Читать книгу The Cyclopedia of the Colored Baptists of Alabama: Their Leaders and Their Work - Charles Octavius Boothe - Страница 17

In Dr. Riley’s “History of Alabama Baptists,” we have the following: “A negro slave, named Cæsar, a bright, smart, robust fellow * * * was ordained to preach. His ability was so marked, and the confidence which he enjoyed was so profound, that Rev. James McLemore would frequently have Cæsar attend him upon his preaching tours. He was sometimes taken by Mr. McLemore into the pulpit, and never failed of commanding the most rapt and respectful attention.”

To the credit of the Alabama Association, it is written that they bought this man and gave him his liberty that he might preach among them the gospel of Christ; and it is said, that though he was as black as a crow, he traveled alone and unharmed on the mission of life. Thus the negro appears in the foundation of gospel operations in Central Alabama. Here also appear the victories of the gospel leaven, the triumphs of the love of God over those hearts wherein Christ was king.

The price paid for Brother Cæsar Blackwell is given as $625. Catching inspiration from the encouragement before them in the form of their brother Cæsar Blackwell’s success, and the good will of the Christian white people to whose fellowship they belonged, Nathan Ashby and Jacob Belser (colored) soon became active workers.