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Oh thou lovely bird, a motto of Him, who said Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Selah.
The writer has here thought fit, in compliance with the request of his worthy friend Wright, the Conductor of the Wilberforce Institute, Ohio, to write out a brief Narrative, as the nature of the case will permit, as it may be both interesting and satisfactory to many of his loving readers. Even so, amen, and selah.
And now, in the outset, the writer would notice in the first place his having purchased his liberty in New Orleans, La. as strictly set forth in the Midnight Cry, say on or about the 10th of 6th month, A.D. 1835, and after that of his mother, in Petersburg, Va.; and he being then a member of the M. E. church, he continued in said church as a local minister thereof, for some two or three years. But by this he thought fit to meet with the Conference of the African M.E. Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio, say on or about the 25th of 8th month, A.D. 1838; hence, it was then and there he did join said Conference, under the administration of the worthy head and Superintendent of said Church, namely, M.B. of Philadelphia, Pa. Hence, he now having become a member thereof, he was duly appointed by said Conference as a Missionary, acting in a coequal sphere with their then Missionary in the West, namely, W. P. Q., we being aided by our Brother, G. W. J. Hence, be it known by all of his loving readers, that it was from thence did the writer's unremitting labours of love commence, in behalf of God's poor, in the establishing of Churches and Schools, under the patronage of said Conference, say throughout the West, yea, and even in the South, say as far down as New Orleans, the writer's old and esteemed home. Even so, let God be praised in this, for his aid on the part of his servants in their efforts to establish his holy cause, as in the case of his servants of old, namely, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when exiles down in Babylon. But oh! in this effort on the part of the writer, as to his labours and great sacrifices, is it not strictly written out in his major Journal, of about forty years history or more.
Hence, this great and glorious enterprise being thus accomplished, and that to the honor and glory of God, and of no little joy, yea, inexpressibly so on the part of his Colored Brethren and friends of said city; and for which Christian privileges, may they so appreciate them, that God may be pleased to grant their continuance; yea, and to be watchful unto prayer, and to see that no wolves from abroad, in sheep's clothing, enter into their midst to annoy their peace again. Even, so, for why should your peace be thus molested, oh, ye house of Israel, and little flock of the Most High God? Even as in the case of God's people of old, when in exile from Jerusalem down to Babylon, &c., &c.
Next, the writer was solicited by the Trustees of the African M. E. Church, of Indianapolis, Ind., to act as an Agent for them to solicit aid of the public to save, if possible, their church and school-house from being sold for debt. And here, when upon reflection of their pitiful condition, he could not, it seemed, for his soul, pass them by without letting them have his aid in this case. Hence, he having concluded to act for them as before named, he commenced on this his mission, say on or about the 20th of 9th month, 1842; hence it was after some fifteen months or more of his hard labours in the cold and heat, he truly succeeded in securing of said property, safely into the hands of said Trustees, in the behalf of said church. Even so, let God be truly praised for having aided his servant thus, for otherwise, it seems to the writer, that it would have been about his last effort in this world, of trying to aid his fellow creatures in going about doing good, from the fact that he got frost bitten some several times, and besides, he had inward fever and a severe cough for several weeks; yea, so much so, that he was made to think that he was about done with time and sense as to this world. But here it seemed to please God that his servant's bodily affliction should not be in this case unto death, nay, nay. Hence, he having recovered his health again, he concluded to go over to the East, and there to join some one of the Conferences, say probably that of Baltimore, Md., as said city has ever been of his most favored rights in all of the Union, so far as it concerns his ministerial privileges, even so; but we pass by saying by this his daughter Julia was born on 23d of 8th month, 1843, say, and may she become as in the case of Rebecca of old before the God of all the righteous, amen.
And now, having honorably acquitted himself of said Trustees,
before a Justice of the Peace, in this matter, he took his leave of
his loving friends of said city. But whilst on his way to the
East with his wife and child, namely, his dear little Julia, he met
with three certain brethren, namely, W. P. Q., M. M. C. and W.
R. R., at Cambridge, Ind., and there and then was the writer
most earnestly solicited by said brethren, not to leave the West yet,
by any means whatever, stating as there was yet another and most
worthy of all benevolent objects under contemplation, by the Ohio
Conference, namely, the establishing of a School upon a Manual
Labour plan, that should serve in three points of view, namely,
Hence, he having here come to the conclusion to serve said Conference
in said mission, yea, though it might prove to him a lifetime
effort; even so, seeing that in so doing that, it was but a
strict religious act of duty on his part, provided, that he would
meet the sayings of St. James the Apostle, thus, thou shalt visit
And now, he having pledged to said brethren, that he would serve as before named, and talking his leave of them, he came next to Richmond, Ind., where he found the Yearly Meeting of Friends, commonly called Quakers, in session, and which he, of course, could not well pass, until the adjournment of said meeting; and in so doing, he had the inexpressible pleasure of calling on many of said Friends, yea, and in particular, that of his old time friend, and family, E. C., yea, one from whose door he never departed empty handed—nay, nay; hence, of all the writer's loving friends, said family is not surpassed, nay, even by one of his most warm and worthy friends that now survives in New Orleans, La., namely, the Ex-Attorney General, T. C., of Louisiana. Hence, to the former and the latter named friends, the writer is here truly at a loss for the want of words to express his lasting gratitude to them; hence, let it suffice for him to say, may the Lord his God ever bless them accordingly. Yea, and not forgetting all others in the way of reckoning up his precious jewels, on his arrival in our world the second time; as it is written, that not a cup of cold water that may have been administered unto one of his disciplines, should go unrewarded. Even so, God grant it.
And now, said Yearly Meeting of Friends having adjourned,
sine die, the writer concluded to renew his sojourn for his destiny,
even to this the capital of the before-named State, and he having
arrived here, say on or about the 20th of 10th month, A.D. 1844,
and he having called the Committee together, that had been appointed
by said Conference to act with him in this matter, namely,
Thomas Lawrence, M. T. Newsom, and Lewis Adams, he found,
to his great surprise, that there had not been the first cent appropriated
by said Conference, or even a book, with its preface setting
forth the object of their wishes, or claims upon a Christian community,
by which they, the Conference, might be rightly represented,
&c., only stating that the writer, their brother, had been
duly elected as their Agent and Attorney in fact, provided that
he would serve as such, simply stating a mere theory of their object,
as before named, &c., &c. Hence, to all of his loving readers, judge
And now, said Committee and the writer, having made choice
of a suitable tract of land of about 180 acres, located on the
waters of Darby, Franklin County, Ohio, it having some little
improvement thereon, and they now having contracted with the
owners thereof, namely, S. D. and G., say for ten dollars per
acre, with interest from date of the contract, hence the next thing
was for said Committee to be acknowledged before his honour,
'Squire M., as the proper Trustees, acting in the behalf of said
And now, the writer being duly equipped for his mission, he commenced by opening his Book of Subscription in this city, and afterwards, he made a general tour throughout the entire district of said Conference. Hence, he having thus opened his Subscription Book to the Colored community first, and this being done, and having his subscribers all to understand, that for said subscription he would call on them annually, until they had met their obligation, &c. Hence, this being so far successfully attended to, he saw nothing lacking further on his part, but time, patience and perseverance to accomplish this object of no little merit, if duly appreciated by whom the writer had thus obligated himself to serve; even so. Next the writer thought it best to hasten on to the East, even to West Philadelphia, Pa., with his family, where he happily situated them under the care of friends, namely, sister N.M. But now C., B. H. & D. G. And here it was that his son Joseph was born, say on or about the 20th of 12th month, Anno Domini, 1845—And may the God of his father, yea, and that of good old Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of all the true and faithful to his holy cause, bless the youth, as in the case of his servant Joseph, when an exile down in the land of Egypt, and of that of his father the writer, when an exile from his native land, even old Virginia, down to New Orleans, La.—Even so mote it be—Amen. God save the child, that he may be a comfort to his mother, a blessing to his sister, and great honour to his dear old father, esteeming a precious name more than all this low world can afford.
Now the writer having faithfully discharged his duty in behalf
of his domestic affairs, as before named, he returned for the West,
But here, as to the great sympathy manifested in this, on the part of those worthy gentlemen, and of the said Governor's intention of what he would recommend in his inaugural address to the Legislature. As touching said disadvantages, he need not here name, only to let it suffice for him to say, and have they, the said population, now got access to the said School Fund, and their testimony in Court, or not? answer, they have, and may said inexpressible privileges be duly appreciated on their part, and not forgetting to invoke God's blessing upon said Chiefs in office, and the Assembly who have acted thus, in the behalf of God's poor. Even so, amen, and selah.
And now, having had his credentials also endorsed by said Governor
and Ex Governor, will of course, attest the fact of said
interview, and of the moving cause of said privileges being
granted, &c. Hence, he being thus recommended, he now concluded
to make a trip East in behalf of his mission, say, commencing
at Washington, D.C.; and whilst there, he called on the
Hon. C.D. and J.R.G., then Representatives in Congress from
this State, and they having frankly indorsed said documents, yea,
acknowledged all of the before-named signatures to be genuine.
Next he called upon one of his most distinguished friends of all he
claims in this world, namely, B, the District Attorney, yea, the
same who acted as counsel for the humble penman, in the emancipation
of his mother, he having purchased her, as before named,
free of all cost. And for said benevolent act, the writer is here
at a loss for the want of words to express his lasting gratitude to said
attorney; therefore, let it suffice for him to say, may God reward
him accordingly. And having received counsel of said attorney,
whilst there, how he should proceed in his mission, &c., he concluded
that he would commence by giving a call upon the colored
churches in general, say, by beginning at the great Metropolis of
the United States, and so on from city to city, until he reached
Boston, Mass. But in this contemplated route, he is here truly
sorry to have it to record, that he met with no little opposition
throughout all Bethel, or said A. M. E. Church, excepting Washington
and Baltimore. The excuse was on the part of the Ministers
thereof, that they wanted just such an institute for their poor
ministers and orphans. But here, if the writer may be permitted
to speak out his mind, it was rather their poor dirty pockets, that
seems in truth to have no bottom, from the very fact that their
wants were all duly supplied, in talking of it, sufficient to prevent
the proper access that the writer might have had; yea, so much
so, that if it had not been for his friendly Baptist Brother Ministers,
and those of other denominations, he would have come far
short of his realization in collecting funds in said proposed route
And now, what next? answer, Books for the use of said U. Seminary, and materials for the erection of some several good log buildings, in addition to those that were already on the farm; and besides, some several hundred dollars more was required in the completion thereof, before the true and devoted penman could consider himself honorably acquitted from his most arduous field of unremitting labours, as already named. Hence, by this his loving readers may all plainly see, that their humble and obedient servant was left in this case to tread as it were, the winepress alone; for of the brethren of said Conference, none was found to aid of all the Itinerants thereof, but M. M. C., five dollars in cash, D. S. fifty cents, and A. R. G. two dollars, in the way of feeding of his horse, when in Pittsburg, Pa., on his agency, which stands on the book of Subscription until this day, if it is not expunged therefrom. Hence, we pass.
And now, in regard to the collections in said books, and materials for said contemplated Institute, he of course, in this called on his white friends and neighbours, who did contribute liberally, yea, some as high, in books, when collecting in Cincinnati, Ohio, as $60 and $75, namely, from two book sellers, M. and S., Main Street, and not forgetting his honour, T.C. of Lebanon, O., who donated from his own Library about $40 worth, in behalf of God's poor—even so. Hence, be it known to all who may happen to read this, the writer's Narrative, that it was after this wise did the writer collect, say about four or five thousand volumes of books, besides about four hundred dollars in materials—even so. But here, in return in the way of his thankfulness to his white brethren and friends for this act of kindness to him in his efforts to do good, whilst this side of yonder sleeping grave that awaits him, yea, and the appointed house for all the living, he is at a loss for the want of words to express; therefore, they will please to let it suffice for him to say, and may the God of all goodness bless them all, yea, individually and collectively—even so mote it be.
But alas, alas! come the winding up stroke of the writer's unremitting
labours and hard struggling for six long years, in the
Hence, there being yet another round of duty that awaited the
almost broken down agent, the collection of some several hundred
dollars for the erection of several good log buildings on said farm, in addition to those already thereon; so that all of said ministers
of said Conference might move thereon with their families, and so
meet the great and inexpressible object for which it was truly intended
by the writer, and other fathers of said Conference, who now
lie sleeping in their peaceful graves, who would have no doubt rejoiced
to have seen the day of its completion, but died without the
sight. But in this his last winding up or finishing stroke, hear, oh
heaven, and bear record, oh earth! of the deathly struggles of
one poor mortal who yet dwells among the living, in his battling
against the world, the flesh, and the devil, rather than a failure on
his part, knowing too well what would have been the awful result,
seeing that the reputation of said Conference, yea, and the whole
Connection besides, rested upon his soul in this thing. But this
And now, having met said Conference, say, for the fifth annual settlement, in Pittsburgh, Pa., say on about the 20th of 10th month, 1849; but here it was, to the writer's best recollection on this point, that whereas, last returns for said year had been principally in that of books and materials, it went, of course, to leave the Conference considerably in arrear, as to his portion for services rendered in his agency, &c. But the understanding was here with the writer, as he did not care to accept either books or materials, to go ahead, and at the next ensuing Conference, to have a final settlement with their faithful and obedient servant, and so give him an honorable acquittal from his field of labour; say, and that probably with an entire family suit of clothing, as a mere compliment. Even so.
Hence, the writer having received his sixth and last annual appointment, he departed for the West, say, to Newark, Ohio, to his ever and esteemed friends, namely, H. R. and family, yea, and that friends indeed, where he had left some few of his things, &c. that he had need of for his winter tour; but here it was, when he was brought to reflect upon his pecuniary condition, really as it was, without any further disguise before the public of his loving friends, as follows:
First, as before named, in his collecting those books and materials, that required no little labour in packing and leaving them at certain points where they could be readily shipped to this city; yea, so much so, that his physical strength was well nigh done out, from the fact that his limbs would pain him so severe of nights, that he could not rest for weeks.
Secondly, and in keeping his books well posted up in regard to
his cash matters for some five years, without any aid whatever,
Thirdly, and of his own pecuniary circumstances, they being very limited by this; and besides, he had not seen his loving little ones for some several months, whilst the dreary winter was just about set in.
Fourthly, and here having made his calls generally throughout the West on his friends, white and colored, in regard to his agency, it of course, went to cloud his way, and so shut out from him the last ray of hope, as it were, not leaving, say the very first star of all the heavens by which he might only see to steer his poor weather-beaten bark from the impending storm, yea, and from running hard on to some dreadful rock or shoal.
Fifthly, and in addition to all this, he had to foot it, say, from five to six thousand miles per year, or otherwise, he could not have saved the very first cent towards the supporting of his dear little family, of the amount allowed him for his services. But this was not the painful part on this point, it was here he had by this of the many years resorting to his own resources, say, and that of his hard earnings in New Orleans, La., his old and fortunate home, had well nigh failed him, say, as in the case of the poor widow's handful of meal in the barrel, &c. Say, and will his loving readers, right here, before we go further, only for a moment imagine themselves to be in said pitiful condition, yea, and they having no eye to pity, or confidential friend to whom they might look to in said case, &c. But this was not all, for the dreadful dagger is yet to be unsheathed; hence, are you ready to hear it? and to know, yea, of a truth, that the way to heaven is not on flowery beds of ease. Nay, nay.
Sixthly, and lastly, upon this most heart-rendering crisis, and so
pass on to the dreadful battle-field, hence comes the fatal stroke.
It was this, his wife could not read writing, hence, before he would
let the left hand know of that of the right in this case, or before
he would have his private letters read, and the contents
known by others, he would as soon die. Therefore, the dear
reader may plainly see where the dagger found its way to the
writer's heart, and there remained broken off, he having none to
whom he might in confidence pour out his heart and soul's
complaint. Hence, would it not be well for parents to know of a
Now he having taken his leave of said family of Newark, he
made for Cleveland, O., and some few other towns thereabouts,
and then to Buffalo, N.Y. And here he tarried for some several
days with his old time friend, namely, T.T., and made many calls
in the way of his agency, but hardly got five dollars. The excuse
by some was, that the writer should have staid in Ohio; whilst
others thought that each State should provide for her own free
But here, as to his failure in said city, he charged it all to satan, he being well aware of his intent in this his last round. Hence, he having left said city, he thought fit to cross over to her Majesty's province, namely, Upper Canada. But in this it was a failure also, as he merely got his lodging, and about fifty cents. So in this it would truly seem that satan had crossed over before him, as he waits not for ferry boats, in order to accomplish his hellish designs—nay, nay, seeing that he is the Prince of the air, and rides thereon.
But here, without further disguise, say by this the writer was well nigh done out, yea, from the very fact that his heart had began to swell with anguish and pain, not knowing hardly what coast upon earth to steer up his poor tottering bark, or house of clay. And here one thing that made it so hard, he had barely collected enough to meet his real wants on the way, yea, and would sometimes have to go almost barefooted in the snow, about knee deep. But he having crossed back again, he went on down to Niagara Falls; and here, in calling on a certain white family, and having made known to them of his mission, and of his most severe suffering in the cold, and that nearly to the death, the oldest daughter, it seemed, gave him a five dollar piece, and the other members of said family about fifteen dollars, which went to create no little thankfulness of heart, yea, so much so, that he could not refrain from weeping, even in their presence, for such unexpected success in one house, which of course, caused the writer to pour out his very soul in blessings upon said benevolent family, whose names he cannot here recollect; but God in heaven will know them, even in everlasting blessings upon their loving heads; even so, amen, and selah.
But now, the writer having taken his leave of said family, he
sought for some where to put up for the night, where he truly realized
more rest than he had nearly for three weeks before,
his heart having become assuaged of its anguish and grief; and
But here, lest we be tedious, or keep the loving reader in further
suspense, we hasten on to the great and most miraculous catastrophe
that happened to the writer, as in the case of Job, &c. Hence, he having left Rochester, he next called at Syracuse, and
from thence to Peterboro
And now, having resolved fully in his heart to die rather than to give up, or to leave the battle field, being cowardly whipped out by satan, there was a sudden ray of light sprung up to his view, thus thinking that if he could only reach Boston, and there only to obtain a few lines from said Governor, that all would be well, as he might then with the greatest propriety, yea, and an assurance rely on his friends, commonly called Quakers, and others that might happen in or on his way from meeting to meeting among said friends, even so; and for which the writer came to the conclusion as advised by said friend, from Salem, Mass., to take the cars right off for Boston, if it took the very last cent he had collected, &c. But here, in having taken the cars for said city, it did truly seem to him that satan must have taken the very next vacant seat, from the very fact, of all the awful feelings that came upon the writer he never felt so bad before, nay not since the day he made his peace with his God, in Fredricksburg, Va., as strictly set forth in the Midnight Cry, &c. Yea, his feelings became so terrific, that his heart began again to swell with that degree of anguish and pain that he became nearly choked or strangled for the want of being able to breathe. But here, having arrived at Albany, N.Y., say about sun set, he had to change cars, and in calling at the Post Office, he found a letter, by some means or other, had actually been mailed on to said city for him, in which he found as satan had said, that his little ones were about to be taken to the poor house for protection, if not otherwise provided for. Say, dear reader, what now, seeing that your old war-house and battle axe, as it were, is truly here in a strait, or screwing vice, as it were, and what shall be done now? Do you say, hang upon the promise of God's grace, or to curse him now, and die. Speak out, all you his loving saints, that are battling for the kingdom of God and everlasting life—as saith the poet.
But let us return to the point at issue, and say, was God's grace all sufficient at this sore crisis? answer, it was, more than ever, from the fact that it came to the writer's mind thus, that if his little ones did go to the poor-house, to remember that they would be well provided for by his loving friends, namely, the Quakers, who had fed and clothed thousands of the like poor and destitute colored children, and that God would enable them to provide for many more, even so, and for which may God of his ever goodness open the windows of heaven in lasting showers of blessings upon them as a body, or branch of Zion. Selah.
And now, having left Albany for said city of his destination, behold it came to pass, say on or about the 27th of 12th month, A.D. 1849, in having passed the State line station between New York and Massachusetts, say on or about eight o'clock, P.M. when a most terrific shock smote him right upon the crown of his head, and afterwards, a vivid ray of light of purple color, leaving an awful sense of feeling upon the writer's person, yea, so much so, that within about five minutes after, he found himself to be stiff throughout all his whole body, yea, so much so, that he truly concluded that it certainly was a stroke of death, whilst by this his bones were all burning and aching within, and his hands were here holding on to the seat front of him with a cold deathly grasp, yea, so that he was here constrained to cry out from his inmost soul, O, thou God of heaven! is this death? if so, I am done, and the victory is won, even so, amen, and amen; for to live is Christ, but to die is gain. But right here the writer was made to know sensibly from whence came the mighty shock, in an answer to his interrogation, thus responded the infernal fiend:
“It is me!”
Question, “In the name of God who art thou?”
“Lucifer is my name, yea, the prince of the air, and the ruler
“Even so mote it be,” replied the writer, only claiming as an armistice, say until the midnight hour, when he should have received an answer from his Lord and Prince of Glory, in grace, and that he would in the name of Him that said, that “he that will his life for my sake shall find it,” meet the demand in letter to the spirit. Amen.
To this demand the proud fiend agreed, hence the writer here became somewhat relieved of said inexpressible excruciating feelings, as before named, until he came to Pittsfield, Mass., say on or about the hour of ten o'clock, P.M., where he concluded to get out and put up for the night, and so prepare to meet his fate, yea, if it was to leave this for another world, only to go bedecked with the scars of honor before the Throne of inspection of his Royal Prince, and there be conducted to a seat, accordingly, in the presence of all the olden time heroes of the cross of Christ that we read of, too tedious here to mention.
So we pass to notice next the dreadful and most miraculous event
that occurred between the writer and satan. But here, before
we enter the battle field, say, may the humble penman here entreat
with his loving readers only to suffer him to speak, and after
he has spoken, if ye will mock, then mock on, only that ye mock
not to your own hurt or folly. Hence, he having arrived at said
town, and the cars having stopped, he here, in leaping from the
cars, was smitten to the ground, by an invisible stroke, into the
snow, about knee deep, and here, upon rising to his feet, he was
smitten down the second time, and when upon rising again, he
was nearly crushed up against the stone wall, so by this the
writer was brought to tremble, yea, and to stagger around like
unto a drunken man. But here after a while he found his way to
the house of a colored family, where he was most kindly received
and entertained for the night, but their names he does not here
recollect, he having introduced himself to them in particular, when
And now, he having fell on his knees by the bed side, as truly
for the last time in this low world, before his God he prayed thus:
“O thou God of all goodness, love and power, grant to this thy
servant even grace this night to answer grace, that he may in the
name of his Lord, and of his consecrated cross, conquer both
earth and hell by a celestial power, and for said victory will he,
on his part, meet the demands of satan to the letter and to the
spirit thereof, in even giving up his two dear children (himself
being understood), namely Julia and Joseph, as a living sacrifice
upon thy altar, O God, and for which let it be recorded in heaven
and known to the ends of the earth. Even so, amen and amen,
and selah.” And here, he having met the demands of satan fully
in heart, soul, mind and spirit, it was in this did the writer drink
of the cup of his Lord and master, in which was truly mingled
all of the very dregs of satan's last vial of wrath: yea, so much
so, that by the time he had barely rose from the floor, and laid
himself upon the bed, when in midst of his inexpressible anguish
of soul and mind, as is truly explained in his major Journal, there
occurred a sudden crash or explosion in his head, yea, and so
dreadful and terrific was the shock that he truly thought that his
skull was split wide open, and that his very brain was all out upon
Hence, how dare any man to profane the sacred desk in preaching
Christ to be the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth, when he himself will not trust in Him south of
Mason & Dixon's line, as he should, as in the case of Daniel in
the lion's den, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when in
the fiery furnace, in the city of Babylon; or otherwise, is not his
services thus rendered in the house of God any thing less than a
sacrilegious performance, an offering unto devils upon their shrine
And next comes the recompense of the great reward, if faithful until death, as follows:—Installed as a prince of Jerusalem, and a warrior that of a knight of the consecrated cross of Christ, the Prince of Glory, and that of eternal life. Amen, and amen.
Hence, judge ye by this ye little flock of heaven, if ye have
not one who has in deed and in truth measured arms with all hell,
and claims himself to be a Washington and a Garibaldi for his
King, the only heir of all heaven, yea, life and liberty; though
he be left to wander up and down with a shaved head, owing to
said mighty shock, that satan left him as a sore scar in attest of
the battle fought; yea, in being so severe that it actually shattered
the nervous system of the brain, as thought by his physician, probably
for ever in this world, as the writer is now rather advanced in
years, say, in his 47th, as may be seen strictly set forth in the
Midnight Cry, yea, truly so, so we pass from this to a complete
And now the writer having been duly crowned, as it were, with a wreath of twelve stars, in token of the battle thus fought and the victory won, as before named, he carrying the scars of honor accordingly on his person until this day, say the 25th of 12th month, A.D. 1860, since the Christian era had its origin, even so, namely, a shattered nervous system of the brain, going continually with a shaved head, with a white spot of hair, in attest of the severe neuralgia in the head, occasioned by said dreadful shock upon the brain, he being now left to wander up and down through all the land clad more or less with dead friends clothing, as in the case of that of Elisha being truly clad with his father Elijah's mantle, and with it did he truly whip out or cause to to separate the water of the river Jordan, and conquered all earth and hell besides, and so found his way up to the portals of the skies, upon which Job's character may be seen written out, it does truly seem in four large brilliant stars, entitled Job's Coffin; he claiming not where of his own upon which he may rest the sole of his foot, only as named in the Midnight Cry. Notwithstanding all this, yet is his hope in the holy word of God, namely, the 71st and 91st Psalms of King David, stronger than ever; yea, so much so, that he has truly come to the conclusion to patiently wait upon the Lord, even his God, all of his appointed days, until his change come, he believing without a shadow of doubt that all things in the end thereof shall have worked together for his good, even so may God in his promised mercy grant. Amen, and amen.
And now, he having truly drank to the very dregs of the hot cup
of satan's vindictive wrath, and the most dreadful feelings
having all as a mighty thunder storm passed over, he rested for
the remainder of the night as though he was reposing upon one
of the richest sofas all earth could afford him, whilst that of his
heavenly visions and conversation in heaven or the spirit world,
probably it would not be here right or lawful to name. So we
pass in saying that, having arose in the morning, his loving host
desired of course to know how he rested during the night; he
gladly answered as to the latter part, but to the fore part he thought
it prudent not to let the left hand know of that of the right in
this case; for instance, had not Samson revealed to his darling
Hence, he having spent about the happiest first day here on
earth with said kind family, on second day morning he gave the
Episcopal priest a call in behalf of his mission, who did most
cordially, yea, and liberally aid him in advising as follows: that
all the free colored people of these United States should be shipped
off to Africa, but did not name what should be done with the
three or four million of slaves of the South. As it seemed that some
of the clergy of the North, had not got tired out in supping of the
molasses of Louisiana, and of eating of the product of the
And now, having left said village for Boston, and having made
some several calls in the towns or villages on the way, his success
was beyond all expectation, from the fact, that by the time he
had arrived at good old Cambridge, Mass., and there having called
on his Honor, E. E., who did most readily and liberally sign in
behalf of the support of the poor agent's Mission, which caused
others to subscribe who saw his name and donation, say about
$200. Judge ye by this, ye loving readers, how the writer must
have felt in body and mind in consequence of so miraculous a
change in favor of one poor mortal, say in this age of our
And now, having called on his excellency, the Governor G.N. B., at the Adams House, Washington Street, Boston, on or about the 14th or 15th or 1st month, A.D. 1850, and he there and then having spread out all his credentials before his honour, and he having seen the signature of his old school mate, namely, his excellency, Governor Z. F. of Ohio, as before named, he was no little amused and well pleased, yea, so much so, that he did most readily endorse the same, which of course went to open the way throughout all the old Bay State, in the favor of his agency, yea, so much so, though strange to say, yet in truth, the further he went down East the more liberal he found the Friends to be, and others whom he might happen to call on, they being on his way in keeping in strict range with the meetings with said Friends, as far down as Lubec, Maine, as follows: say, commencing at Lynn, Mass., where, and in the neighbourhood, he collected about $160; yea, and there and then did he deposit it in bank as fast as he collected it, getting drafts for the same to the order of Hanson Johnson, Treasurer of the said Institute, which his books here will show in attest of the fact thereof. And here, to his still greater surprise, when having reached Salem, the city from which said friend hailed who said so kindly recommend that the writer, when amidst his deepest distress, should call on said Governor, and sure enough, it was just as he said. Hence, who here, of all his loving readers, would doubt for a moment, that said friend or messenger was not so ordered by an all-wise Providence to meet his servant on the way in order to strengthen him, yea, and to confirm his hope in his holy Word, as in the most noted case of Abraham, when he was met by a friend and stranger right from Salem, to bless and to comfort him, when after a most desperate struggle in the behalf of Lot, his nephew, &c. For lo, here it was to his inexpressible joy and gladness of heart, did he actually collect in one day about 90 or 100 dollars, and for which may it ever be a city of peace and brotherly love, as the Salem of old. Even so, amen, and selah.
But here before we pass, the writer would merely ask the dear
reader, what think ye in truth of so great and miraculous a
change in his favor thus? yea, so much so, that for joy he became
almost insensible to the cold and the snow through which he had
to wade from day to day, being about two feet deep, or up to the
Hence, he being here advised to give the Friends a visit about
ten miles or so West of Augusta, the Capital of said State, before
he went further down, he started for said meeting accordingly,
early in the morning across the Kennebec, on the ice, on a 20 or
30 miles march, through snow knee deep, almost barefooted, as
his boots, being much worn, scarcely afforded any protection.
Having reached his destination about sunset, he called on A. S.,
“Friend Wilkerson, I would like to ask thee a question.”
Reply.—“Say on.”
Host.—“In looking over thy book, it seems that thou must
have collected some eight or nine hundred dollars?”
Reply.—“Yea, say about one thousand dollars, as the last check
will show.”
Host:—“Do thy employers allow thee nothing for thy services?”
Reply:—“They do; but that is a future thought.”
Host:—“But here, what I wish to get at is this, how is it, that
thou having all of said amount of money in thy possession, and
here I have been observing thy feet to be nearly bare; say, how
is it?”
Reply:—“It is thus: I am not soliciting aid of my Quaker friends to purchase $30 cloaks, $20 coats, $5 hats, $7 boots, shirts $12 per dozen, and to cap the climax, a horse and buggy for $100; but rather to erect some several good neat log buildings on the farm, that is truly intended as a shelter or an Orphan's Asylum. To meet said objective have I been laboring thus, for these six long years, asking nothing more on earth than only to live to see its completion, if afterwards I have to be buried with a dead man's shirt on. Even so, amen, and amen.”
Host.—“That is enough, I now see the drift plainly, therefore,
in the morning thou shalt have my boots to put on, until thine is
well mended.”
Hence, in the morning the writer was directed where to go to get his boots mended, and besides a number of names given him, so that he might be collecting among the Friends whilst his boots were being repaired; in that day he collected about $20. Having returned to said friend and reported his great success, he put his hands in his pocket, and gave him a ten dollar bill. God bless him and all his house, the fifty or sixty factory hands being understood.
Now, having taken his leave of said meeting, he went as far
down as Lubec, Maine, and in this place his success with the
Perhaps some of his loving readers may here ask, why was not the writer in all this long romantic tour heard from, either in lecturing or preaching, or through some newspaper that might be favorable to his mission? Answer, because during said period of his most bitter affliction, he was ever found occupying an humble position with the Friends in their meetings, in silence before his God, in deep meditation of his inexpressible goodness in having thus blessed his efforts; besides, the mental powers of the writer were somewhat impaired, and it was necessary that he should keep as quiet as possible throughout this trying period of his journey through life.
And now, he having arrived at Lubec, even down on the sea coast, where he thought fit to embark for Eastport, and from thence he shipped to St. Johns, New Brunswick; and even here, to his no little surprise, did he actually find friends who each gave one pound, which of course, went to make the writer know, even here, that if God was for him, who could be otherwise; say, hear it, ye God-fearing children, hear it.
And after remaining at this place several days, and meeting with considerable success in his mission, he concluded to return to the United States by the interior or land route, but not without commending her Majesty's loving subjects unto God, and his everlasting protection. Even so, amen.
Hence, he having left said city, he came next to Calais, Maine,
and here he met with the same friendship and success as heretofore.
By this time, the Spring had fully set in, it being about the 30th
of 4th month, 1850, when the writer suffered severely in consequence
of frosted limbs, which brought him to a true sense of his
danger, as the burning and misery was so severe just below the
knees, that he really thought that he should lose both legs. But
praise be to God, he soon recovered. He here made up his mind
But here, in justice to his friends of Nantucket, though located on a small island, yet they certainly done their part, particularly the kind family with whom he put up, namely, A.W., who seeing that he was nearly destitute of comfortable clothing, did amply supply his wants, particularly with some of the best shirts that he ever had, and for which they, of course, have his thanks and prayers to God in their behalf until this day. Even so, amen.
Having left said island, he sailed next for Long Island, N.Y. Having arrived at Jamaica, he next proceeded to Jericho, where he concluded to remain and reckon up all his books, and so prepare to make his sixth and final Report of his stewardship, that he might be prepared to rest on the seventh year from all his labors. He found the amount collected to be $1375, and in order to make it even $1400, he gave the meeting of Friends at this place a call, and in a day or two, by divine aid, the object was accomplished, and a few cents over. Praise God, ye saints, for in this, has not the battle of the Lord been truly fought, and the victory won, and the long desired object attained at last. Hence, what remains but to praise the Lord, as in the noted cases of his servants of old, even King David, the son and stem of Jesse, when upon taking up the ark of the covenant from Shiloh up to Jerusalem, the chosen city of the most high God, yea, the God of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Samson, Sarah, Rebecca, Hannah, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Paul, Peter, James and John, yea, and of the thousands and tens of thousands of his saints, who by faith in God, through Christ Jesus our Lord, conquered all earth and hell, and are now seated at God's right hand.
In attest of the same the writer here sets his seal this 3rd day of 1st month, A.D. 1861, and of the World, 5865.
MAJOR JAMES WILKERSON,
Of New Orleans, La., Author of the Midnight Cry.
A Virginian by birth, born not far from Little York, a town of no
little renown, and as to his blood, he is of the Bengal of Africa, Anglo-
And now, after some several weeks of delightful rest of body and mind, it being well on to the 1st of 9th month, and time that he should make his return to the Conference, that met about the 20th of the same, he took his leave of said meetings of Friends, yea, and so bade adieu to this ever memorable place of repose, but not until he had first emptied his soul, as it were, of the very last blessing upon said meeting of Friends, and others thereabouts, who did so kindly entertain the writer, a stranger and pilgrim among them.
Hence, he having left said island, he sailed for New York City, where he had all of his checks duly attested by his worthy friend, I.T.H., he having examined them all carefully, according to the very latest Bank Detector, and so made his returns of the amount collected in cash, $1060, besides a land warrant claiming 160 acres, the land warrant being the writer's, and upon which land he truly intended to have established an Auxiliary to the Union Seminary, at some future period, thinking that he might be the means of providing a shelter for the fatherless, and so meet the saying of St. James, as before named. But in this he was disappointed, as will be seen in the conclusion. So we proceed by saying, that all said amount and land warrant were duly received by said Treasurer, as his books will show. Even so; so far so good.
This being settled, he now concluded, in order to improve his
health, that he would embark for Matanzas or Havana, Cuba, and
from thence on to Kingston, Jamaica, and then to Chagres, Central
America, where he had purposed to spend the ensuing Winter
with an old friend of his, namely, Joseph Prince, and for him to
have acted as recording clerk, for $100 per month and found, he
having received information to that effect by a particular friend.
But in this quite cheering expectation he was sadly disappointed,
from the very fact, that he having purchased the land warrant out
of his quota due him for services, and besides, he went on $128 of
the remainder to make up the sum of $1060, as before stated;
and further, having purchased for himself a suitable coat to travel
in; so when he arrived at Havana, and met all the necessary expenses
there, he found that he actually had not enough funds left him
Hence, he now having taken his leave of his almost idolized home, and having embarked upon said steamer for Louisville, he was treated with no little kindness by both the captain and steward all the way up to said city. Even so; may God bless them.
Having arrived at Louisville, he was received by the church and
brethren, and that without distinction as to sect or color, yea,
so much so, that he here having merely named his limited circumstances,
when the worthy brother in charge, namely, H. R. R.,
took up a collection of about thirty dollars, in order to get him a
good suit of Winter clothing made; and whilst this was being
done, the other kind brother over in Jeffersonville, Indiana, namely,
J. A. W., even put his very best over-coat upon his poor old
brother and fellow soldier, in order to defend him from the cold
and dreary Winter, until such time as his own should be ready.
Hence, he would pray that the Lord his God would bless his
He next visited Cincinnati, Ohio, where the dear children in Bethel truly seemed as if they did not wish to be left behind in so good a cause. Even so, come in, and share alike with all the rest of the dear little brood, as you will not be excluded on account of color. Nay, nay.
The writer next visited Wheeling, Virginia, where he made his head quarters, it being one of the choicest of all the fig trees in his heavenly Father's garden. Here he tarried until properly rested, about a year or so, as he did truly need it. What say ye, loving readers? think ye not, that if ever human being needed rest, your humble servant did.
At this time he made a visit to Washington, Pa., and to Brownsville, in the same State, where he had a close interview with his beloved friend, namely, Dr. A. S. a cousin to the Quaker lady, namely, Lucy Harris, who educated the humble writer, when but a youth, in Richmond, Va.
But here, it may be asked, “how was said female friend thus
permitted to instruct the writer, knowing that the laws of Virginia
forbid the like?” answer, it so happened at the time, in the year
1826, that said friend was in prison for an unjust debt that she
would not consent to pay, whilst on the part of the humble scribe
he was confined there also for having run away. Hence, as there
was no law on the part of said State forbidding that he should be
taught thus, there could be no transgression, of course; seeing,
in the humble opinion of the writer, that said prison in this case,
was truly the end of the law for a most righteous and praiseworthy
act, on the part of said friend, even L. H.; so the children were
free. Even so, amen. For is it not reasonable to suppose that
Said kind friend was educated in Weston School, Pa., about the time the two worthy friends, namely, J. E. and his wife, were teachers therein, say from about the years 1820 to 1830. But we pass, by saying in all love and due respect to said female and school, from which source he derived his four months learning, may the God of all the good and righteous grant that a special angel may ever abide within her walls, as one of the household, to shield and defend them from all harm; yea, and that said School may ever be as a fountain of light and knowledge, from which may many of God's poor derive a portion therefrom, as in the case of the writer. Hence, we take our leave of one of the most Providential circumstances probably on record in this our Christian land.
As to further particulars on this point, they are all written out in his Major Journal. Therefore, let us sing unto the Lord as follows:
GOD moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy—and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purpose will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
The writer would here observe that some of the great self-styled consequentials of the day looked on the Midnight Cry as mere speculation on God's holy word on the part of the truthful scribe, who never dares to use his pen and ink except for the promotion of the good cause of his blessed Lord and master. But here, lest the inquiry should be made from New Orleans, La., to Boston, Mass., “by whom was it so considered?” answer, by him to whom he returned his piece of silver, and that not a thousand miles from Flushing, Ohio.
The writer being informed by said Physician, that in consequence of the disordered state of his brain, it was absolutely necessary that he should retire to some remote place on the sea coast, where he might be benefitted by the salt water. Even so, amen. Otherwise, where would the writer have been this day?
But here the writer would state to his beloved readers, that worthy physician is no more here to advise or prescribe for his fellow creatures. Nay, nay, for he himself has passed away like a long Summer's day, seeing that with mortal here he could no longer stay. Hence, God grant that it may be all well with his soul. Even so, amen.
So farewell, loving friend, and all thy house, since thy servant, in obedience to thy godly advice, must hasten on.
And now, the writer having faithfully promised to his physician
that he would strictly adhere to his directions in this particular,
seeing that his only chance of recovery lay therein, he returned
to Wheeling, where his friends, white and colored, aided him most
liberally. Hence, he made ready to go on to meet the Conference
that assembled at Cincinnati, on or about the 25th of 8th month,
He next visited Newark, the town from whence he left for the battle field; and here he had a most precious time with his friend, H. R., and kind family, in relating all that happened to him during his long absence.
From thence, the writer came to this city, and here he having found his friend, H. Johnson and all his family well, and all things pertaining to his trust, worthy, as a faithful Treasurer of the Union Seminary, standing upright to the present time, which of course went to create no little pleasing sensation upon the much afflicted mind of the humble scribe; yea, and for which he was enabled to leave this city for Cincinnati, Ohio, with no little satisfaction, where he met with said Conference. But here he soon found, from the feebleness of his head and mind, that it was really necessary for him to leave all his claims on said Conference for service, and his domestic affairs in their hands, as a body of brethren for whom he had labored thus, and that virtually to the death, as had been stated, claiming nothing further, on the part of said Conference, only reserving the right to attend to his land warrant, and the purpose for which he intended it at a future period, when his mind would permit him to attend to it.
Hence, for all further information, as touching said Orphans
Institute, and of its progress, has not the writer published it from
year to year, in some several thousand copies, namely, the Epistles,
But in the next place, how is the writer to be supported whilst in this feeble state of body and mind? answer, rather than depend upon said Conference for support, he had struck off and sold of
Hence, be it known here on earth, as well as it is known in heaven, that it was after this wise that the writer has duly ministered unto his own wants, as in the case of the apostle Paul, in the last several years of his travelling to and fro through the United States, say from 5000 to 10,000 miles per year, going about, as in the case of his Lord, doing good. Yea, he having of the above sum faithfully divided about $3,300 in cash among the poor widows and orphans, without distinction as to color. Hence, in this particular, was he not a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless?
But alas, alas! he has nothing now of all his loaves and fishes left him, but a few copies of his Midnight Cry, that he disposes of in going around. Well, even so, since he feels assured that he will not die for want of bread, whilst his Quaker friends have a shelter for the poor and needy, into which he may enter, and there chop straw and stuff mats through the day, and lift up his soul by night in thanksgiving unto the Lord his God, for such a shelter in his old days; yea, it being similar to that of his blessed Lord and Master, when born in Bethlehem Judah, the city of David. Even so, amen.
Seeing that said friends have some several shelters thus provided
in the City of Philadelphia, yea, and one in particular, near
But here, as it might be asked by some one of the writer's friendly subscribers to his Narrative, for what purpose shall the profits thereof go to? answer, if there should be any after all of the necessary expenses are duly settled up, he may probably have need of it himself, to subsist on in his cave, lest he might become a pauper upon the community; and that he would not like to be, seeing that they have about their hands full already, it being solely from neglect on the part of the clergy, as before named. Therefore, should not every religions society within these United States who may be found neglecting their poor widows and orphans, be regarded nothing less than a nest of Infidels? having denied the faith and principles that were taught by the Prophets and Apostles. Yea, a nuisance and a disgrace to the Commonwealth of Israel, and ought to be broken up, accordingly. And, in the opinion of the writer, if there could be some clause to that effect in the Constitution of the United States, it would be no doubt the salvation of this our dear land and nation. Even so, in God's holy name mote it be.
And now, the penman and ready writer having here truly uncased his bosom, and poured out his soul in truth, he can now retire to his cave in peace, yea, and of no little joy in the Holy Ghost. Hence, may he not climb where Moses stood, and see the blessed land, yea, there and then to read his name written upon his Saviour's hand; and with his holy presence bid, let him die as Moses did. Selah.
Do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly before thy God, oh man! Even so, selah.
And now, in conclusion, if the humble penman has any friends in said Conference, rather than those of Job's comforters, namely, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, say, may he here most respectfully ask of them in God's holy name to do the right and clean thing.
See that Green and Thompson lift their note of $600, with
interest thereon, so that there may be some two or three more good
log buildings erected on said farm; and also, see that the difference
between him and said Conference of $494
But lastly, and now to all the saints of the most High God, you
are hereby notified, yea, and requested to separate yourselves from
any further connection with what is called Free Masonry in the
From thy father and servant, for Christ's sake. Selah.