The Episcopal clergyman, who, ever since my earliest recollection, had been a sort of god among the slaveholders, concluded, as his family was large, that he must go where money was more abundant.  A very different clergyman took his place.  The change was very agreeable to the colored people, who said, “God has sent us a good man this time.”  They loved him, and their children followed him for a smile or a kind word.  Even the slaveholders felt his influence.  He brought to the rectory five slaves.  His wife taught them to read and write, and to be useful to her and themselves.  As soon as he was settled, he turned his attention to the needy slaves around him.  He urged upon his parishioners the duty of having a meeting expressly for them every Sunday, with a sermon adapted to their comprehension.  After much argument and importunity, it was finally agreed that they might occupy the gallery of the church on Sunday evenings.  Many colored people, hitherto unaccustomed to attend church, now gladly went to hear the gospel preached.  The sermons were simple, and they understood them.  Moreover, it was the first time they had ever been addressed as human beings.  It was not long before his white parishioners began to be dissatisfied.  He was accused of preaching better sermons to the negroes than he did to them.  He honestly confessed that he bestowed more pains upon those sermons than upon any others; for the slaves were reared in such ignorance that it was a difficult task to adapt himself to their comprehension.  Dissensions arose in the parish.  Some wanted he should preach to them in the evening, and to the slaves in the afternoon.  In the midst of these disputings his wife died, after a very short illness.  Her slaves gathered round her dying bed in great sorrow.  She said, “I have tried to do you good and promote your happiness; and if I have failed, it has not been for want of interest in your welfare.  Do not weep for me; but prepare for the new duties that lie before you.  I leave you all free.  May we meet in a better world.”  Her liberated slaves were sent away, with funds to establish them comfortably.  The colored people will long bless the memory of that truly Christian woman.  Soon after her death her husband preached his farewell sermon, and many tears were shed at his departure.

Several years after, he passed through our town and preached to his former congregation.  In his afternoon sermon he addressed the colored people.  “My friends,” said he, “it affords me great happiness to have an opportunity of speaking to you again.  For two years I have been striving to do something for the colored people of my own parish; but nothing is yet accomplished.  I have not even preached a sermon to them.  Try to live according to the word of God, my friends.  Your skin is darker than mine; but God judges men by their hearts, not by the color of their skins.”  This was strange doctrine from a southern pulpit.  It was very offensive to slaveholders.  They said he and his wife had made fools of their slaves, and that he preached like a fool to the negroes.