The American Missionary — Volume 42, No. 08, August, 1888 by Various
page 22 of 110 (20%)
page 22 of 110 (20%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
|
"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;
Words without thoughts never to Heaven go." "What a privilege it is to be prayed for by such confiding souls," said the teacher as she handed me this letter. * * * * * Speaking of prayer among the colored people, calls to mind a petition offered for myself, when Field Superintendent, soon after my appointment. An old black woman in New Orleans was called upon to pray, after I had spoken to the people. She chanted her words in soft, melodious tones, keeping time with her body swaying back and forth, as she prayed. She prayed for the former superintendent, Dr. Roy. She thanked God for his patient, loving care of the people. She told the Lord how he went as a prophet of Israel, back and forth among them, bringing the bread of Heaven to their hungry souls. She sought Divine blessing, rich, full, free, upon him and all his loved ones. Then she chanted in the liquid accent of the Creole, "And now, O Father, bless our young brother the new superintender. Let him down deep into the treasury of thy word and hide him 'hind de cross of Jesus." And the heart of the "New Superintender" said "Amen and Amen." That experience was what he needed. How close to the great throbbing heart of God these simple children of cotton-field and cabin come! In gaining intimate acquaintance with them one is reminded of Heinrich Heine's confession in his notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Astonishing! That after I have whirled about all my life over all |
|


