Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
brothers who, in the sale, were sold in dierent lots; and it was very moving on
this occasion to see and hear their cries at parting. O, ye nominal Christians!
might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God? who says unto you,
Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you. Is it not enough that we
are torn from our country and friends to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must
every tender feeling be likewise sacrices to your avarice? Are the dearest friends
and relations, now rendered more dear by their separation from their kindred,
still to be parted from each other, and thus prevented from cheering the gloom
of slavery with the small comfort of being together, and mingling their suering
and sorrows? Why are parents to lose their children, brothers their sisters, or
husbands their wives? Surely this is a new renement in cruelty, which, while it
has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors
even to the wretchedness of slavery.
Chapter X
The author leaves Dr. Irving, and engages on board a Turkey ship—Account
of a black man’s being kidnapped on board, and sent to the West Indies, and
the author’s fruitless endeavours to procure his freedom—Some account of the
manner of the author’s conversion to the Faith of Jesus Christ.
OUR voyage to the North Pole being ended, I returned to London with Dr.
Irving, with whom I continued for some time, during which I began seriously to
reect on the dangers I had escaped, particularly those of my last voyage, which
made a lasting impression on my mind; and, by the grace of God, proved afterwards
a mercy to me: it caused me to reect deeply on my eternal slate, and to seek the
Lord with full purpose of heart ere it be too late. I rejoice greatly; and heartily
thanked the Lord for directing me to London, where I was determined to work out
my own salvation, and, in so doing, procure a title to heaven; being the result of a
mind blinded by ignorance and sin.
In process of time I left my master, Doctor Irving, the purier of waters. I
lodged in Coventry-court, Haymarket, where I was continually oppressed and
much concerned about the salvation of my soul, and was determined (in my own
strength) to be a rst-rate Christian. I used every means for this purpose; and, not
being able to nd any person amongst those with whom I was then acquainted
that acquiesced with me in point of religion, or, in scripture language, that would
shew me any good, I was much dejected, and knew not where to seek relief;
however, I rst frequented the neighbouring churches, St. James’s, and others,
two or three times a day, for many weeks: still I came away dissatised: something
was wanting that I could not obtain, and I really found more heart-felt relief in
reading my bible at home than in attending the church; and, being resolved to be
saved, I pursued other methods. First I went among the people called Quakers,
whose meeting at times was in silence, and I remained as much in the dark as
ever. I then searched into the Roman Catholic principles. but was not in the least
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