on to complete college and join the ministry, where he employs his three
years spent at the Myrtle Hill plantation as an example of evangelism’s power
and advocates for the abolition of slavery.</span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The
anonymous author portrays the institution of slavery as a barrier to the
realization of genuine religious life and the path of evangelism. As George
Freeman says, “The necessities of slavery do forbid obedience to God’s
commands. In the Scriptures is eternal life. God has said, Search them.
Slavery interposes a barrier to the direct access of the slave to this divine
treasury.” (160) The novel’s preoccupation lies in a story of evangelical
missionary work among both blacks and whites; its antislavery theme derives
from a young Northerner’s missionary engagement with social evil and patient
conversion of all members of a slave society. For Sunday school students, the
moral message here was that in order to be a ‘freeman’ one needed to embrace
evangelical Christianity and its salvational theology.</span></p>
<p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>—
Joe Lockard</span></b></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'><img width="290" height="547"
src="ernestlaborerfinal_files/image001.jpg" /></span><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><b>CONTENTS</b>.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'>_________________</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'>Chapter Page</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>I.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Childhood’s Home</span>
7</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>II.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>A Great Change</span>
11</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>III.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Beginning Well </span>
16</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>IV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>College</span>
21</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>V.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Myrtle Hill Plantation</span>
26</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>VI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Forest School</span>
33</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>VII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Play-Ground </span>
38</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>VIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Sunday on Myrtle Hill Plantation</span> 46</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>IX.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>An Experiment</span>
59</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>X.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Difficulties Overcome</span>
70</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Encouraging Indications</span>
81</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Young Laborer</span>
88</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Myrtle Hill Excited</span>
98</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XIV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Father Clifton </span> 106</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Ripening Harvest</span> 112</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XVI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Precious Fruit</span> 121</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='text-autospace:none'> Chapter Page</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XVII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Surprise</span> 137</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XVIII.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Slave Mother’s Anguish</span> 146</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XIX.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>Wicked Demands</span> 153</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XX.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Escape</span> 161</p>
<p style='text-autospace:
none'>XXI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span><span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Dear Old Home</span> 168</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'>_____________</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'>Illustrations.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'>_____________</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> <span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Minister’s Call</span>
2</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> <span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>Gelia Teaching the Negroes</span>
68</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> <span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>The Visit to Deer Run </span>
126</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='text-autospace:none'>[page 7] </p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:
150%'>THE EARNEST LABORER;</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:
150%'>OR</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
line-height:150%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:
150%'>MYRTLE PLANTATION</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>--------------------------------------------------</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>CHAPTER 1.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>CHILDHOOD’S HOME.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The</span> father of George Freeman was a farmer living in a quiet town on the banks of
the Connecticut river. He was not of rich, neither did he know the sorrows of
poverty. He was content to earn his daily bread by an honest industry. But
Solomon Freeman was more than an honest and an industrious man. He was
sincerely and earnestly pious. The incense of prayer had ascended morning and
evening from his family altar from the day that he became the head of a family.
His exactness in the performance of this duty was proverbial among his
neighbors. Neither the press of business nor unusual weariness,</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'>[page 8]</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'>nor even the presence of irreligious
friends or strangers, caused its omission.</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> Mr. Freeman was equally
exact in his attendance upon the public service of God's House, and the regular
social worship of the Church with which he was connected. The faithfulness of
Mr. Freeman's performance of the duty of secret prayer could be known only by
the general consistency of his Christian character. But there was one fact of
his history which was noticed and remembered by his children. He always quietly
retired, after his midday meal, to his chamber for a short time. This practice
was uniform, and carried through a long life, so that it made a deep impression
upon the minds of his family. They did not need to be told that he had retired
from the confusion of worldly care to spend a few moments in communion with
God.</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> The piety of Mr. Freeman
was ever cheerful, aided it may be in this respect by a naturally hopeful
disposition. But he seldom forgot what became the man of God amid the pleasures
of social intercourse.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'>[page 9]</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> We need not say more in this place of Mrs. Freeman
than that she was a Christian woman, worthy of her excellent husband. Her
character may be judged by the children whom she gave to the Church.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George, whose history in part
we propose to sketch, was the oldest child. Five other children made a family
which taxed, for its support, the industry and good management of the parents.
George had lived to be nearly sixteen years of age before anything had occurred
in his history of marked interest. His time had been divided from his twelfth
year between labor on the farm and the brief school privileges of the summer
and winter. He had now begun to manifest a decided ambition in the pursuit of
knowledge. His school books for the preceding season had not been laid aside at
the close of the winter school. They were taken up during his spare moments
through, the summer, and when the winter school commenced again he astonished
his teacher and schoolmates by his proficiency. His ambition was much quickened
by the commendation, which he received,</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 10]</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>and before midwinter he had, in
his own mind, formed large plans for future study. In fact, the inclination to
become a student, which he had for some time been cultivating, now took a
definite form. The future to George Freeman was full of inspiring interest, as
he bent over his book at the early morning and late evening hours.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 11]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER II.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>A GREAT CHANGE.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> It<b> </b></span><span
style='color:black'>was a clear cold day in the winter of which we were
speaking that Mr. Parsons, Mr. Freeman's pastor, called at his residence.* It
was apparent to Mr. Freeman and to his wife that their minister had some
special communication to make to them<b>; </b>and, as there was perfect freedom
between the pastor and this family of his flock, he was not long in making
known his errand.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I perceive," he remarked, "that George
has become quite ambitious in his studies of late."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Yes," replied Mr. Freeman<b>; </b>"the
leisure of the summer has been given to his books."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Ah!" said Mr.
Parsons with some animation, "that explains what I learned from his
teacher this morning. He says he has made astonishing advancement </span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span
style='color:black'>* See Frontispiece.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 12]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>since last winter. I have strong hopes of your son's future
usefulness."</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> "I gave him to God at his birth," suddenly
interposed Mrs. Freeman; and she added decidedly, "George will be a
minister of the Gospel."</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But he is not pious," said Mr.<i> </i>Parsons
seriously.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I know it," replied the mother, "but
Mr. Freeman and I have prayed for his conversion every morning at a stated hour
since God gave him to us, and he is about to answer our prayers."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr.<i> </i>Parsons's countenance brightened at this
unexpected expression of confidence in the revival of the work of God. The
interview closed with prayer, and he returned home to finish his preparation
for the Sabbath with<i> </i>an increased faith in the divine aid.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The winter wore away, and the
school term closed. The interest of George in his studies was unabated, but he
was now much more engaged in the work<i> </i>of the farm. Arrangements had been
made for him to attend an academy in a neighbor-</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 13]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>ing town. The sacrifice that his father would make in
dispensing with his assistance during the summer George well understood and
deeply felt. He was keenly alive to the welfare of others, and it was therefore
much easier for him to confer favors than to receive them. The thought of not
only leaving his father to perform alone the farm work of the summer, but of
being an expense to him for board, books, and tuition, was very unpleasant.
Having been early taught self-reliance, he began to devise some way to pursue
his studies without this expense. His pastor's assistance he could not ask, for
he had the care pressing upon him of a large family, in addition to his
pastoral duties. After much study a thought suddenly broke upon his mind.
"I have it," he exclaimed earnestly to himself; "I'll have the
arrangement made this very night."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> That evening found George in
close conversation with a former playmate, some years older than himself, who
lived about a mile from his father's house. "He had been one year in
college, but proposed,</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 14]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>on account of ill health, to spend a year at home. He had
no objections that George should begin the study of Latin and Greek under his
instruction. It would keep the rules fresh in his own mind, and help to pass
away time which was likely to hang heavily on his hands. The arrangement was
made, and needed only the approval of George's parents. This, it may be
supposed, he readily obtained. This was George's first effort in self-denying
labor, and it proved of great advantage to him. It was the spring of much
future usefulness. Without interrupting any necessary attention to his studies,
he was able to render his father valuable assistance every day.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> But a larger benefit arose
from this step than could have been anticipated by either the parents or the
son. The Church had become much quickened by the Holy Ghost; the confessions of
God's people when they met together became more full and earnest, and their
prayers more definite and believing. The Spirit strove with George, and he
became a professed inquir-</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 15]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>er after personal salvation. When the peace from assured
forgiveness of sin began to be revealed to his mind, the true purpose and end
of life appeared as it had never done before. Scholarship, and distinction as a
teacher, had been the end of his ambition. Life now seemed made for a nobler
purpose. He felt that he ought to glorify God in his life. And this did not
appear as a cold duty, but a high privilege, for which, by grace, he felt a
warm congeniality of feeling. He studied with increased ardor and with much
more satisfaction.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The incense of prayer from
the family altar of Solomon Freeman arose with more than usual thanksgiving and
praise. It had a meaning to George which he had not before understood. He
wondered that it had been to him so much of a form. He could now in some
measure understand why his father had so rigidly maintained it, and he devoutly
thanked God for such parents and such a home, and inwardly resolved that its
principles should be the guide of his life.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 16]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER III.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>BEGINNING WELL.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>obligation to be a Christian which George was now trying to
meet he had early felt. When he was only eight years of age the Spirit strove
in a special manner with him. He then saw clearly that he was a sinner; and at
one time, under the influence of this conviction, he went into the field of new
made hay, and behind one of the haystacks, away from the sight of men, he
kneeled down and prayed God to forgive his sins. The Saviour, who is never afar
off when the penitent heart cries unto him, even then appeared with the
comforts of his presence; and now that these feelings had been revived, he felt
as he could not, or certainly as he did not feel in childhood, the importance
of cultivating them by all the means which God had provided for a growth in
grace. Happily George had been trained to give at least a <i>formal </i>attention
to religious duties. More</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 17]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>than a formal attention he could not give while his heart
remained unchanged. Now he could engage in<b> </b>them with a<b> </b>devotional
feeling. They were no longer mere duties, but precious privileges.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George had a spiritual guide in his Sabbath-school
superintendent, Mr. Ela, as well as in his pastor and his parents.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "We have work for you," remarked Mr. Ela to
George, in his quiet way, at the close of a Sabbath-school session. "Young
men who have been so long receiving instruction should begin to impart some of
their knowledge."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why, Mr. Ela," replied George, "I have
only just <i>begun </i>to learn."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Ela smiled at this
remark, but without regarding it, said, "Several children have been added
to the school to-day. There they are," he continued, pointing to five very
uninviting looking lads who occupied a settee in one corner of the room.
"They were never in a Sunday-school before. They have been added to the
school by the solicitations of two faithful ladies, and now it is your part to
teach</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 18]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>them. God requires young Christians to work in his
vineyard. I shall depend upon your services next Sabbath."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> This was said in a familiar and kind manner, but in a
tone of serious earnestness which forbade refusal. Mr. Ela walked away, and
left George in severe conflict of mind. It seemed to<i> </i>him that his
teacher had never explained the word of God as he had done that day. The
interest he felt in learning its truth was unlike the interest he had felt in
books of amusement only; it was a deeper and more satisfactory interest. He
felt that this profit of learning would be lost if he became a teacher. But in
this he found himself mistaken. The study to which he was prompted in order to
teach wonderfully quickened his own mind. Besides, God directly blessed his
labor of love, so that after a few Sabbaths' teaching he was convinced that he
was in the best way of obtaining religious knowledge.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> But the intelligence and
piety of Mr. Ela soon provided another means by which George's position as a
teacher was made</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 19]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>one of still greater religious improvement. He had long
seen the necessity of a better preparation of the teachers for their work; and
as the evenings were becoming longer, and the people less busy with the work of
the farms, he proposed to form a "teacher-class," to meet on
Wednesday evening at his residence, for the purpose of studying the lessons to
be taught the following Sabbath. To this the teachers readily agreed, and chose
Mr. Ela their instructor. To George it became a kind of theological school. The
maps and Bible dictionaries which its teacher freely used made the lessons
deeply interesting. The discussion which grew out of the lessons impressed them
upon his mind. His Sabbath scholars too derived great benefit from these
Wednesday evening meetings, in the preparation it afforded him to teach them.
Their teacher's stimulated interest increased their attachment to the school.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> </span>"<span style='color:black'>John,"
remarked one of his scholars as the<i> </i>class were retiring," my father
thought</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>that George Freeman was too young
to </span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 20]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>teach us boys; but I<b> </b>think he knows as much as a<b> </b>minister."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "So do I," was the quick reply. "And I
mean to get a lot of boys to join our class, for I know they'll like it.
There's Henry Jones; he's not been to Sunday-school this long time. He left
because he said his teacher did not know, half the time, where the lesson was;
I guess that our teacher can tell where the lesson is and what it means
too."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George's interest was increased by the evident
improvement of his scholars, and both teacher and class became busy in adding
to its members. They obtained several from the too often large list of
"lost scholars," and a few from the "highways and hedges."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Such were some of the fruits
of a good beginning in the Christian life.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 21]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER IV.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>COLLEGE.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> <span style='text-transform:uppercase'>A little </span>over
two years of severe study, relieved by some hard but healthy work upon the
farm, had given George, in the estimation of his teachers, a fair preparation
for college. The last six months had been spent in a neighboring academy, where
his character and scholarship had won for him the esteem of all. The
arrangements for commencing a college life were nearly completed. The son,
quite as much as the father, was in constant study to make the expenses as
light as possible. The means of Solomon Freeman were small, but his desire to
have his son fitted for the most extensive usefulness was that of a truly pious
man. Yet if George had not learned to economize this small means his education
could not have been secured.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "You intend to board
yourself, I think,"</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 22]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>remarked Mr. Freeman the evening before George's departure.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Yes," replied George. “That is not uncommon
with poor students."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And," added his father, smiling, "you
will need to obtain a roommate as poor as yourself to make his society
pleasant." </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "That will not be difficult," said George,
"and such a one will not be likely to be a drone in his studies. We shall
be agreed to live plainly and study hard."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Your<b> </b>mother," continued Mr. Freeman,
“has, I<b> </b>am sure, made the best use possible of the materials we can
command for your clothing outfit and for the furnishing of your room."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Of that I am sure too," thought George,
recollecting how busy she had been, both night and day, for weeks past.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> A few plain articles of
furniture, which she could but poorly spare, had been varnished, and made to
look as well as possible. His trunk had been quietly and thoughtfully packed. A
mother's blessing upon her departing son was breathed in her every act. While
George's thoughts</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 23]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>were thus wandering away upon his mother, Mr. Freeman had
been silent. His thoughts too were busy. "I have one thing to enjoin upon
you, George," he suddenly exclaimed, starting up.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What is that, father?”</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Let not the necessities of poverty cause you to
injure, by over study or labor, your health."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A timely warning, which George better understood in
after years.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Two years of college life
were sufficient to test severely his power of enduring constant exertion and
rigid economy. He taught school during the winter months, and spent the summer
vacation in work upon the farm. His tuition at college had been paid by an
uncle whose name he bore and whose means were ample. When, therefore, he
received a note from this uncle saying, under the convenient plea of "hard
times," that he could not continue this favor, George's perplexity was
great. It did not relieve him any to know that Uncle George could continue to
himself and family every extravagant indulgence.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 24]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>After much thought and prayer, George resolved to embrace
the first favorable opportunity to spend a year or two in teaching. Such an
opportunity was soon presented. It was an application, through a student of the
extreme South-west, for a friend's family in that section.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "I regret," wrote
his father, in answer to a letter asking advice in reference to his plans,
"that I cannot make it possible for you to remain in college until you
graduate. The aid that your uncle has withdrawn is just the amount more than,
we can honestly provide; your mother and I therefore reluctantly give our
consent to your proposed engagement to teach at the South for a year or two.
The money for your outfit and journey may be safely borrowed on the guarantee
of your salary. We trust that God's good providence is in this unexpected
enterprise, and that it will all be for the best." This last expression,
"it will all be for the best," was frequently used by George's
parents. "What a conquest," he exclaimed as he laid down the letter
"have my dear parents achieved</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 25]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>over their feelings, to enable them to say, in this case,
'It's all for the best.' I know well how great a sacrifice to them this separation
will be."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George hastened home to get
ready for his departure. There were kind words spoken, and careful preparations
made by busy hands and loving hearts during those few never forgotten days; and
then, amid prayers and tears, the much-loved son and brother took his leave of
a home to whose influence he owed a manly and Christian fitness for a home
among strangers</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;color:black'>.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 26]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER V.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>MYRTLE HILL
PLANATION</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>arrival of the new teacher on Myrtle Hill plantation in the
far South was a marked occasion, both with the servants, and with the children
whom George was to teach.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I know he's a mighty fine man," remarked
Aunt Ann, the cook, who had just passed his supper into the dining-room. A
little knot of servants have gathered about her to learn her first impressions
of the stranger.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Aunt Ann was an oracle of wisdom with her friends,
especially in her opinions of "white folks." When, therefore, she
declared that George was "mighty fine," it became a key-note to the
remarks of the whole kitchen company.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Reckons," said
Jordan, who lay stretched upon a long bench, quite to the annoyance of the
cook, "reckons massa's children have a smart chance to larn d</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>is</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 27]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>time; only jest they is so shockin' lazy they never 'proves
no privileges. Massa better, nuff sight, send de young massas into de cotton
field and let dis boy get de</span> <span style='color:black'>larnin'."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> This effort of Jordan's pleasantry caused a merry but
suppressed laugh, which was arrested by the decided tone of Aunt Ann, who
replied, "Jordan aint nobody! Let Yellow Jim have de new teacher's
sarvices, and I reckons dare'll be somethin' done."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The appearance of Aunt Maria, the stewardess, gave a
sudden check to the talk; Maria was the mother of Yellow Jim, of whom we shall
learn more by and by.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Maria was about equally removed in her position from
her fellow-slaves and the mistress. She moved with the dignity of one having
authority among the former, but suffered much from the arbitrary will of the
latter.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Maria gave the chambermaid
orders concerning the teacher's room without offering any remarks concerning
him. But Aunt Ann ventured to say, when Ma-</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 28]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>ria had returned to the house, that she was "special
pleased with the teacher."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> While those in and about the mansion of Myrtle Hill were indulging in a curious scrutiny of the new teacher, his own feelings were both
new and strange. In the sail down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers he had been
intensely interested. The ride on horseback from the landing, about twenty
miles, was scarcely less so. And now for the first time he began to realize the
peculiarities of his situation, and that he was indeed "away from
home." The plantation had been made by "a clearing" in a vast
forest, by which it was surrounded. The mansion of the owner was approached
through fields now white with cotton. He had seen large numbers of slaves in
the fields; —slaves had met him at the mansion to usher him in, a slave had
waited upon him at the table, and a slave had directed him to his sleepingroom.
His employer, Mr. Craig, and his wife, had given him a formal welcome; and
their children, consisting of three boys and two girls, though embar-</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 29]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>rassed, had expressed a more decided cordiality.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Here then I am," George remarked to himself
when quietly seated in his own room, "surrounded by snow white fields of
cotton, by negro slaves, and by favored and perhaps spoiled children of slave
masters. I am at present <i>at home in duty, </i>and must try, at least, to be
so in feeling."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George did not fail, though weary, to seek before
retiring, by fervent prayer, a blessing upon his new field of labor.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The next morning Mr. Craig and his family were more at
ease, and there was a mutual good feeling manifested.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What are your first impressions of our sunny
South?" was the rather embarrassing question of Mrs. Craig.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "I have seen,"
replied George, "but little of society here, and can of course form no
opinion of it; but if your people are as excellent as your rivers are noble and
as your forests are grand, and if I shall enjoy the society as much as I have
the beauties of nature since I left the land-</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 30]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>ing,<i> </i>I<i> </i>shall esteem it a privilege to be
here."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "All in good keeping, sir," interposed Mr.
Craig in a decided manner. "Our country is nature's garden, and our
society is the first in the world."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Allowing me, thought George, to except my own New<i> </i>England; but he ventured no reply, only querying whether Mr. Craig could be in
earnest.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "You'll find my<i> </i>boys," said Mr.
Craig, rather abruptly changing the conversation, "sad rogues; but you
must tame them down, for they have played enough, and must study this
year."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The boys looked confused at this unexpected
introduction; but without noticing this, Mr. Craig turned to the girls and
said, "as to these little plagues, they are worse than the boys, I do
believe."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> It was evident to George that Mr. Craig was an
indulgent father, fond of saying smart but unmeaning things to his children.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "My scholars and I," he replied, "will
be good friends I am sure."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "I<b> </b>dare
say," remarked<b> </b>Mr. Craig,</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 31]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>evidently pleased with the teacher's spirit and reply.
"And I think," she added, "you'll find our children good
children."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> When the breakfast was finished Mr. Craig remarked in
his direct way, "my friend at the college wrote that he had sent a<i> pious </i>teacher; I suppose you have been used to family prayers. I have no
objections to a prayer in the <i>morning.</i>"</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> It was not often that prayer had been offered in this
family, but it was received by all, especially the servants, with evident
respect. Every person in and about the room reverently kneeled, a practice that
George afterward learned was, on such occasions, customary throughout that
section of country.</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Didn't I tell you he was the right sort,"
said Aunt Ann in a triumphant spirit, when Fielding, the table boy, told her of
the strange occurrence. </span>"<span style='color:black'>Hopes,"
continued Aunt Ann, "Massa won't swear 'fore as ever Mr. Freeman gets out
of hearin'."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Do you know, Ann, why <i>I</i> like Mr.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 32]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>Freeman?" inquired Yellow Jim, with a quick and
intelligent flash of his eye.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why," answered Ann archly, "s'pose
it's cause ye cotched <i>my </i>'pinion of him."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "No," said Jim, "it's because he's got
the right <i>name.</i>"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Hi, now you Jim!"
said Ann, "you are allers talkin' like o' that."</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 33]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER VI<i>.</i></span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE FOREST SCHOOL.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>Monday following George's arrival at Myrtle Hill his labors
in teaching commenced. A few rods from the dwelling-house, and just within the
shade of the forest, stood the school-house. It was situated on a gentle swell
of land, at the foot of which, and a little further among the trees, was a
small and ever running stream, The school-house was built of logs. Openings between
the logs on two sides answered instead of windows. Planed boards placed
lengthwise, and in a slanting position directly under these openings, formed
the desks. A large and crudely made fireplace was an excellent substitute for
the New England stove. Rough seats for the scholars, and a table and chair for
the teacher, completed the furnishing for the forest school-house. Its
location, with the constant presence of singing birds, the not unfrequent
chirping</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 34]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>of the large gray squirrel, and the occasional sound of the
quick jump of the timid rabbit, rendered it a delightful spot.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> James, the oldest scholar, was seventeen years of age;
Edwin about fifteen; May thirteen; Angelin, or "Gelia" as she<i> </i>was
familiarly called, was eight; and Frank, or "Frankie," just old
enough to be entertained rather than taught in school. He was not quite four.
With these the teacher was expected to spend seven hours daily of diligent
labor. It was not difficult for him to find employment every moment of this time,
for every lesson of each scholar was recited separately.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The daily order of the school was soon learned both by
teacher and scholars; but the dispositions, and the proper management of the
minds to be trained, and the hearts to be cultivated, were not soon learned. A
glance at each scholar will exhibit, in a degree, the difficult task which
devolved upon the young teacher.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> James was quiet, generally
teachable,</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 35]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>slow to learn, and sometimes exceedingly obstinate.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Edwin was generous, excitable, often angry at the
slightest provocation, but soon appeased, and frank in the acknowledgment of
his errors. He learned with great ease and rapidity when he gave attention to
his books. This, however, was not often. It was a source of vexation to James
that Edwin, by an occasional glance at them, was quite as ready for a
recitation as he was after diligent application.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> May possessed many of the aspirations of the young
lady with the simplicity of the girl. Gelia was as lively as the morning birds,
ready for a run in the woods or a frolic with her brothers. Little Frankie was
the petted friend of all, a great annoyance to the study hours, and the merry
idol of the play time.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "How shall I meet the
wants of this little group of restless minds?" mused George soon after the
close of an afternoon session in which he had exhausted his powers of body and
mind. A train of discour- </span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 36]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>aging thoughts were pressing upon him, when his reverie was
happily interrupted. His scholars, save Frankie, came shouting up the
school-house hill, and rushed into the school-room.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Ho! Mr. Freeman," exclaimed Edwin, panting
for breath. Edwin was chief speaker when, the group had any request to urge
upon the teacher. "Do, Mr. Freeman, please play with us. We want something <i>new.</i>"<i> </i>He emphasized the last word in a manner which showed
how monotonous their round of amusements, had become.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O <i>do.</i>"<i> </i>added May, "for I
have heard that the New England children have <i>a heap of plays</i>."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "They have <i>many </i>plays," answered
George quietly," but not many more than you do, even here on the
plantation, nor very different."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The children looked disappointed.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well now, Mr. Freeman," persisted May,
"<i>you </i>can <i>make </i>a play."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "O yes," chimed in
Gelia, "<i>teachers </i>can do a heap of things."</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 37]</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>Now, thought George, here is a way
to the heads and hearts of the children of which I have not thought. I wonder I
have not. If I can successfully direct their plays I can better guide their
studies. I will try. He pacified the impatience of his scholars, and promised
to direct their amusements at the close of the next day.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 38]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER VII.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE PLAY-
GROUND</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>grounds around the school-house had a great variety of
surface: abrupt mounds, sharp ridges, between which were pleasant rivulets,
and, occasionally, openings of level surface free from trees. It lacked but one
thing in aid of the plan which George had conceived for the amusement of his
pupils. There were no rocks, either large or small.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>The little company pressed closely upon the steps of George
as he led them, in a walk of examination, about the grounds.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Now do please tell us what the play is<span
style='text-transform:uppercase'> </span>to be," said Gelia hurriedly.
"I want a real run."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "You ought to be ashamed to be so much like a
boy," said May sharply.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Here," said the
teacher, coming to a quiet pond of water about two rods wide and several times
as long —"here we have an ocean, and we will see how much</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 39]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>of the map of the world we can lay out in the grounds
around it."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O is that it!" exclaimed Gelia in a lively
tone.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> James expressed a decided interest in the suggestion.
Edwin looked coldly upon the scheme. It seemed to him too much like study. He
preferred Gelia's "real run."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I think," remarked George, "that, by
damming up the brook which runs from<i> </i>the pond, and thus flowing the
plain just beyond, we shall extend our ocean many times its present length. But
before we do that we must make some mounds of earth, which shall be our islands
when the water surrounds them."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The scholars began to catch the idea, and to enter
into the plan with much spirit. George examined the grounds carefully, and
taxed his ingenuity to shape</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>them into such a form that, by the
exercise of some imagination, of which the children had much, it might
represent the two hemispheres, and the water represent the intervening Atlantic Ocean, with</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 40]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>islands scattered here and there. By taking advantage of
the rolling surface some distance up the brook which fed the pond, streams
could, he thought, be made to run into it in several places. The plan was
unfolded to the scholars, and work enough laid out for the playtime of several
weeks. It included an ocean, continents, rivers, islands, lakes, bays and inlets,
with hills and mountains. The school maps were studied for the perfection of
the arrangement, and even Gelia became a critic on the fitness of the several
representations. Frankie was quite an officious manager. He floated his tiny
boats down the stream, and brought contempt upon the rivers by jumping over
them.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The fame of this amusement spread through the
plantation. The servants offered their aid in completing the laborious part of
the work. Mr. and Mrs. Craig observed its progress with quiet interest.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> They were pleased because the
children were made happy. The mother watched the influence the teacher was
securing over the children with unfeigned satisfaction.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 41]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George was, in the mean time, using this influence to
secure their increased improvement of the school hours. He made diligent study
there a condition of his presence and aid during playtime.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> When all was completed, a considerable extent of
ground had assumed the appearance of a map. Boats were made to sail down the rivers
to bear the products of the island countries to the ocean. Ships were built for
the seas. George's directions in this part of the play were indispensable, for
his scholars had never seen a sail vessel. Carriage roads were made along the
mountain sides and over the plains.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "We must have railroads and canals,"
exclaimed Edwin, who had become as zealous in the amusement as even Gelia. None
of the children had seen either, but they had read about them, and seen
pictures of them in their school-books.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well," replied George, “but there is one
thing which you must do before you make railroads and canals."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "What is that?"
said Edwin.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 42]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> </span>"<span style='color:black'>You must build
churches and school-houses."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What have they to do with it?" said Edwin rather
sharply.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "They have much to do with it," replied
George. "Religion and education are the means of the improvement among the
people. Do heathen nations have railroads, telegraphs, and canals?" </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I suppose not," said Edwin, who began to
see the matter more clearly.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "No," continued George, "neither do
they have true religion nor education.”</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Now I see," said Gelia, with animation,
"how it is. All our teachers from the north, and Aunt Alice, who spent
last summer there, said it was full of churches and school-houses and railroads
and ships, and such things. We must fill our map full of churches and
school-houses."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Busy knives were immediately
at work to form mimic places of worship and learning. George took great
pleasure in reproducing from fond recollection the little square buildings,
with a roof running to a</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 43]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>point in the center, so characteristic of the New England country school-house. He colored them red, and placed them on the hill-sides
and in the valleys of his imaginary home-land. The churches he placed upon the
little village greens and at the road crossings. He took pains to explain to
his scholars the progress which New England was constantly making in the size
and beauty of its churches and its school-houses. If his own country was made
the example of what religion and education would do, it was because his
thoughts were constantly upon it; but he showed at the same time that he loved
every country and all people.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Now," exclaimed Gelia, when the ground
which represented Christian nations had been dotted over with these signs of
progress, "now, Mr. Freeman, do make a railroad. What do railroads look
like? O I remember the picture in my geography; I will go and get it and see if
you make them right;" and away she ran to the school-room.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> When Gelia returned she sat
down</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 44]</span><span style='color:black'> </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>under a tree with the book in her hand. </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What are these poles in the picture, with
strings along the tops of them?" inquired Gelia of her teacher, holding up
the book.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Those are telegraph poles, and the strings, as
you call them, are telegraph wires."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And are we to have telegraphs too?<sup>” </sup>shouted
Gelia.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "We<i> </i>shall have something like them,"
said George.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> When all was finished the
play-grounds were "very attractive, and the children passed many pleasant
hours upon them. Even "the people" of the plantation took much
interest in them. Slaves on southern plantations are frequently called <i>the
people </i>by the white persons. These slaves had many questions to ask
concerning the map, and Gelia was ever ready to show her own knowledge for the
gratification of her humble inquirers. On the Sabbath, which was <i>generally </i>the
leisure day of the slaves, groups were seen here and there</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 45]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>talking over the items of their newly acquired knowledge of
geography, and proclaiming warmly the praises of the new teacher. But none
watched the progress of this amusement with so much interest as Yellow Jim. His
questions were few, but they plainly showed how readily he understood what
George designed to teach. When he had, with evident satisfaction, studied every
part of it, he said to George, in a low tone, "Mr. Freeman, I want to ask
you a question if you please, sir." Jim never addressed George as
"master," and he generally succeeded in avoiding the negro language.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well, Jim," said George, "what is your
question?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Which part of the map do you think I like
best?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I cannot tell, Jim; which is it ?"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Canada," said Jim, with a quick, sharp tone.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 46] </span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER VIII.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>SUNDAY ON MYRTLE<b> </b>HILL PLANTATION.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'>
Though </span><span style='color:black'>George had thus endeavored to provide
for the amusement of the children of the plantation on the week-days, much
labor was evidently needed to lead them to enjoy and improve their Sundays in a
right manner. The plantation was fifteen miles from the village, and that was
the nearest place of stated Sabbath preaching. There was occasional weekday
service on some of the plantations of the vicinity. Many, therefore, of the
Sabbaths were spent by George at home with the family. He greatly missed the
Sunday-school and public preaching, yet he had the Bible and some good books,
with which he resorted to his quiet schoolroom, and there conversed through
them with holy things. The place was fitted for prayer and religious thought,
though it could not make up the lack of the house of God. He occasionally
strolled into the</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[p</span><span style='color:black'>age 47]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>forest, which brought many impressive lessons concerning
God to the eye and ear.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> But George often exclaimed with the Psalmist, "My
soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord."<a
href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title="" id="_ftnref4"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:black'>[4]</span></span></span></a></span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The mere absence of his accustomed privileges was not
the only inconvenience which George suffered on those Sundays. Though the labor
of the field ceased, lively and sometimes boisterous sounds were heard around
the quarters of the field hands. They wore away the long and, to them, often
wearisome Sabbath by eating and lying down in listless repose, and in rude
plays or ruder talk.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Craig and his wife had,
of course, more refined means of enjoyment. "When tired of social chat and
of books, which were never intimate companions, they resorted to a drive in the
carriage, generally taking with them one of the children. The other children,
thus left to themselves, sought amusement with the thoughtlessness of youth.
The guns and dogs were freely employed. The quiet of even the teacher's place
of resort was sometimes in-</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 48]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>vaded by their noisy mirth, though they intended to be
mindful of his known feelings in reference to such interruptions.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George earnestly desired to lead these children into a
better regard for God's holy day. While considering in what way he might best
begin his efforts, an incident suggested the plan for the desired improvement.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> One beautiful Sabbath morning
Mr. and Mrs. Craig, accompanied by May, departed early to spend the day with a
friend. The servants of the quarters wandered more freely than usual into the
fields and forest. James and Edwin took their horses, guns, and dogs, to join
the young men of a neighboring plantation in an attempt to start and capture a
deer. Frank resorted to the brook to sail his tiny boat. Gelia being left
without her playmates, was much at a loss to know what to do. The teacher, with
his books, sought his school-room retreat, in which he spent so many pleasant
hours. The time with him glided so swiftly away that he forgot both the slaves
and the children.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 49]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Suddenly Gelia burst into the schoolroom with one of
her earnest exclamations: "Ho, Mr. Freeman, I don't know what to do with
myself! I can't go any where, and there is no one to play with me. I wish I was
a boy! I'll warrant you. I'd take Picayune, the pony, and be off after Jim and
Ed pretty quick! I have a great mind to go anyhow! I reckon I could ride Pic
over a deer range in full gallop as well as any of them."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Sit down, Gelia, and take breath," said
George quietly. "You can find a better way than that to spend the Sabbath.
Besides," he added pleasantly, intending to give a serious turn to Gelia
thoughts, "you know Picayune has been of late considerably under my
instruction, and I don't think he would be willing to take you to a deer hunt
on the Sabbath."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "O Mr. Freeman!"
replied Gelia sadly, "you are so<i> </i>strict. Why, pa and ma and Sister
May have gone to ride, and the boys are having a splendid time I'll warrant, <i>and
what shall I do?</i>"</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 50]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Have you no interesting books?" inquired
George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "None but the old ones I've read a hundred
times," said Gelia; "besides, you know<i> </i>we can't read
always," she added emphatically.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well," said George, in a sympathizing tone,
"it <i>is </i>hard to read 'always,' and to read one book 'a hundred
times.' Come, Gelia, we will take a pleasant walk, and I will tell you a story."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O, a story!" exclaimed Gelia, jumping up
and clapping her hands, "that's it, Mr., Freeman; let it be something
about the wars, or the Indians, or a lion story!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Gelia seized her teacher's hand, and as they started
off he began his story:</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "There was once a ship
which left London with a valuable cargo, and several persons on board as
passengers. They were going to a distant country to trade. For many weeks they
sailed safely with fair winds and a cloudless sky. But when they were
approaching some islands of the Pacific Ocean a severe storm came upon</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 51]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>them. The captain and his crew behaved bravely, but they
could not manage the ship, and she was driven upon an island."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And were they all drowned?" interrupted
Gelia, the tears starting from her eyes.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O be patient and I will tell you," said
George, smiling at the characteristic earnestness of the warm-hearted girl.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "The ship," continued George, "much
broken, and unfit to be occupied, was left grounded upon the beach by the
receding tide, and the exhausted men seized such things as they could carry and
hurried ashore."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O I am glad," interrupted Gelia again,
"that they are safe!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well, they were not drowned," continued her
teacher, "but they were soon surrounded by the people of the island, who
were savage heathen. They robbed the wreck of everything valuable, and treated
the unfortunate strangers cruelly. After several months an English ship
approached the island, intending to send a boat ashore to obtain water; but
their</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 52</span><span style='color:black'>]</span><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>poor countrymen on the island had seen them when they were
afar off, and running to the shore, they seized all the canoes that were near,
so that the savages could not pursue them, and reached the ship in safety,
which immediately sailed away to another and more friendly island."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And didn't they when they got home send some big
war ships and pay those savages off well?" inquired Gelia with spirit.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "They held meetings in London of many thousands
of people," answered George, "when such cruelties were made known,
and the consequence was they did send ships to that island, <i>and paid those
ignorant people off well.</i>"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><i><span
style='color:black'> </span></i><span style='color:black'>"O I
thought so, and I am real glad of it; it was good enough for them. But did they
kill all the savages, Mr. Freeman, the women and children too?”</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Why," said
George, "I did not say they <i>killed </i>any of them. I said <i>they paid
them off well. </i>They did not send war ships, but missionary ships; and they
did not fight with them, but taught them how</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 53</span><span style='color:black'>]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>to love God and man. Although the missionaries suffered
much for some years, yet the islanders became Christians at last. Now if a ship
is wrecked there the people take the crew to their homes and freely give them
the best they have, treating them, with great kindness."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "There, Mr. Freeman," said Gelia seriously,
feeling a little ashamed of her zeal against the islanders, "that is
always <i>your </i>way of paying folks off."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And is it not the best way, Gelia?" asked
George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O yes, Mr. Freeman," replied Gelia,
"and I wish <i>I </i>was good enough to be a missionary," seeming to
become quite thoughtful as the picture of savage huts turned into happy homes
began to appear to her lively imagination.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> This story led to a spirited
conversation between Gelia and her teacher, which continued until their return
to the schoolroom. While they were loitering in its vicinity a sudden shriek
of alarm came from Frankie, who, as we have stated, had been playing in the
brook. He had fol-</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 54]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>lowed his boat down the stream until it entered a basin of
water from which a supply for the house was drawn. In reaching after his boat
Frankie had fallen in. He was in some danger of drowning. But his teacher
arrived soon enough to save him from any injury except from fright. Aunt
Maria's tender care soon put the little boatman into a comfortable and happy
condition; but the inmates of the house and yard were made somewhat sober. They
feared a storm when Frankie’s parents should know how great had been his
exposure to danger through their want of watchfulness over him.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> These apprehensions were not relieved by the arrival
of James and Edwin in no very amiable mood. They had started, they said, a fine
fat deer and given him a long chase; but the dogs had sadly failed, and the
finest one of them was missing.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The two hunters were disposed
to blame each other and blame everything. Their unhappy feelings clouded their
brows, and found utterance in unpleasant words.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 55]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>George saw by a glance at the horses that the boys were
likely to receive, in their turn, a full share of blame. The poor overdriven
animals were ready to fall to the ground from sheer exhaustion. The servant who
led them away to the stable yard gave ominous mutterings of the coming storm. "Dis
mighty fine Lord's day work," said he; "horses e'en a'most dead —
poor old Growler done killed, I'll warrant, by that plaguey old deer what de
young massas didn't cotch neither. Beckon<b> </b>Masses Jim and Ed wish dey
nebber seen dis day."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr. and Mrs. Craig returned at a late hour. They were
weary, and not prepared to receive with forbearance the home history of the
day. George wisely retired to his room, while the noise of a violent storm of
wind and rain drowned the noise of the storm which raged below.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> When the hour for the school
on Monday morning arrived, the children assembled without their accustomed
cheerfulness. Even Gelia had none of her noisy mirth; and master Frankie looked
as if he had not</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 56]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>fully recovered from the shock of his sudden bath. James
and Edwin seemed to be struggling to suppress a mingled feeling of grief,
mortification, and anger.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> After the opening devotional exercises a little time
was<i> </i>spent in familiar conversation concerning the preceding day's
experience. The teacher hoped that an improvement of the present occasion might
prepare the way for a better regard for the Sabbath.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Miss May said that the enjoyment of the day was
spoiled by the sad state of affairs on her arrival home.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Frankie, who was quite ready to lead the recitals,
said that he should not have fallen into the water if Gelia had stayed and
played with him, as he wanted her to.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Gelia resented this reflection upon her kindness, and
replied sharply, "Frankie always will play in the brook on Sundays!"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> James was reserved, and
evidently indulged in some self-reproach. But Edwin's conscience was less
tender and his resentment at the parental rebuke more</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 57]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>intense. "Pa scolded us," he muttered, unable to
restrain his feelings, “as if we were niggers."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why Edwin!" exclaimed May in blank
astonishment, "you must not speak so of pa;" and she burst into
tears.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> It was now Gelia's turn to speak, and the teacher was
glad to have a more cheerful tone given to the feelings of his school.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "It was so dull," proceeded Gelia,
"because I had no one to play with but Frankie, that I came over here to
see Mr. Freeman; and O! such a splendid time I had in hearing his stories. We
talked and talked until Frankie spoiled it all by tumbling into the
water."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The children laughed at
Gelia's earnestness, and the emphatic close of her statement. But when she
added that Mr. Freeman said that "you and I, Gelia, have had a kind of
Sunday-school," they looked as if they did not quite understand her. A
Sunday-school, they thought, must be a dull place. They had never been to any,
nor had they ever heard much about them.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 58]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well now, my scholars," said George,
bringing to a close the conversation, “was yesterday a happy day?”</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "No, sir,” was the emphatic reply from all but
Gelia.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Should you like to try something like Gelia's
way of spending the Sabbath?<i>" </i>he again inquired.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'> <span
style='color:black'>After a little more explanation, they agreed to meet in the
school-room the next Sabbath at nine o'clock in the morning.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 59]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER IX.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>AN EXPERIMENT.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>difficulties In the way of the work which George had
undertaken were very many. He had proposed to establish on the plantation a
Sunday-school for those Sabbaths on which the children did not attend Church.
His scholars would be wholly unused to its exercises, and impatient of the
restraint it imposed. He had no Sunday-school books to attract and profit them,
but, at the same time, their prejudices against it must be overcome, their
interest secured, and a love for its privileges excited. With this heavy task
to perform there was no one to whisper a stimulating word of encouragement, he
did indeed sometimes seem to hear his mother's tender entreaty with which she
parted with him, "George, be faithful."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> With mingled feelings of
curiosity and distrust, the children assembled in their</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 60]</p>
<p>shady school-room on Sabbath morning. Even Miss May,
contrary to George’s expectations, had left her piano and books, and had given
up her morning ride that she might be present. With her assistance some very
appropriate hymns were sung at the opening of the school, which prepared the
way for prayer, in which, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, the children’s
thoughts were gently directed to serious things.</p>
<p> The first object at which George aimed was to make
himself more fully acquainted with the extent of his scholars’ knowledge of the
Bible. He had, at other times, conversed sufficiently with them on religious
subjects to be prepared to learn that the Word of God was to them almost an
unknown book. He began by referring to some of its interesting historical
stories.</p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>What man was
that,<span style='color:black'>"</span> said George, addressing Gelia, who
was all excitement with interest for a story, <span style='color:black'>"</span>who
was commanded to offer his only son a sacrifice upon the altar?<span
style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 61]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I never heard of such a one," replied
Gelia; "O tell us about him!”</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why, Gelia!" interposed May, feeling that
Gelia's ignorance reflected upon the credit of the family; "you certainly
have heard of the touching story of Abraham and Isaac."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I never did," persisted Gelia; "I <i>know </i>I<i> </i>never did, Mr. Freeman; do tell it to us."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I never did neither!" exclaimed Frankie,
who was determined that May's superior knowledge should not stand in the way of
his entertainment. James and Edwin "reckoned" they had heard it, but
had no objections to hearing it again, having evidently taken a hint from May
to help their recollections of a story not very clearly pictured on their minds.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Every step in the course of the story was listened to
with interest. A great many questions were asked, especially by Gelia and
Edwin.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "O I am so glad,"
exclaimed Gelia, entering into the reality of the scene, "that God let
Abraham take the ram</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 62]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>instead of Isaac!" George explained that God's command
concerning the offering of Isaac was for a great purpose, and to teach men in
all ages important truth, He tried to show his attentive listeners that we were
reminded by Abraham's example that God gave for us a nobler Son than Isaac, and
that faith in him is the way to please God and to be made holy. He then related
some of his own Sabbath-school experience in which these truths were impressed
upon his mind. While thus engaged, Gelia suddenly exclaimed, as if awaking from
a dream, "O, Mr. Freeman, tell us a revolutionary story!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why, Gelia!" said May, “how impolite to
interrupt Mr. Freeman. You want a revolutionary story on all occasions, as if
nothing were interesting which had no war and bloodshed in it. For my part I
think we are highly entertained."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Do, Mr. Freeman," interrupted Edwin
impatiently, " tell us how we beat the British and gained our
liberty."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Were we ever
slaves?" interposed</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 63]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>Gelia, who caught at the last words of Edwin as if a new
thought had been awakened in her mind. "I know we never were," she
added with spirit.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The children laughed at the turn the conversation had
taken, and for a moment George was perplexed. He wished to give the whole
occasion a happy turn that would interest and profit the children and satisfy,
at the same time, his own aim in the proper improvement of the day. A sudden
thought occurred to him,</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I have a revolutionary story," he said with
animation, "which will please you all."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Good! good!" shouted Gelia, springing to
her feet and clapping her hands; "let it be about the Indians, or
Washington and the British!"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "There was once a
nation," proceeded George, "of many thousand people who were greatly
oppressed by a very wicked king. They were compelled to build cities and vast
monuments, and their cruel masters gave them no rest nor peace. But still they
multiplied and became very</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 64]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>numerous, and the king feared that their numbers would some
time become so great that they would be stronger than his people and gain their
freedom."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Was it the British king?" inquired Gelia.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Why<i> </i>no, child; what a foolish
question," answered May.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "So the king," continued George,
"determined to kill all the male children as soon as they were born. A
fine plan, he thought, to keep the slave nation in his power; but God defeated
his purpose. One of these little boys that he meant to kill grew up to be a
man, and many years after he appeared before the king and said, 'Let all my
countrymen whom you hold in bondage go free.'"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Did he have a great army?" inquired Edwin.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Not<i> </i>a single soldier," replied his
teacher. “Yet he said. Let all the people go, or they will march out of your
land in spite of all your armies."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> “Did he have no cannons, nor
guns, nor anything of that sort?" inquired Edwin</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 65]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>again beginning to feel a little doubtful about the truth
of the story.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Not<i> </i>a soldier, nor a gun," said the
teacher firmly. "He had only a <i>rod, </i>perhaps such a one as the
shepherds use to direct their sheep. With this he could do more than the armies
of Alexander or Napoleon."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Ho, Mr. Freeman!" said James in his quiet
way, "you are making up a story just to amuse us."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I'll warrant he is," shouted Gelia, none
the less pleased at the idea of a fiction; "it is going to be something
like a fairy story I read in a book which told what wonderful things the
fairies did with a ring. I hope the great general is going to take his rod and
turn the old king into a monkey."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "No,"<i> </i>replied George, "he did
not turn the king into a monkey, but he turned the water of his noble river
into blood."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> May smiled with
self-satisfied assurance that <i>she </i>understood the story, and James began
to see the shadow of things he had but imperfectly learned; but no other</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 66]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>scholar had ever learned the account of that greatest
revolution of man's history, the rebellion of the Israelites against the rule
of the Egyptian king. The teacher proceeded to relate the battles which were
fought <i>for </i>the oppressed through the means of this great leader and his
wonderful rod, until the final victory was won in the sea, and their triumphant
song was sung on its shores. All the scholars, even May and James listened with
unabated interest. Gelia declared that it was a better story than any about
Washington or the Indians. The explanations of the teacher, and the many
questions of the pupils, consumed the hours of the morning; and the children
were fairly beguiled out of the impression that a Sunday-school must be tedious
and uninteresting.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> To provide for another
Sabbath morning, George assigned to each a Bible story to learn, hoping that
they would be able to relate it in their own language. May engaged to teach
little Frankie a Bible story, and to select some little hymn also, for him to
commit to memory. Thus</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 67]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><img width="282"
height="513" src="ernestlaborerfinal_files/image002.jpg" /></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 68]</p>
<p>[blank page]</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 69]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>closed the first experiment of the family Sunday-school.
Its influence upon the remaining portion of the day was very pleasing. After
dinner as George strolled through the little village of the field hands he
observed Gelia seated on an old stool with a group of negroes lying or sitting
upon the ground around her. They did not observe the approach of the teacher,
so attentively were they listening to Gelia, while she repeated, with a
countenance glowing with animation, the stories she had heard in the morning.
She was frequently interrupted by questions; but nothing daunted, she answered
with unwavering assurance. George silently withdrew unnoticed, and continued
his walk into the forest.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The stories passed round from
group to group, through the cabins of the slaves, until the Sunday-school was
repeated among these neglected laborers of the plantation.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[p</span><span style='color:black'>age 70]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER X.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>DIFFICULTIES
OVERCOME.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>Sunday following that of which we have spoken was the day
of preaching in the neighborhood, so that two weeks passed away before George's
experiment could be repeated. He had formed many plans to interest his
scholars, and hope had taken the place of despondency with regard to the full
success of his labors. But he had other lessons of patience to learn, under the
pressure of hopes deferred.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The Sabbath came, and George had already entered his school-room
to await the hour for the assembling of the children. Just at this moment the
dogs announced by their clamorous barking the approach of strangers. A carriage
drove up the avenue toward the house, followed by two dashing young men on
horseback. The company consisted of</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>Mr. and Mrs. Walter Craig and
their children, two sons and two daughters.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 71]</p>
<p>Uncle Walter was a great favorite at the plantation. His
visits were generally made upon the Sabbath, which became in consequence a day
of feasting and amusement. Their arrival was a signal for the slaying of fowls
in the vicinity of the kitchen, and of painstaking preparations on the part of
Aunt Maria and her co-laborers. No days were burdened with severer toil to the
house servants than those honored, or rather desecrated, by the visits of Uncle
and Aunt Craig. To the cousins they were of course high days. From the mind of
the impulsive Gelia the thoughts of the Sunday-school were as easily effaced on
such occasions as her interest at other times was easily excited. She was a
child of emotions.</p>
<p> May, true to her cherished notions of politeness, ran
over to the school-room to excuse herself to her teacher. The other children
had, in the mean time, excused themselves by planning for the pleasures of the
day. </p>
<p> Thus, not only disappointed in hoping to make some
fresh impressions for good</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 72]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>upon the minds of his young friends, but in seeing them
plunge again into their old habits of Sabbath-breaking, George yielded for the
moment to feelings of discouragement. His faith, which just now seemed to stand
firm in the promise of God that he that soweth shall reap, gave way to sinful
unbelief. Never before had his hands so hung down nor his heart so fainted. He
knelt in the corner of his little school-room, where he had often at the close
of day found relief in prayer.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> While thus engaged he was startled by a subdued
response under the window outside. When he rose from his knees, a gentle knock
was heard at the door.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "May it please Massa
Freeman," said an old man, as George opened the door, "may it please
Massa Freeman," he repeated, hesitating and evidently in doubt whether his
request would be regarded as proper, "to let us poor savants hear one of
dem Bible stories what Miss Gelia tell us about. All de young massas and
missuses clar forgot dia blessed new way of</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 73]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>spendin, de Lord's time now dem young-folks come."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> This was uttered with a low bow, the speaker's
venerable locks tossing in the wind. He was accompanied by about a score of
fellow-servants, who stood at a respectful distance, waiting with evident
solicitude the success of the application.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> It may seem strange that they should have entertained
any doubts of its success. But their master had never invited any religious
teacher to instruct or address his servants. George had himself once pressed
the subject upon, his attention and had received the bitter, caviling reply
that the more privileges they had the greater was their disobedience and
idleness. Yet the circumstances under which the present application was made,
the reasonableness of the request itself, made him feel that it was an answer
to the prayer just offered. So taking his audience a little into the woods, he
sat down under a wide-spreading oak, while his hearers gathered about him. Some
sat upon the dry leaves, some leaned against</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 74] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>the trees, and others threw themselves prostrate upon the
ground. George talked to them of the garden of Eden, the beauty and glory of
the place, and of the happiness of Adam and Eve while in it. He told the story
of the fall, impressing upon their minds the terrible consequences of sin.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The old man, Simeon, who had made the request of
George for these stories, responded occasionally with, "dat's right,"
"bless de lord." Some ventured to ask explanations and answers to
questions, some of which might have excited a smile; and others were shrewd and
not easily answered.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> During the progress of the talk large additions had
been made, the negroes from various directions slipping up softly, one after
another. Nearly all the field hands, including many children, had come within
the sound of his voice. Not<i> </i>less than, sixty persons were receiving
instruction from his simple narrative.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The slaves retired to their
humble dwellings to repeat the instruction of the</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 75]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>morning, to propose and to answer the profound questions
the stories had suggested and, what was of great interest to them, to discuss
the probabilities of the privilege of another such meeting with the teacher.
Some reckoned largely upon Mr. Freeman's influence with their master. Simeon
ventured the opinion, which he expressed with great enthusiasm, that, "De
good Lord have a hook in massa's nose dis time, and he must let de people have
de meetins."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> But Yellow Jim silenced all debate by flatly
contradicting the pious old Simeon, and telling the confounded company that
"there would be no more camp-meetings on that plantation."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The following Sunday George
met his scholars at the appointed hour. The children plainly were a little
embarrassed. They had lost confidence in themselves. Besides, as George
expected, some prejudice had been excited against the Sunday-school, in the
minds of both the parents and the children, by the attention George had given
to the slaves; yet no reference</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 76] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>was made to these matters, and the scholars proceeded,
after the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, to relate, in their own
language, the stories which, they had learned from the Bible. Frankie told the
story and recited the hymn which had been taught him, much to the gratification
of all.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George added such explanations and such questions as
the interest of the hour required. The school closed pleasantly, and a decided
gain had been made in securing a permanent weekly gathering.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> No servants came to ask for their crumb of spiritual
food from the Bread of Life at the hand of the faithful teacher. Yellow Jim's
prediction seemed to be true. But George was not to be easily turned aside from
so rich a harvest field as that presented in the judicious teaching of the
slaves. Yet he felt keenly that in this matter "wisdom was necessary to
direct." We shall see how wisely he acted in carrying out his purpose.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Among George's most valued
acquaintance was Judge Walker. His home-place</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 77]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>was near the village, but he had a plantation adjoining Mr.
Craig's, over which an overseer was placed.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Judge Walker was a man of great natural kindness, and
of high professions of religious experience. He defended slavery on the ground
that it could be made beneficial to the colored people; and so, contrary to the
general sentiment among his fellow-slaveholders, he insisted that they should
have all possible religious privileges. Such was Judge Walker's position that
his opinions and practice in this respect possessed much influence over his
neighbors. He was rich and in power, and so was one having authority to speak
on so delicate a subject.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Craig vainly boasted of
his intimacy with Judge Walker. George, having the confidence of the judge,
determined to direct his influence against Mr. Craig's oppressive treatment of
his slaves in reference to their religious privileges. This was easily done. A
day spent at the judge's hospitable mansion was mostly occupied in discussing
plans of usefulness</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 78]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>for the benefit of the neglected. George called attention
to the state of things at Myrtle Hill. An early call of the judge upon his
friend Craig afforded him an opportunity of introducing the subject.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Friend Craig," remarked the judge in his
bland manner, "now that your teacher has stepped out, I will take the
occasion to express my admiration of his character. He is a zealous working
man; and, if you have no objections, I want to engage a part of his services in
the instruction of my people in your vicinity. Or," added the judge, in a
very condescending manner, "I will direct my overseer to accompany them to
your place, to be instructed in connection with yours."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The judge silently enjoyed
the embarrassment of his friend at this proposal. Mr. Craig desired the good
opinion of his friend, but he did not wish to extend the religious privileges
of his slaves. He, however, rallied resolution to say that Mr. Freeman's time
on the Sabbath was his own, and that he had no doubt he would be pleased to
teach the judge's people;</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 79]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>but he would not put them to the trouble to come to his
plantation for that purpose.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well," said the judge, determined not to
receive evasions, "since you are so considerate of my people, let the
servants of the two plantations take turns in the labor of walking to the place
of instruction. I assure you <i>mine </i>will not mind the walk, and I am sure
they will serve God and man much better for it."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr. Craig gave his consent to this arrangement, but
with ill-concealed opposition of heart.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O, I am glad Mr.<i> </i>Freeman is going to talk
to the servants," shouted Gelia when the judge had gone. "Wont Uncle
Simeon be glad!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Yes," muttered Mr. Craig, as if talking to
himself; "and so will Yellow Jim be glad. I told the rascal the other day
that he shouldn't be getting white people's knowledge while I was master of the
place. But the judge's influence is too much for me; I think he'll see his
error yet."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "The quarters" were
full of joy that night. Uncle Simeon lifted up his</span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;color:black'> hands</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 80]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>in devout gratitude at the failure of Jim's prediction and
the establishment of his own. "De good Lord," he exclaimed, "be
too mighty for massa! Didn't I tell ye, Jim, de Lord have de hook in massa's nose to lead him wedder or no?" Jim looked very wise but said nothing. He did
not very often enter into any discussion with his fellow-servants. He held
their opinions in too light esteem, and thought too much of his own.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George was thankful that his sphere of usefulness was
so<span style='text-transform:uppercase'> </span>unexpectedly enlarged.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'> <span
style='color:black'>He sat down that very evening and wrote a long and glowing
letter to the loved ones of his dear old Connecticut home. He kept his parents
and his pastor, and his kindly-remembered Sunday-school superintendent, Mr.
Ela, informed of all his plans, and received in return valuable words of
sympathy and counsel.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 81</span><span style='color:black'>]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XI.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>ENCOURAGING
INDICATIONS.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> When </span><span
style='color:black'>Mr. Ela read George's letter, which stated that some of the
most serious obstacles to his usefulness had been overcome, he wrote back this
encouraging word: "You must now expect the aid of those who lately
hindered you."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> So George thought if he could
make the family Sunday-school successful, he should raise up warm friends to
aid in teaching the servants. With this object in view he spared no pains to
secure the interest and profit of the little Sunday group of children at the
school-room. Mr. and Mrs. Craig became so far interested as to give him a small
amount of money for the purchase of a library. To this his friends at the North
added a little, and a neat library, with pictorial cards and a year's
subscription to a Sunday-school paper, was obtained. Their arrival was a great
era at Myrtle Hill. The sight</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 82]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>even of so many pretty books delighted all. But the reading
opened a new source of pleasure. The elegant and smiling paper caused many
hours to pass pleasantly and profitably away which would have been spent in Sabbath-breaking.
Frankie took sole possession of the pictorial cards, and George appointed Gelia
his teacher, telling her that she should be at the head of the infant
department. He explained to her the duties of so important a position, and she
did not fail to magnify her office.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Yellow Jim was employed to make a library case. This
he did with great skill, aided by George's suggestions. Jim was the carpenter
of the plantation, and apt at every kind of work.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> We must not omit to mention
that Mr. Ela, who made the purchase of the library, slipped among the books a
new Sunday school song book. Thus having a new library, a new paper once in two
weeks, and new and lively songs, a wonderful vigor was given to the family
Sunday-school. The colored people crept slily around the school-house to hear
the songs,</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 83</span><span style='color:black'>]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> which they soon learned and repeated through every part of
the plantation.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A severe test of the increased interest of the
children in the school was afforded by the renewed visit of Uncle Walter and
his family. The cousins expected their usual freedom and sport. George invited
them to examine the library, which made a remarkable show in his little log
school-house. The scholars sung their sweetest songs, and the teacher prepared
himself with attractive religious stories. The result was encouraging; the
school session was continued, and the attention of the visitors was attracted
to a new and instructive manner of spending their time. Mr. Craig declared,
when they had gone, that he had never enjoyed so quietly the visit of his
brother, for he added, in fine humor, "Mr. Freeman fairly caged the young
folks." His brother was also gratified. He did not greatly value the moral
good the school might secure to his children, for of this he was quite
thoughtless; but the restraint it imposed upon them added to his comfort. The
visit of his</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 84]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>family were repeated more frequently, and it was evident
that the Sabbaths were selected during which the school was in session. Two of
his children became especially interested in the school: Milton, a boy of
thirteen years, and Ella, a girl of ten.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Father," said Ella, as Uncle Walter was
returning home from one of these Sunday visits," I want to come to Mr.
Freeman's Sunday-school every time it meets!" “So do I, “ added
Milton," and I reckon that Ella and I can take the ponies and come
ourselves."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The proposal created some discussion with their
parents and older brother and sister, but it was finally decided that when the
carriage did not come Ella and Milton should come on the ponies, accompanied by
one of the servants. The distance was eight miles.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> This addition was a new
occasion of interest to George's scholars and led to important results.
Children of other families on the plantations of the vicinity were attracted by
the report which went abroad</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 85]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>concerning the school, and desired to attend. Uncle Walter
proposed to the parents of these new attendants to unite with him in making an
addition to the library. This, after a few months, was secured, and the number
of the scholars increased to twenty-five. Still, Gelia's infant department
consisted of Frankie only. But she kept up its interest with unceasing zeal,
though it might have seemed to a stranger that Frank and Gelia too were the
scholars and George the teacher of both. He kept Gelia supplied with stories
which she repeated to Frank quite as much for her own as his amusement.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The scholars and the books were now obtained for a
successful school. But two serious difficulties remained to be overcome; the
want of a disposition on the part of the scholars to <i>study </i>the Bible<sub>;</sub> and the want of teachers. Thus far George had done all the teaching by familiar
lectures. This was very laborious, and the scholars were not brought by it to
the immediate reading and study of God's word. Judge Walker, who watched with
deep interest </span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 86]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>the progress of George's labors, proposed to aid him in
securing the assistance of some friends in the enterprise.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> There were family teachers on several plantations not
many miles distant. But unfortunately, many of these, though from New England, and though when at home acting Christiana, had fallen into a conformity to the
prevailing indifference to religion of those about them. They disliked, they
said, to be singular. They objected to George's introduction among their
southern friends of Yankee zeal and puritanical strictness. It would not do,
they insisted; it would lessen their influence with their employers.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Against such feelings George had contended with his
northern friends, to whom he had applied for assistance in his labors of love.
But when Judge Walker made the same request of them the case was different.
Several were ready to come at his solicitation.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> With two such colaborers,
George's enterprise assumed new importance. Though they did not begin in the
love</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 87]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>of their work, George rightly calculated that their efforts
would stimulate in themselves a Christian zeal. This was further increased by
occasional seasons of prayer in the forest for the blessing of God on their
labors, to which George invited them.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Besides this improvement in
earnest piety on the part of the teachers, evidence began to appear of the
presence of God's awakening Spirit at Myrtle Hill. On perceiving this, George
became still more importunate in prayer for cases of clear conversion. This
alone was the end of his efforts. He saw that, among the many blessings of such
an occurrence, the raising up of new and efficient laborers would not be among
the least. His prayer was, "Lord, send forth more laborers into the
harvest;" nor was the answer long delayed.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 88]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XII</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE YOUNG
LABORER.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black;
text-transform:uppercase'>There </span><span style='color:black'>was living on
a plantation not far from Myrtle Hill a widow lady by the name of Stuart. Mrs.
Stuart, unlike most landholders, was poor. Her husband had cultivated the
cotton with his own hands and by a few hired servants. He was an earnest
Christian, and a true friend of the colored people. Uncle Simeon had been
brought to God by his labors, and nearly all that the slaves of Myrtle Hill had
ever heard of Christ, or of their soul's welfare, was from the conversation of
Mr. Stuart. Since his death his widow had done what she could to cultivate the
spiritual seed which her husband had sown. She labored constantly for her
family's temporal good, but this only gave her a keener relish for the labor of
saving souls. Her only child, a boy of sixteen years, named Melville, worked as
hard in the cotton and corn fields as the slaves of</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 89]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>other plantations. He had never attended school a single
day in his<span style='text-transform:uppercase'> </span>life, but his parents
had done the best they could for his education, having taught him to read and
write. George, from his first acquaintance with the Stuart family, had taken
great interest in Melville. Though Melville had never given his heart to God,
he was an industrious and obedient son. George made an effort at one time to
obtain for him permission to attend his week-day school, during the leisure of
the winter months; but this Mr. Craig peremptorily refused.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The introduction of Melville
into the Sunday-school was at first received coldly by some of the other
scholars. Edwin's impulsive nature gave expression to this dislike. "I
rather reckon," he said, addressing his cousin Milton, "that we boys
had better leave if Mr. Freeman is going to bring white niggers into the
Sunday-school." Milton made no reply, for his kind heart had been won by
the pleasant spirit and modest manners of Melville. But May came at once to
Melville's de-</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 90]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>fense. "Why<i> </i>Edwin!" she exclaimed,
"how can you say so? I am certain we ought to be kind to good Mrs.
Stuart's son, if they are poor."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Mel is as good as Ed anyhow," interposed
Gelia in a resentful manner. Gelia had found Melville a ready play-fellow,
notwithstanding he was several years older; "Mel and I have right smart
runs about the play-ground," she added with increased excitement,
"and Ed sha'n't call him a nigger."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> But the prejudice against Melville soon disappeared.
His superior knowledge of religious truth was soon apparent to all, and his
kind and earnest desire to learn secured their esteem. His teacher noticed this
with pleasure, but there was another thing which inspired his gratitude to God.
The truth which Melville had been taught from childhood, which had been
accompanied by fervent prayers, began to show evidence of gracious fruit. To
cultivate these indications more effectually, George made frequent visits
during the week to the humble dwelling of the Widow Stuart.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 91]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>She had noticed, with a joy which only a Christian parent
can feel on such occasion, her son's religious convictions; and uniting her
efforts with the faithful teachers, she expected to see Melville enter into the
joy and freedom of the Christian life. God soon blessed these efforts, and
Melville was led into that religious liberty in which he could sing,</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='color:black'>"The spirit answers to the
blood,</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='color:black'>And tells me I am born of
God."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> During the next visit that
Melville made to Myrtle Hill he related to the artless and susceptible Gelia
the story of his new-found peace in God. After she had listened with marked
attention to the close of his feeling recital, she started from the grassy seat
where she had been sitting, and exclaimed, "O Mel, I mean to have religion
too, right off!" Melville smiled at her earnestness, and tried to explain,
the way of life more clearly. He spoke of our sinfulness and of the need of
sincere sorrow for it, and of repentance toward God and faith toward Christ.
These remarks caused Gelia to feel more</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 92]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>sober. She began to see a little better her young teacher's
meaning. When she repeated her prayers that night before retiring, her heart
melted into tenderness as it had never done before;<i> </i>and her observing
teacher began to see in her conduct from this time a sobriety mingled with her
overflowing joyfulness.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> With the aid of Melville,
George endeavored to instruct the neglected laborers of the Myrtle Hill
plantation. But this privilege, so reluctantly granted by Mr. Craig, was very
jealously watched; no formal meetings were held. But George sat down among them
when their day's toil was over and they were resting about their log-cabins; here
they listened to his words with eager attention while he spoke to them of Jesus
and his precious gospel. Sometimes little groups lingered about him until a
late hour at night, inquiring after a personal knowledge of Jesus in the heart.
Now and then a burdened inquirer was led through these labors into the joys of
the true Christian. The senseless songs of the quarters, so long</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 93]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>heard mingled with the noise of the rude dance, were
exchanged for the sweet and melting songs of Zion.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Melville's influence was exerted among these sincere
seekers after divine knowledge in a humble but successful way. He conversed
with them individually, telling the story of his own experience of the grace of
God. The affection which many of them had felt for his father was readily
bestowed upon him. The joy of Uncle Simeon in witnessing his labors broke forth
into characteristic expressions of gratitude. "Broder Mel," he
exclaimed, "is de good Lord's young angel sent to teach de poor sarvants
about de Saviour's precious love."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The fact that Melville
belonged to a "poor white family," and, like the slaves themselves,
labored daily in the field, did not lessen his influence with them. They did
not despise white people because they were poor; but when, as was often the
case, they were poor, and very wicked, and quite as ignorant as themselves,
they esteemed them as they were truly, "poor</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 94]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>white trash." Of Melville, these were only flattering
expressions.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Dat young Massa
Mel," said Aunt Ann to a company of willing hearers who were lounging
about the cook house," be mighty smart. He pray like an elder; an den he
talk so kinder hebenly about de blessed narrow way, dat seems like dis poor old
sarvant want to go dat way herself." "And I," added Uncle
Griffen, the coachman, "tell all ob yer, dat dis poor miserable sinner,
dats ben livin' more dan sixty years and nebber lub de blessed Jesus, means to
try now Massa Mel's new way; only I'se 'fraid dar aint no hope for like o' me
no how." The interruption by Uncle Griffen took the cabin inmates by
surprise, and his feeling confession moved them to tears. Griffen had been, the
persecutor of Uncle Simeon since his conversion, and had ever joined with his
master in keeping all religion as far as possible from Myrtle Hill, and he had
been, sent to the meetings held by George on Judge Walker's plantation as a spy
upon his fellow-slaves who were</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 95]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>allowed to go. In his conversion, Mr. Craig would lose his
most devoted fellow-laborer in the wicked work of destroying souls.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The next day after this scene in Aunt Ann's quarters, Griffen's
heart was very heavy. He saw dimly the way of escape from the death of sin
which surrounded him, but he seemed to have no power to enter it. He felt his
guilt, but did not see clearly the Fountain in which it could be washed away.
He had not closed his eyes in sleep during the night, and all day nature itself
appeared to him as if shrouded in blackness.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> When the evening came, and
with it the close of the day's toil, Griffen silently stole to the humble
dwelling of the Widow Stuart. No weary slaves about the yard observed his
coming, nor fierce dogs challenged his right to enter. As he hesitatingly put
forth his hand to knock for admission, his ear caught the sound of prayer.
Griffen listened while the youthful suppliant at the family altar grew more and
more earnest in his pleading with God. If Griffen had felt restrained in</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 96] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>announcing himself and in making known his errand, he felt
none when the prayer closed.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> “I has come, Massa Mel," said Griffen, holding a
torn hat in one hand and pressing the other upon his heart; "O, I has come
'cause I has a mighty big load jest here."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> It was a work of great joy to the Widow Stuart and her
son to point Griffen, to the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of
the world;" and when they rose from an earnest pleading with God for the
aid of the Holy Spirit, in which Griffen had united, it was evident that he had
begun to feel peace through faith.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I bless de Lord," said Griffen, "I
believes I feels a leetle better,"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The clouds had overspread the
sky as Griffen, at a late hour, trod the narrow but familiar path which led
back to Myrtle Hill. It was intensely dark, but Griffen stopped several times
and kneeled down upon the leafy pathway, and repeated his pleadings for a new
heart. Each time as he rose from his knees the way seemed to grow lighter,
though no</span></p>
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style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 97]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>object was visible; his step, at any rate, was light and
free; and when he emerged from the forest into the clearing which led to his
cabin, and caught a glimpse of a star just breaking through the parting clouds,
it seemed to him like a ray directly from heaven. His glad heart involuntarily
broke forth into an utterance of praise.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The inmates of the cabins near Griffen's were startled
on that morning, e'er the driver's horn sounded, by Griffen's earnest prayer of
thanksgiving; and before the hands left for the cotton-field, the conversion of
"old Grif" was the theme on every lip.</span></p>
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<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 98]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XIII.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>MYRTLE<b> </b>HILL
EXCITED.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> The </span><span
style='color:black'>conversion of Melville, followed so soon by the conversion
of Griffen, and the general interest of the slaves in religion, caused much
excitement in the family of the owner of Myrtle Hill.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Uncle Griffen was my chief dependence,"
said Mr. Craig; much excited. "He has done me good service in watching the
people at the mischief-making meetings. Now the black rascals will have things
their own way. I'll put a stop to all this."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Pa, please, you wont stop Mr. Freeman's
Sunday-school," said Gelia coaxingly, looking up into her father's clouded
face with her most bewitching smile.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Now I tell you, pa," she continued with
animation, "Mel Stuart is going to teach a class, and I am to be one of
his scholars. O Mel is so good, pa!"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "There it is
again," muttered Mr. Craig;</span></p>
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style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 99]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>"a cotton-picking white boy brought into school to
teach my children."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Gelia threw her arms around her fatther's neck, while
the big tears stood in her mild blue eyes, and whispered softly, "Please,
pa, don't be angry at Mel."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr. Craig, with all his rough severity, was a fond and
indulgent parent. Gelia had ever been to him an affectionate child, but since
her heart had felt the influence of religious instruction she had become even
more lovely. Her parents had observed this, and felt, though they never had
confessed it, that she had been greatly benefited by the Sunday-school. Her
appeal, therefore, in behalf of one whom she already regarded as her teacher,
could not be resisted.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> “Yes, Gelia," said Mr. Craig in a softened tone,
while he planted a kiss on her fair forehead; “I<i> </i>see, you always plead
for pious folks, white or black."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Craig rose after a few
moments, and again walked the room much excited. At last he left the house,
declaring that</span></p>
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<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 100]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>he would stop the "nigger excitement" any way.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A very different interest was felt in this excitement,
as Mr. Craig called it, among those gathered at the quarters of Aunt Ann.
Jordan was lying, as usual, on the long seat, much to the annoyance of all. Ann
was busy both with her hands and tongue. Aunt Maria had just announced from the
master the names of those who were permitted to attend the Deer Ridge meeting;
all others must stay at home. Simeon had dropped in, to stimulate the religious
interest so well begun, and, as he remarked, "to help keep de hebbenly
fire a burnin'." Jordan was delighted to learn that he was one of the
privileged ones. Not that he cared for the meetings; but he felt vain of the
honor of being of the select few.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I tinks," said Ann, "dat de Lord wont
bless massa for dat no how, stoppin' all de meetin's on he own place, an' only
jest lettin' <i>dem </i>go to Deer Ridge what wont 'prove de privilege."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Well," interrupted
Jordan, "course</span></p>
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style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 101]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>massa lets de steddy ones, like dis boy, go, an' keeps dem
home what's ollers cuttin' up like Ann and Yellow Jim do."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Ann dropped the dough, which she was putting into the
bread-pans, and, with much of it still sticking to her hands, turned upon
Jordan a mingled look of indignation and contempt, and exclaimed, "Massa
say Jim and I knows too much. He never s'pects Jordan of dat ar."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Simeon, wishing to keep good feeling between all
parties, interposed. "Bless de good Spirit!" he exclaimed," I
believes, as de elder say, 'de Lord will work spite ob de wicked.' He all dun
sow he seed on dis place, and de devil can't cotch it all away."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> At this moment Maria looked in, to admonish the
intruders upon the kitchen that it would be prudent for them to disperse.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Let all de people watch and pray,"
whispered Simeon as the company retired.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George clearly perceived this
unfriendliness of his employer toward his labors </span></p>
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<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 102] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>for the slaves of Myrtle Hill; but being intent on his
purpose of doing good, he went oftener, and gave more special attention to Deer
Ridge. This was, as we have said, the plantation of Judge Walker. It was in
charge of an overseer, an ignorant white man living in a log-cabin but little
better than the quarters of the common slaves. He hated all meetings, all negro
singing and praying, and especially all Yankees. But having Judge Walker's
permission, George assumed full liberty over the moral and religions welfare of
the place. He occasionally went to Deer Ridge on a week evening, riding over after
school and returnting when the horn of the overseer blew for the hands to
retire. In these pleasant visits he was sometimes accompanied by Melville. The
group which gathered about them of tired laborers never seemed so weary as not
to enjoy the prayers and exhortations of their teachers. On such Sabbaths as
they could spend there, they had the attendance of larger numbers. When the
weather permitted, George took his stand on a</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p><span style='color:black'>[</span><span style='color:black'>page
103]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>swell of land under a wide-spreading oak. He read portions
of the Bible, and illustrated them by attractive stories, and simple references
to the common affairs of life. Frequent songs of praise were sung, in which the
negroes joined heartily; and when prayer was offered, none but the hardened and
stupid overseer refused to kneel.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Though it was not often that
George could meet the slaves of Deer Ridge on the Sabbath, yet the interest on
such occasions increased, so that large numbers assembled from various
plantations in the vicinity. Even the master of Myrtle Hill began to relax his
opposition, or his orders began to be disregarded, for Simeon and Griffen
mingled slyly in the cheerful gatherings; and, when screened by Aunt Maria and
the young folks of the mansion, even Ann and Jim were there. Ann had become
more truly devout; but Jim was urged by a desire to know more, rather than to
become better. He watched the progress of the labors of the young teacher with
a keen eye and a thoughtful mind.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 104] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>He saw, even more clearly than the teacher himself, their
probable result. His master was not mistaken in supposing that Jim's already
awakened sense of the wrong that he, in common with his fellow-slaves,
suffered, was quickened by what he observed in all these kind labors. But
though Jim felt more, he manifested less uneasiness than he had done. His
mother, Aunt Maria, called the attention of her master to Jim's more quiet
temper since the revival commenced. But the reply of Mr. Craig was that he
suspected him the more. "These still, knowing niggers," he added
sharply, "are my abhorrence. Jim must be watched!"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> It began now to be plain that
the Sunday-school was becoming too prominent in its influence on Myrtle Hill.
The little log school-house had, at times, been abandoned on account of the
large number attending, and a portion of the playground had been used for its
sessions. In this state of things George took counsel of his friend Judge
Walker. The judge cautiously consulted Mr.<i> </i>Craig and all the</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 105]</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>patrons of the Sunday-school, and
finally concluded to put up a good-sized building at Deer Ridge, to accommodate
occasional preaching as well as the Sunday-school</span><span style='font-size:
10.5pt;color:black'>.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 106]<b> </b></span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XIV.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>FATHER CLIFTON.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> It </span><span
style='color:black'>was with satisfaction that George learned, a few weeks
after his interview with the judge, that there was to be preaching the
following Sabbath at Deer Ridge.<b> </b>The proposed house was only partly
finished, but this meeting was appointed to stimulate the interest in its
completion.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George was gratified to learn
also that Mr. and Mrs. Craig were intending to go, and to take the children
with them. With ill-concealed mortification Mr. Craig himself announced to
George this fact. The preaching was to be mainly for the benefit of the colored
people. For Mr. Craig to attend such a meeting was to remind him of his own
shame in forbidding similar ones on his own place; but the judge had sent him a
special invitation to do so. He wished to preserve his friendship, and so
consented</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 107]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>to witness religious privileges which he despised.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The coming Sabbath morning was a time of joyful
anticipations on many plantations. The venerated Fatter Clifton, the missionary
to the slaves, was expected at Deer Ridge. Once in four weeks he had a week-day
appointment at the same place, but he had never been there on the Sabbath.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'> <span
style='color:black'>This Father Clifton was a man whose praise was upon all the
plantations. He was small in stature and slight in his physical frame, plain
but neat in his dress, and elastic in his every motion. But it was the uniform
benevolence of his heart which most impressed those acquainted with him. Like
his Master, he went about doing good. Punctually, at his appointed hour, he
reached his place of labor, though drenched with rain, impeded by swollen
streams, and wearied by long journeys through dense forests and over almost
impassable roads. Gentle, and accessible to all, he was at the same time firm
and outspoken in rebuking sin. The pious</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 108]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>greatly loved Father Clifton, and the open sinner was
subdued into respect before his transparent goodness. His words, when he stood
in the sacred desk, were simple, and aimed directly at the heart. When
ministering to his congregations of untaught negroes, under the tall trees of
the woods or in the rude meeting-houses of a new country, his feelings often
prompted a genuine eloquence. The fixed attention and streaming eyes of his
audience were his constant encouragement, and the awakening and conversion of
many sinners the seals of his ministry.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> In the morning of the anticipated Sabbath Father
Clifton preached to the assembled white people. A few colored people hung about
the outskirts of the congregation, catching, in the distance, a little of the
instruction they so much loved.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> At three o'clock in the
afternoon, or evening, as it was called, the number of slaves had increased to
a large congregation. A few white people were scattered here and there. A
temporary platform had been prepared for the speaker. The con-</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 109]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>gregation sat upon rough seats, or stood leaning against
the trees.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The speaker commenced by "lining" a familiar
hymn. The deep emotion with which every strain was sung, the loud swell of at
least eight hundred strong and clear voices, and the solemn echo which came
back from the depth of the forest, as if nature repeated the hymn of praise,
subdued the most unfeeling mind. In the prayer which followed, Father Clifton
was drawn into forgetfulness of himself in a solemn sense of the nearness of
God. Every word was simple, direct, and earnest ; and so unpretending was the
discourse which followed, that the hearers thought only of the solemn truths
which were uttered. To those for whom his remarks were especially intended he
was "as the angel of God."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "He is wonderfully practical, and well adapted to
save these perishing souls," remarked George as the service broke up.
"Thank God," he added, “for raising up so needed an
instrumentality."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> “I never did hear any elder
preach like</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 110] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>dat," exclaimed Griffen, whose heart God had taught to
hear the truth aright; "he 'scribes zackly poor Uncle Grif’s feelin's.
Sure now, Massa Mel, dun tell him all about how it ben wid me;<i> </i>and den
to tink de elder takes de pains to speak right to dis poor sarvant all de
time!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Bless you, Uncle Grif," interposed Ann, as
she pushed aside the crowd to get nearer to Uncle Griffen, “I know now the
elder's ben speakin' to me sartin. I couldn't look up, 'cause I s'pects all de
people a lookin' right at poor Ann."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The scholars from Myrtle Hill enjoyed the occasion
much. Gelia was alive with the excitement of her visit. As on former occasions,
she was very communicative.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Before the week had passed she had repeated what she
had heard in the ears of half the servants of the plantation. With childish
simplicity she chatted away to little groups which gathered about her,
supplying the place, in an humble manner, of the teachers who had been denied
them. Even James and Edwin thought</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 111]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>that they had a fine time at Father Clifton's meeting.
"I should think," said James, in his quiet way, "that pa might
let our people hear him."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> But Mr. Craig was more
disturbed than ever when he perceived the influence that the meetings were
exerting over his family. He tried, however, to console himself with the
thought, that the removal of the Sunday-school from his plantation would
relieve his people from the increasing religious influence. We shall see how
far his hopes were realized</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>.</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 112]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XV.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE RIPENING
HARVEST.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> <span style='text-transform:uppercase'>The </span>interest
of the Craig children in their teacher, and his labors for their religious
benefit, had become sincere and deep. Their cousins, Milton and Ella, had not
ceased to attend the Sunday-school since its removal to Deer Ridge, so that the
two families of young people were more than ever under his moral training.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The impulsive Edwin at times seemed about to give his
heart to God; but his impetuous feelings were his constant snare. He had
occasion to say often, "When I would do good, evil is present with
me," He had not quite learned the true and only source of religious
strength; he had not yet experienced the power of a simple faith in the blood
of Christ.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> James was silent, but
thoughtful. His struggles for a new heart through the strivings of the Holy
Spirit were genuine, but not very apparent. He yielded re-</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 113]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>luctantly to his convictions for sin, but he never retraced
his steps.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Gelia's zeal was changeable. She was often carried
away from her good purposes by her active imagination; but her views of Bible
truths were becoming more intelligent, and her feelings more truly religious.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> In the kind and friendly May, George was painfully
disappointed. Her regard for religious instruction never extended beyond her
ideas of being polite. She was much in gay company, and constantly under the
influence of her mother, whose attention to religion was merely cold respect.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The children insisted upon
the privilege of going to all the meetings at Deer Ridge. Their interest, and
the increasing attendance of others, rendered them so important that they
claimed the attention of George nearly every Sunday. Father Clifton preached
there every fourth Sabbath, and was unceasing in his efforts to give it a wide
influence. He called at Myrtle Hill as frequently as possible, to speak to</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
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</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 114] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>George words of counsel and encouragement.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> There was one beautiful Sunday at Deer Ridge that
George had much occasion to remember. The number present was unusually large.
After opening the school and seeing the classes supplied with teachers, he sat
down at the head of a Bible class which he only occasionally taught. One of his
northern friends was its appointed teacher, but was not very punctual. James
and Edwin were in this class. There were other young men there to whom the Word
of God had been an unattractive book until within a few months. Sitting among
these young men was a man of gray hairs. His name was Smith, but he was
generally known by that of "Yankee Smith." Mr. Smith came to the
Mississippi Valley when it was mostly a wilderness. He brought no fortune with
him, but by industry in early manhood and by a natural force of character he
had made one. He had cut paths through the canebrakes and leveled the forest with
his own hands. He came</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 115]</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2">into the country alone, but now a thousand fellow-beings
called him master. His lands extended through forests and along the streams
for many miles. He spread a sumptuous table, and was never happier than when
it was surrounded by numerous guests. But Yankee Smith was an exacting and
cruel master. He saw no possible use in society for colored people but as the
means of the white man’s wealth. Many of his slaves came to Deer Ridge through
the influence of religious friends, and, being rather jealous of their
privileges, he came to see what was going on. By George’s invitation he was
now brought in contact with the Word of God for the first time for years. He
took no part in the exercises, but listened to what was said with absorbing
interest. The earnest questions of James and Edwin and their knoweldge of
religious things, together with the faithful application of the truth by the
teacher, awoke recollections of years long past. He had, in his own New England,
been taught from God’s word; he had been the subject</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 116]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>of the prayers of pious parents; he had known the sacred
influence of God's house. All this George had learned from his own lips on
another occasion. While, therefore, George was urging the acceptance of
salvation by Christ as the only true riches, Mr. Smith was much affected. He
turned away to conceal his emotion, and to pretend, by noticing other parts of
the school, an indifference he could not feel. But tears moistened his eyes,
which for a long time had been unused to weeping.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> This little incident might have passed unnoticed by
some Sunday-school teachers; but George, ever awake to see and encourage the
buddings of the spiritual fruit which he sought, from that time made Yankee
Smith a subject of daily and earnest prayer. He remembered that seed had been
sown by praying hearts in past years, and he labored that it might bring forth
fruit even in one so mature in wickedness.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The slaves gave unusual
attention during the exercises of the afternoon. The few that could read were
formed into</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 117]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>classes in the chapel. Melville, always ready for labors of
love, passed round among these little groups to hear the Bible lesson they had
committed to memory, and to explain and apply its teachings. A few others
occasionally aided in like services.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The slaves who could not read were under George's
immediate instruction outside. They were gathered around him, some sitting upon
the grass, others leaning against the trees, while several groups were standing
at a little distance. Some had even climbed into the low branches of the trees
which hung near. All were interested in catching the words which fell from his
lips. With the Word of God in his hand, George urged, in a conversational
manner, the subject of personal salvation. His remarks were so free from the
formality of a set discourse that he was frequently interrupted by questions
from his hearers. This he encouraged when it was done in a serious and becoming
manner.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Among this group of slaves a few white people mingled,
among whom was Yankee Smith.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 118] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> As George and Melville were returning from Deer Ridge
that afternoon, as usual on horseback, George exclaimed with unusual animation,</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Melville, I never saw the golden grain so ripe
for the harvest as now. My scholars, James and Edwin, begin to acknowledge
their desire for new hearts, and are venturing upon Christ by faith; the
colored people are all attention, and even Yankee Smith has shown a tender place
in his hard heart."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well," said Melville, more quietly, not
sharing in his friend's enthusiasm with regard to Smith, "I have no doubt
your labors are about to be rewarded by the conversion of your scholars, and
that the servants will find Christ, to their great joy; but as to Mr. Smith, my
father used to say that the millennium would come soon after Yankee Smith's
conversion. He is the sum of all wickedness."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "That may be so,"
replied George, "and he may have come to Deer Ridge to be a spy upon the
privileges of his servants; but if so he has found more than he</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 119]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>sought. He has found words of warning from the truth he has
avoided for a lifetime. The Gospel is of God. It can convert Yankee
Smith."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Melville smiled at George's earnestness, and remarked,
“I am constantly stimulated by your faith. I will try to believe for Smith's
conversion."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> For several Sabbaths after the one of which, we have
spoken, Smith's presence at Deer Ridge and attention to the instructions of the
Sunday-school and public service were noticed and wondered at by all. The pious
slaves were full of exclamations and remarks concerning the astonishing change.
Aunt Ann, catching the general spirit, one Sunday morning pushed open George's
school-room door, as he sat alone engaged in devotional reading, and exclaimed
in a subdued but excited tone: "Ho, Mr. Freeman, dar's a goin' to be a
resurrection, sartin sure!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Certainly, Ann," said George; "you
seem to be as surprised as if you had just heard of that great Bible
truth."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Dere now, Mr.
Freeman," replied</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 120] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>Ann, "you don't cotch my meanin'. Dey say Yankee Smith
is 'come mighty good; an' sure he's been dead in he wickedness ever since I was
a l-e-e-t-l-e pickaninny. Dat's what I calls a resurrection."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Ann shut the door as she uttered these words and
hastened away to her task.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Though these words came from the lips of the lowly,
they seemed to<i> </i>George to be sent of God to stimulate his faith and hope,
and he thanked God with a fervent spirit.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> While the Spirit of God was
thus at work, the demon of slavery was rousing to his customary work of evil
against the ripening spiritual harvest-field.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 121]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XVI.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>PRECIOUS FRUIT.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> Melville </span><span
style='color:black'>had occasion to learn that his faith was that of a babe in
Christ. God had prepared lessons for him; concerning the power of his Gospel to
save, which should fit him for greater usefulness, as well as for increased
personal holiness.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Soon after his conversation
with George in reference to Yankee Smith, the Craig children invited him to
accompany them on a holiday ride to Deer Run. Deer Run was a beautiful little
stream flowing into the Mississippi River. Its nearest point to Myrtle Hill was
about six miles. At this place it was very wide during a freshet; but at this
time it was quite narrow. The overflow of the waters had brought up a very fine
sand, on which the smaller children, loved to play. They occasionally found
there among the pebbles a pretty variety of the agate. In various places among
the sand and pebbles were</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 122]</span><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>small excavations full of water, left by the receding
stream. In some of these were tiny fishes. Rabbits, gray squirrels, opossums,
and raccoons were abundant in the vicinity.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The Craigs had often rode to Deer Run for a few hours'
amusement, but had never before invited Melville to be one of their party. On
this occasion Edwin, Gelia, and Frank rode in the family carriage. Edwin had
kindly sent Picayune, a favorite pony, to Melville, that he might go on
horseback in company with James.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The boys always felt that they were doing a
self-denying favor to yield the saddle to a friend for a seat in the carriage.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A gun for each of the older boys, and fishing lines
for Gelia and Frank, were committed to the care of the carriage driver.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> As the company left Myrtle
Hill, Aunt Ann gazed after them until they were lost to her sight, and then
returned to her cabin full of pleasant thoughts. "There neber was anything
like dat are," she said,</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 129]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>for his salvation. He then bounded away to tell Gelia how
good it was to love God.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> During the return home, Edwin took James's place in
the saddle; this arrangement afforded Melville an opportunity to prepare
Edwin's mind, by such counsel as he was able to give, for the conflicts which
awaited him. He knew well his impetuous temper, and what advantage Satan would
take of it to cause him to stumble.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Melville's confidence was almost unbounded in George,
as a guide and support to the young disciples. He therefore parted with them,
when he came to the road leading to his own home, without painful fears that
their goodness would be as the early dew.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The feelings of the family
that evening at the mansion of Myrtle Hill were those of mingled joy and
vexation. Gelia had run into the sitting room exclaiming that James and Edwin
had become real good, almost as good as Mel and Mr. Freeman. George, who was
sitting in the family circle, smiled at Gelia's standard</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 130] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>of goodness; but serious thoughts were prominent in his
mind. He had spent the day mostly at the school-room, and had been much in
prayer for the excursionists. When he learned further the facts concerning his
scholars, not only from themselves, but afterward from Melville, his joy was
unspeakable. He yielded his heart to a spirit of thanksgiving, feeling that it
would be wrong to indulge in doubts concerning their steadfastness, knowing
that God could as easily keep them as he could convert.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> So marked was the change in the spirit and conduct of
James and Edwin, that their parents were constrained to acknowledge it; yet
their hearts were so secretly opposed to the claims of religion upon themselves
that they wished their teacher, to whose influence they referred these changes
in their family, was fairly gone to his Connecticut home.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The clusters of precious
fruit gathered at Myrtle Hill were but the beginning of the spiritual harvest.
The faith of the inquiring slaves was greatly strengthened.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 131]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>Griffen and Simeon had an open field for their Christian
labors. Many obtained the pearl of great price, and published their joy with an
earnest, if not a well-directed zeal.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The revival, which was now well begun, was not
confined to the slaves. The poor white people first, and then the haughty
slaveholders, began to inquire what they should do to be saved. George, in the
absence of Father Clifton, was their principal spiritual guide. Pastors from a
distance, hearing what God had wrought, came occasionally to Deer Ridge, and
gave the work the influence of their presence and preaching. But George made
frequent evening and leisure afternoon visits, to aid inquirers. He was invited
to many humble homes, and to a few of the wealthy, to direct burdened souls to
Jesus.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> While the work was thus
progressing, George received one evening a note from Yankee Smith, inviting him
to his residence. George saw at once that the true cause of this call was Mr.
Smith's convictions for sin; at least, he believed this</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 132]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>to be the case, not only from the increased interest he had
of late manifested in religious things, but because he had prayed for him
habitually. He desired of God his conversion as the crowning evidence in the
revival of the power of the Gospel to save.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> On the arrival of George at Smith's princely mansion
he learned that he had been for some days confined to his room by illness. A
physician had been called, but he did not understand his case. His family
believed that he was in a rapid decline. A pious slave, who had seen George at
Deer Ridge, whispered, as he took his horse, "Massa's sick, sure nuff; but
I tink he's got de right doctor dis time."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George found his friend
greatly changed. His step was weak and trembling. His pale countenance, marked
with the suffering of his mind, showed that his conflicts had been severe. He
grasped George's hand with sincere cordiality. "I have been mighty sick,
Mr. Freeman," he remarked, "since I conversed with you at</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 133]</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>Deer Ridge concerning those
mysterious truths you so much insist upon. The more I think of them, the more I
think you may be right. But then I've been thinking what will become of me. Can
there be forgiveness for such a sinner? My past life has haunted me like a
specter, and the blackness of its sins has tormented me day and night. I
believe I am dying, but not of bodily disease. I am sick at heart. At times I
have been full of anger at you, as the disturber of my peace. Some of my
neighbors say that you are spoiling all the negroes, and that you are an
abolitionist and ought to be driven from the country. Do you know, sir, that I
have been almost ready to join in this cry, and to raise the storm against you?
But I find no relief to myself in this purpose. My life's blindness has been
removed, and I know God has done it through his word in your hands. I fear the
future; yes, the dreadful future after death. Am I not lost already? Can there
be mercy for me?" </span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George's sympathy was greatly
excited</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 134] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>for the unhappy man. He felt the nearness of eternity and
its solemn destinies as he had never felt them before. Could he believe in
salvation for one so near to death and everlasting ruin? For a moment he was
appalled by a danger so great. But he turned away from this dark scene to the
Saviour. He thought of him as "the first and the last" — "the
Almighty." His faith caught the words, "Whosoever will, let him
come." "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool."
Why should he hesitate to ask great things of such a Saviour when encouraged by
many great and precious promises? He prayed, and power to agonize in prayer was
given him. He held his friend up to God as the chief of sinners, but asked for
him pardon through an infinite Saviour. The Spirit granted his divine aid, and
faith became triumphant.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A holy calm filled the mind of the Earnest Laborer
when he ceased his supplications. It was the tranquillity of one who had
prevailed with God.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Did you say,"
inquired Mr. Smith, ris-</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 135] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>ing from his knees with the tears of a heavenly tenderness
of soul moistening his eyes, “did you say that Christ was an infinite
Saviour?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Yes; he is the fullness of God," replied
George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "And he can save all?" he asked again.
“Certainly; unto the uttermost," exclaimed George with glowing energy.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Will he save me <i>now?</i>"<i> </i>said
the broken-hearted inquirer once more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> "He will do precisely that," said George,
rising and walking toward his friend to grasp his hand, as if he would
congratulate him for a victory already won.</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Thank God for that!" said Mr. Smith, taking
George's extended hand. "Thank God for everything; bless his holy name for
ever and ever!"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Calmly and sweetly did this brand plucked from the
fire rest in the atoning blood from this time. There were hours of conflict,
but not of unbelief. As a babe in Christ, he was fed with the "sincere
milk of the word" and "grew thereby." Though he increased in
the knowledge</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 136]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>and experience of holy things his health failed rapidly,
and in a few weeks after his </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>conversion he passed from earth to heaven, whispering
gratefully as he sunk in death,</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>"Saved—saved—saved as by
fire."</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 137]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>CHAPTER XVII.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>THE SURPRISE</span></p>
<p> <span style='text-transform:uppercase'>George’s</span> friend, Yellow Jim, was a deeply interested observer of all these labors and
successes, though he gave but little expression to his feelings except when he
could speak to him privately. On such occasions he astonished George by his
understanding of the truths to which he had listened, and his shrewd opinions
concerning what was going on. One of these private interviews was well
remembered by George. He had leisurely walked at the close of the day much
beyond his usual limits. The sun was just beyond his usual limits. The sun was
just setting behind the tall trees, and the birds had nestled their heads
quietly under their wings for a night’s repose. The bats and the night hawks
had not yet commenced their quick and varied evolutions in the air, nor had the
owl begun her dismal croakings. George sat down in a little arbor formed by the
rich foliage of a vine</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 138] </span></p>
<p>overspreading the branches of a youthful oak. The rest and
quiet of the hour to him were such as the earnest laborer only enjoys. His
thoughts, which had been much occupied with the work in which he was engaged,
had suddenly wandered far away. The old home in Connecticut, the loving hearts
which yearned to greet him, the solemn Sabbath gatherings and the cheerful
Sunday-school, appeared so distinctly in memory's picture that the unconscious
tear stole down his face. He knelt and repeated the often offered prayer for
the dear ones of his earliest and warmest affection, but e'er he closed he
added words of earnest supplication "for those in bonds as bound with
them."</p>
<p> As he rose from his knees he heard a footstep of some
person stealing toward him.</p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>It’s only Jim,
sir," said a voice which George instantly recognized as that of Yellow
Jim. </p>
<p> "Excuse me, sir, for disturbing you," said
Jim, taking off his hat and approaching with a modest yet decided air, like</p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 139]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>one who felt that he could justify his intrusion by the
importance of his errand.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I have been seeking for many weeks," he
continued, "an opportunity of freeing my mind to you; and now I have it,
if you will allow me, sir."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Certainly, Jim," said George; "sit
down here.”What troubles you? Nothing alarming, I hope,"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Nothing," replied Jim, with a manifest
sadness, “if there is nothing to fear in being a slave,"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O that is it!" replied George. "But
can I help you?" he added tenderly; "such a cause of sorrow is beyond
my reach."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> “It will be something if I can speak," added Jim
with a sudden earnestness.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well then, speak," said George, "there
is no one here to report you, unless the owls croak what you say in the ears of
your master."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Owls are free,"
replied Jim promptly. "They hate slavery. Everything is free but the
colored man. The master is idle,</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 140] </span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>but the colored man must work. The
master may have learning, but his servant mustn't know too much. The Bible may
be very good—very true—all full of comfort for the poor slave, as Uncle Simeon
says; but he must hear and know only that part of it which his master is
pleased to allow. The elder may preach very well, but master keeps the larger
part of. us from the meetings, except when he can't well help it. Why, Mr.
Freeman, until you came here the people on this place didn't know nothing about
meetings any how. Uncle Sim somehow picked up a little about religion when
master let him out to Neighbor Stuart. All the boys laughed at Sim's religion,
because they knew that was the way to please master. But now master's been
fairly beat, though he's raving mad, I tell you. He wont stand it much longer,
no how, your getting the whole place into your pious notions. He's a big coward
himself, but he's stirring up the masters all about. A heap of trouble's a
comin', I reckon. Master's awful cruel on us poor slaves when he gets</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 141]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>some white folks to help him make it appear all
right."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "You mean," said George, seeming not to
understand Jim fully, “that master purposes to prevent the people from
attending the meetings?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Worse than that," said Jim bitterly.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> “He cannot stop the meetings at Deer Ridge," said
George in a decided tone. "He may," replied Jim.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But, thank God!" exclaimed George, whose
faith and hope began to assume their accustomed control, "he can never put
out the light the people have already received. Some are now converted, and the
leaven will work."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Jim looked with astonishment at the teacher's
persistent faith and love. His profound respect deepened into veneration.
Grasping George's hand, his resolute spirit for once yielded to his emotions,
and he wept freely.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O, Mr. Freeman," he exclaimed, "if I
had <i>your </i>religion I could almost be a slave in peace!"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> “You may be God's
freeman," replied</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 142] </p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>George persuasively. "You can have the peace of God
that passeth understanding."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But what shall we do when you are gone—driven
away from us?" inquired Jim anxiously.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I shall leave God with you, even if it ever
happens that I am driven away," said George. "And," he added,
with a warmth of feeling which started the tears again from Jim's eyes,
"you, my friend, must give your heart to God; you must then strengthen
your trembling, feeble fellow-servants; you<i> </i>may become an example of
patient continuance in well-doing, committing the keeping of your soul to Him
who judges righteously."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I <i>never </i>can be patient in slavery,"
replied Jim, burying his face in his hands and bursting into tears.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Remember your mother, my friend," said
George tenderly,” and for her sake be patient."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Mother!" echoed
Jim, starting at the mention of her name, "it’s on her account that I <i>cannot </i>be patient. Do you know</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 143]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>that she has been threatened with the auction block at the
New Orleans market? and master will do it too!" and the old fire flashed
at. the thought from the eye of the outraged son, showing that he had not
learned to bear all things.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "God is on your side," said George
soothingly.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Is he,<i> sure?"</i> said Jim, forgetting
the privacy of the interview and raising his voice to a loud sharp tone, which
came back in echoes from the silent forest. "Why then," he continued,
dropping his voice into a low, earnest expression, "why then don't God
help us, and crush the oppressor?"<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title="" id="_ftnref5"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black'>[5]</span></span></span></a></span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Hush!" said
George. "God hath said, 'Vengeance is mine;' 'Judge nothing before the
time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart; and <i>then </i>shall
every man have praise of God.'<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title="" id="_ftnref6"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black'>[6]</span></span></span></a> He cannot forget you. Trust him."</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 144] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "O, Mr. Freeman," said Jim
desponding,"I am afraid I shall never learn your way of having peace of
mind."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> “Say rather," said George, "I will listen to
Him who hath said, 'My peace I give unto you.'<a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7"
title="" id="_ftnref7"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black'>[7]</span></span></span></a> How let us return. There will be a stir about us."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The night had fairly begun, and shut out every trace
of the path through which George had wandered. But Jim was familiar with the
very shadow of the trees, and he silently led the way.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What is that?" whispered Jim, pausing
suddenly and crouching down among the bushes.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "You hear only a rabbit which we have started
from his night's covert," said George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "It's more like Jordan's clumsy footsteps,"
replied Jim coolly.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> When they reached the open
driveway Jim slipped around to his humble quarters. The teacher's absence had
been noticed by the watchful Gelia, who, as he approached the veranda, sprung
into his arms exclaiming,</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 145]</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Ho! Mr. Freeman, you lost your way, didn't
you?”</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The family accepted
Gelia's surmise, and George passed on to his room.</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 146]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XVIII.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE SLAVE MOTHER'S
ANGUISH.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'> It </span><span
style='color:black'>was not long before Aunt Maria had an opportunity of
expressing to George the fears to which, her son Jim had alluded.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The family carriage had just disappeared in the woody
avenue beyond the mansion grounds, bearing away the master and mistress and the
older children. The house was quiet, and George had just drawn up to his table
to enjoy the luxury of a few hours' uninterrupted study. But a gentle knock at
his door and the entrance softly of Aunt Maria put study and books at once from
his mind. She was dignified and calm, but her countenance wore a look of
painful anxiety.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "May I sit down a moment?" she inquired
respectfully.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Certainly," said George. "But are you
sick, Maria? you appear distressed."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Yes, sick, Mr.
Freeman," she replied</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 147]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>earnestly; "my heart is sick; I believe it will break
sure."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "What now, Annt Maria?" said George
tenderly. "You seem to be pleasantly situated; your quarters are the best
on the place, and nearest the master's; your children are about you; you have a
position of honor and trust in your master's family; all the servants look up
to you with deference; you certainly are neither hungry, cold, nor destitute of
comfortable clothes, nor does your labor seem unreasonably hard; what <i>can </i>be
the matter?"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Well, now, Mr.
Freeman," said Maria, "I dare say you know more of the matter than
you seem to. May be, though, I'd a heap better keep my troubles to myself than
be bothering you with them. Like enough you'll have plenty of your own. Seems
like, though, I must speak. I know you have feelings, and it's a great comfort
to a crushed heart to find one such. It aint often a poor slave finds one such,
though. Well, now, ever since the people have been stirred up about religion</span></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 148] </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText">master's been awful jealous. He's been watching Grif and
Uncle Simeon night and day. But my poor boy Jim, seems like master wants to
kill him right off; and he says to me, 'Maria, you encourages Jim in his smart
notions,' and then he'll swear and. threaten to sell Jim. Then he breaks out
again and says, 'Maria, you shall go on to the auction block—you shall—you and
Jim too, and you sha'n't go together neither.'"</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> "But," interrupted George, "master
cannot mean so. He speaks in anger; he surely wont sell one who was raised with
him; and as to Jim, he is too valuable on the place. Master cannot spare
him."</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Ah, Mr. Freeman," replied Maria,
"master has his plans, though. Did you hear about them?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "No, Maria," said George, his interest being
fully aroused; "what plans?"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Well," said Maria,
"I'll tell you. Judge Walker has owned a long time a place on the river.
Master's been bought a place long side of it. He says this home place is all
worn out, and too</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 149]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>many hands here and too little work. I should like to know,
though, if they doesn't all work the whole time. Well, he is going to send some
hands down to this new place, River Place, he calls it."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But," said George earnestly, "will Jim
be sent to the River Place? are you to go too, Maria? is that the plan?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I reckon not; don't know; may be," said
Maria, evidently much confused in her opinion about the matter.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I think master is afraid to trust Jim, then; but
there'll be much work on the River Place that no other hand can do. But you
know, Mr. Freeman, <i>it's near the river;</i>" and Maria looked archly at
George as she added, "master says Jim knows too much. I am more afraid
he'll sell him at the New Orleans market, where he'll bring fifteen hundred
dollars or more. Sure he'll do it if he gets in a passion; and," added
Maria in a tone of anguish, "I have no peace while I think of it."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The heart of the laborious
teacher was touched with this simple statement of a mother whose sensibilities
were as keen</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 150]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>as if the slight tinge of African blood which run in her
veins had been pure English. "But what can I do?" he said musingly.
"I can only persist, at all hazards, in pointing the oppressed ones to the
blood of Christ, which will make them free indeed."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Turning to Maria, he said, in as cheerful a tone as
his heavy heart would allow, "Come, be of good cheer; your fears may be
groundless. At any rate, God will be your comforter. There is a land where the
wicked cease from troubling,"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Yes," said Maria with a sigh; “but I'm
thinking who'll encourage us poor servants in that way when you are gone. My
Jim says that when the troubles come Mr. Freeman can just return to his own
free land; but the poor colored boy must stay and bear it all."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But I shall leave God and religion with
you," said George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But who'll help us to trust God?" still
inquired Maria; "that's what I'm thinking on,"</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "God will provide all
necessary aid,"</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 151]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>said George decidedly. "Has not precious seed been
sown in the hearts of your young masters? There is Gelia, too, she cannot
forget all her good resolutions, and she will soon be a young woman, and—"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Thank God!" exclaimed Maria, interrupting
George as a sudden rush of encouraging thoughts caused her to forget for the
moment that George was speaking. "Bless God, there is a mighty change in
the gang masters. And do you know," continued Maria, in a lower tone of
voice, "that master would have dismissed his teacher long ago only, as he says,
'the silly young folks think so much of him and he does teach them so mighty
well?' But I suspects he wont hear the meetings much longer. They're too much
for him."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George thought it prudent not
to encourage a prolonged conversation on these topics, and Maria soon retired,
and left him to many conflicting emotions. He had already remained at the South
longer than he had purposed. Nearly three years instead of two had been spent
in </span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 152] </span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'>faithful labor for others, in
addition to which he had advanced one year in his college studies. He desired
to return and finish the remaining year of the course. But his work of love,
which God had so richly blest, had become exceedingly dear to him, and the
souls that had been won to Christ were in his heart to live and die with them.
He resolved firmly that he would not hasten his departure because the clouds
around him looked threatening ; the tempest might break, and then it would be
time enough to flee.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p><span style='color:black'>[page 153]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XIX.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>WICKED<b> </b>DEMANDS.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black;text-transform:uppercase'>
Notwithstanding </span><span style='color:black'>the fears of Aunt Maria and
her son, the school at Deer Ridge went on for some time prosperously. The
interest of the children and of the colored people appeared unabated. Quite a
large number, however, of the latter were sent to the River Place, and among
the rest were Simeon and Griffen. They were put under an overseer of great
severity, and a hater of negro meetings. But the power of saving grace in their
hearts was not likely to be crushed out by the hands of tyranny, however much
suffering it might cause. Aunt Ann and her few sympathizers at Myrtle Hill felt
a new responsibility now that their human props were, in part, removed. She
coaxingly secured from the accommodating Gelia frequent readings of the Word of
God. "De blessed word!" Ann would exclaim, as passage after passage
came</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p><span style='color:black'>[page 154]</span></p>
<p>home with comforting power to her heart; <span
style='color:black'>"</span>it is food to my poor heart. It does comfort
wonderful.<span style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<p> Jordan was still a thorn to the saints, or,
perhaps, a willing spy for his master upon their religious freedom.</p>
<p> Jim was occasionally sent to the River Place,
and had while there, by an unusual promptness and obedience and constant
devotion to his duties, quieted the fears of his master. The overseer had, as
he said, <span style='color:black'>"</span>put the screws on to him,<span
style='color:black'>"</span> and he had shown a submissive spirit. The
overseer reported to his master that Jim was <span style='color:black'>"</span>all
right<span style='color:black'>"</span> when he was away from the
meetings, which spoiled the negroes, and that his services were indispensable
in getting the place into good order. So Jim was likely to become settled on
the river plantation.</p>
<p> While the work at Deer Ridge was thus quietly
going on, George received on of the occasional visits of Father Clifton. He
thought he saw upon the good man’s countenance a look of sadness, and when they
sat down alone in his school-room,</p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 155]</p>
<p>as they had often done, the cause of his sadness was freely
disclosed. </p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>I fear,”
he said, “we shall be obliged to give up the larger part of our religious
efforts at Deer Ridge.<span style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>Why?
what now?<span style='color:black'>"</span> said George abruptly.</p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>Well,<span
style='color:black'>"</span> replied Father Clifton, <span
style='color:black'>"</span>we have gone a little too far in our attention
to the colored people perhaps. Our people here at the South have their
prejudices; though a few of us do not sympathize with them, yet we must yield
some. Your special attention, with Melville, in teaching the slaves to read,
is unusual.<span style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>But,<span
style='color:black'>"</span> said George, <span style='color:black'>"</span>I
had the judge’s permission.<span style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>True,<span
style='color:black'>"</span> answered Father Clifton, <span
style='color:black'>"</span>and but for that business would not have been
tolerated a week. Even the judge says our labors in this direction have been
made too prominent and general. There is quite a feeling about this matter,
and we must, for the present, at least, desist.<span style='color:black'>"</span></p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>We may
continue to hold meetings<span style='color:black'> </span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 156] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>with the colored people I suppose," said George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I shall once in a while preach to them, that is
all," said Father Clifton, with evident embarrassment. "Our friends
advise the discontinuance of all other meetings, including the entire
Sunday-school, such is the excitement. The cry of abolitionism has been raised,
and even the judge's influence cannot shield us."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The remark about "abolitionism" caused
George to remain for a few moments silent. He thought of his friend Jim, and
was more than ever convinced of his superior penetration and judgment. He understood
now what he meant by the "heap of trouble" which was coming. But a
sweet peace of mind held in control every emotion. God never seemed so near to
him. He did not doubt for a moment his protection. He was about to express this
confidence when Father Clifton broke the silence.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "I<b> </b>see how it is.
Slavery demands this sacrifice of us for its unholy interest. It</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 157]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>crushes out every good work. I will be wholly clean of the
abominable thing."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The good man rose from, his seat and walked the room
under the stimulus of the indignant feelings which burned within. Nor were
these feelings inconsistent with what he had already done as a slaveholder. He
had for years taken no wages of his few slaves. He had repeatedly assured
George that he required<b> </b>of them only not to involve him in debt, giving
them their earnings, after they had paid their own living, for the purchase of
their freedom. But, pressed by the thought of this new development of slavery's
wicked demands, Father Clifton was moved to abandon the country which it so
controlled for one of freedom to himself as well as his servants. Many ties of
Christian fellowship, especially with those for whom he had labored as an
apostle of Christ, as well as many associations of youth and early manhood,
came in to shake such a resolution. His conflict of mind was severe.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The two friends kneeled in
earnest</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 158]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>prayer, and parted with an increased ardor of Christian
friendship. It was their last meeting on earth.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George sought an early opportunity to consult his
friend Judge Walker concerning the prevailing excitement. Being now unemployed
on the Sabbath, he rode to the residence of the judge on the Saturday following
Father Clifton's visit. The judge received with him an embarrassed cordiality.
The subject most on George's mind was soon introduced.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I am told," remarked George, "that the
Sunday-school at Deer Ridge must be discontinued."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I think it must, at least for the present,"
replied the judge.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "As the prejudices," said George, "seem
to be mainly against me, why may not the school be continued without my
presence? It is the religious benefit of the young and of the uninstructed
adults that I desire; I do not so much covet the personal labor."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "We know," said the
judge, with marked kindness of manner and tone," that</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 159</span><span style='color:black'>]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>your labor has been disinterested and faithful, and we
could not sustain the school without you. But the cry of abolitionism, a thing
so hated by our people, stifles all reason, and we must yield to it."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "But wherein," persisted George, "lies
my crime? I have only sought the spiritual good of the people. Can any right or
interest of society be injured by that?”</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Perhaps," said the judge, "there has
been too general an effort made to teach the people to read."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "In that," replied George promptly, "we
have only tried to open to them a more perfect knowledge of God, and the way of
salvation through his word."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "True," said the judge; "and I have
endeavored, in a quiet way, to teach some of my servants to read. It will do
for a few to learn a little plain reading. But the teaching of the slaves is
forbidden by our laws, and any thing like a general teaching of them, even to
that small extent, seems to be forbidden by the necessities of their condition
as slaves."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "Yes, I see," said
George quietly, un-</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 160]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>conscious of the deep significance, of his remark;
"the necessities of slavery do forbid obedience to God's commands. In the
Scriptures is eternal life. God has said, Search them. Slavery interposes a
barrier to the direct access of the slave to this divine treasury. This matter
is in God's hands, and he will, I trust, adjust it."'</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The judge remained silent.
The calm and grieved expression of his friend's countenance disarmed resentment
if it had been prompted. Indeed, the judge's own thoughts troubled him, and he
directed the conversation to other topics.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 161]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XX.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE<b> </b>ESCAPE.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> <span style='text-transform:uppercase'>A few </span>weeks
after George's interview with Judge Walker, Myrtle Hill plantation was thrown
into a great excitement. A messenger came in great haste from the River Place,
bringing word from the overseer that Yellow Jim, and a boy belonging to Judge
Walker by the name of Sam, had run away. He said that Jim had been sent on an
errand about twenty miles distant, and that he had been gone twenty-four hours
before the overseer thought he had run away.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Craig immediately took his
dogs and started for the river, saying, as he departed, something about Yankee
influence and negro meetings. His insinuations were not reported very clearly
to George, but the spirit of his remarks he could well enough understand. He
was convinced that if<b> </b>Jim had escaped it would be time for the Yankee
teacher</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 162] </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>to close his labors and return to his old home.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr. Craig was absent a week, and it was a week of
great solicitude on both plantations. Uncle Simeon and Griffen, on the River
Place, hoped and feared while the hunt was going on. They hoped, for Jim's
sake, that he would escape, well understanding that if he was caught a hard
fate awaited him. They feared any attempt to take him, if found, for they knew
his temper too well to suppose it could be done without bloodshed. They knew,
too, the consequence to themselves of his success in his efforts to become a
free man. Their privileges would be even less than they had been. But this they
were willing to bear for the sake of the liberty of one to whom liberty would
be so sweet.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Aunt Maria waited in silent anguish the result. It
would be sorrow to her in any case. But she preferred Jim's success, because
then she alone would suffer.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George remained calm, hoping
and believing that Jim's days of slavery were</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 163]</span></p>
<p>ended, and that henceforth free scope would be given for the
development of his manly spirit. As to himself, he had endeavored to honor God.
He had labored in love for the good of his fellowmen. He could trust his case
with Him who judgeth righteously.</p>
<p> The children were much confused about the affair. Their
education and parental influence inclined them to resent the attempt of a negro
to be free. They knew how angry their father would be, and how much he would
feel Jim's loss. But they knew also that Jim had fine feelings and a noble
mind, or, in their language, that he was "right smart;" besides,
their moral feelings, lately so much changed, sided with Jim.</p>
<p> "Don't Jim want to be free as well as
anybody?" inquired Frankie, with much simplicity, laying his hand on his
teacher's knee and looking earnestly into his face.</p>
<p> George hesitated, and directed his attention to the
older scholars.</p>
<p> "Of course he does, or he wouldn't have run
away," said Gelia; <span style='color:black'>"</span>but he needn't</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 164] </p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>be so mean as to plague pa so and make him so angry."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Negroes aint like other people anyhow, are they,
Mr. Freeman?" inquired James. "I reckon they're born to be
slaves."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Most of the colored people of this country are
born in slavery," replied George.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I don't see why Jim haint as good a right to be
free as anybody!" exclaimed Edwin warmly. "If I were Jim I would be
free if I wanted to."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> These were Edwin's feelings
under a momentary impulse, directed by his Christian love. He<b> </b>had been,
of all the children, the tyrant among the slaves of the plantation. On former
occasions, and surrounded by other influences, his utterances had been bitterly
in favor of the right of "white folks"<b> </b>to make slaves of
"niggers." Nothing but the restraints of a<b> </b>most positive
religious influence could keep Edwin from becoming in manhood an ultra
slaveholder. But James turned the matter over in his mind with serious and
anxious perplexity.</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 165]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George looked upon this little group with tearful
interest; and knowing that his labor with them was about ended, he offered a
silent prayer that the seed sown might develop into more precious fruit.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Mr. Craig returned, wearied, vexed, and mortified. Jim
had outwitted the overseer and his master, and eluded all efforts to get upon
his track. The dogs had traced the fugitives to a neighboring swamp, but could
not find them in it nor scent their footprints out of it. They had, Mr. Craig
thought, escaped on board a steamer, but he could not see how they could have
done so while the last trace of them was toward the swamp. He hinted that Jim
must have had some help in planning so successful an escape. He had sent an
officer of the law on the mail steamer to overtake and search the way freight
boat, which had stopped at the landing the night Jim left.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Another week passed, and the
officer sent after Jim returned without obtaining any information concerning
him. Mr. Craig now talked openly of George's influence</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 166]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>in causing him the loss of one of the most valuable slaves
of the county, worth two thousand dollars! George at once decided to leave.
Aunt Maria found an opportunity to hasten his escape by whispering to him that
Jordan had just recollected that when he saw Jim and George coming out of the
forest together he overheard them talking about this very business. All knew
Jordan to be a great liar, but in the present excitement any story might feed
the flames. Maria had heard some rumors about excited indignation meetings of
angry slaveholders and threatened tar and feathers.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George's parting farewells were brief but feeling.
Gelia threw her arms about his neck, wetting his face with her tears as she
kissed him a good-by, whispering, "You aint a wicked abolitionist, are
you?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> A messenger from Judge Walker met him at the steamboat
landing with the following note:</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> "DEAR FRIEND<span
style='text-transform:uppercase'>,</span>—I regret the necessity of your hasty
departure from among</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 167]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>us, and deplore the loss of your valuable moral influence,
and the undoing, by the resentment which has been excited, of much, of the good
you have done. I am sure that the suspicions that you were knowing to the
escape of the fugitives must be unfounded. So far as my boy Sam is concerned,
if he prefers freedom to serving me he is welcome to it. He has done overwork
enough to obtain in gold nearly the price of his liberty, which I offered to
sell him on liberal terms. He has now gone, and taken his gold and liberty too.
I have treated him well, and don't know why he should leave me; but I have
forbidden any efforts being made for his recovery."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> The excited slave community
allowed George to depart without personal injury, although he was several times
insulted before he left the landing; but when the steamer which bore him
homeward was fairly under way, his enemies, and the field of his faithful toil,
as well as his many but humble friends, were soon far behind. </span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 168]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>CHAPTER XXI</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;background:white;
text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>THE DEAR OLD
HOME.</span></p>
<p> "It is the same dear old home," said George
as he drew a chair up to the fire the morning after his arrival at the
farm-house of Solomon Freeman. "Here you are, my dear parents, brothers,
and sisters. No breach has been made in our family circle by death during my
absence. Thank God for that!"</p>
<p> "It is a pleasant home yet, you think,"
inquired his mother, looking over the top of her glasses and feasting her eyes
again and again with the sight of her long absent son, as if to assure herself
it was really her George and not the mockery of a dream, "Your Uncle
George used to say," she continued, "that he'd warrant you'd come home
with such high notions that the old house would have to be torn down and one of
the new fashion sort put up; and that, after having had so many to serve you
down South there,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 169] </p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>it would take all the family to wait on you."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> George smiled at his uncle's little confidence in his
firmness in maintaining away from home its good principles.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Now, my dear mother," he replied, "let
me tell you that there is no princely house in this land which could be made so
dear to me as this homestead, old-fashioned though it is. It has sheltered
those whom I honor and love, and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude I never can
express."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> While this conversation was going on there was a stir
in the kitchen.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Well, George," said his father, rising up
with a countenance beaming with joy, "since you are so well satisfied with
the old home you shall see all its inmates. We have two members of the family
who modestly refused to be introduced last night, lest, as they said, they
should intrude upon the claims of those who had a better right to your
attention."</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Mr. Freeman then threw open
the kitchen door and said, "Come, James and</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 170]</span><span style='color:black'> </span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>Samuel, see if you know my son, a<i> </i>young gentleman
just from the South?"</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> There was no need of a further introduction of George
to Yellow Jim and Judge Walker's boy, Sam.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "Thank God for this!" exclaimed George,
grasping his friend's hand heartily. "God only could have made it possible
for you to escape."</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "I acknowledge it," said Jim. "My
freedom has been given me by God, but next to him I owe everything I have and
am to you. You alone taught me to fear and love him and seek his guidance. My
freedom seems like a strange dream. But my mother;" and as these last
words were uttered his voice faltered. He could not proceed. He feared the
consequences to her of his escape.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> "She had not been sold when I left, and I think
that all thought of doing so has been given up," said George, knowing that
Jim's worst fears were in reference to her possible sale.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Jim's countenance brightened
up. A heavy load had been taken from his heart,</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 171]</span></p>
<p>a load that had marred the joy of his deliverance from
slavery. <span style='color:black'>"</span>But my master," said Jim,
speaking from the force of habit.</p>
<p> <span style='color:black'>"</span>Mr. Craig, you
mean," said George, interrupting him.</p>
<p> Jim smiled an assent to the correction and continued:
"Mr. Craig has, I suppose, accused mother of a knowledge at least of my
intended escape, and punished her some way."</p>
<p> "There were reports," answered George
unwillingly, "of a severe whipping inflicted upon her. But she seemed
cheerful when I left, and less anxious about you than when you were on the home
plantation."</p>
<p> "Whipped!" exclaimed Solomon Freeman,
catching at the word in such a connection, “a woman whipped! and an old lady too!"</p>
<p> Jim's heart had begun to throb with a resentment
which for some time had been restrained. But he thought of his mother's escape
from the slave market and a servitude in which whipping might have been a daily
experience, and the thought</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 172] </p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>caused his anger to give way to gratitude; and when the
sympathizing exclamation of Mr. Freeman was uttered, and the word
"lady," applied to his mother, fell upon his ear, the full force of
the truth that he was in a land of freedom rushed upon his mind, and he burst
into tears.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Sam's feelings were different. He had escaped as much
from what he feared for the future as from what he suffered. But his sense of
manhood, never known to a negro on slave soil, was inexpressibly elevating and
joyous. He calmly looked upon things around him like one gazing upon mountain
scenery whose sight had always been confined to the objects of a squalid
village.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> The particulars of the escape of the fugitives are
briefly these, as related by Jim.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Jim, who managed the escape,
led the way to a swamp, to mislead the hunt for them by the dogs. Following the
stream which flowed from it into the river, they swam the river and concealed
themselves until the arrival of the steamer due at the landing at a late hour
of the night. The</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 173]</p>
<p><span style='color:black'>overseer, thinking Jim had gone in
another direction on the business with which he was intrusted, omitted his
customary watch during the presence of the steamer. The fugitives, in the mean
time, recrossed the river, and, climbing up the river side of the boat,
concealed themselves among the goods during the confusion of putting off and
taking in freight. Here they remained, nearly suffocated, for forty-eight hours<b>; </b>at the end of this time they left the boat during one of her night
stoppings, and took again to the shore and woods, Jim rightly supposing that
the boat would be pursued. They lay concealed in sight of the landing until the
arrival of a boat which did not in its <i>upward </i>trips touch at the River
Place, and which would not therefore be so readily suspected of containing
them. It had often been at the landing in its downward passage, and Jim's
foresight had secured him a friend among its colored firemen. </span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> Some of Sam's gold provided
the necessary bribe, and they were stowed away safely and in much more
comfortable</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='text-autospace:none'><span style='color:black'>[page </span>174]</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'>quarters than before. Arriving
at the up river landing, they soon reached the nearest depot of the underground
railroad. Friendly counsel and Sam's gold gave them the means of a bold venture
after a few days of secret travel on the thoroughfares by which they quickly
reached the hospitable dwelling of Solomon Freeman, of whose locality and
friendly character they had heard in their southern homes.</p>
<p style='text-autospace:none'> Judge Walker's
"Sam" became known among his new friends as Samuel Walker. He is now
a thrifty mechanic near the "dear old home" of the Freemans. His
former master's generosity released him from the fears of pursuit by the man
hunters. But another trial, quite as severe as any he had suffered, awaited
James Freeman — our friend Yellow Jim. “The fugitive slave law" had just
begun its infamous operations. A flight to Canada was his only course of
safety. But he has since ventured to return into the neighborhood of his old
friends in Connecticut.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'>[page 175]</p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Father Clifton has left the South with his servants
and is now a free man in the North-west, surrounded by colored free-men.</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'> Melville Stuart came North after a few years to
continue his studies. He had learned economy and self-reliance by his fortunate
poverty, and so succeeded in paying by his labor the expenses of his education.
He returned, after graduating at a New England college, determined to be a
faithful minister of Christ in the midst of slavery without being a
slave-holder. James Freeman has often been cheered by news from his mother,
obtained through Melville, and she has received, in the same way, many a sly
message from him.</span></p>
<p><span style='color:black'> George Freeman is an earnest
minister of the Gospel. The lessons he learned at Myrtle Hill plantation he
freely teaches. He declares that the true and only remedy for the <i>evil </i>of
slavery is the abolition of slavery itself; that practical antislavery men like
Father Clifton cannot live long under its operations because</span></p>
<br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>[page 176]</span></p>
<p style='background:white;text-autospace:none'><span
style='color:black'>their convictions of right are not allowed a practical
application; and that merciful masters like Judge Walker find their mercy
stifled and their benevolent plans defeated by the <i>necessities </i>of the
institution.</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span
style='color:black'>THE END.</span></p>
</div>
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title="" id="_ftn1"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[1]</span></span></span></a> For more on the Sunday School movement, see Anne M. Boylan, <i>Sunday School:
The Formation of an American Institution, 1790-1880</i> (New Haven: Yale
University Press, 1988). </p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title="" id="_ftn2"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[2]</span></span></span></a>
John W. Quist, “Slaveholding Operatives of the Benevolent Empire: Bible, Tract,
and Sunday School Societies in Antebellum Tuscaloosa County, Alabama,” <i>Journal
of Southern History</i> 62 (August 1996) 3:481-526, particularly 498ff.</p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title="" id="_ftn3"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[3]</span></span></span></a> For a review of censorship and self-censorship of tract materials referring to
slavery, see Robert Trendel, “The Expurgation of Antislavery Materials by American
Presses,” <i>Journal of Negro History</i> 58 (July 1973) 3:271-290, and
specifically 275-276 concerning the American Sunday School Union. </p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title="" id="_ftn4"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[4]</span></span></span></a> Psalm 84:2.</p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title="" id="_ftn5"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[5]</span></span></span></a> Romans 12:19.</p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title="" id="_ftn6"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[6]</span></span></span></a> Corinthians 4:5.</p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title="" id="_ftn7"><span
class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>[7]</span></span></span></a> John 14:27.</p>
</div>
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