A Slave Narrative Series

· Linda Brent (1861 ): When I was told that Dr. Flint had joined the Episcopal church, I was much surprised. I supposed that religion had a purifying effect on the character of men; but the worst persecutions I endured from him were after he was a communicant. The conversation of the doctor, the day after he had been confirmed, certainly gave me no indication that he had "renounced the devil and all his works. " In answer to some of his usual talk, I reminded him that he had just joined the church. "Yes, Linda," said he. "It was proper for me to do so. I am getting in years, and my position in society requires it, and it puts an end to all the damned slang. You would do well to join the church, too, Linda." There are sinners enough in it already," rejoined I. "If I could be allowed to live like a Christian, I should be glad." "You can do what I require; and if you are faithful to me, you will be as virtuous as my wife," he replied. I answered that the Bible didn’t say so. His voice became hoarse with rage. "How dare you preach to me about your infernal Bible!" he exclaimed. "What right have you, who are my Negro, to talk to me about what you would like and what you wouldn’t like? I am your master, and you shall obey me." No wonder the slaves sing, Ole Satan’s church is here below;

Up to God’s free church I hope to go. “

A slave narrative can tell you much of the personal struggles, prayers, and hopes of some one subjected to a life of abuse and violation. A slave’s narrative can give a testimony, and a statement of faith in the face of dark and frighten times. In our text is another brief slave narrative. A little slave girl in the land of Syria she waited on Namaan’s wife and said to her mistress, “Would that my master, Namaan, were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

Her presence in our story is proof that God can take little and accomplish much. This little maid impacted the lives a mighty warrior, two warring nations, and a renowned prophet. Though many viewed this young girl as small, weak, insignificant, and powerless, her quiet strength demonstrated the greatness and omnipotence of God. Her story illuminates some of the basic pillars of what it means to be a follower, an effective disciple, a servant- a slave of Christ. What do we see and learn from her story? What words of wisdom still echo to a generation living in times of pending warfare and declining social welfare? What does she share in common with Henry Watson, Mary Reynolds, Linda Brent, and our own great, great, great, grandparents?

We learn that they all had a sustaining faith. Our story tells us that there was a time when Israel was a war with Syria and during one of their many battles this young girl was taken captive and compelled to work the life of a servant to her captors. She was forced to become a slave yet she remembered and held on to her faith. She was taken from her homeland but God remained in her heart. This girl was able to sing her songs of Zion in a new and strange land. Her sustaining faith was like so many Africans who were snatched from the ivory coasts of Africa and brought the strange lands of the Americas. Many of those who came through the middle passages came with the belief of one God. Christianity was not a foreign theology to our ancestors. Many scholars forget that that while much of Europe was worshipping the druids, Greek/roman pagan gods, and practicing witchcraft, Africans had an organized religion of worshipping One God. The tribes of Mali called him Mangala – the creator God while the Ancient Egyptians called him ‘Aton’ and “Amon-Ra” - the Lord of the Sun, the Kings of gods. Many forget that North Africa was cradle of great schools of Christian theology in Carthage and Alexandria: schools that gave birth to the minds of Origen, Clement, Anthansius, and Augustine. Many try to forget that African ancestors brought with them a faith in a High God who was a liberator as well as a sustainer. Their captivity did not give them a religion. Their religion got them through their captivity. Like the little servant girl in our text, they too learned to sing the Lord’s song in the strange land of captivity. They had a sustaining faith.