Forinstance-agentlemanwhereshelivedwouldgiveheradollartohireapoormantoclearthenew-fallensnowfromthestepsandside-walks。Shewouldariseearly,andperformthelaborherself,puttingthemoneyintoherownpocket。Apoormanwouldcomealong,sayingsheoughttohavelethimhavethejob;hewaspoor,andneededthepayforhisfamily。Shewouldhardenherheartagainsthim,andanswer-’Iampoortoo,andIneeditformine。’But,inherretrospection,shethoughtofallthemiseryshemighthavebeenaddingto,inherselfishgrasping,andittroubledherconsciencesorely;andthisinsensibilitytotheclaimsofhumanbrotherhood,andthewantsofthedestituteandwretchedpoor,shenowsaw,assheneverhaddonebefore,tobeunfeeling,selfishandwicked。ThesereflectionsandconvictionsgaverisetoasuddenrevulsionoffeelingintheheartofIsabella,andshebegantolookuponmoneyandpropertywithgreatindifference,ifnotcontempt-beingatthattimeunable,probably,todiscernanydifferencebetweenamiserlygraspingatandhoardingofmoneyandmeans,andatrueuseofthegoodthingsofthislifeforone’sowncomfort,andthereliefofsuchasshemightbeenabledtobefriendandassist。Onethingshewassureof-thattheprecepts,’Dountoothersasyewouldthatothersshoulddountoyou,’’Loveyourneighborasyourself,’andsoforth,weremaximsthathadbeenbutlittlethoughtofbyherself,orpractisedbythoseabouther。
Hernextdecisionwas,thatshemustleavethecity;itwasnoplaceforher;yea,shefeltcalledinspirittoleaveit,andtotraveleastandlecture。Shehadneverbeenfurthereastthanthecity,neitherhadsheanyfriendsthereofwhomshehadparticularreasontoexpectanything;yettoheritwasplainthathermissionlayintheeast,andthatshewouldfindfriendsthere。Shedeterminedonleaving;butthesedeterminationsandconvictionsshekeptcloselockedinherownbreast,knowingthatifherchildrenandfriendswereawareofit,theywouldmakesuchanadoaboutitaswouldrenderitveryunpleasant,ifnotdistressingtoallparties。Havingmadewhatpreparationsforleavingshedeemednecessary,-whichwas,toputupafewarticlesofclothinginapillow-case,allelsebeingdeemedanunnecessaryincumbrance,-aboutanhourbeforesheleft,sheinformedMrs。Whiting,thewomanofthehousewhereshewasstopping,thathernamewasnolongerIsabella,butSOJOURNER;andthatshewasgoingeast。Andtoherinquiry,’Whatareyougoingeastfor?’heranswerwas,’TheSpiritcallsmethere,andImustgo。’
Sheleftthecityonthemorningofthe1stofJune,1843,crossingovertoBrooklyn,L。I。;andtakingtherisingsunforheronlycompassandguide,she’rememberedLot’swife,’andhopingtoavoidherfate,sheresolvednottolookbacktillshefeltsurethewickedcityfromwhichshewasfleeingwaslefttoofarbehindtobevisibleinthedistance;andwhenshefirstventuredtolookback,shecouldjustdiscernthebluecloudofsmokethathungoverit,andshethankedtheLordthatshewasthusfarremovedfromwhatseemedtoherasecondSodom。
Shewasnowfairlystartedonherpilgrimage;herbundleinonehand,andalittlebasketofprovisionsintheother,andtwoYorkshillingsinherpurse-herheartstronginthefaiththathertrueworklaybeforeher,andthattheLordwasherdirector;andshedoubtednothewouldprovideforandprotecther,andthatitwouldbeverycensurableinhertoburdenherselfwithanythingmorethanamoderatesupplyforherthenpresentneeds。Hermissionwasnotmerelytotraveleast,butto’lecture,’asshedesignatedit;’testifyingofthehopethatwasinher’-exhortingthepeopletoembraceJesus,andrefrainfromsin,thenatureandoriginofwhichsheexplainedtotheminaccordancewithherownmostcuriousandoriginalviews。Throughherlife,andallitschequeredchanges,shehaseverclungfasttoherfirstpermanentimpressionsonreligioussubjects。
Wherevernightovertookher,thereshesoughtforlodgings-free,ifshemight-ifnot,shepaid;atatavern,ifshechancedtobeatone-ifnot,ataprivatedwelling;withtherich,iftheywouldreceiveher-ifnot,withthepoor。
Butshesoondiscoveredthatthelargesthouseswerenearlyalwaysfull;ifnotquitefull,companywassoonexpected;andthatitwasmucheasiertofindanunoccupiedcornerinasmallhousethaninalargeone;andifapersonpossessedbutamiserableroofoverhishead,youmightbesureofawelcometopartofit。
Butthis,shehadpenetrationenoughtosee,wasquiteasmuchtheeffectofawantofsympathyasofbenevolence;andthiswasalsoveryapparentinherreligiousconversationswithpeoplewhowerestrangerstoher。Shesaid,’shenevercouldfindoutthattherichhadanyreligion。IfIhadbeenrichandaccomplished,Icould;fortherichcouldalwaysfindreligionintherich,andIcouldfinditamongthepoor。’
Atfirst,sheattendedsuchmeetingsassheheardof,inthevicinityofhertravels,andspoketothepeopleasshefoundthemassembled。
Afterwards,sheadvertisedmeetingsofherown,andheldforthtolargeaudiences,having,asshesaid,’agoodtime。’
Whenshebecamewearyoftravelling,andwishedaplacetostopawhileandrestherself,shesaidsomeopeningforherwasalwaysnearathand;andthefirsttimesheneededrest,amanaccostedherasshewaswalking,inquiringifshewaslookingforwork。Shetoldhimthatwasnottheobjectofhertravels,butthatshewouldwillinglyworkafewdays,ifanyonewanted。Herequestedhertogotohisfamily,whoweresadlyinwantofassistance,whichhehadbeenthusfarunabletosupply。Shewenttothehousewhereshewasdirected,andwasreceivedbyhisfamily,oneofwhomwasill,asa’Godsend;’andwhenshefeltconstrainedtoresumeherjourney,theywereverysorry,andwouldfainhavedetainedherlonger;butassheurgedthenecessityofleaving,theyofferedherwhatseemedinhereyesagreatdealofmoneyasaremunerationforherlabor,andanexpressionoftheirgratitudeforheropportuneassistance;butshewouldonlyreceiveaverylittleofit;enough,asshesays,toenablehertopaytributetoCaesar,ifitwasdemandedofher;andtwoorthreeYorkshillingsatatimewereallsheallowedherselftotake;andthen,withpursereplenished,andstrengthrenewed,shewouldoncemoresetouttoperformhermission。
THECONSEQUENCESOFREFUSINGATRAVELLERANIGHT’SLODGING。
AsshedrewnearthecenteroftheIsland,shecommenced,oneeveningatnightfall,tosolicitthefavorofanight’slodging。Shehadrepeatedherrequestagreatmany,itseemedtohersometwentytimes,andasmanytimesshereceivedanegativeanswer。Shewalkedon,thestarsandthetinyhornsofthenewmoonshedbutadimlightonherlonelyway,whenshewasfamiliarlyaccostedbytwoIndians,whotookherforanacquaintance。Shetoldthemtheyweremistakenintheperson;shewasastrangerthere,andaskedthemthedirectiontoatavern。Theyinformedheritwasyetalongway-sometwomilesorso;
andinquiredifshewerealone。Notwishingfortheirprotection,orknowingwhatmightbethecharacteroftheirkindness,sheanswered,’No,notexactly,’andpassedon。Attheendofawearyway,shecametothetavern,-orrather,toalargebuilding,whichwasoccupiedasacourt-house,tavern,andjail,-andonaskingforanight’slodging,wasinformedshecouldstay,ifshewouldconsenttobelockedin。Thistohermindwasaninsuperableobjection。Tohaveakeyturnedonherwasathingnottobethoughtof,atleastnottobeendured,andsheagaintookupherlineofmarch,preferringtowalkbeneaththeopensky,tobeinglockedupbyastrangerinsuchaplace。Shehadnotwalkedfar,beforesheheardthevoiceofawomanunderanopenshed;
sheventuredtoaccosther,andinquiredifsheknewwhereshecouldgetinforthenight。Thewomananswered,thatshedidnot,unlessshewenthomewiththem;andturningtoher’goodman,’askedhimifthestrangercouldnotsharetheirhomeforthenight,towhichhecheerfullyassented。Sojournerthoughtitevidenthehadbeentakingadroptoomuch,butashewascivilandgood-natured,andshedidnotfeelinclinedtospendthenightaloneintheopenair,shefeltdriventothenecessityofacceptingtheirhospitality,whateveritmightprovetobe。Thewomansooninformedherthattherewasaballintheplace,atwhichtheywouldliketodropinawhile,beforetheywenttotheirhome。
BallsbeingnopartofSojourner’smission,shewasnotdesirousofattending;butherhostesscouldbesatisfiedwithnothingshortofatasteofit,andshewasforcedtogowithher,orrelinquishtheircompanyatonce,inwhichmovetheremightbemoreexposurethaninaccompanyingher。Shewent,andsoonfoundherselfsurroundedbyanassemblageofpeople,collectedfromtheverydregsofsociety,tooignorantanddegradedtounderstand,muchlessentertain,ahighorbrightidea,-inadirtyhovel,destituteofeverycomfort,andwherethefumesofwhiskeywereabundantandpowerful。
Sojourner’sguidetherewastoomuchcharmedwiththecombinedentertainmentsoftheplacetobeabletotearherselfaway,tillshefoundherfacultiesforenjoymentfailingher,fromatoofreeuseofliquor;andshebetookherselftobedtillshecouldrecoverthem。Sojourner,seatedinacorner,hadtimeformanyreflections,andrefrainedfromlecturingthem,inobediencetotherecommendation,’Castnotyourpearls,’&c。Whenthenightwasfarspent,thehusbandofthesleepingwomanarousedthesleeper,andremindedherthatshewasnotverypolitetothewomanshehadinvitedtosleepatherhouse,andoftheproprietyofreturninghome。Theyoncemoreemergedintothepureair,whichtoourfriendSojourner,aftersolongbreathingthenoisomeairoftheball-room,wasmostrefreshingandgrateful。Justasdaydawned,theyreachedtheplacetheycalledtheirhome。Sojournernowsawthatshehadlostnothingintheshapeofrestbyremainingsolongattheball,astheirmiserablecabinaffordedbutonebunkorpalletforsleeping;andhadtherebeenmanysuch,shewouldhavepreferredsittingupallnighttooccupyingonelikeit。Theyverypolitelyofferedherthebed,ifshewoulduseit;butcivillydeclining,shewaitedformorningwithaneagernessofdesiresheneverfeltbeforeonthesubject,andwasnevermorehappythanwhentheeyeofdaysheditsgoldenlightoncemoreovertheearth。Shewasoncemorefree,andwhiledaylightshouldlast,independent,andneedednoinvitationtopursueherjourney。Letthesefactsteachus,thateverypedestrianintheworldisnotavagabond,andthatitisadangerousthingtocompelanyonetoreceivethathospitalityfromtheviciousandabandonedwhichtheyshouldhavereceivedfromus,-asthousandscantestify,whohavethusbeencaughtinthesnaresofthewicked。
ThefourthofJuly,IsabellaarrivedatHuntingdon;fromthenceshewenttoColdSprings,whereshefoundthepeoplemakingpreparationsforamasstemperance-meeting。Withherusualalacrity,sheenteredintotheirlabors,gettingupdishesalaNewYork,greatlytothesatisfactionofthosesheassisted。AfterremainingatColdSpringssomethreeweeks,shereturnedtoHuntingdon,whereshetookboatforConnecticut。LandingatBridgeport,sheagainresumedhertravelstowardsthenorth-east,lecturingsome,andworkingsome,togetwherewithtopaytributetoCaesar,asshecalledit;andinthismannershepresentlycametothecityofNewHaven,whereshefoundmanymeetings,whichsheattended-atsomeofwhich,shewasallowedtoexpressherviewsfreely,andwithoutreservation。Shealsocalledmeetingsexpresslytogiveherselfanopportunitytobeheard;
andfoundinthecitymanytruefriendsofJesus,asshejudged,withwhomsheheldcommunionofspirit,havingnopreferenceforonesectmorethananother,butbeingwellsatisfiedwithallwhogaveherevidenceofhavingknownorlovedtheSaviour。
Afterthusdeliveringhertestimonyinthispleasantcity,feelingshehadnotasyetfoundanabidingplace,shewentfromthencetoBristol,attherequestofazealoussister,whodesiredhertogotothelatterplace,andholdareligiousconversationwithsomefriendsofhersthere。Shewentasrequested,foundthepeoplekindlyandreligiouslydisposed,andthroughthemshebecameacquaintedwithseveralveryinterestingpersons。
Aspiritually-mindedbrotherinBristol,becominginterestedinhernewviewsandoriginalopinions,requestedasafavorthatshewouldgotoHartford,toseeandconversewithfriendsofhisthere。StandingreadytoperformanyserviceintheLord,shewenttoHartfordasdesired,bearinginherhandthefollowingnotefromthisbrother:-
’SISTER,-Isendyouthislivingmessenger,asIbelievehertobeonethatGodloves。EthiopiaisstretchingforthherhandsuntoGod。Youcanseebythissister,thatGoddoesbyhisSpiritaloneteachhisownchildrenthingstocome。Pleasereceiveher,andshewilltellyousomenewthings。Lethertellherstorywithoutinterruptingher,andgivecloseattention,andyouwillseeshehasgottheleveroftruth,thatGodhelpshertoprywherebutfewcan。Shecannotreadorwrite,butthelawisinherheart。
’Sendhertobrother-,brother-,andwhereshecandothemostgood。
’Fromyourbrother,H。L。B。’
SOMEOFHERVIEWSANDREASONINGS。
AssoonasIsabellasawGodasanall-powerful,all-pervadingspirit,shebecamedesirousofhearingallthathadbeenwrittenofhim,andlistenedtotheaccountofthecreationoftheworldanditsfirstinhabitants,ascontainedinthefirstchaptersofGenesis,withpeculiarinterest。Forsometimeshereceiveditallliterally,thoughitappearedstrangetoherthat’Godworkedbytheday,gottired,andstoppedtorest,’&c。Butafteralittletime,shebegantoreasonuponit,thus-’Why,ifGodworksbytheday,andoneday’sworktireshim,andheisobligedtorest,eitherfromwearinessoronaccountofdarkness,orifhewaitedforthe"coolofthedaytowalkinthegarden,"becausehewasinconveniencedbytheheatofthesun,whythenitseemsthatGodcannotdoasmuchasIcan;forIcanbearthesunatnoon,andworkseveraldaysandnightsinsuccessionwithoutbeingmuchtired。Or,ifherestednightsbecauseofthedarkness,itisveryqueerthatheshouldmakethenightsodarkthathecouldnotseehimself。IfIhadbeenGod,Iwouldhavemadethenightlightenoughformyownconvenience,surely。’ButthemomentsheplacedthisideaofGodbythesideoftheimpressionshehadoncesosuddenlyreceivedofhisinconceivablegreatnessandentirespirituality,thatmomentsheexclaimedmentally,’No,Goddoesnotstoptorest,forheisaspirit,andcannottire;
hecannotwantforlight,forhehathalllightinhimself。Andif"Godisallinall,"and"workethallinall,"asIhaveheardthemread,thenitisimpossibleheshouldrestatall;forifhedid,everyotherthingwouldstopandresttoo;thewaterswouldnotflow,andthefishescouldnotswim;andallmotionmustcease。Godcouldhavenopausesinhiswork,andheneedednoSabbathsofrest。Manmightneedthem,andheshouldtakethemwhenheneededthem,wheneverherequiredrest。AsitregardedtheworshipofGod,hewastobeworshippedatalltimesandinallplaces;andoneportionoftimeneverseemedtohermoreholythananother。’
Theseviews,whichweretheresultsoftheworkingsofherownmind,assistedsolelybythelightofherownexperienceandverylimitedknowledge,were,foralongtimeaftertheiradoption,closelylockedinherownbreast,fearinglesttheiravowalmightbringuponhertheimputationof’infidelity,’-theusualchargepreferredbyallreligionists,againstthosewhoentertainreligiousviewsandfeelingsdifferingmateriallyfromtheirown。
If,fromtheirownsadexperience,theyarewithheldfromshoutingthecryof’infidel,’theyfailnottoseeandtofeel,ay,andtosay,thatthedissentersarenotoftherightspirit,andthattheirspiritualeyeshaveneverbeenunsealed。
WhiletravellinginConnecticut,shemetaminister,withwhomsheheldalongdiscussiononthesepoints,aswellasonvariousothertopics,suchastheoriginofallthings,especiallytheoriginofevil,atthesametimebearinghertestimonystronglyagainstapaidministry。Hebelongedtothatclass,and,asamatterofcourse,asstronglyadvocatedhisownsideofthequestion。
Ihadforgottentomention,initsproperplace,averyimportantfact,thatwhenshewasexaminingtheScriptures,shewishedtohearthemwithoutcomment;butifsheemployedadultpersonstoreadthemtoher,andsheaskedthemtoreadapassageoveragain,theyinvariablycommencedtoexplain,bygivinghertheirversionofit;andinthisway,theytriedherfeelingsexceedingly。
Inconsequenceofthis,sheceasedtoaskadultpersonstoreadtheBibletoher,andsubstitutedchildrenintheirstead。
Children,assoonastheycouldreaddistinctly,wouldre-readthesamesentencetoher,asoftenasshewished,andwithoutcomment;andinthatwayshewasenabledtoseewhatherownmindcouldmakeoutoftherecord,andthat,shesaid,waswhatshewanted,andnotwhatothersthoughtittomean。ShewishedtocomparetheteachingsoftheBiblewiththewitnesswithinher;andshecametotheconclusion,thatthespiritoftruthspokeinthoserecords,butthattherecordersofthosetruthshadintermingledwiththemideasandsuppositionsoftheirown。
Thisisoneamongthemanyproofsofherenergyandindependenceofcharacter。
Whenitbecameknowntoherchildren,thatSojournerhadleftNewYork,theywerefilledwithwonderandalarm。Wherecouldshehavegone,andwhyhadsheleft?werequestionsnoonecouldanswersatisfactorily。Now,theirimaginationspaintedherasawanderingmaniac-andagaintheyfearedshehadbeenlefttocommitsuicide;andmanywerethetearstheyshedatthelossofher。
ButwhenshereachedBerlin,Conn。,shewrotetothembyamanuensis,informingthemofherwhereabouts,andwaitingananswertoherletter;thusquietingtheirfears,andgladdeningtheirheartsoncemorewithassurancesofhercontinuedlifeandherlove。
THESECONDADVENTDOCTRINES。
InHartfordandvicinity,shemetwithseveralpersonswhobelievedinthe’SecondAdvent’doctrines;or,theimmediatepersonalappearanceofJesusChrist。Atfirstshethoughtshehadneverheardof’SecondAdvent。’Butwhenitwasexplainedtoher,sherecollectedhavingonceattendedMr。Miller’smeetinginNewYork,whereshesawagreatmanyenigmaticalpictureshangingonthewall,whichshecouldnotunderstand,andwhich,beingoutofthereachofherunderstanding,failedtointeresther。Inthissectionofcountry,sheattendedtwocamp-meetingsofthebelieversinthesedoctrines-the’secondadvent’
excitementbeingthenatitsgreatestheight。ThelastmeetingwasatWindsorLock。Thepeople,asamatterofcourse,eagerlyinquiredofherconcerningherbelief,asitregardedtheirmostimportanttenet。Shetoldthemithadnotbeenrevealedtoher;perhaps,ifshecouldread,shemightseeitdifferently。
Sometimes,totheireagerinquiry,’Oh,don’tyoubelievetheLordiscoming?’sheanswered,’IbelievetheLordisasnearashecanbe,andnotbeit。’Withtheseevasiveandnon-excitinganswers,shekepttheirmindscalmasitrespectedherunbelief,tillshecouldhaveanopportunitytoheartheirviewsfairlystated,inordertojudgemoreunderstandinglyofthismatter,andseeif,inherestimation,therewasanygoodgroundforexpectinganeventwhichwas,inthemindsofsomany,asitwere,shakingtheveryfoundationsoftheuniverse。Shewasinvitedtojointhemintheirreligiousexercises,andacceptedtheinvitation-praying,andtalkinginherownpeculiarstyle,andattractingmanyaboutherbyhersinging。
WhenshehadconvincedthepeoplethatshewasaloverofGodandhiscause,andhadgainedagoodstandingwiththem,sothatshecouldgetahearingamongthem,shehadbecomequitesureinherownmindthattheywerelaboringunderadelusion,andshecommencedtouseherinfluencetocalmthefearsofthepeople,andpouroiluponthetroubledwaters。Inonepartofthegrounds,shefoundaknotofpeoplegreatlyexcited:shemountedastumpandcalledout,’Hear!hear!’
Whenthepeoplehadgatheredaroundher,astheywereinastatetolistentoanythingnew,sheaddressedthemas’children,’
andaskedthemwhytheymadesucha’To-do;-areyounotcommandedto"watchandpray?"Youareneitherwatchingnorpraying。’Andshebadethem,withthetonesofakindmother,retiretotheirtents,andtherewatchandpray,withoutnoiseortumult,fortheLordwouldnotcometosuchasceneofconfusion;’theLordcamestillandquiet。’Sheassuredthem,’theLordmightcome,moveallthroughthecamp,andgoawayagain,andtheyneverknowit,’inthestatetheythenwere。
Theyseemedgladtoseizeuponanyreasonforbeinglessagitatedanddistressed,andmanyofthemsuppressedtheirnoisyterror,andretiredtotheirtentsto’watchandpray;’beggingotherstodothesame,andlistentotheadviceofthegoodsister。
Shefeltshehaddonesomegood,andthenwenttolistenfurthertothepreachers。Theyappearedtohertobedoingtheirutmosttoagitateandexcitethepeople,whowerealreadytoomuchexcited;andwhenshehadlistenedtillherfeelingswouldletherlistensilentlynolonger,shearoseandaddressedthepreachers。
Thefollowingarespecimensofherspeech:-
’Hereyouaretalkingaboutbeing"changedinthetwinklingofaneye。"IftheLordshouldcome,he’dchangeyoutonothing!
forthereisnothingtoyou。
’Youseemtobeexpectingtogotosomeparlorawayupsomewhere,andwhenthewickedhavebeenburnt,youarecomingbacktowalkintriumphovertheirashes-thisistobeyourNewJerusalem!!Now,Ican’tseeanythingsoveryniceinthat,comingbacktosuchamussasthatwillbe,aworldcoveredwiththeashesofthewicked!Besides,iftheLordcomesandburns-asyousayhewill-Iamnotgoingaway;I
amgoingtostayhereandstandthefire,likeShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego!AndJesuswillwalkwithmethroughthefire,andkeepmefromharm。NothingbelongingtoGodcanburn,anymorethanGodhimself;suchshallhavenoneedtogoawaytoescapethefire!No,Ishallremain。DoyoutellmethatGod’schildrencan’tstandfire?’Andhermannerandtonespokelouderthanwords,saying,’Itisabsurdtothinkso!’
Theministersweretakenquiteabackatsounexpectedanopposer,andoneofthem,inthekindestpossiblemanner,commencedadiscussionwithher,byaskingherquestions,andquotingscripturetoher;concluding,finally,thatalthoughshehadlearnednothingofthegreatdoctrinewhichwassoexclusivelyoccupyingtheirmindsatthetime,shehadlearnedmuchthatmanhadnevertaughther。
Atthismeeting,shereceivedtheaddressofdifferentpersons,residinginvariousplaces,withaninvitationtovisitthem。ShepromisedtogosoontoCabotville,andstarted,shapinghercourseforthatplace。ShearrivedatSpringfieldoneeveningatsixo’clock,andimmediatelybegantosearchforalodgingforthenight。Shewalkedfromsixtillpastnine,andwasthenontheroadfromSpringfieldtoCabotville,beforeshefoundanyonesufficientlyhospitabletogiveheranight’sshelterundertheirroof。Thenamangavehertwenty-fivecents,andbadehergotoatavernandstayallnight。Shedidso,returninginthemorningtothankhim,assuringhimshehadputhismoneytoitslegitimateuse。ShefoundanumberofthefriendsshehadseenatWindsorwhenshereachedthemanufacturingtownofCabotville,(whichhaslatelytakenthenameofChicopee,)andwiththemshespentapleasantweekormore;afterwhich,sheleftthemtovisittheShakervillageinEnfield。Shenowbegantothinkoffindingarestingplace,atleast,foraseason;forshehadperformedquitealongjourney,consideringshehadwalkedmostoftheway;andshehadamindtolookinupontheShakers,andseehowthingswerethere,andwhethertherewasanyopeningthereforher。ButonherwaybacktoSpringfield,shecalledatahouseandaskedforapieceofbread;herrequestwasgranted,andshewaskindlyinvitedtotarryallnight,asitwasgettinglate,andshewouldnotbeabletostayateveryhouseinthatvicinity,whichinvitationshecheerfullyaccepted。Whenthemanofthehousecamein,herecollectedhavingseenheratthecamp-meeting,andrepeatedsomeconversations,bywhichsherecognizedhimagain。Hesoonproposedhavingameetingthatevening,wentoutandnotifiedhisfriendsandneighbors,whocametogether,andsheoncemoreheldforthtotheminherpeculiarstyle。Throughtheagencyofthismeeting,shebecameacquaintedwithseveralpeopleresidinginSpringfield,towhosehousesshewascordiallyinvited,andwithwhomshespentsomepleasanttime。
Oneofthesefriends,writingofherarrivalthere,speaksasfollows。Aftersayingthatsheandherpeoplebelongedtothatclassofpersonswhobelievedinthesecondadventdoctrines;andthatthisclass,believingalsoinfreedomofspeechandaction,oftenfoundattheirmeetingsmanysingularpeople,whodidnotagreewiththemintheirprincipaldoctrine;andthat,beingthuspreparedtohearnewandstrangethings,’TheylistenedeagerlytoSojourner,anddrankinallshesaid;’-andalso,thatshe’soonbecameafavoriteamongthem;thatwhenshearosetospeakintheirassemblies,hercommandingfigureanddignifiedmannerhushedeverytriflerintosilence,andhersingularandsometimesuncouthmodesofexpressionneverprovokedalaugh,butoftenwerethewholeaudiencemeltedintotearsbyhertouchingstories。’Shealsoadds,’ManywerethelessonsofwisdomandfaithIhavedelightedtolearnfromher。’……’Shecontinuedagreatfavoriteinourmeetings,bothonaccountofherremarkablegiftinprayer,andstillmoreremarkabletalentforsinging,……andtheaptnessandpointofherremarks,frequentlyillustratedbyfiguresthemostoriginalandexpressive。
’Aswewerewalkingtheotherday,shesaidshehadoftenthoughtwhatabeautifulworldthiswouldbe,whenweshouldseeeverythingrightsideup。Now,weseeeverythingtopsy-turvy,andallisconfusion。’Forapersonwhoknowsnothingofthisfactinthescienceofoptics,thisseemedquitearemarkableidea。
’Wealsolovedherforhersincereandardentpiety,herunwaveringfaithinGod,andhercontemptofwhattheworldcallsfashion,andwhatwecallfolly。
’Shewasinsearchofaquietplace,whereaway-worntravellermightrest。ShehadheardofFruitlands,andwasinclinedtogothere;butthefriendsshefoundherethoughtitbestforhertovisitNorthampton。Shepassedhertime,whilewithus,workingwhereverherworkwasneeded,andtalkingwhereworkwasnotneeded。
’Shewouldnotreceivemoneyforherwork,sayingsheworkedfortheLord;andifherwantsweresupplied,shereceiveditasfromtheLord。
’Sheremainedwithustillfarintowinter,whenweintroducedherattheNorthamptonAssociation。’……’Shewrotetomefromthence,thatshehadfoundthequietrestingplaceshehadsolongdesired。Andshehasremainedthereeversince。’
ANOTHERCAMPMEETING。
WhenSojournerhadbeenatNorthamptonafewmonths,sheattendedanothercamp-meeting,atwhichsheperformedaveryimportantpart。
Apartyofwildyoungmen,withnomotivebutthatofentertainingthemselvesbyannoyingandinjuringthefeelingsofothers,hadassembledatthemeeting,hootingandyelling,andinvariouswaysinterruptingtheservices,andcausingmuchdisturbance。Thosewhohadthechargeofthemeeting,havingtriedtheirpersuasivepowersinvain,grewimpatientandtriedthreatening。
Theyoungmen,consideringthemselvesinsulted,collectedtheirfriends,tothenumberofahundredormore,dispersedthemselvesthroughthegrounds,makingthemostfrightfulnoises,andthreateningtofirethetents。Itwassaidtheauthoritiesofthemeetingsatingraveconsultation,decidedtohavethering-leadersarrested,andsentfortheconstable,tothegreatdispleasureofsomeofthecompany,whowereopposedtosuchanappealtoforceandarms。Bethatasitmay,Sojourner,seeinggreatconsternationdepictedineverycountenance,caughtthecontagion,and,ereshewasaware,foundherselfquakingwithfear。
Undertheimpulseofthissuddenemotion,shefledtothemostretiredcornerofatent,andsecretedherselfbehindatrunk。
sayingtoherself,’Iamtheonlycoloredpersonhere,andonme,probably,theirwickedmischiefwillfallfirst,andperhapsfatally。’
Butfeelinghowgreatwasherinsecurityeventhere,astheverytentbegantoshakefromitsfoundations,shebegantosoliloquiseasfollows:-
’ShallIrunawayandhidefromtheDevil?Me,aservantofthelivingGod?HaveInotfaithenoughtogooutandquellthatmob,whenIknowitiswritten-"Oneshallchaseathousand,andtwoputtenthousandtoflight"?Iknowtherearenotathousandhere;andIknowIamaservantofthelivingGod。I’llgototherescue,andtheLordshallgowithandprotectme。
’Oh,’saidshe,’IfeltasifIhadthreehearts!andthattheyweresolarge,mybodycouldhardlyholdthem!’
Shenowcameforthfromherhiding-place,andinvitedseveraltogowithherandseewhattheycoulddotostilltheragingofthemoralelements。Theydeclined,andconsideredherwildtothinkofit。
Themeetingwasintheopenfields-thefullmoonsheditssaddenedlightoverall-andthewomanwhowasthateveningtoaddressthemwastremblingonthepreachers’stand。Thenoiseandconfusionwerenowterrific。Sojournerleftthetentaloneandunaided,andwalkingsomethirtyrodstothetopofasmallriseofground,commencedtosing,inhermostfervidmanner,withallthestrengthofhermostpowerfulvoice,thehymnontheresurrectionofChrist-
Itwasearlyinthemorning-itwasearlyinthemorning,Justatthebreakofday-
Whenherose-whenherose-whenherose,Andwenttoheavenonacloud。’
Allwhohaveeverheardhersingthishymnwillprobablyrememberitaslongastheyrememberher。Thehymn,thetune,thestyle,areeachtoocloselyassociatedwithtobeeasilyseparatedfromherself,andwhensunginoneofhermostanimatedmoods,intheopenair,withtheutmoststrengthofhermostpowerfulvoice,musthavebeentrulythrilling。
Asshecommencedtosing,theyoungmenmadearushtowardsher,andshewasimmediatelyencircledbyadensebodyoftherioters,manyofthemarmedwithsticksorclubsastheirweaponsofdefence,ifnotofattack。Asthecirclenarrowedaroundher,sheceasedsinging,andafterashortpause,inquired,inagentlebutfirmtone,’Whydoyoucomeaboutmewithclubsandsticks?Iamnotdoingharmtoanyone。’’Wear’n’tagoingtohurtyou,oldwoman;wecametohearyousing,’
criedmanyvoices,simultaneously。’Singtous,oldwoman,’
criesone。’Talktous,oldwoman,’saysanother。’Pray,oldwoman,’saysathird。’Tellusyourexperience,’saysafourth。
’Youstandandsmokesonearme,Icannotsingortalk,’sheanswered。
’Standback,’saidseveralauthoritativevoices,withnotthemostgentleorcourteousaccompaniments,raisingtheirrudeweaponsintheair。Thecrowdsuddenlygaveback,thecirclebecamelarger,asmanyvoicesagaincalledforsinging,talking,orpraying,backedbyassurancesthatnooneshouldbeallowedtohurther-thespeakersdeclaringwithanoath,thattheywould’knockdown’anypersonwhoshouldofferhertheleastindignity。
Shelookedabouther,andwithherusualdiscrimination,saidinwardly-’Heremustbemanyyoungmeninallthisassemblage,bearingwithinthemheartssusceptibleofgoodimpressions。
Iwillspeaktothem。’Shedidspeak;theysilentlyheard,andcivillyaskedhermanyquestions。Itseemedtohertobegivenheratthetimetoanswerthemwithtruthandwisdombeyondherself。Herspeechhadoperatedontherousedpassionsofthemoblikeoilonagitatedwaters;theywere,asawhole,entirelysubdued,andonlyclamoredwhensheceasedtospeakorsing。Thosewhostoodinthebackground,afterthecirclewasenlarged,criedout,’Singaloud,oldwoman,wecan’thear。’
Thosewhoheldthesceptreofpoweramongthemrequestedthatsheshouldmakeapulpitofaneighboringwagon。Shesaid,’IfIdo,they’lloverthrowit。’’No,theysha’n’t-hewhodareshurtyou,we’llknockhimdowninstantly,d-nhim,’criedthechiefs。’Nowewon’t,nowewon’t,nobodyshallhurtyou,’
answeredthemanyvoicesofthemob。Theykindlyassistedhertomountthewagon,fromwhichshespokeandsungtothemaboutanhour。Ofallshesaidtothemontheoccasion,sheremembersonlythefollowing:-
’Well,therearetwocongregationsonthisground。Itiswrittenthatthereshallbeaseparation,andthesheepshallbeseparatedfromthegoats。Theotherpreachershavethesheep,Ihavethegoats。AndIhaveafewsheepamongmygoats,buttheyareveryragged。’Thisexordiumproducedgreatlaughter。
Whenshebecameweariedwithtalking,shebegantocastabouthertocontrivesomewaytoinducethemtodisperse。Whileshepaused,theyloudlyclamoredfor’more,’’more,’-’sing,’
’singmore。’Shemotionedthemtobequiet,andcalledouttothem:’Children,Ihavetalkedandsungtoyou,asyouaskedme;andnowIhavearequesttomakeofyou;willyougrantit?’
’Yes,yes,yes,’resoundedfromeveryquarter。’Well,itisthis,’
sheanswered;’ifIwillsingonemorehymnforyou,willyouthengoaway,andleaveusthisnightinpeace?’’Yes,yes,’
camefaintly,feeblyfromafew。’Irepeatit,’saysSojourner,’andIwantananswerfromyouall,asofoneaccord。IfIwillsingyouonemore,willyougoaway,andleaveusthisnightinpeace?’’Yes,yes,yes,’shoutedmanyvoices,withheartyemphasis。
’Irepeatmyrequestoncemore,’saidshe,’andIwantyoualltoanswer。’Andshereiteratedthewordsagain。Thistimealong,loud’Yes-yes-yes,’cameup,asfromthemultitudinousmouthoftheentiremob。’AMEN!itisSEALED,’repeatedSojourner,inthedeepestandmostsolemntonesofherpowerfulandsonorousvoice。Itseffectranthroughthemultitude,likeanelectricshock;andthemostofthemconsideredthemselvesboundbytheirpromise,astheymighthavefailedtodounderlessimposingcircumstances。Someofthembeganinstantlytoleave;otherssaid,’Arewenottohaveonemorehymn?’
’Yes,’answeredtheirentertainer,andshecommencedtosing:
’IblesstheLordI’vegotmyseal-to-dayandto-day-
ToslayGoliathinthefield-to-dayandto-day;
Thegoodoldwayisarighteousway,Imeantotakethekingdominthegoodoldway。’
Whilesinging,sheheardsomeenforcingobediencetotheirpromise,whileafewseemedrefusingtoabidebyit。Butbeforeshehadquiteconcluded,shesawthemturnfromher,andinthecourseofafewminutes,theywererunningasfastastheywellcouldinasolidbody;andshesaysshecancomparethemtonothingbutaswarmofbees,sodensewastheirphalanx,sostraighttheircourse,sohurriedtheirmarch。Astheypassedwitharushverynearthestandoftheotherpreachers,theheartsofthepeopleweresmittenwithfear,thinkingthattheirentertainerhadfailedtoenchainthemlongerwithherspell,andthattheywerecominguponthemwithredoubledandremorselessfury。
Buttheyfoundtheyweremistaken,andthattheirfearsweregroundless;for,beforetheycouldwellrecoverfromtheirsurprise,everyrioterwasgone,andnotonewasleftonthegrounds,orseenthereagainduringthemeeting。Sojournerwasinformedthatasheraudiencereachedthemainroad,somedistancefromthetents,afewoftherebelliousspiritsrefusedtogoon,andproposedreturning;buttheirleaderssaid,’No-wehavepromisedtoleave-allpromised,andwemustgo,allgo,andyoushallnoneofyoureturnagain。’
ShedidnotfallinloveatfirstsightwiththeNorthamptonAssociation,forshearrivedthereatatimewhenappearancesdidnotcorrespondwiththeideasofassociationists,astheyhadbeenspreadoutintheirwritings;fortheirphalanxwasafactory,andtheywerewantinginmeanstocarryouttheirideasofbeautyandelegance,astheywouldhavedoneindifferentcircumstances。
Butshethoughtshewouldmakeanefforttotarrywiththemonenight,thoughthatseemedtohernodesirableaffair。
Butassoonasshesawthataccomplished,literary,andrefinedpersonswerelivinginthatplainandsimplemanner,andsubmittingtothelaborsandprivationsincidenttosuchaninfantinstitution,shesaid,’Well,ifthesecanlivehere,Ican。’
Afterwards,shegraduallybecamepleasedwith,andattachedto,theplaceandthepeople,aswellshemight;foritmusthavebeennosmallthingtohavefoundahomeina’Communitycomposedofsomeofthechoicestspiritsoftheage,’whereallwascharacterizedbyanequalityoffeeling,alibertyofthoughtandspeech,andalargenessofsoul,shecouldnothavebeforemetwith,tothesameextent,inanyofherwanderings。
Ourfirstknowledgeofherwasderivedfromafriendwhohadresidedforatimeinthe’Community,’andwho,afterdescribingher,andsingingoneofherhymns,wishedthatwemightseeher。Butwelittlethought,atthattime,thatweshouldeverpenthese’simpleannals’ofthischildofnature。
Whenwefirstsawher,shewasworkingwithaheartygoodwill;sayingshewouldnotbeinducedtotakeregularwages,believing,asoncebefore,thatnowProvidencehadprovidedherwithanever-failingfount,fromwhichhereverywantmightbeperpetuallysuppliedthroughhermortallife。Inthis,shehadcalculatedtoofast。FortheAssociationistsfound,that,takingeverythingintoconsideration,theywouldfinditmostexpedienttoactindividually;andagain,thesubjectofthissketchfoundherdreamsunreal,andherselfflungbackuponherownresourcesforthesupplyofherneeds。Thisshemighthavefoundmoreinconvenientathertimeoflife-forlabor,exposure,andhardshiphadmadesadinroadsuponherironconstitution,byinducingchronicdiseaseandprematureoldage-hadshenotremainedundertheshadowofone,*whoneverweariesindoinggood,givingtotheneedy,andsupplyingthewantsofthedestitute。Shehasnowsetherheartuponhavingalittlehomeofherown,evenatthislatehouroflife,whereshemayfeelagreaterfreedomthanshecaninthehouseofanother,andwhereshecanreposealittle,afterherdayofactionhaspassedby。Andforsucha’home’sheisnowdependantonthecharitiesofthebenevolent,andtothemweappealwithconfidence。
Throughallthescenesofhereventfullifemaybetracedtheenergyofanaturallypowerfulmind-thefearlessnessandchild-likesimplicityofoneuntrammelledbyeducationorconventionalcustoms-purityofcharacter-anunflinchingadherencetoprinciple-andanativeenthusiasm,which,underdifferentcircumstances,mighteasilyhaveproducedanotherJoanofArc。
Withallherfervor,andenthusiasm,andspeculation,herreligionisnottincturedintheleastwithgloom。Nodoubt,nohesitation,nodespondency,spreadsacloudoverhersoul;butallisbright,clear,positive,andattimesecstatic。HertrustisinGod,andfromhimshelooksforgood,andnotevil。Shefeelsthat’perfectlovecastethoutfear。’
Havingmorethanoncefoundherselfawakingfromamortifyingdelusion,-asinthecaseoftheSing-Singkingdom,-andresolvingnottobethusdeludedagain,shehassetsuspiciontoguardthedoorofherheart,andallowsitperhapstobearousedbytooslightcauses,oncertainsubjects-hervividimaginationassistingtomagnifythephantomsofherfearsintogiganticproportions,muchbeyondtheirrealsize;insteadofresolutelyadheringtotherulewealllikebest,whenitistobeappliedtoourselves-thatofplacingeverythingweseetotheaccountofthebestpossiblemotive,untiltimeandcircumstanceprovethatwewerewrong。Wherenogoodmotivecanbeassigned,itmaybecomeourdutytosuspendourjudgmenttillevidencecanbehad。
Intheapplicationofthisrule,itisanundoubteddutytoexerciseacommendableprudence,byrefusingtoreposeanyimportanttrusttothekeepingofpersonswhomaybestrangerstous,andwhosetrustworthinesswehaveneverseentried。Butnopossiblegood,butincalculableevilmayanddoesarisefromthetoocommonpracticeofplacingallconduct,thesourceofwhichwedonotfullyunderstand,totheworstofintentions。
Howoftenisthegentle,timidsouldiscouraged,anddrivenperhapstodespondency,byfindingits’goodevilspokenof;’
andawell-meantbutmistakenactionloadedwithanevildesign!
Iftheworldwouldbutsedulouslysetaboutreformingitselfonthisonepoint,whocancalculatethechangeitwouldproduce-theevilitwouldannihilate,andthehappinessitwouldconfer!Nonebutanall-seeingeyecouldatonceembracesovastaresult。Aresult,howdesirable!andonethatcanbebroughtaboutonlybythemostsimpleprocess-thatofeveryindividualseeingtoitthathecommitnotthissinhimself。Forwhyshouldweallowinourselves,theveryfaultwemostdislike,whencommittedagainstus?Shallwenotatleastaimatconsistency?
Hadshepossessedlessgenerousself-sacrifice,moreknowledgeoftheworldandofbusinessmattersingeneral,andhadshefailedtotakeitforgrantedthatotherswerelikeherself,andwould,whenherturncametoneed,doasshehaddone,andfindit’moreblessedtogivethantoreceive,’shemighthavelaidbysomethingforthefuture。Forfew,perhaps,haveeverpossessedthepowerandinclination,inthesamedegree,atoneandthesametime,tolaborasshehasdone,bothdayandnight,forsolongaperiodoftime。Andhadtheseenergiesbeenwell-directed,andtheproceedswellhusbanded,sinceshehasbeenherownmistress,theywouldhavegivenheranindependenceduringhernaturallife。Butherconstitutionalbiases,andherearlytraining,orratherwantoftraining,preventedthisresult;anditistoolatenowtoremedythegreatmistake。Shallshethenbelefttowant?Whowillnotanswer。’No!’
Note:
*GEORGEW。BENSON。
HERLASTINTERVIEWWITHHERMASTER。
Inthespringof1849,Sojournermadeavisittohereldestdaughter,Diana,whohaseversufferedfromillhealth,andremainedwithMr。Dumont,Isabella’shumanemaster。Shefoundhimstillliving,thoughadvancedinage,andreducedinproperty,(ashehadbeenforanumberofyears,)butgreatlyenlightenedonthesubjectofslavery。Hesaidhecouldthenseethat’slaverywasthewickedestthingintheworld,thegreatestcursetheearthhadeverfelt-thatitwasthenverycleartohismindthatitwasso,though,whilehewasaslaveholderhimself,hedidnotseeitso,andthoughtitwasasrightasholdinganyotherproperty。’Sojournerremarkedtohim,thatitmightbethesamewiththosewhoarenowslaveholders。’O,no,’
repliedhe,withwarmth,’itcannotbe。For,now,thesinofslaveryissoclearlywrittenout,andsomuchtalkedagainst,-(why,thewholeworldcriesoutagainstit!)-thatifanyonesayshedon’tknow,andhasnotheard,hemust,Ithink,bealiar。Inmyslaveholdingdays,therewerefewthatspokeagainstit,andthesefewmadelittleimpressiononanyone。Haditbeenasitisnow,thinkyouIcouldhaveheldslaves?No!Ishouldnothavedaredtodoit,butshouldhaveemancipatedeveryoneofthem。Now,itisverydifferent;allmayheariftheywill。’
Yes,reader,ifanyonefeelsthatthetocsinofalarm,ortheanti-slaverytrump,mustsoundaloudernotebeforetheycanhearit,onewouldthinktheymustbeveryhardofhearing,-yea,thattheybelongtothatclass,ofwhomitmaybetrulysaid,’theyhavestoppedtheirearsthattheymaynothear。’
ShereceivedaletterfromherdaughterDiana,datedHydePark,December19,1849,whichinformedherthatMr。Dumonthad’goneWest’withsomeofhissons-thathehadtakenalongwithhim,probablythroughmistake,thefewarticlesoffurnitureshehadleftwithhim。’Nevermind,’saysSojourner,’whatwegivetothepoor,welendtotheLord。’ShethankedtheLordwithfervor,thatshehadlivedtohearhermastersaysuchblessedthings!Sherecalledthelecturesheusedtogivehisslaves,onspeakingthetruthandbeinghonest,andlaughing,shesayshetaughtusnottolieandsteal,whenhewasstealingallthetimehimself,anddidnotknowit!Oh!howsweettomymindwasthisconfession!Andwhataconfessionforamastertomaketoaslave!Aslaveholdingmasterturnedtoabrother!Pooroldman,maytheLordblesshim,andallslave-holderspartakeofhisspirit!
CERTIFICATESOFCHARACTER。
HURLEY,ULSTERCo。,Oct。13th,1834
Thisistocertify,thatIamwellacquaintedwithIsabella,thiscoloredwoman;Ihavebeenacquaintedwithherfromherinfancy;shehasbeeninmyemployforoneyear,andshewasafaithfulservant,honest,andindustrious;andhavealwaysknownhertobeingoodreportbyallwhoemployedher。
ISAACS。VANWAGENEN
NEWPALTZ,ULSTERCo。,Oct。13th,1834
Thisistocertify,thatIsabella,thiscoloredwoman,livedwithmesincetheyear1810,andthatshehasalwaysbeenagoodandfaithfulservant;andtheeighteenyearsthatshewaswithme,Ialwaysfoundhertobeperfectlyhonest。I
havealwaysheardherwellspokenofbyeveryonethathasemployedher。
JOHNJ。DUMONT
NORTHAMPTON,March1850
We,theundersignedhavingknownIsabella(orSojournerTruth)forseveralyears,mostcheerfullybeartestimonytoheruniformgoodcharacter,heruntiringindustry,kinddeportment,unweariedbenevolence,andthemanysocialandexcellenttraitswhichmakeherworthytobearheradoptedname。
GEO。W。BENSON
S。L。HILL
A。W。THAYER
BOSTON,March,1850
MyacquaintancewiththesubjectoftheaccompanyingNarrative,SojournerTruth,forseveralyearspast,hasledmetoformaveryhighappreciationofherunderstanding,moralintegrity,disinterestedkindness,andreligioussincerityandenlightenment。Anyassistanceorco-operationthatshemayreceiveinthesaleofherNarrative,orinanyothermanner,Iamsurewillbemeritoriouslybestowed。
WM。LLOYDGARRISON