UNCLE TOM ANDERSON'S CONVERSION

And experience, as given by himself, 12th mo.24th, 1854, now in his sixty-ninth year.

HARVEYSBURG, Warren Co., Ohio,

12th mo. 30th, 1854.

FRIEND DOUGLASS:—I send thee for publication, in thy valuable paper, the following narrative, &c., of Uncle Tom Anderson, (as he is called,) thinking it may prove interesting to many of thy numerous readers.

I became acquainted with him about five years ago, and have met with him occasionally since that time. The last time I met with him was when his history was dated the 24th ult. I have some interests which have frequently caused me to visit that country. Tom now resides in Cabel County, Western Virginia. He removed from Eastern Virginia with his old master, when 30 years of age; and is now the slave of the son-in-law of his old master, who, I think, is a kind-hearted man, and uses Tom well.

Tom, hearing of my being in the neighborhood, called at the hotel where I stopped, to see me—when, as on former occasions, I became very much interested and edified with his company—when I asked him if he had any objections to giving me a brief history of his life, and as he assured me had none, I proceeded to write it down, precisely in his own language, of which the following is a correct copy. He can cannot even write his own name. He will continue to preach the gospel, as opportunity offers. I think he is a thorough-bred African, although a man of superior natural abilities, according to my judgment; but his limited opportunity has not given much scope to develop them, nevertheless, his knowledge of the Scriptures far surpasses many of the white race, even those who have made them their study.

There are many circumstances and anecdotes related of him that would, I think, add interest to his history; but as it would swell it to considerable length, I will omit it at this time. Perhaps something may be added in future.

As I am not a member of any religious denomination, I conclude I will not be charged by any with trying to make sectarian capital, by offering this narrative for publication. But to my mind there seemed to be so much originality and consistency in it, according to my idea of the Christian religion, and to savour so much of what I conceive to be the right qualification for preaching the gospel—although coming from a poor uneducated slave, which has been some inducement to offer it for publication, believing the members of all religious denominations may receive instruction from it, particularly the professed ministries of the gospel.

Thine in behalf of the oppressed,

J. P. CLARK.

NARRATIVE.

I was born a slave in Hanover County, Eastern Virginia, and being very much exposed in my boyhood, no one taking any interest in my welfare, I became very wicked, and remained so until I arrived at the age of 19, at which time I was singularly led to attend a religious meeting, held by the Baptists, (who were a very humble people in that place, at that time,) when I was awakened to a sense of my condition, from these words dropped by a humble minister:

"The wicked have no hope beyond the grave, while the righteous have a hope beyond Jordan's cold stream; and after they have crossed Jordan, they have gone home to a God of pity, to a God of compassion, to a God of sovereign mercy." These words took a deep hold of my wicked heart, and broke up the great deep in my soul; and after searching a long season of time, the friend of sinners appeared, and filled my heart with love. He gave me peace of soul and confidence of mind; then I could gladly tell this glorious Savior's mind. This destroyed all earthly fear, and prepared me to rest in hope; and then I could say, by sea or land, by day or night, the Lord is ever mine. Forty odd years, I traveled on this way, and it now appears more precious than the first. And now I say, come all who would live quiet here, to this gracious Savior lay down your arms and earthly care, and you will find a Savior nigh.

Now, I would be glad for all the world to know, that after I was awakened, as I have described—love, in place of fear, filled my heart. May be I had better say here, that very often when I am going on in wickedness, something told me that this was very wicked, and I felt very bad. At that time I did not know it was the good spirit talking to me, yet I knew all the time that I was doing wrong, because I felt guilty, and that made me afraid. But when I gave up all to serve the Lord, He promised to help me whenever I needed Him, and soon after he tried my faith very strong.

My master, who owned me at that time, having no knowledge of God or godliness, supposed my religion was all a fancy, and said he could and would whip it out of me. He took me up, and tied me, and scourged me, until feeling of flesh was almost gone.—At length I fell before him, and cried to heaven, and asked my great Creator what I had done, when my master said, God d—n you, will you preach to me? But I now feel glad that I could suffer patiently for my new master, and my manner took master's strength away, and before he left me, he untied me and let me off. But in about three hours, he came again, and threatened me with fresh scourging; and though I was very weak from the beating I got, the Lord made me feel very strong; and this prepared me to answer, You have whipped out all my fear, and I am not afraid of you no more.—You can take a gun and shoot me, or kill me, as you please, and all for nothing, and that is all you can do; for I know I have a life you cannot touch, and the fear of you will not keep me from doing anything my new master tells me to do; and if he will let you take this poor bruised body of flesh, I feel it ain't worth much, and I then feel strength to say something like this: Thy will, O God, be done, and not mine. After this, my old master was conquered, and he never whipped me again, and left me in the hands of Jehovah. This gave me confidence to talk with the white and black folks, and tell them what the Lord had done for poor soul. After this, a great many came to me about religion—some good and some bad folks—for it was generally known that a great change had come over Tom. But I feel so poor sometimes, I have to wait for the spirit to warm my heart; then I sometimes talk very free about the love of God, and then they listen very attentively. About this time the church requested me to join them, but that I could not do without my master's consent; (it being against the law;) and when I asked him, he wrote these words, that the church should judge for herself, as he was not a judge; but if they thought best to receive me, he had no objections, and for his part, he thought if there were any Christians in the world, Tom was one. Upon this I joined the church. My master was an unbeliever, (or tried hard to be,) and he continued a wicked man to the last moment of his life. In the latter part of his life, he became quite intemperate. Before my master died, he lost five children, two sons and three daughters. And when they were confined to their sick beds, he sometimes felt very tender, and would often recommend me to talk or pray with them, as I thought best. A few days before my master died, I visited his bed side. I asked him how was the state of his mind. He answered, some say there is no hereafter. I asked him what he said for himself. His answer was short and crabbed. I don't know. And these were the last words he ever spoke, and his countenance looked visions when he was dying.

Some time after I joined the church, I sometimes feel that I would have to preach the gospel. This was a great trial and deep probing to me, feeling I was a poor slave, and at this time did not know one letter.—But one day, when all alone, my Heavenly Father spoke very plain to me: "thy work now begins in my vineyard, go out upon the highways, and cry aloud." But I make excuse; saying I don't know what to say. And the Lord said, "I put it in thy heart, what to say, fear not, for I will be with thee, and bring thee off conqueror, and more than conqueror." About this time, when I lay in my bed, I was often attended with visions, with views of congregations sitting to hear the word. For a long time I cried I was unworthy, to undertake the task, but God at length prepared me, and I promised to do the best I could. And God prepare me for this day; and when it comes I will do the best I can.

I was 23 years old when I did not know one letter; after that I managed two nights in a week, for two months, to go to see a black maid, who could spell a little. She instructed me to spell in three syllables, and that was all the learning I ever got. After that my Heavenly Master to me in hand, and nursed me, and learned me to read the Bible to good understanding. He first gave me faith, then he revealed it to me. But most other books I have tried to read, is a mystery to me. From the time of my conversion to this moment, I have never doubted the grace of God. For I have found all doubting comes from a wicked heart. I do feel, brother Clark, while I am relating this to you, that I have great cause to bless the Lord, for he has nursed me through all the journey of life, and has been my comforter in distress, when trouble like a gloomy cloud has overshadowed me, by the loss of three of my children being taken from my bosom, sold and taken South. But here I got some consolation, reflecting upon Joseph being sold into Egypt; like Jacob I was cast down in heart; still I walk, and believe on the Lord.—In prayer I lift up my eyes, that God might restore them again; but, if not to meet again in this world, that we may joyfully meet on that shore, where parting, sighing, and selling will be no more. They were sold eleven years ago, and I have never heard from them since. My wife has had, by me, 21 children, 7 dead, 3 sold, and 11 about this country.—My wife is a good, kind hearted woman; but I sometimes fear, she is too much like poor Martha was, who was careful and troubled about many things, and has not so fully chosen that good part which Mary did, that should never be taken away from her. (She is very much devoted to her children, and young master, who is very good to us.) I have three children who are a great comfort to me in my old age. Edmund, Isaac, and Henry, have chosen their father's footsteps, to seek a city out of sight. Edmund preaches the gospel, and it has often rejoiced my heart to hear him explain the mysteries of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is often tongue and utterance, mouth, and wisdom. I wish you could hear him. All my children, so far as I know, have always remained good moral characters, and I bless God for it. Edmund has learned to read the Bible; he saved a little money, and laid it all out to buy a Bible, lacked a little, and that I made up.—Brother Clark, my faith is firm and unshaken, that all those who will rely upon God for counsel and direction, will never be confounded. Although it may often be our lot to meet with clouds while traveling along on this pilgrimage journey through life, yet He will ever be a wall of defence, and will make a way for our escape, through all our besetting troubles here, and will at last bring us off conquerors, and more than conquerors over death, hell, and the grave. But we must put the old man entirely off with all his deeds, if we ever expect to put the new man on.—And when this is done, it prepares us to suffer with him; and when done, with all our troubles and toilings here, we shall reign with him forever, and forever more. Farewell, brother Clark, for I feel the time has come that we must part, and if we are never permitted to meet again on this footstool, I pray God we may meet with the redeemed of all generations, world without end. Amen.