4
July 1812 A.D. John
Jasper Born—Black Slave Turned Clergyman
John Jasper (1812 to 1901)
Protestant
Impressive without science or
philosophy.
John Jasper was born a slave on a
plantation in Williamsburg Virginia. His mother, Nina, lived in the big house
with white people and was forced into Southern culture and manners. His father
was a well-known slave preacher. As a slave, he had to work long hard hours. At
age 2, he was married to Elvy Weaden, another slave, but they were separated
the next day. In 1831, John heard the clear gospel message in the Capitol
Square in Richmond, was deeply convicted of his sinful life, and 25 days later
openly confessed his faith in Christ and united with a church. He learned to
read six months later. Then he began to preach--with eloquence! Not only was
his congregation filled with his own black people, but whites as well, some
rich, some poor, but all hungry to hear the word of the Lord. When he died,
having preached sixty-three years, the Richmond Dispatch said of him, "His
implicit trust in the Bible and everything in it, was beautiful and
impressive...He had no other science, no other philosophy..."
No comments:
Post a Comment