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Documentary Sources Database. American Multiculturalism Series. Unit One. Documenting the African American Experience.
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Printed by Carroll and Patterson no. 32, Maiden-Lane. New York [1787].Early American Imprints, 1st series, no. 20400 (filmed)
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I Take the liberty to dedicate an address to my poor brethren to you. If you think it is likely to do good among them, I do not doubt but you will take it under your care. You have discovered so much kindness and good will to those you thought were oppressed, and had no helper, that I am sure you will not despise what I have wrote, if you judge it will be of any service to them. I have nothing to add, but only to wish that "the blessing of many ready to perish, may come upon you."
I am Gentlemen, Your Servant,
As this Address is wrote in a better Stile than could be expected from a slave, some may be ready to doubt of the genuineness of the production. The Author, as he informs in the title page, is a servant of Mr. Lloyd, and has been remarkable for his fidelity and abstinence from those vices, which he warns his brethren against. The manuscript wrote in his own hand, is in our possession. We have made no material alterations in it, except in the spelling, which we found needed considerable correction.
WHEN I am writing to you with a design to say
something to you for your good, and with a view to promote your
happiness, I can with truth and sincerity join with the apostle
Paul, when speaking of his own nation the Jews, and say, "That
I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart for my
brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." Yes my dear
brethren, when I think of you, which is very often, and of the
poor, despised and miserable state you are in, as to the things
of this world, and when I think of your ignorance and stupidity,
and the great wickedness of the most of you, I am pained to the
heart. It is at times, almost too much for human nature to bear,
and I am obliged to turn my thoughts from the subject or
endeavour to still my mind, by considering that it is permitted
thus to be, by that God who governs all things, who seteth up one
and pulleth down another. While I have been thinking on this
Page 6
subject, I have frequently had great struggles in my own mind,
and have been at a loss to know what to do. I have wanted
exceedingly to say something to you, to call upon you with the
tenderness of a father and friend, and to give you the last, and
I may say, dying advice, of an old man, who wishes our best good
in this world, and in the world to come. But while I have had
such desires, a sense of my own ignorance, and unfitness to teach
others, has frequently discouraged me from attempting to say any
thing to you ; yet when I thought of your situation, I could not
rest easy. When I was at Hartford in Connecticut, where I lived
during the war, I published several pieces which were well
received, not only by those of my own colour, but by a number of
the white people, who thought they might do good among their
servants. This is one consideration, among others, that emboldens
me now to publish what I have written to you. Another is, I think
you will be more likely to listen to what is said, when you know
it comes from a negro, one your own nation and colour, and
therefore can have no interest in deceiving you, or in saying any
thing to you, but what he really thinks is your interest and duty
to comply with. My age, I think, gives me some right to speak to
you, and reason to expect you will hearken to my advice. I am now
upwards of seventy years old, and cannot expect, though I am
well, and able to do almost any kind of business, to live much
longer. I have passed the common bounds set for man, and must
soon go the way of all the
Page 7
earth. I have had more experience in the world than the most of
you, and I have seen a great deal of the vanity, and wickedness
of it. I have great reason to be thankful that my lot has been so
much better than most slaves have had. I suppose I have had more
advantages and privileges than most of you, who are slaves have
ever known, and I believe more than many white people have
enjoyed, for which I desire to bless God, and pray that he may
bless those who have given them to me. I do not, my dear friends,
say these things about myself to make you think that I am wiser
or better than others ; but that you might hearken, without
prejudice, to what I have to say to you on the following
particulars.
Ist. Respecting obedience to masters. Now whether it is
right, and lawful, in the sight of God, for them to make slaves
of us or not, I am certain that while we are slaves, it is our
duty to obey our masters, in all their lawful commands, and mind
them unless we are bid to do that which we know to-be sin, or
forbidden in God's word. The apostle Paul says, "Servants be
obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling in singleness in your heart as unto
christ : Not with eye service, as men pleasers, but as the
servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart : With
good will doing service to the Lord, and not to men : Knowing
that whatever thing a man doeth the same shall he receive of the
Lord, whether he be bond or free." -- Here is a plain command of
God for us to obey our masters. It may seem hard for us, if we
think our masters
Page 8
wrong in holding us slaves, to obey in all things, but who of us
dare dispute with God! He has commanded us to obey, and we ought
to do it chearfully, and freely. This should be done by us, not
only because God commands, but because our own peace and comfort
depend upon it. As we depend upon our masters, for what we eat
and drink and wear, and for all our comfortable things in this
world, we cannot be happy, unless we please them. This we cannot
do without obeying them freely, without muttering or finding
fault. If a servant strives to please his master and studies and
takes pains to do it, I believe there are but few masters who
would use such a servant cruelly. Good servants frequently make
good masters. If your master is really hard, unreasonable and
cruel, there is no way so likely for you to convince him of it,
as always to obey his commands, and try to serve him, and take
care of his interest, and try to promote it all in your power. If
you are proud and stubborn and always finding fault, your master
will think the fault lies wholly on your side, but if you are
humble, and meek, and bear all things patiently, your master may
think he is wrong, if he does not, his neighbours will be apt to
see it, and will befriend you, and try to alter his conduct. If
this does not do, you must cry to him, who has the hearts of all
men in his hands, and turneth them as the rivers of waters are
turned.
2d: The particular I would mention, is honesty and
faithfulness. You must suffer me now to deal plainly with you, my
dear brethren, for I do not
Page 9
mean to flatter, or omit speaking the truth, whether it is for
you, or against you. How many of you are there who allow
yourselves in stealing from your masters. It is very wicked for
you not to take care of your masters goods, but how much worse is
it to pilfer and steal from them, whenever you think you shall
not be found out. This you must know is very wicked and provoking
to God. There are none of you so ignorant, but that you must know
that this is wrong. Though you may try to excuse yourselves, by
saying that your masters are unjust to you, and though you may
try to quiet your consciences in this way, yet if you are honest
in owning the truth you must think it is as wicked, and on some
accounts more wicked to steal from your masters, than from
others.
We cannot certainly, have any excuse either for taking any
thing that belongs to our masters without their leave, or for
being unfaithful in their business. It is our duty to be
faithful, not with eye service as men pleasers. We have no
right to stay when we are sent on errands, any longer than to do
the business we were sent upon. All the time spent idly, is spent
wickedly, and is unfaithfulness to our masters. In these things I
must say, that I think many of you are guilty. I know that many
of you endeavour to excuse yourselves, and say that you have
nothing that you can call your own, and that you are under great
temptations to be unfaithful and take from your masters. But this
will not do, God will certainly punish you for stealing and for
being unfaithful. All that we have to mind is our own duty. If
God has put us in bad circumstances
Page 10
that is not our fault and he will not punish us for it. If any
are wicked in keeping us so, we cannot help it, they must answer
to God for it. Nothing will serve as an excuse to us for not
doing our duty. The same God will judge both them and us. Pray
then my dear friends, fear to offend in this way, but be faithful
to God, to your masters, and to your own souls.
The next thing I would mention, and warn you against, is
profaneness. This you know is forbidden by God. Christ tells us,
"swear not at all," and again it is said "thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless, that taketh his name in vain." Now though the great
God has forbidden it, yet how dreadfully profane are many, and I
don't know but I may say the most of you ? How common is it to
hear you take the terrible and awful name of the great God in
vain ? -- To swear by it, and by Jesus Christ, his Son -- How
common is it to hear yon wish damnation to your companions, and
to your own souls -- and to sport with in the name of Heaven and
Hell, as if there were no such places for you to hope for, or to
fear. Oh my friends, be warned to forsake this dreadful sin of
profaneness. Pray my dear friends, believe and realize, that
there is a God -- that he is great and terrible beyond what you
can think -- that he keeps you in life every moment -- and that
he can send you to that awful Hell, that you laugh at, in an
instant, and confine you there for ever, and that he will
certainly do it, if you do not repent. You certainly do not
believe, that there is a
Page 11
God, or that there is a Heaven or Hell, or you would never
trifle with them. It would make you shudder, if you heard others
do it, if you believe them as much, as you believe any thing you
see with your bodily eyes.
I have heard some learned and good men say, that the heathen,
and all that worshiped false Gods, never spoke lightly or
irreverently of their Gods, they never took their names in vain,
or jested with those things which they held sacred. Now why
should the true God, who made all things, be treated worse in
this respect, than those false Gods, that were made of wood and
stone. I believe it is because Satan tempts men to do it. He
tried to make them love their false Gods, and to speak well of
them, but he wishes to have men think lightly of the true God, to
take his holy name in vain, and to scoff at, and make a jest of
all things that are really good. You may think that Satan has not
power to do so much, and have so great influence on the minds of
men : But the scripture says, "he goeth about like a roaring
Lion, seeking whom he may devour -- That he is the prince of the
power of the air -- and that he rules in the hearts of the
children of disobedience, -- and that wicked men are led captive
by him, to do his will." All those of you who are profane,
are serving the Devil. You are doing what he tempts and desires
you to do. If you could see him with your bodily eyes, would you
like to make an agreement with him, to serve him, and do as he
bid you. I believe most of you would be shocked at this, but you
may be certain that all of you who allow yourselves in this
Page 12
sin, are as really serving him, and to just as good purpose, as
if you met him, and promised to dishonor God, and serve him with
all your might. Do you believe this? It is true whether you
believe it or not. Some of you to excuse yourselves, may plead
the example of others, and say that you hear a great many
white-people, who know more, than such poor ignorant negroes, as
you are, and some who are rich and great gentlemen, swear, and
talk profanely; and some of you may say this of your masters, and
say no more than is true. But all this is not a sufficient excuse
for you. You know that murder is wicked. If you saw your master
kill a man, do you suppose this would be any excuse for you, if
you should commit the same crime? You must know it would not ;
nor will your hearing him curse and swear, and take the name of
God in vain, or any other man, be he ever so great or rich,
excuse you. God is greater than all other beings, and him we are
bound to obey. To him we must give an account for every
idle word that we speak. He will bring us all, rich and
poor, white and black, to his judgment seat. If we are found
among those who feared his name, and trembled at his
word, we shall be called good and faithful servants. Our
slavery will be at an end, and though ever so mean, low, and
despited in this world, we shall sit with God in his kingdom as
Kings and Priests, and rejoice forever, and ever. Do not then, my
dear friends, take God's holy name in vain, or speak profanely in
any way. Let not the example of others lead you into the sin, but
reverence and
Page 13
fear that great and fearful name, the Lord our God. I
might now caution you against other sins to which you are exposed
; but as I meant only to mention those you were exposed to, more
than others, by your being slaves, I will conclude what I have to
say to you, by advising you to become religious, and to make
religion the great business of your lives.
Now I acknowledge that liberty is a great thing, and worth
seeking for, if we can get it honestly, and by our good conduct,
prevail on our masters to set us free : Though for my own part I
do not wish to be free, yet I should be glad, if others,
especially the young negroes were to be free, for many of us, who
are grown up slaves, and have always had masters to take care of
us, should hardly know how to take care of ourselves ; and it may
be more for our own comfort to remain as we are. That liberty is
a great thing we may know from our own feelings, and we may
likewise judge so from the conduct of the white-people, in the
late war. How much money has been spent, and how many lives has
been lost, to defend their liberty. I must say that I have hoped
that God would open their eyes, when they were so much engaged
for liberty, to think of the state of the poor blacks, and to
pity us. He has done it in some measure, and has raised us up
many friends, for which we have reason to be thankful, and to
hope in his mercy. What may be done further, he only knows, for
known unto God are all his ways from the beginning. But
this my dear brethren is
Page 14
by no means, the greatest thing we have to be concerned about.
Getting our liberty in this world, is nothing to our having the
liberty of the children of God. Now the Bible tells us that we
are all by nature, sinners, that we are slaves to sin and Satan,
and that unless we are converted, or born again, we must be
miserable forever. Christ says, except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God, and all that do not see the
kingdom of God, must be in the kingdom of darkness. There are but
two places where all go after death, white and black, rich and
poor ; those places are Heaven and Hell. Heaven is a place made
for those, who are born again, and who love God, and it is a
place where they will be happy for ever. Hell is a place made for
those who hate God, and are his enemies, and where they will be
miserable to all eternity. Now you may think you are not enemies
to God, and do not hate him : But if your heart has not been
changed, and you have not become true christians, you certainly
are enemies to God, and have been opposed to him ever since you
were born. Many of you, I suppose, never think of this, and are
almost as ignorant as the beasts that perish. Those of you who
can read I must beg you to read the Bible, and whenever you can
get time, study the Bible, and if you can get no other time,
spare some of your time from sleep, and learn what the mind and
will of God is. But what shall I say to them who cannot read.
This lay with great weight on my mind, when I thought of writing
to my poor brethren, but I hope that those who can read will take
pity on them
Page 15
and read what I have to say to them. In hopes of this I will
beg of you to spare no pains in trying to learn to read. If you
are once engaged you may learn. Let all the time you can get be
spent in trying to learn to read. Get those who can read to learn
you, but remember, that what you learn for, is to read the Bible.
If there was no Bible, it would be no matter whether you could
read or not. Reading other books would do you no good. But the
Bible is the word of God, and tells you what you must do to
please God ; it tells you how you may escape misery, and be happy
for ever. If you see most people neglect the Bible, and many that
can read never look into it, let it not harden you and make you
think lightly of it, and that it is a book of no worth. All those
who are really good, love the Bible, and meditate on it day and
night. In the Bible God has told us every thing it is necessary
we should know, in order to be happy here and hereafter. The
Bible is a revelation of the mind and will of God to men. Therein
we may learn, what God is. That he made all things by the power
of his word ; and that he made all things for his own glory, and
not for our glory. That he is over all, and above all his
creatures, and more above them that we can think or conceive --
that they can do nothing without him -- that he upholds them all,
and will over-rule all things for his own glory. In the Bible
likewise we are told what man is. That he was at first made holy,
in the image of God, that he fell from that state of holiness,
and
Page 16
became an enemy to God, and that since the fall, all the
imaginations of the thoughts of his heart, are evil and only
evil, and that continually. That the carnal mind is not subject
to the law of God, neither indeed can be. And that all
mankind, were under the wrath, and curse of God, and must have
been for ever miserable, if they had been left to suffer what
their sins deserved. It tells us that God, to save some of
mankind, sent his Son into this world to die, in the room and
stead of sinners, and that now God can save from eternal misery,
all that believe in his Son, and take him for their saviour, and
that all are called upon to repent, and believe in Jesus Christ.
It tells us that those who do repent, and believe, and are
friends to Christ, shall have many trials and sufferings in this
world, but that they shall be happy forever, after death, and
reign with Christ to all eternity. The Bible tells us that this
world is a place of trial, and that there is no other time or
place for us to alter, but in this life. If we are christians
when we die, we shall awake to the resurrection of life ; if not,
we shall awake to the resurrection of damnation. It tells us, we
must all live in Heaven or Hell, be happy or miserable, and that
without end. The Bible does not tell us of but two places, for
all to go to. There is no place for innocent folks, that are not
christians. There is no place for ignorant folks, that did not
know how to be christians. What I mean is, that there is no place
besides Heaven and Hell. These two places, will receive all
mankind, for Christ says, there are but two sorts,
Page 17
he that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth
not with me, scattereth abroad. -- The Bible likewise tells
us that this world, and all things in it shall be burnt up -- and
that "God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world,
and that he will bring every secret thing whether it be good or
bad into judgment -- that which is done in secret shall be
declared on the house top." I do not know, nor do I think any can
tell, but that the day of judgment may last a thousand years. God
could tell the state of all his creatures in a moment, but then
every thing that every one has done, through his whole life is to
be told, before the whole world of angels, and men. There, Oh how
solemn is the thought! You, and I, must stand, and hear every
thing we have thought or done, however secret, however wicked and
vile, told before all the men and women that ever have been, or
ever will be, and before all the angels, good and bad.
Now my dear friends seeing the Bible is the word of God, and
every thing in it is true, and it reveals such awful and glorious
things, what can be more important than that you should learn to
read it ; and when you have learned to read, that you should
study it day and night. There are some things very encouraging in
God's word for such ignorant creatures as we are ; for God hath
not chosen the rich of this world. Not many rich, not many noble
are called, but God hath chosen the weak things of this world,
and things which are not, to confound the things that are : And
when the great and the rich refused coming to the gospel feast,
Page 18
the servant was told, to go into the highways, and hedges, and
compel those poor creatures that he found there to come in. Now
my brethren it seems to me, that there are no people that ought
to attend to the hope of happiness in another world so much as we
do. Most of us are cut off from comfort and happiness here in
this world, and can expect nothing from it. Now seeing this is
the case, why should we not take care to be happy after death.
Why should we spend our whole lives in sinning against God : And
be miserable in this world, and in the world to come. If we do
thus, we shall certainly be the greatest fools. We shall be
slaves here, and slaves forever. We cannot plead so great
temptations to neglect religion as others. Riches and honours
which drown the greater part of mankind, who have the gospel, in
perdition, can be little or no temptations to us.
We live so little time in this world that it is no matter how
wretched and miserable we are, if it prepares us for heaven. What
is forty, fifty, or sixty years, when compared to eternity. When
thousands and millions of years have rolled away, this eternity
will be no nigher coming to an end. Oh how glorious is an eternal
life of happiness! And how dreadful, an eternity of misery. Those
of us who have had religious masters, and have been taught to
read the Bible, and have been brought by their example and
teaching to a sense of divine things, how happy shall we be to
meet them in heaven, where we shall join them in praising God
forever. But if any of us have had such masters, and yet have
lived and died wicked, how will it add to our misery
Page 19
to think of our folly. If any of us, who have wicked and
profane masters should become religious, how will our estates be
changed in another world. Oh my friends, let me intreat of you to
think on these things, and to live as if you believed them to be
true. If you become christians you will have reason to bless God
forever, that you have been brought into a land where you have
heard the gospel, though you have been slaves. If we should ever
get to Heaven, we shall find nobody to reproach us for being
black, or for being slaves. Let me beg of you my dear African
brethren, to think very little of your bondage in this life, for
your thinking of it will do you no good. If God designs to set us
free, he will do it, in his own time, and way ; but think of your
bondage to sin and Satan, and do not rest, until you are
delivered from it. We cannot be happy if we are ever so free or
ever so rich, while we are servants of sin, and slaves to Satan.
We must be miserable here, and to all eternity, I will conclude
what I have to say with a few words to those negroes who have
their liberty. The most of what I have said to those who are
slaves may be of use to you, but you have more advantages, on
some accounts, if you will improve your freedom, as you may do,
than they. You have more time to read God's holy word, and to
take care of the salvation of your souls. Let me beg of you to
spend your time in this way, or it will be better for you, if you
had always been slaves. If you think seriously of the matter, you
must conclude, that if you do not use
Page 20
your freedom, to promote the salvation of your souls, it will
not be of any lasting good to you. Besides all this, if you are
idle, and take to bad courses, you will hurt those of your
brethren who are slaves, and do all in your power to prevent
their being free. One great reason that is given by some for not
freeing us, I understand is, that we should not know how to take
care of ourselves, and should take to bad courses. That we should
be lazy and idle, and get drunk and steal. Now all those of you,
who follow any bad courses, and who do not take care to get an
honest living by your labour and industry, are doing more to
prevent our being free, than any body else. Let me beg of you
then for the sake of your own good and happiness, in time, and
for eternity, and for the sake of your poor brethren, who are
still in bondage "to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all
Godliness and honesty," and may God bless you, and bring you
to his kingdom, for Christ's sake, Amen.