An autobiography, with details of a visit to England ...

Front matter

aX aV ■f>.

AN ALTOBIOGRAPHY,

WITH

Chapter I

Birth — Parentage — Capture of my Grandfather— ^His Treatment on Board the Vessel — The American Kevolution — Death of my Grandfather, . 1

CHAPTER n.

Religious Concern — My Father's Suspicions and Threats — Continued Distress — Thoughts of-Ap?5stacy — First Baptist Preaching, and First Bai>- tism in North Brantford, ,.....,. 7

CHAPTER ni.

I become Negligent of Religion — Engage my Serrices to Hon. Mr. Ellsworth — Alarming Sickness — Attentions of Mrs. Ellsworth — Recovery — My Father's Sickness and Recovery — I am again ill — 3Ir. Ellsworth's Misfortune — My Marriage, and Loss of a Child, , , ,16

CHAPTER IT.

Engagement with Mr, Williams — Sickness of my Wife — My Baptism — Birth and Death of a Child — Views upon a *' Call to the Ministry" — ProTidential Means Provided to Prepare for the Work thereof, . . 22

CHAPTER V.

Going into Business — Failure — Beturn to Hartford — Distress of Mind — Church Trials — Mutual Conference — Defence cf the Right — Settle- • ment of the DiSculty, = .«.,,.,.. 33

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

Resignation of Kev. Hemy Jackson — Services of Independent Colared Church — Embarrassment from Loss of a Minister — Ordination of Rev. J. b. Eaton, ...,,..» ... 43

CHAPTER YII.

My First Sermon — Preach before the First Baptist Church, Hartford — Receive its Approbation and a License, •. . . . . .51

CHAPTER Till.

Leave for Providence, R. L — Providential Aid — Commence a Course of Study — Proposal to go to Kewton Theological Seminary — Project Abandoned — Return Home — Start for Philadelphia — Heavy Sleeping — Preach in New York and Philadelphia, . . . . » 58

CHAPTER IX.

Return, to Providence — Organization of the Church— Ordination — My First Baptism — A Strange Visitor — Additions* to the Church — Baptism of my Wife — Advantages of Opposition — Meeting-House Repaired — Resignation,. 68

CHAPTER X.

Resignation Accepted— Visit Philadelphia and Washington — Accept the Call of tire Shiloh Baptist Church — Installation — Baptism — Preparation for Departure to England — Official Documents, . . . .78

CHAPTER XI.

My Departure — Incidents of the Voyage — Death and Funeral on Shipboard — Arrival at Liverpool — First Contributions, ... 87

CHAPTER XII.

Arrival in Liverpool — Consultation with Ministers — Visit London— Leave for Bristol — Postponement of Effort — Proceed to Cheltenham— Thence to Birmingham — Comniencemcnt of fcuccchs, 96

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII.

Rettim to Bristol — Preach at Broadmead — Visit Ashton — Success and Treatment in Bristol — Proceed thence to Trowhridge — Frome — Bath Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Oxford — Impressions of Oxford — Reception in Leamington — Kev. Octavius Winslow, 106

CHAPTER Xn^

Return to Birmingham — News from Home — Liverpool — Kindly Greetings — Rochdale, and Ashlon-under-Lyne, . ..... 117

CHAPTER XY.

Bacnp — Singular Introduction to a Bible Class — Poor Lodgings — Ashington, Blackburn, Preston, and Hebdon Bridge — Gratifying Success at Salendine Nook — Halifax — Reception at Bradford — Leeds — Important Document from the Baptists of Yorkshire — Singular Proceeding in Wakefield, 126

CHAPTER XYI.

A Pleasant Week in Northampton — A Happy Conversion — Arrival in London — Introductions, 141

CHAPTER XYIL

Rev. Dr. Brock— Samuel Peto, Esq., M. P.— Visit to the To-^er— Sabbath-schools — Courtesy received at Anniversary Meetings — Deacon Gale, ! . • , 151

CHAPTER xym.

Sheffield — Leicester — Visit Scotland — Impressions of Edinburgh and Glasgow — Mr. Robert Kettle — FareweU to Great Britain, . . . 159

CHAPTER XIX.

Return Vovage — Reception on Board the Steamer *^City of Glasgow" — A Prosperous Voyage, and Safe Return Home, 172

Vlll COXTEXTS.

CHAPTER XX.

From Providence to Philadelphia — Low State of the Shiloh Church— Sender a Report— A Revival — Baptism of my Daughter — Meeting of an Advisory Council — Strong Effort to Remove Church Debt — An Unworthy Church Member, . ....... 173

CHAPTER XXI.

Collections in Philadelphia — Personal Applications — Liberality of the Shiloh Church — Church Expenses — Mistaken Views, . . ISS

CHAPTER XXn.

Pecuniary Difficulties — Church Edifice in the Hands of the Sheriff — Remarks on the Disposition of Property, 197

CHAPTER XXIII.

Sickness and Death of my Daughter— Another Gracious Revival — Rev.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Shiloh Baptist Meeting-house — Repairs — Lack of Benevolence — List of Churches — Self-denialof the Ministry — Encouragements to Labor — Conclusion, . : 212

IXTRODUCTIOX.

In introducing tliis little volnme to the public. I am iiifluenced partly by a desire to aid its author in the good work to which he is devoting his energies, as the pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Philadelphia — a work inwhich his labors are arduous, his success ample, but his compensation small. If by any means this trial of authorship should result in his pecuniary profit, by placing in the hands of his brethren a readable and usefid book in exchange for what might aid him in the further prosecution of his labors, I should regard the enterprise as not only justifiable, but commendable.

But I am also influenced by the behef that the work

has merit. As the story of a Christian life, it enters into

Christian experience ; and all such experience has value.

As a narrative of the early relations existing between our

colored brethren and the churches to which they belonged,

it presents some interesting facts, which are highly suggest-

fix)

X INTRODUCTION.

ive in their bearing upon these times. It has also some reminiscences of a still earlier date, lending additional testimony to the historical fact that some of the bravest and most steadfast of our soldiers in the time of onr Revolutionary struggle were men of African descent. These heroes of a sabler hue have not been honored as their memory deserves, or their children protected in the equal enjoyment of privileges which the fathers fought to secure. It is this thought mainly which induces me to ask a welcome for this little volume, as a contribution to literature from one of that people whose wrongs are many, and whose privileges are few, J. W. S.

AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER I.

BIRTH — PARENTAGE — CAPTURE OF JHY GRANDFATHER— TREAT]MENT ON BOARD OF HIS VESSEL— THE AMERI- CAN REVOLUTION— DEATH OF IVIY GRANDFATHER.

I WAS born in the town of North Branford County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, on the 13th of October, 1812. My father's name was Euel Asher. He was born in the same place. His father was stolen from the Coast of Africa, when about four years of age, — ^brought to East Guilford, (now called Madison,) and sold to Linus Bishop, a ship carpenter, for $200. He gave him the name of Gad Asher.

My mother, Jerusha Asher, is of the Indian extraction, and was born in Hartford. She is now about eighty years of age, and being, therefore, unable to provide for herself, is entirely

DEATH OF STY FATHER.

dependent npon a portion of my slender means for lier support. My father died about seven years since^ aged nearly seventy. My grandfather had been dead about sixteen years. He fell asleep in Jesus, after having been a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty years. My eldest sister (Maria) early embraced a hope in Christ, and united with the Presbyterian Church in New Haven, tinder the Pastorate of Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, and for some eight or ten years lived a worthy member of that church. It has been my privilege seldom to meet with one more devoted and heavenly-minded.

I have often listened with feelings of unmingled grief when my grandfather related the story of his capture, — stolen away as he was, from father, mother, brother and sister, never more to see them, aiid hurried on board of a slaver, to be consigned to perpetual bondage.

His father cultivated a portion of land some distance from his dwelling, which he supposes produced rice ; although he cannot be certain, on account of his being so young. The mode of cultivation is not very peculiar. The seed being sown broadcast upon the land, it is then made the employment of small children to watch for a sea-

MEN-STEALERS. 3

son and prevent the depredations of the feathered tribe.

This department of labor fell to a brother of rny grandfather, whom he supposes ^Yas some ten or twelve years of age^ and whom he was accustomed to take with 'him for company. One day, whilst thus engaged, he saw two white men coming out of the bush and making towards them, which aroused his suspicions. Therefore, he determined to take his little brother and flee for their lives. The white men immediately gave chase. My grandfather says that it was some time before his brother could make him sensible of his danger. He says that he took hold of him and turned him around, so that he might see his pursuers. Then he became so alarmed that he ran as fast and as long as he could, when at last failing in strength, he gave out. Then his brother took him up on his back, and continued to make all possible speed; but finding their pursuers were gaining upon them so fast, he was obliged to give him up and escape for his own life.

The men-stealers soon reached my grandfather, gagged him, and took him up and put him on board the vessel, when they attempted to comfort

4 CAPTURE OF MY GRANDFATHER.

him by telling him that they were going to take him home.

The brother made his escape to bear the melancholy tidings to his heart-stricken parents^ that their darling little boy was stolen^ and they would see him no more.

It was twilight when they brought him on board. He saw that, although a large number of men, women and children who had been also thus stolen, he did not recognize one of them. He waS; therefore, very lonely and distressed. They took great pains to quiet him, taking him into the cabin, where they were unusually attentive to him, lest they should lose him; and having no relative or companion on board, he was exempted from many of the horrors of the "middle passage."

This happened about twenty-five or thirty years previous to the American Eevolution, when Bishop, who had purchased him, was drafted to go into the service of his country ; but preferring the comforts of home to the dangers and hardships of a campaign, he made an offer to his servant Gad of his freedom, upon the condition that he would take his place and serve during the war ; to which he readily consented.

He fought side by side with white men in two

MY GRANDFATHER. 5

or tliree important battles of the American Eevolution, including the memorable battle of Bunker Hill; where he lost his eyesight, "which he never regained. He died at the age of nearly one hundred years, nearly seventy years after the termination of the Eevolutionary War. After returning to his master, he was required to pu.rchase himself for $200, his original cost, the Continental money which he had received for his services being refused.

There were in the town where Gad Asher resided two other colored soldiers of the Eevolution, who were frequently accustomed to talk over the motives which prompted them to ^'endure hardness.^^ They were the only men that I knew (and I was acquainted with nearly every man in the town) that fought in the terrible and never-tobe-forgotten battle for American Liberty. I was so accustomed to hear these men talk, until I almost fancied to myself that I had more rights than any white man in the town. Such were the lessons taught me by the old black soldiers of the American Eevolution. Thus, my first ideas of the right of the colored man to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, were received from those old veterans and champions for liberty.

6 INDEPENDENCE.

I confess that the result of their teachings gave my parents much trouble ; for whenever I was insulted, I would always resist it. Neither my father nor mother could persuade me that white boys were allowed to insult me because I was colored. I invariably felt justified in defending myself.

Chapter II

RELIGIOUS CONCERN— :MY FATHER'S SUSPICIONS AND THREATS — CONTINUED DISTRESS— THOUGHTS OF APOS- TACT— FIRST BAPTIST PREACHING AND FIRST BAPTISM AT NORTH BRANFORD.

So far back as I can remember, I have been the subject of religious impressions. "When not more than seven or eight years of age, my mind was frequently deeply affected. Thoughts on death and the judgment sometimes completely overwhelmed me, fearing as I did, that I might die in my sins. All this was occasioned principally by reading the Holy Scriptures, which I commenced at a very early age. Before I was twelve years old, I remember to have read the entire New Testament four or five times and the Old Testament with the Apocrypha once and partly through again. More than this, the books of the Apocrypha being favorites with me, T read them the more frequently.

When about twelve or thirteen years of age, I was hired out at the rate of six cents per day in

8 OBEDIENCE.

the spring and autumn, and from twelve to eighteen cents in the summer. I was expected to perform at least the half of a man's Avork. It was at this age that it pleased the Lord to call me from nature's darkness into His own maryellous light. It was in this wise : Upon a certain day of the month of March^ my father sent me on an errand, giving me special injunctions to hasten back. Hitherto I had been exceedingly disobedient and dilatory, being easily detained by the many objects which readily attracted my attention. On this occasion, however, I started from home with a full determination to obey my father and follow his instructions — to be blind to all I might see and deaf to all I might hear. Having proceeded about midway, I bethought me of the residence near at hand of an intimate friend, who had become the subject of a late revival of religion, but whom I had not seen since his conversion. It was not, however, on this account that I desired to see him. I had forgotten that he was a changed man. Otherwise, nothing would have induced me to have gone near him, feeling as I did at the time, actually afraid of professing Christians, lest they should address me on the subject of religion. Conversation on this subject always made me feel unhappy, as I fully

FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

realized that I was a sinner, living without God and without hope.

The morning was delightful. Every piece of nature appeared to wear a cheerful aspect. My own heart was merry until I looked upon my friend, when the thought of his conversion^ together with observing a change in his personal appearance, confused and perplexed me so much, that I was literally speechless. It appeared to me as if his face shone with an unnatural brightness. When, however, he addressed me, all sunshine seemed to depart. His very first words pierced my heart, convicting me of my disobedience to my parents and showing me my utter sinfulness before God.

I was unhappy, feeling myself to be a condemned sinner in the sight of God. As he interrogated me concerning my confusion, I was unwillingly forced to confess that I was unwell ; when he took occasion to speak to me of the mercy of God, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying for sinners, and my duty to repent of my sins. Such were his words and so earnestly were they spoken, that they went as arrows to my soul, and made me as a wounded bird.

Leaving mv friend and walking onwards, I re-

10 ^ DISTRESS OF MIND.

solved to amend mj ">vayS; and no more to disobey my parents. I therefore hastened my pace and soon arrived at home again, thereby pleasing my father. Observing that I was sad at heart, he spoke kindly to me, and for the remainder of the day exacted very little from me.

Night came; but, oh, what a night! To me it was one of densest darkness. I could obtain no sleep to my eyes nor slumber to my eyelids. I was afraid to sleep, feeling that such a sinner as I was, deserved to be turned into hell. I could not as yet see any way of escape, as I remembered the Scripture : ^^ The soul that sinneth, it shall die." I felt, too, that my condemnation was just, so that I could not hope to be forgiven.

The morning came, — then noon-day ; but as yet no relief. Dark as night was, I wished for its return, as it appeared to me as if every body regarded me as I viewed myself.

My father, notwithstanding his skepticism about religious matters, very soon appeared to understand or suspect the cause of my trouble, and declared himself to be determined to relieve me from what he termed my gloomy feelings. He inquired of me if I was '^ serious." To which making no reply, he bade me go to work, giving me a double

CON^'ICnON. 11

task, wliich lie insisted should be performed before tlie sun went down, and at the same time threatening me, that should he see me troubling myself any more on the subject of religion, he would punish me very severely.

Distressed in my mind, I went to my work, but continued many days thereafter in trouble, as I could not understand how God could be just, and yet the Justifier of the ungodly. At length I was brouo^ht to see the blood of Christ cleanseth

o

from all sin, and to seek forgiveness through His merits. I soon saw in Christ (a miserable condemned sinner though I felt myself to be,) all that I needed ; and being set before me in the Scriptures as suffering and dying for me, and then rising again for my justification. He seemed to me as '^the chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely.''

It then seemed to me as if my sins were really many more and worse than they had been, but I felt as though there were more than sufficient in Jesus to atone for them all. Then I experienced an inward joy, to which I had hitherto been a stranger. I felt assured of my part in the Saviour, and trust,- that to the latest day of my life, to hope for acceptance

12 CONVERSION.

v/itli God only tTirougli the merits of a crucified Saviour.

During tlie wliole of tliis time I do not remember to have heard a sermon, attended a prayer-meeting, or engaged in any religious conversation, until it pleased the Lord, by His Holy Spirit, to bring me to trust in His dear Son alone for salvation, for Tvhich I praise His holy name. That day I not only felt joy, comfort and peace, but I also experienced an unusual degree of strength. My task was soon performed, and I retired to meditate upon the goodness of God and thank Him for what He had done for my poor soul.

I continued in this way for some length of time ; but having no one to guide and instruct me, I was soon led away by the temptations which surrounded me on every hand ; and, although I made no pretentions to religion, I ever after revered and respected those who loved the Saviour, yet I seldom, if ever, spoke to any one on the subject. At length I began to think it was all a delusion, and endeavored to give it up and live in and enjoy the world. I thought that I was too young to give my attention to the consideration of the subject of religion. Although I always delighted to visit the house of the Lord and loved the place where

BAPTISM AT ERANFORD. 13

His honor dwelleth, sucli was seldom my privilege.

About tliis time; there came to iSTorth Branford a Baptist minister^ the first one that I ever heard of since John the Baptist. I did not know that such people upon the face of the earth, holding the views, doctrines, principles and practices as the Baptist denomination, existed. He seemed as though he would "turn the place upside-down," — not because of his fame as a preacher, but for the reason that he declared that baptism could only be rightly performed by immersion. He preached in a small school-house, to which the people flocked from all quarters to hear him. The Lord worked with him, and a number of the most wicked and profligate young men in the town were converted. One entire family, which consisted, I think, of eight members, were announced to put on the Lord Jesus Christ by being immersed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This was to take place on the Sabbath in the southern part of the town, known as Cedar Pond. As the time drew near, the news extended far and wide, and extensive preparations were made in every direction to be present on the occasion. Those who had horses, used them; whilst those

14 BAPTISM.

wlio had none, travelled on foot; from miles in all directions, to witness the scene. Among others, my father and mother went ; but, to my great disappointment, (and it was one of the greatest I had ever experienced,) I was not allowed to witness the baptism.

The hour for tbe administration of the ordinance arrived, and every available place was said to be occupied. The trees, which, were in abundance on the banks, were covered with anxious spectators, and the man of God administered the ancient rite, and those happy souls were buried with Christ in baptism. This baptism was the theme of conversation for weeks in every house and in every place of resort. The mode, its subjects, and its propriety were discussed pro and con; but, as a general thing, did not meet with, favor.

During the administration of the ordinance the hymn was sung which contains the lines —

^' Oh, how happy are they vfho their Saviour obey, And have laid up their treasure above ! ' '

The hymn continued to be sung in almost every place of business for some time. When T first heard it, I became convinced, from all that I had heard of the baptism and its surrounding circum-

THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM. 15

stances, that it must be precisely similar to tliose as recorded by Matthew. and the other evangelists respecting the baptisms of John and Jesus. And never, from that day until this, have I seen any reason to alter my mind respecting believers' baptism.

After this event, I formed a strong desire to become a Baptist ; but this was the last I knew of them for about seven years ; never, even, in the meantime listening to any one sermon declaring the particular views of the denomination. From that day I loved them, and thought that if it was the Lord's will, I should be delighted to give myself to the preaching of the word of reconciliation. How often did I feel this when I even despaired of becoming a member of a Baptist church !