A Fortunate Turn of Events
My chief goal in life at this time was to raise myself up on the plantation to a better condition. This goal drove me to work longer and harder. I became an example for my fellow slaves, though there were times I would take a pig or sheep and slaughter it in the woods and give to the other slaves just so they could have enough food. Seeing me the other slaves would work extra hours to show our master what we had accomplished that day. One day, I discovered a scheme used by the overseer to steal from our master. The revelation of this to my master was greatly rewarded. My master had already taken note of my drive and intelligence. Needing a new overseer after firing the old one, my master found my services to be free and of a better quality. After the first year in my new position, I had substantially increased the productivity of the plantation, and soon my master entrusted the total care of his farm to me. |
Right before this I had attended my first sermon. It was preached by a baker from Georgetown who detested slavery so much that he wouldn't tolerate it by hiring a slave in any case. I asked my master and thankfully he trusted me and allowed me to go, but not without a strict warning about what would happen if I didn't return immediately once the sermon was complete. I set out at once and arrived just as the sermon was starting. I listened to my first scripture that day out of Hebrews 2:9. Those words stuck with me forever more. "That he, by the grace of God, should taste of death for every man." I knew at that moment that Christ had died for me and that I was eternally free.
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