About seventy years ago, on the
coast of Africa, the subject of the
following memoir, in company with
four neighbouring children, herself
the youngest, according to the statements
from her own lips to the
writer, resorted to the shore for
amusement, either by bathing in
the cooling stream, or other playful 2 2(1)v 10
sports to which they were accustomed,
with the full expectation of returning
to their several homes, as
usual, after such seasons of childish diversion.

While engaged in these innocent
and healthful recreations, they were
suddenly surprised by the appearance
of several persons, who had secreted
themselves behind the bushes:
they knew not what to imagine
they were, having never seen
a white man; from whose frightful
presence they attempted to shrink
away, but from whose cruel grasp
they found it impossible to escape.
Notwithstanding the piteous cries
and tears of these poor defenceless
children, they were arrested by
cruel hands, put into a boat, and carried
to the dismal Slave Ship, which 2(2)r 11
lay off a few miles in the river, the
horrid receptacle of a living cargo,
stolen from its rightful soil, by barbarous
hunters of human prey for
the purposes of traffic. Terror and
amazement, as may be supposed,
took full possession of their minds.
Every thing around them was as
novel as it was dreadful. A ship,
they had never before seen; the language
of these strange intruders was
perfectly unintelligible to them;
and their intentions they were unable
to comprehend: and no tender
mother, no avenging father near, to
know or to alleviate their wretchedness.
Ah! little did these hapless
children realize, when they
quitted their native huts and frolicked
away to the woody beach, that
they had left, for the last time, the 2(2)v 12
places of their birth, and the fond
embraces of their parents and brothers
and sisters—that the last parting
kiss of maternal affection had rested
on their lips, and that they were
about to participate once for all, in
those much-loved plays which had
hitherto been undisturbed and joyous.
Little! nay, not at all did
they realize, that their hostile invaders
lay there in ambush, “like
the lion that is greedy of his prey,”
with ferocious intent forever to deprive
them of all their domestic
felicities, as dear to them as to the
rosy children of America. But,
alas! such was the fact. We can
better conceive than express the
feelings of their parents and friends
when night came on, and the looked
for children returned not. Silence 2(3)r 13
—silence has ensued, from that to
the present hour. From their injured
children, they heard no more.
The bitter wailings of a bereft mother,
the deep anxiety of an afflicted
father, the tender lamentations and
suffused eyes of brothers and sisters,
were utterly disregarded by those
inhuman wretches, who had plundered
them of what they held so dear.

But, ah! that was not the end of
the matter. When that solemn day
shall arrive, when, as foretold in
prophetic vision, “The dead, small
and great, bond and free, shall
stand before God,” and be “judged
according to their works,”—then,
a most fearful account, which is
now sealed up to that day, must be
given, even by the most hardened
of all God’s vast creation. Nor can 2* 2(3)v 14
we refrain from observing how far
do those portions of the human
family who can thus wantonly injure
the defenceless and ignorant of
their own species, degrade themselves
below the unhappy objects
of their unkindness, and even below
the beasts that perish. No creature
so unwise, none so irrational as those
on whom their Creator has lavished
the greatest amount of intelligence;
none so unkind as those, whom he
has rendered the most capable of
kindly affections; none so unhappy
as those, whom he had best qualified
for the enjoyment of happiness, who
yet abuse his favours! How ungrateful
is rational, civilized man!
Did he act agreeably to the powers
and advantages with which he is
endowed, he would every moment 2(4)r 15
be increasing his own happiness, and
that of his fellow-men, by the exercise
of gratitude, the application of
wisdom to those noble purposes for
which it is given him; and a tender
regard for the rights of others.

The cruel separation being made,
and the terrified, weeping victims
packed on board the floating prison,
her sails are bent, and she bears them
from Africa’s romantic wilds, never
to return. The spot, however, from
whence they were stolen, is still a
part of this “dim speck call’d earth,”
and will testify against the perpetrators
of the dreadful deed.

The length of the passage is not
known; the end of the voyage, however,
brought them to Philadelphia,
in the state of Pennsylvania, a portion
of our country rendered sacred 2(4)v 16
to liberty, by the friend, whose
name she perpetuates,—William
Penn.

Here, another painful separation
was to take place. Hitherto the
children had remained together, nor
does the writer recollect to have
understood that they were beaten,
or otherwise cruelly treated, as many
others have been. But now they
were to be disposed of like cattle
taken to a Fair, to the highest bidder.
At the time they were exhibited
in the market, the subject of
our little history, whom, she said,
the sailors used to call “Pickaninny”,
on account of her being the smallest
of the lot, was sick; consequently
she did not meet a ready sale. The
others were sold, she knew not to
whom, and carried she knew not 2(5)r 17
whither. To one of them she was
more particularly attached, and suffered
severely on her being taken
from her. She herself, was subsequently
purchased by Mr B. and
brought to Boston, Massachusetts.
Foul stain on the character of our
beloved New England! Thus divided
from all she held dear in this
life, and knowing nothing of a better,
she sighed, and wished for
death; supposing that when she
died, she should return to her country
and friends. This imagination
she derived from a superstitious
tradition of her ancestors, who,
she said, supposed that the first infant
born in a family after the decease
of a member, was the same
individual come back again, just as
they saw a young moon appear after
the old one was gone away.

2(5)v 18

She did not know her age, but
from her appearance she was judged,
she said, to be about twelve, at the
time of her arrival. But, young as
she was, she remembered various
particulars respecting her country,
such as climate, fruits, traditions,
&c. And having always been accustomed
to warm weather, she
could not be made to understand
what was meant by winter; and
when told that, at that season, water
sometimes became so hard that it
could be cut with an axe, she was
astonished and quite incredulous.
When winter came on, and she first
saw the falling flakes of snow, she
was highly amused and playful.
And as the season advanced, and
produced to her senses the solid
ice, she found, by ocular demonstration, 2(6)r 19
that the assertions she had
heard were indeed true!

She remembered the Tamarind
tree, and other productions which
grew spontaneously, and in rich
abundance; but these, although so
useful when brought to this country,
as she herself witnessed, were useless
to the natives, because they
were ignorant of their nature and
qualities, and also of the means and
methods of improving them to their
comfort or profit.

Although enlightened and good
people must always have known
that it was a barbarous and wicked
thing to take their fellow-beings from
their native land, and bring them to
ours, to sell or buy them for slaves;
yet it is well known that then there
was less knowledge of its wickedness 2(6)v 20
than there now is. Hence
we are willing to believe, that if the
master and mistress of this poor, oppressed
girl, whose story is here related,
and whom they named Chloe,
had lived in our day, they would
have dealt very differently by her
from what they then did. But at
that time, here, as now in many
parts of the world, slaves were considered
property, and their owners
thought themselves under no more
obligations to instruct them, otherwise
than to do their work in such
a manner as best to subserve their
own interests, than farmers do, to
take their horses and oxen into their
houses, instead of the pasture or
the barn. With such views, it is
not singular that Chloe was taught
nothing, comparatively, of her duty 3(1)r 21
to God, nor to read the blessed
Bible. She was, it is true, sent to
meeting half the day on the Sabbath;
but the seat assigned to herself
and her associates was remote
from the view of the congregation;
and she confessed, that as they did
not understand the preaching, they
took no interest in it, and spent the
time in playing, eating nuts. &c.
and derived no benefit whatever,
though the preaching probably was
evangelical.

It was close personal instruction
that she needed, to discover to her
the beauty of religion, and her condition
as a sinner. This she did
not receive. But, being favoured
by the munificent Author of her
existence, with superior intellectual
powers, which, if cultivated, would 3 3(1)v 22
have raised her above many of a
different complexion; when, (as
she was accustomed to do,) she
went to conduct the children of the
family to, and from school, she discovered
that they were obtaining
something of which she remained
ignorant. This excited an inclination
to learn to read, and after becoming
a little acquainted with the
school-mistress, who, it would seem,
manifested some sympathy for the
enslaved youth, she ventured to
express her desire.

How to accomplish her object,
was a question which required consideration.
She was aware that it
would not do to make known her
wishes at home, and she could not
attend at the regular school hours,
both for want of time, and because 3(2)r 23
the children would expose the fact
to their parents. But after some
reflection, an expedient was devised
that promised success. “So,” said
Chloe, “I ask de Mistress how
much she hab week to teach me
such time I get when school out,
and my work done? She say,
‘five copper,’Open note a001-rota This was previous to the coinage of cents. so she would chalk
down mark, how many day I go,
till make a week. She say too, I
mus bring book.”

To these conditions she agreed,
as she occasionally received small
presents of money from visiters at
the house of her master.

Delighted with the prospect, she
hastened to a bookseller’s shop, and
desired him to sell her a book. He
asked, what book? She answered 3(2)v 24
that she did not know; she wanted
a book. He asked what money she
had brought? She did not know
this neither, but showing him her
piece of silver, he found it to be a
twenty-cent piece. Whether the
bookseller willingly took advantage
of her ignorance, or whether he
supposed she was sent to purchase
a book of that value, we cannot
decide; but he gave her a Psalter,
which contained the Psalms, Proverbs,
and our Lord’s Sermon on the
mount. An unsuitable book indeed,
in which to teach an untutored African
her alphabet! but this event
Chloe afterwards had occasion to
review as a peculiar providence.

By diligence in her domestic
avocations, and so much application
to study as circumstances would 3(3)r 25
permit, she learned her letters, and
became quite interested in attempting
to spell. She kept the book
secreted in her pocket, and whenever
she had a few moments leisure,
she would take it out and try to
spell a word. While thus engaged
one day, her master discovered the
book in her hand, and inquired
what she was doing. She told the
truth,Open note a002-rota She told the truth! What an example is this
to all children and youth. Had Chloe done as have
many who were better taught than she, no doubt
she might for a time, have escaped the reproofs of
her master, and possibly have continued to attend
her school. But her conscience must all her life
long have been accusing her of lying, and this would
have been far worse than what she endured in consequence
of the deprivation she suffered; for it is
better to suffer wrong, than to do wrong. Besides,
she would in all probability have been detected at
some future period, and then the mortification, in
addition to the guilt, would have been a severe aggravation
of her punishment. But what is greater
than all, she would have sinned against God, and
thus have exposed herself to his holy displeasure. and this led to a full disclosure3* 3(3)v 26
of the case. He angrily
forbade her going again to the schoolmistress
for instruction, even under
penalty of being suspended by her
two thumbs, and severely whipped;
he said it made negroes saucy to
know how to read, &c.

This was truly an afflictive stroke
to poor Chloe, but she was obliged
to submit as well as she could, and
altogether to desist from going to
school. She however hid her book
under her pillow, and when not
likely to be detected, she used to
labour over it, and strive to remember
what she had learned, and to
find out as much as she could herself;
Open note a003-rota Such patient diligence, and perservering effort,
under these trying and discouraging circumstances,
discover traits of a strong and penetrating genius,
which would be highly creditable to an enlightened
student, and most powerfully reprove those children
of kind and attentive parents, who are constantly
prompting them to the improvement of their minds
by personal instruction, and by affording them superior
advantages of a literary character; but who are
still negligent and remiss in their attention to study. and years afterward, even late 3(4)r 27
in life, she frequently spoke of it as a
striking providence, that the first
verse she was able to spell out, so
as to understand it, was Psalm xxxv.
1. “Plead my cause, O Lord, with
them that strive with me: fight
against them that fight against me.”
She had gathered some ideas of a
Supreme Being, and had imbibed
a sort of confidence in his justice;
and feeling herself unjustly treated
by man, she found some consolation
in the hope of redress from a higher
Power, still longing for release by
death. As she progressed in spelling,
she perceived that her own
feelings were expressed in other
passages, particularly Psalm lxxi. 4. 3(4)v 28
“Deliver me, O my God, out of the
hand of the wicked, out of the hand
of the unrighteous and cruel man.”

By these things she was led to
believe, that a kind Providence had
placed the scriptures of truth in her
way, to be a comfort to her, even
in that dark state. Had it been a
common spelling-book, instead of a
Psalter, she could not have derived
this advantage. The spelling-books
of that day, it is well known, differed
widely in point of religious instruction,
from those of a more recent
date. Few, if any portions of
scripture were inserted. Had it
even been otherwise, those of which
she here speaks, are less adapted to
such a work, than many others.
We may therefore safely conclude
with her, that it was providential.

How far the passages of scripture
she mentions were applicable to the
conduct of Mr B. it is not our province
to determine; but it is not
strange that they should have served
to sustain an individual so situated.
She felt an ardent desire to learn to
read, and that she was unreasonably
opposed in this undertaking. It
must therefore have afforded a sort
of solace to her feelings to find that
some one had been oppressed as
well as herself, and that there was
some ground of hope for her likewise.
She appeared, however, not
to have possessed, and certainly not
to have retained, a revengeful spirit.

The valuable improvement she
made of the very scanty advantages 3(5)v 30
she enjoyed, strikingly shows that
her master indulged a mistaken idea
in supposing that the natural results
of education were unfavourable.
Education, like health, or property,
may be misimproved, and turned to
a bad account; but health and property,
if rightly improved, are among
our greatest blessings, and so is
education in all its various grades,
as experience has amply proved.
And we who are so happy as to live
in brighter days, should look back
with pity, as well as disapprobation,
on those who have erred on this
point, and forward, with joyful anticipations,
to succeeding generations,
while the tide of improvement
shall roll on, and its current become
more and more broad and rapid, till
knowledge, even the knowledge of 3(6)r 31
the Lord, which is the grand climax
of education, shall cover the earth
as the waters do the sea.

The most direct and certain method
of securing to ourselves the
reasonable services of domestics, or
children, is to afford them such instruction,
as will discover to their
understandings, the nature of the
duties they owe both to God, and
man; thus rendering it plain to their
perception, that their personal happiness
is inseparably connected with
their obedience and faithfulness in
the fulfilment of those duties.

Chloe could give no correct account
of dates; but, to judge from
other events, she must have become
a woman grown, when a female of
her acquaintance, who resided in
the neighborhood, was taken very
sick; and her mistress sending her
occasionally with a little broth, or
with something that might be for
the comfort of the individual, gave
her an opportunity of witnessing
the state of the sufferer. In a
short time, while she was one day
engaged in her domestic duties, she 4(1)r 33
was informed that the young woman
was dying. Having a kind of curiosity
to be present on such an occasion,
and withal feeling somewhat
alarmed, she left her work, and repaired
to the house of death. The
sight affected her. Death appeared
to be something different from what
she had been wont to view it. The
thought of having so improperly
spent their time when they used to
be together at meeting, rushed upon
her mind. When the spirit had departed,
she began to reflect, “where
is she? &c”. And either owing to
these circumstances, or to some remark
by another spectator, or to
both, this appears to have been the
first thing that made what may be
considered a serious impression upon
the mind of this daughter of Africa. 4 4(1)v 34
She knew not what it was, and had
no one to explain it to her, or to
instruct her on the subject.

Not far from that time, and during
the American revolution, her
master removed his family to the
town of Andover, about twenty
miles from Boston. As was the
case with many other gentlemen,
who owned and occupied large and
handsome houses in their native
town, when, owing to the perils of
the times, they were obliged to quit
their homes, and take up with part
of a house in the country; so it was
with the master of Chloe. And
this was another remarkable providence,
which to her, will be an occasion
of devout and grateful admiration
forever! He took up his
residence in a part of the house of 4(2)r 35
Mr Adams, who was a truly pious
and devoted Christian. Thoughts of
the dying neighbour, and melancholy
reflections about country and
kindred, connected with the trials
of her involuntary servitude, cast a
gloom over the countenance of
Chloe, which betrayed itself to the
discerning eye of an enlightened
Christian, as indicating a sensibility
of soul which demanded sympathy.
With a readiness to impart needful
instruction and kindly consolation,
congenial to a benevolent and noble
mind, Mr A. manifested an interest
in her welfare, and in a very friendly
and unforbidding manner inquired of
her, “What is the matter Chloe, are
you sick?” Unaccustomed to so
much apparent tenderness, and not
understanding the nature of her own 4(2)v 36
trouble, she felt rather abashed, and
scarcely knew what to say; but
replied in her simple manner, “O,
Sir, my mind sick.” This language
was more intelligible to this Christian
friend, than to herself, and he
took proper occasions to call her
into his room, and converse with her
about her soul. A relation of her
story, naturally unfolded the incidents
respecting her attempts to
learn to read, &c. The pity of the
good man for this dejected slave,
was still more strongly excited.
He kindly offered to teach her further,
and for this purpose gave her
permission to go into his room after
her master’s family had retired, and
her work was finished. She thankfully
accepted the offer, considering
it a high privilege to have another 4(3)r 37
opportunity to learn to read the
Scriptures. She deprived herself of
sleep after working hard in the day,
that she might gain an object so
desirable in her esteem.

In addition to elementary instruction
in reading, Mr A. failed not to
give her such religious instruction
and advice as were calculated, with
the blessing of God, to benefit her
precious soul, commending her to
Him, in fervent, humble prayer.
And it now became evident that the
Spirit of God was operating upon
her heart.

After one of these interesting occasions,
being more deeply impressed
than usual with a sense of her
sinfulness, she returned into her
kitchen; and having seen that her
fire was secure for the night, feeling 4* 4(3)v 38
herself entirely alone, she fell on
her knees, and in broken accents,
poured out her soul to God, pleading,
as well as she knew how, for
mercy and forgiveness.

On rising, she was startled by
the voice of her master, who, having
suspected that something new was
going on, had seated himself in his
parlour to watch the movements.
“O!” (said Chloe, when relating
the story,) “my heart up in my
mouth. I di’n know what to do,
what I hab to suffer. But I went
in de parlour, ’cause he call me.
He say, ‘Chloe, dis week, you go
Mr S. de minister, and ask him baptize
you.’ I frighten! I say, ‘O massa,
I poor creature, I no fit for baptize.’
‘Yes,’ he say, ‘any body pray as
you hab, is fit.’ I ’fraid say much, 4(4)r 39
fear he angry, so, soon I could, I go
up my chamber; den I tink, what
all dis mean? Same man tell me
once, I should no learn read, if I do,
I tie up by my two thumb, and
whipp’d; same man now tell me go
be baptize! What all dis mean?”

Thus unexpectedly brought into
a strait, poor Chloe was greatly
distressed. When her master called
her, she supposed he intended
to correct her. That he should, at
once, tell her to ask for baptism,
was so wide an extreme, she was
equally alarmed. Conscious that
she was not, agreeably to the views
she now entertained of the necessity
of regeneration, a suitable subject,
she trembled at the idea. But
not daring to disobey her master,
she complied with his order, and 4(4)v 40
was sprinkled after the mode of infant
baptism. This afforded no relief
to her troubled conscience; she
became more distressed on account
of sin; her “heart more sick;” particularly
on hearing a sermon on
the unpardonable sin.

In this state of mind, she resorted
to her kind friend, Mr A. who endeavoured
to console her feelings
by instructing her, that although
she was a great sinner, and nothing
but the blood of Christ could cleanse
her, yet owing to her ignorance of
religious subjects, he thought she
could not have committed that sin,
and therefore there was hope that
she might receive forgiveness, if she
truly repented, and came to the Saviour
in his own appointed way.
Her mind grew more calm, but she 4(5)r 41
did not rest satisfied, until she had
reason to believe that she was enabled
to cast herself wholly on the
mercy of God in Christ, and resign
her soul into his hands, for time and
for eternity.

What length of time they remained
in the country, is not known to
the writer; nor is it recollected precisely,
that the subject of our memoir
arrived at a settled conclusion
respecting the important change,
above mentioned, while there, or
soon after her return to Boston;
but some time subsequently to the
re-settlement of the family at home,
feeling a humble hope in the merits
of her Saviour, she believed it to be
her duty to make an open profession
of his name. This she did by
uniting with the New-North Congregational 4(5)v 42
Church, then under the
pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Elliot,
(senior,) an excellent man, and a
faithful preacher of the gospel.

How obvious is it from the foregoing
chapter, that the omniscient
eye of the great Jehovah is over all
the works of his hands. “He who
setteth up kings, and putteth them
down at his pleasure”; who made
and governs worlds and beings of
every order; who has myriads of angels
and seraphs around his throne;
He who must bow even to behold
the things that are done in heaven,
—condescended to notice this obscure
female, and so to order events 4(6)r 43
in his Providence, overruling even
the calamity of war, as to place
her under the observation of one
of his own beloved children, who
knew, from personal experience, the
sorrows of a sin-sick soul, the preciousness
of the balm of consolation,
and the value of the Physician,
who alone is able to apply it.
“Surely,” O Lord, “the wrath of
man shall praise thee, and the remainder
of wrath thou wilt restrain!”

Convictions of truth, having been
evidently fastened on her conscience
by means of the death-bed scene,
she needed much of that sort of instruction,
which, to human probability,
she would not have enjoyed,
had she been circumstanced as previously.
God is never at a loss for 4(6)v 44
methods and instruments to accomplish
his own holy and benevolent
purposes. He who notices the falling
of the sparrow, and directs the
lightning of heaven in its course,
led the steps of Mr B. to the habitation
of one who feared God, and
was not a respecter of persons, and
thus opened the way for Chloe to
receive unexpected assistance in her
efforts to learn to read, and likewise
to have the path to heaven
and happiness lighted up before her
in the blessed gospel.

The momentous change which
was wrought in her heart, was indeed
effected by an Almighty influence;
and was precisely the same
as every genuine Christian, whether
a Chloe, or a Hannah More, a Lazarus,
or an Abraham, must, and does 5(1)r 45
experience, before he can enter a
heaven of holiness; agreeably to
the declaration of our Lord, “Except
a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” John iii. 3.

How dreadful then will it be in
that solemn day, when we shall all
appear before the judgment-seat of
Christ, should any, who may have
read this little history, be found unprepared
for his coming, while this
uncultivated African shall sit down
in the kingdom of heaven, with
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and
all the ransomed of the Lord out of
every nation and people; forever to
celebrate Redeeming Love!

That this may not be the case,
let all be admonished now, while
the day and the means of grace
are prolonged, to “flee from the 5 5(1)v 46
wrath to come,” and seek for a
thorough and experimental change
of heart. The following lines are
appropriate to this point.

Chloe ever had been, and still
continued to be, a faithful servant,
and gained the approbation and confidence
of all the family, and the
esteem of their friends and connexions.
While yet a slave, she was
married to Cesar Spear, and became
the mother of several children.

“As a reward of her integrity,
her master gave her a certificate of 5(2)v 48
manumission, (freedom) which was
to take effect at a specified period
not very distant. But shortly after,
by a law of the Commonwealth, all
the slaves in the State were made
free.”Open note a004-rota Mass.Massachusetts Baptist Magazine, Vol. of 18151815. It however was her choice,
to remain for the present, with her
“old massa;” this being mutually
agreeable, he thenceforward paid her
for her services.

A family-like attachment subsisted
between them, to the close of
life. The son of Mr B. she used to
style her “young massa,” and was
in the habit of visiting his family
after the decease of his parents.
From them she received various
marks of kindness, and of solicitude
for her comfort, both in sickness, 5(3)r 49
and in health. To the grand-children,
it was a peculiar gratification to
have a visit from good old Chloe.

Her stated place of worship on
the Lord’s-day, was the New-North
Church; but as there were no evening
meetings held there, she was much
in the habit of attending the regular
weekly lectures of the late venerated
Dr. Stillman, and after the settlement
of Rev. Mr. Gair over the
Second Baptist Church, she often
attended his lectures also, and sought
opportunities of conversing with him
on the subject of religion. As she
became more acquainted with the
Scriptures, her mind was gradually
enlightened, and after various peculiar
trials on the subject, she was
led clearly into the docrine of believers’
baptism by immersion; was 5* 5(3)v 50
baptized by Mr. Gair, and admitted
a member of that church, in the
month of 1788-11November, 1788.

She was ardently attached to the
people of God, of whatever denomination,
and rejoiced to associate
with them in his worship. Particularly
was she delighted with the
little social meetings held at private
houses, where the religious experiences
of Christians were often made
a topic of conversation, and in which
she found her own exercises more
fully developed, than she herself
was capable of expressing them;
and she formed the resolution, that
if, in the course of Providence, she
should ever be permitted to have a
home of her own, she would open
her doors for such purposes.

It may indeed be said of her, she 5(4)r 51
grew in grace and in knowledge,
and in favour with God and man.
Her case was a striking instance of
sovereign, distinguishing goodness;
and she frequently spoke of it with
devout gratitude, that she, an ignorant,
defenceless child, should have
been taken from the country and kindred,
and subjected to slavery in a
strange land, that she might be made
acquainted with the gospel, be redeemed
from the more cruel bondage
of sin, and brought into the liberty
of the children of God. “They,”
she would say, “meant it for evil,
but God meant it for good. To his
name be the glory.” She no longer
desired to die, and go to her native
land, but earnestly prayed that the
blessed gospel might be sent there,
and to the utmost ends of the earth.

5(4)v 52

In process of time, she, with her
husband, commenced house-keeping.
But he being of a different turn
of mind from herself, and not seriously
disposed,—she did not enjoy
all the domestic happiness that was
desirable. She was enabled, notwithstanding,
to maintain her Christian
profession with meekness. Having
taken a decided stand for God,
she kept it firmly to the end.

By habits of industry and economy,
she found herself gaining in
property; and felt an increasing
desire, to possess, some time or
other, a little habitation that she
could call her own. Stimulated by
this desire, she worked early and
late; though not to the neglect of
religious duties, either public or
private. A strict and conscientious 5(5)r 53
regard to these, she said, strengthened
her, and prompted her to the discharge
of her secular duties. She
not only assisted her husband in the
care of a family of boarders, who
were seamen, or labourers, but she
also took in washing, and went into
various families as a washerwoman,
&c. And whenever she could save of
her earnings, she carefully laid up.

The families for whom she worked,
frequently gave her their cold
meat and vegetables, which served
to help out a meal at home, and
consequently lessened the expense
of providing; and as her husband
was more particular to have enough
to eat, than to inquire from whence
it came, and was in the habit of
submitting the chief management
of domestic affairs, to his “cleber 5(5)v 54
wife,” she had opportunities in this
way, of adding to her little stock.

After returning from a hard day’s
work, she many a time, went to
washing for her customers in the
night, while her husband was taking
his rest,—extended lines across her
room, and hung up her clothes to
dry, while she retired to bed for
a few hours; then arose, prepared
for breakfast, and went out to work
again, leaving her ironing to be done
on her return at night. Cesar, having
been accustomed to cooking,
&c. could, on these occasions, wait
upon himself and the boarders, during
her absence; but was quite willing
that she should make ready a good
supper, after she came home.

Her husband, although he possessed
none of the refinement, or 5(6)r 55
economy, for which his companion
was so remarkable, was, nevertheless,
fond of finery and show, and
would sometimes say to her, “Chloe,
why you don’t wear silk gown, dress
up smart, like udder colour women?”
“Well,” she would reply, “you
give me money, I can buy silk gown,
well as any body.” The money,
he would give to her; but think so
little on the subject afterward, that,
instead of an extravagant dress,
something cheap, and comfortable,
satisfied good Chloe, and the surplus
augmented her treasury; which, in
her estimation, was a thing of far
greater importance, than gay clothing.
Here the business rested, until
he again discovered that she needed
a new dress, to make her appear
fashionable, when, as before, she 5(6)v 56
managed so judiciously, as to increase
her fund.

Things went on much in this way,
for several years. All their children,
one after another, to the number of
seven, deceased; only one of whom,
it is believed, left any children, and
at the time of her own death, her only
surviving relative was a grand-son.

For a long time she concealed,
within her own mind, the project
of reserving her earnings for the
purpose, and with the hope of
purchasing a little tenement, not
knowing what might take place,
or whether she should ever accumulate
a sufficiency. One day
hearing of an unfinished house for
sale, she made inquiries respecting
it, and critically examined her
capital, to see if she might venture 6(1)r 57
to hope for a consummation of her
wishes. Having satisfied herself,
and being aware that the purchase
must be made in her husand’s
name, “’cause he de head,” she
said to him, “Cesar, house to sell;
I wish to buy it.” He laughed at
her, for thinking of such a thing,
but asked her, “how much e price
ob it?” “Seben hundred dollar,”
she answered. “Seben hundred
dollar!!” exclaimed Cesar, “I no
got de money, how I buy a house?”
“I got money,” said Chloe. At
first, he knew not how to believe
her; having never suspected her
plans; but she stated to him the
methods by which she had acquired,
and from time to time laid up this
sum of money. He then was pleased,
and very readily agreed to the 6 6(1)v 58
purchase, which, with the advice of
her friends, was soon effected. But
the houseOpen note a005-rota The house stands near the head of a lane on
the north side of Rev. Mr. Parkman’s Meeting-
House, in Hanover Street, Boston. was unfinished. She
therefore proposed that themselves
should occupy the most inferior part
of it, and let out the remainder,
until, from the income, they could
finish one room after another, and
thus increase the rent, which, with
the blessing of Providence, might
serve to support them, should they
live to grow old. That also was
effected. But during this lapse of
time, her husband, after a long and
painful illness, was removed by the
hand of death.

Under this dispensation of Divine
Providence, Chloe behaved with
much Christian propriety.

The circumstance of dissolving
her connexion with the church with
which she first united, was one of
deep interest to Chloe, as she in a
most solemn and impressive manner
related to the writer, long after it
took place, and as she had previously
done to others. With her, it was
a subject of much prayer, searching
the Scriptures, and close self-examination.
It was clearly apparent
that she acted conscientiously, and
under an affecting sense of her accountableness
to God. That she
was ardently attached to the people
of God, of whatever denomination,
was manifest to all who knew her. 6(2)v 60
His people, were her people; she
loved her Saviour’s image wherever
she saw it. And as her discernment
of Christian character and
experience was keen and discriminating,
she was capable of enjoying
much in their society; and also of
suitably esteeming the privilege of
receiving them into her house.

The temper she discovered in relation
to her captivity, strongly resembled
that of Joseph, whose language
she quoted when adverting
to the subject. Like her blessed
Lord and Master, she breathed the
spirit of forgiveness, and prayed for
the salvation of those, who had
injured her. This must have been
owing to the influence of religion
upon her heart; and the same influence
filled her with thankfulness 6(3)r 61
to God for bringing her to this land
of Bibles; enlarged her desires for
the happiness of her relatives, and
so corrected her views, that, instead
of vainly wishing to transmigrate into
an infant, and live again in her native
country, subject to all its destitution
of religious privileges; her constant
prayer was, that the light of
divine truth might be conveyed to
them, that they also, might believe
and be saved.

We perceive from the preceding
chapter, that she realized her desires
with regard to having “a home
of her own.” Here we see too, the
unsatisfying nature of earthly comforts,
and how uncertain it is, even if
we are brought into possession of
what we desire, whether we shall
experience all the enjoyment we anticipate.6* 6(3)v 62
She, it seems, did not
enjoy all the domestic happiness that
was desirable. While her happiness
consisted in quietly communing
with God, and her own heart; that
of her husband consisted in eating
and drinking, and associating with
his comrades. This must have been
a heavy trial; but it served to keep
her humble, and show her her dependance
upon God alone, for solid
comfort.

Let her troubles and disappointments,
teach those, who hear of
them, not to depend too confidently
on temporal circumstances to render
them happy. Our God often sees it
necessary to send with our earthly
blessings, some trial, for which we
did not look, and which greatly embitters
our comforts. Were it not 6(4)r 63
so, we should too often rest on
them as our chief good.

It is a pleasing trait in her Christian
character, that neither trouble,
nor hard work, prevailed, to induce
in her a relaxation from her attendance
on the public means of religious
improvement, or the retired
privileges of the closet.

Although there are periods in the
life of every Christian, when it is
more obviously a duty to be engaged
in avocations of a domestic or business
character, than to be at meeting,
or secluded from the family, on
our knees; yet it is extremely hazardous
to a life of devotion, and no
less so to the faithful and accceptable
discharge of secular duties, to
yield to the idea, that every thing
of a wordly nature, must be attended 6(4)v 64
to first: and then, if we “have
time,” pretend to worship and serve
our Creator. The Saviour says,
“Seek first the kingdom of God.”
By this he does not intend, that we
should spend a great length of time
in “making long prayers,” but that
we should make religion our primary
concern, and the glory of God, our
supreme and ultimate object. When
this is done, our temporal affairs
will not suffer for want of proper
attention. This we see exemplified
in the conduct of Chloe.

The industry and enterprise, which
are presented to view in the third
chapter of her history, are truly admirable
in such an individual. In
these, we have a pattern, worthy of
the imitation of any class of our
readers.

6(5)r 65

The idea of purchasing a house
and land, by means so unpromising,
would have appeared to thousands
too chimerical to be indulged; too
uncertain, to encourage an effort.
Many a cool calculating mathema­ ticion, had he been consulted on the
subject, would have thought it advisable
that she content herself with
buying her silk dresses, and living
upon the best fare she could obtain;
and risk a support, when old age
arrived, in the alms-house, or wherever
it might happen to be convenient.
But Chloe “attempted,
expected,” and accomplished, “great
things;” and, in the evening of
life, when no longer able to endure
hardships, she sat down to the full
enjoyment of the fruit of her labours, 6(5)v 66
and the still richer luxury of imparting
a portion to the needy.

One error, however, we must
allow that she committed. And,
in consequence of this, she probably
suffered much, in the latter part of
her life time. Her perseverance
led her beyond due bounds, in the
practice of drying washed clothes in
her sleeping room. Though she was
insensible of it at the time, it was,
probably, laying a foundation for
the very distressing Rheumatic complaints,
with which she was afterwards
so seriously afflicted. Still,
we will not be hasty in condemning
her, as it is difficult to say what else
she could have done, without sustaining
a considerable loss. Her customers
wanted their clothes in season.
She had no other apartment 6(6)r 67
in which it was proper to dry them.
It was not safe to put them out of
doors in the night, as it might be a
temptation to some one to take
them dishonestly. We must therefore
leave the subject as it respected
herself, while we cannot hold her
up as an example in this particular,
because a similar exposure, might
prove destructive to health, even
where the constitution is good.

Her readiness to deny herself
trifling gratifications, for the sake
of providing for the future, evinced
a strength of mind, not always discoverable
in those, whose advantages
may lead us to suppose, they
have even more moral courage, than
one like herself. Her skill and
fore-thought, also, in contriving to
finish their house, may be advantageously 6(6)v 68
improved by all who are
endeavouring to rise in the world,
by personal effort. Penetration,
Industry, and Economy, exercised
in humble dependence on the blessing
of Providence, form the grand
secret of success in the accumulation
of wealth. “The blessing of
the Lord,” says the Psalmist, “maketh
rich, and he addeth no sorrow
with it.” Let none, then, fail to
seek his blessing, when about to
engage in the pursuit of lawful undertakings.

The chapter concludes with a
brief statement of the decease of
her husband. This is the final close
of all earthly scenes, to each individual
of the human family. Sooner,
or later, the solemn change will
pass upon all of us; and it is of 7(1)r 69
equal importance to each, that he
be found in a state of preparation
for that event. Whatever disappointments
may overtake us, in our
journey through this vale of tears,
no one will be disappointed in the
expectation of Death. Many, indeed,
have, and many more will,
experience sad disappointments, in
their fond expectations of long life.
But amid all the uncertainties that
attend the calculations of mortals,
no one has reason to entertain the
slightest apprehension, that Death
will be unfaithful in the execution of
his warrant. He never fails to aim
a successful arrow at his victim, at
the moment he receives his commission
to send it! “Death passed upon
all men, for that all have sinned.”

Under this dispensation of Providence,7 7(1)v 70
we have remarked, she behaved
with much Christian propriety.
She did not make a display of grief,
and pretend that she had lost one of
the best husbands, as is the case
with some persons after their friends
are dead, but who were not very
ardently attached to them while
they lived. Still, being deeply affected
with the apprehension that
he was not prepared for heaven,
though he had been often warned
of his danger, she felt distressed on
his account, but believed it to be
her duty to bow submissively to the
will of her heavenly Father, satisfied
that “the Judge of all the earth
had done right.” She could now,
with all her heart, plead for a fulfilment
of the promises of God, made
especially to the widow, and on him
she cast all her care.

Having realized the earnest desire
of her heart, viz. that she might
have a home of her own; and now
having no one to control her, with
inexpressable delight, she set about
performing more fully, her former
resolutions, although she had not
been unmindful of them, from the
time of her commencing house-keeper.
Her doors were opened for religious
meetings, and many, not only
of her own colour, but also of her
other friends, found it pleasant and
profitable, to visit their widowed 7(2)v 72
sister Chloe, and hold converse with
her upon those things which relate
to another and better world. Her
beloved Pastor, the late Dr. Baldwin,
the honoured successor of
Mr. Gair, in the oversight of the
church used to esteem it a privilege
to participate in exercises of
this nature, under her peaceful roof.
And, occasionally, pious ladies, of
the first respectability, were pleased
to make her an afternoon visit;
when, with her accustomed modesty,
she would wait on them, and then
take her own tea by herself. This
reserve, however, was in the course
of time, removed, by the affability
of her friends. So true is the promise
of God,—“They that honour
me, I will honour.” And, “he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

7(3)r 73

Her person was rather above the
common size; her countenance
open, and interesting; her disposition
placid and cheerful, though at
a great remove from levity. Her
language was extremely broken; so
much so, that she could never pronounce
many words which are in
quite common use. In attempting
sometimes to speak, and perceiving
by a restrained smile on the countenances
of those present, that she
was incorrect, she would very pleasantly
laugh at herself, with a view
to give others an opportunity to do
so, without the fear of hurting her
feelings.

A disposition to forgive injuries,
was also a prominent feature in her
character. Of this, a single anecdote
is sufficient.—She had experienced7* 7(3)v 74
from an individual, some
treatment, not altogether so kind
as she had reason to expect. He
subsequently became sensible of his
error, and spoke to her on the subject.
The readiness she instantly
manifested for a reconciliation, produced
a degree of surprise, which
he could not easily conceal. “Brudder,”
said she, “don’t you know,
when any body bow to me, I always
drop?”—courtseying down to the
ground to express her meaning, viz.
that she was willing to take “the
lowest place.”

She was kind and benevolent to
the poor and distressed. Whenever
objects of charity were presented,
her hand was open for their relief.
Indeed, she measured her personal
expenses in view of the necessities 7(4)r 75
of others, and used to say, she never
felt “stingy,” only when she was
procuring something for herself.
She would then economize, that she
might always have something to impart
to such as were in want: “especially
those who were of the household
of faith.”

When Christians in this country
began efficiently to promote the
glorious cause of Missions, her heart
exulted in prospect of the enlargement
of the Redeemer’s kingdom.
She longed, and prayed, for the
spread of the gospel, and especially
that “Ethiopia might soon stretch
out her hand unto God.” Thousands
of her petitions for this desirable
object are on file, and will assuredly
be answered in the fullness
of time. Yea, already, we see evident 7(4)v 76
answers, in the efforts of his
people for its accomplishment, and
in the blessing which has followed.
In these efforts, how sincerely would
she rejoice. Peradventure, she does
rejoice in them!

Nor did she present her prayers
only. Her alms also, are still a
memorial before God, and before
his people.

Such were her desires for usefulness
in the cause of Christ, that she
would often say, if he would condescend
to let her do any thing for
him, she should view it a privilege,
were it “only to fill up a pin hole,”
(alluding to the ancient Jewish tabernacle,)
or render the smallest service
to his saints. And he was pleased
to make her useful, more especially
among those of her own colour.

7(5)r 77

The blessings promised to the
peace-maker were hers, to a desirable
extent. She was peculiarly
successful in healing difficulties,
even where those of superior abilities
had failed. And so happy was
her talent in conversation with persons,
in the early stages of religious
conviction, that in seasons of revival
in the neighbouring towns, she was
frequently invited to visit them, and
was instrumental of good. Perhaps
a recollection of such interviews may
be revived in the minds of some,
who may read this memoir.

But, it was in fervent spirituality
of mind, that our friend excelled.
The character, and glory of God,
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
and the stupendous plan of man’s
redemption, were the themes, that 7(5)v 78
most of all, engrossed her meditations,
and were the ground of her
comfort. Her perceptions of divine
truth were remarkably clear. She
evidently lived near the throne of
grace, and derived her enjoyment
from the fountain-head. Her conversation
was comforting even to
those far advanced in the Christian
course; and instructive and pleasing
to the young. There was much
of life and animation in her manners,
and she was peculiar for conveying
her ideas in metaphors which
originated in her own mind, and
thus often engaged the attention,
and rendered herself agreeable to
persons, who were not particularly
serious.

When wishing to state her ideas of
the difference in her feelings towards 7(6)r 79
God, as the Author of her mercies,
and man, as the instrument of communicating
them; she often brought
the following similitude: “My mistress
sometimes used to send me
wid present to lady; de lady say,
‘Tell Mrs. B I very much obliged
to her;’ and, (in a low and indifferent
tone,) ‘I thank you, Chloe, for
bringing the parcel.’ So I lub my
minister, and all Christian frien,
dat try to do me good. I thank
them: but I feel under very great
obligation to God, who gib me de
blessing, and make use ob his children
to bring it to me.”

Possessing a very humble opinion
of herself, she compared her own
mind, in distinction from others, to
a very small vessel. Many, who
were in the habit of meeting her in 7(6)v 80
the little conference room, still remember
with what animation she
would break out, after having listened
with delight to the conversation;
and with hands uplifted, exclaim,
—“O, my dear frien, I can wait no
longer! My Gill Cup, (meaning
that her capacity was so small it
could contain but little, therefore,
she must give vent to her feelings,)
run ober, I mus speak few word.”
And from the fullness of her soul
she would tell of the love of Jesus
to poor sinners; expressing a deep
sense of her unworthiness to make
mention of his name, but saying
that if she should hold her peace,
the stones would cry out.

Conscious of her own weakness,
with much feeling and simplicity,
she would often advert to the exercises 8(1)r 81
of the Psalmist, as those she
wished to cultivate in her own
bosom. “Lord, my heart is not
haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither
do I exercise myself in great
matters, or in things too high for
me,” &c. “Yet I mus speak for
my dear Saviour. De dead, praise
not de Lord, but while Chloe lib,
she mus praise him. She mus speak
ob de glorious majesty ob his kingdom,
and talk ob his power. All
his works praise him, and his saints
bless him. Chloe mus bless him
too; my dear frien mus bear wid
me if I speak too much.”

In view of the mysteries and
mercies of Providence towards her,
she would exclaim, “I may say
wid de Psalmist, ‘I am a wonder
to many.’ Think what God done 8 8(1)v 82
for poor me! So vile, so sinful,
yet Jesus stoop so low, pick me
up! Though I poor stranger, he
pity me.”

The first eight verses of the 56th
chapter of Isaiah, were very precious
to her; particularly from the
3rd to the 7th verse. “Neither let
the son of the stranger, that hath
joined himself to the Lord, speak,
saying, The Lord hath utterly separated
me from his people, &c.
For, even unto them will I give in
mine house and within my walls,
a place and a name better than
of sons and of daughters. Even
them will I bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my
house of prayer.” On these words
she would expatiate with evident
emotions of heart-felt gratitude. 8(2)r 83
And this was done with so much
unaffected sincerity, that tears have
often flown from the eyes of those
who heard her. Indeed, the heart
must have been hard, that did not
swell with admiring and devout acknowledgment
of the power and
efficacy of divine grace, so clearly
demonstrated before them. Said a
Christian visiter, after hearing her
remarks for the first time, “She is
black, but comely.”

It was with reluctance that she
left the place of social worship, and
the company of Christians. When
the usual hour for closing a meeting
arrived, she would console herself
and others with the thought,
that, “in heaven, no nine-o’clock
bell would hurry them home. No
nine o’clock dare. Dat congregation
neber break up.”

8(2)v 84

She manifested much gratitude
to God for the blessings of a quiet
home, where she could, on her return
from public worship, sit down
alone, and meditate on the holy
Scriptures; spread out her wants
before God, and plead for fresh and
more enlarged discoveries of his
love to her soul.

With all her efforts, she was never
able to read very correctly, though
she made out to read the Bible, and
some other good books, with such
accuracy as to derive from them
much satisfaction and spiritual improvement.
And by close and constant
attention, her mind was richly
stored with Scripture knowledge.
She retained a very grateful remembrance
of those friends who
instructed her, particularly Mr A. 8(3)r 85
who also retained a Christian friendship
for her, while she lived.

For a number of years she suffered
exceedingly from rheumatic
affections, which usually attacked
her in the winter, and confined her
for weeks, and sometimes months.
Some of her fingers were drawn
double with the violence of the disorder.
Under those trials, she was
patient, and submissive to the will
of her heavenly Father; always
justifying his dealings with her, and
rejoicing that she was under his
government. On recovering so as
to be able to participate again in the
public worship and ordinances of
God’s house, she seemed filled with
gratitude and holy joy; and increasingly
desirous of improving those
dispensations in a suitable manner.

8* 8(3)v 86

In the autumn of the year 18141814,
as was said of the patriarch, the
time drew near that she must die;
and having seasonably adjusted all
her temporal affairs, her only concern
was to be enabled to glorify
God in her last sickness and death.
This desire was happily fulfilled.

The following is extracted from
a short memoir of her, which was
published in the Massachusetts Baptist
Missionary Magazine, a few
weeks after her decease. It was
written by Dr. Baldwin, who was
then the editor of that work.

“Several of the last years of her
life, her mind appeared uncommonly
spiritual. As she advanced in life,
she seemed to ripen for glory. Few
Christians with whom we have been
acquainted, have appeared to maintain 8(4)r 87
so near a walk with God, or to
enjoy so much of heaven.

During her last sickness, which
was of several months continuance,
she was favoured with an almost
uninterrupted peace of mind. When
exceeding low, she would frequently,
while bolstered up in her bed,
converse for hours with her friends
who surrounded her, until her
strength was quite exhausted. She
improved every opportunity to exhort
her Christian friends to walk
worthy of the Lord, and to live in
love and peace with each other.
Such as she had reason to believe
were in a state of unbelief, she
most faithfully and solemnly warned
to flee from the wrath to come.
Many could not refrain from tears,
while listening to her broken, but 8(4)v 88
pious and moving exhortations. In
one of the last visits made her by
her Pastor only a day or two before
her death, she observed to him, she
had several times thought herself
going to her blessed Saviour: but
added, she was willing to stay or
go, just as her heavenly Father
should see fit to order. After a
number of very touching observations,
she said, ‘O, sir, I have been
thinking of that blessed passage of
Scripture, where it is said, “They
that be planted in the house of the
Lord, shall flourish in the courts of
our God. They shall bring forth
fruit in old age. They shall be fat
and flourishing; to show that the
Lord is upright.”Open note a006-rota A funeral discourse was delivered from this
passage by the Pastor of the church, the Lord’s day
following her interment. This, sir, seems 8(5)r 89
to be my experience. O, the Lord
is good to me, poor unworthy creature.’
Death had no terrors for
her. She seemed wholly resigned
to the will of God, and, like good
old Simeon, ready to depart in
peace.

On the 1815-01-033rd of January, 1815,
she gently fell asleep in Jesus, aged,
as was supposed, about 65: and on
1815-01-07the 7th, her remains were committed
to the family vault of her former
master, which was kindly offered
by the heirs.

She left by will to her grandson,
$500. To five persons of colour,
all members of the same church,
$50 each; and to three of them, all
her wearing apparel, beds, bed and
table linen, and several smaller legacies
to others. To the church, she 8(5)v 90
gave $333,33 cents, the interest to
be applied to the relief of the sick
and poor, particularly to the members
of colour. The remainder she
left to the Baptist Missionary Society.
She had previously made a
present to her Pastor of $100.”

Her funeral was attended by many
of the members of the church; several
of the family of Mr B. (who
appeared to esteem it a privilege to
have her bones deposited in the
same tomb in which rested those of
their fathers, and in which they
anticipated laying their own,) besides
various other persons, among
whom, was the late Rev. Thomas
Paul, whom she was much in the
habit of calling her son.

Thus repose the ashes of Chloe
Spear, in the Granary Burial-Place, 8(6)r 91
which borders on the Park Street
meeting-house, in Boston.

And, when the trump of the
arch-angel, shall issue its tremendous
sound, Arise, Ye Dead, And
Come To Judgment, who will be
unwilling to appear in company with
this lowly saint?

If it will be important at that
solemn period to be found among
those who have “washed their robes
and made them white in the blood
of the Lamb,” let us “now, in the
accepted time, and day of salvation,”
seek an interest in Him who
is “the Resurrection and the Life;”
for on such alone, “the second
Death shall have no power.” Such
only will be “Christ’s at his
coming.”

Prudence, is a distinctive mark
of a consistent Christian. For a
woman professing godliness, to attempt,
frequently, to have religious
meetings conducted at her house,
while her husband is pursuing a
course that must interrupt their solemnity
and order, would be no
proof of sincere and humble engagedness
in the cause. We therefore
cannot avoid the conviction, that
however gratifying it might have
been in some respects, it was a dictate
of wisdom to submit to the
deprivation, in preference to subjecting
the cause of religion to
unfriendly observation. But now, 9(1)r 93
finding herself alone, in the hope
that her own growth in grace might
be promoted, and that her neighbours
and others might be benefited;
to see her throwing open the
doors of her dwelling, and inviting
the friends of the Redeemer to unite
with her in acts of devotion and
praise, affords additional evidence
of her Christian fidelity, and a love
for souls. The unassuming manner
in which she received and entertained
those who honoured her,
and gratified themselves with a
friendly interview, shows that religion
had a practical influence on
her spirit and conduct. What a
happy world would this be, were
all its inhabitants actuated by the
same principles which governed this
humble follower of her Saviour!

9 9(1)v 94

The ingenuousness and pleasantry
apparent in the habit alluded to,
of indulging her friends in a little
amusement when she uttered herself
in her broken style, differed
widely from the irritability of some
persons, who injure the feelings of
their friends by resenting some trifling
observation, dropped without
the least intention of wounding the
individual who has thus committed
a little mistake, and which, if turned
off with an easy good-natured smile,
would at once discover an amiable
disposition, and save many painful
sensations to the parties concerned.

In the character before us, we
see too, that the religion of Jesus
Christ expands the heart. It was
love for perishing souls, that brought
him from heaven to earth, to die for 9(2)r 95
their redemption. And the same
love shed abroad in the hearts of
his people disposes them to acts of
benevolence, and makes them anxious
for the salvation of their fellow-
sinners. Having themselves tasted
that the Lord is gracious, they desire
that others should participate
in the same blessing. It was this
spirit that caused Chloe to sympathize
with the afflicted, and to distribute
her charities among the poor,
and those who did not enjoy the
privileges of the gospel; deducting
from her own comforts, for the sake
of theirs.

It was perfectly right and proper
that she should cherish a grateful
sense of the kindnesses rendered
her by her valued benefactor, Mr
Adams, and others of her friends, 9(2)v 96
who had assisted her in the acquisition
of useful and religious knowledge.
It is not, however, always
the case that persons do this. “The
chief butler,” we are told, Genesis
40th “did not remember Joseph,
but forgot him,” notwithstanding
he was deeply indebted to him for
services performed while under peculiarly
trying circumstances, which
to a grateful heart, renders a favour
doubly valuable. And notwithstanding
the moving entreaties of Joseph,
that he would remember him, when,
as he assured him, he would be
reinstated in a prosperous and desirable
situation. But Chloe, it appears,
enhanced the worth of favours
shown her, by returns of gratitude.
And by thus doing, she had a twofold
enjoyment.

9(3)r 97

And, how superlatively delightful
must it have been to her, after arriving
at her heavenly home, to welcome
thither her esteemed friend,
who had pointed her to the Lamb of
God, under his earthly roof! And no
less so, surely, to him, to find her safe
within the walls of the New-Jerusalem,
clothed in the “long white robe
of the Redeemer’s righteousness!”

“Blessed are the peace-makers,”
said our divine Lord. Happy, then,
will it be for all those who possess
and cultivate this amiable characteristic.
And if, with all the disadvantages
under which this poor
African laboured, she acquired it,
who need despair of inheriting those
blessings, if sincerely disposed to
promote harmony and good feeling
among their fellow-beings?

9* 9(3)v 98

Her usefulness in seasons of religious
revival, is a subject of admiration,
and should call forth our
thankfulness to Him, who can even
“take worms, to thresh mountains.”
The feeblest child of God may be
useful at such times, if rightly influenced.
But it must be confessed,
that no common share of prudence
is required in treating the case
of an anxious sinner. It was not
by pushing herself forward, and conversing
in a boisterous, dictatorial
strain, as if she could tell a soul
how to convert itself, that Chloe
made herself useful. It was by
gently administering the sincere
milk of the word, in a kind, unassuming
manner, as they were able
to bear it, that she led along those
who were inquiring after truth; and 9(4)r 99
by tender and pathetic representations
of the sufferings and compassion
of the Saviour, that she won
them over to a love of his character.

She was also a worthy example
in having seasonably adjusted
her temporal affairs! How many
have neglected this important concern
until they were so unwell as to
be unable to attend to it, or perhaps
until it was altogether too late.
Consequently much trouble has ensued
to survivors.

The sick bed,—the dying scene,
—the triumphant departure—speak
for themselves. And in view of
them, how can any one refrain from
saying, “Let me die the death of
the righteous, and let my last end
be like hers!”

It is sometimes objected to memoirs
and narratives, that they present
to view those parts of the
character only, that were correct
and praise-worthy; while they say
nothing of its defects. In relation
to this, we remark, that the preceding
pages were not written with
any idea of giving a perfect character.
None such exists. The
wise man asserts, that “there is not
a just man upon earth, that lives
and sins not.” In common with all
others, she was a depraved creature.
None would be more ready to write
Tekel, wanting, against all their
performances, than would have been 9(5)r 101
our departed friend. Perhaps, however,
as little could be brought forward,
by any who knew her, that
would go to sully a Christian profession,
as in most cases that can be
named. And while we fully agree
with herself, that she was a “poor
sinner,” we feel that most undoubting
assurance, that she was a sinner
Saved, by unmerited, distinguishing
Grace.

With the desire that “being dead,
she may yet speak forth the praise
of Him, who called her out of darkness
into his marvellous light,” this
little monument has been erected.

The prayers of the reader are
affectionately solicited, that the blessing
of God, may cause it to be instrumental
of good to many. And
let all into whose hands it may 9(5)v 102
come, be led by its perusal, to feel
more tenderly for oppressed and
benighted Africans; that so they
may employ their influence and their
property, in the advancement of all
proper measures for their improvement.
Then, millions of the sons
and daughters of Africa, who are
now as defenceless, and unenlightened,
as Chloe once was, will be
taught to read “the holy Scriptures,
which are able to make them wise
unto salvation.”