Sojourner Truth & the Love of Jesus

This article was first published in French at TPSG.

Each February, North Americans celebrate the valuable contributions of African-Americans during Black History Month. And while this tradition does not exist in Europe, I believe it would be worthwhile to highlight such brothers and sisters in Christ whose faith marked history.

Born a Slave

One of the most influential women of her time is known today as Sojourner Truth. But at birth, her name was Isabella Baumfree. She was born into slavery in New York in 1797. At age 9, she was sold at auction along with a flock of sheep to an owner who beat her mercilessly. By age 13, she had been sold two more times. Unable to marry the man she loved because he belonged to a different master, Baumfree was forced to marry a man named Thomas, with whom she had five children. 

 

Her master promised that if she behaved, he would grant her her freedom on July 4, 1826, but he reneged. Incensed and feeling she had no other choice, she escaped with her infant daughter. Soon thereafter, the state of New York emancipated all its slaves, and yet her former master sold one of her sons illegally. Baumfree took him to court and won, regaining custody of her son – the first African-American woman to successfully sue a white male. 

Freedom Found in Christ

Throughout this process, she found friendship with Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen, two devout Quakers who had a tremendous impact on her spiritual journey. She went on to work as a housekeeper for various preachers, which further spurred her on in her faith. 

 

In 1843, she received her own call to ministry, changed her name to Sojourner Truth, and began to travel the country, preaching the gospel and speaking out against slavery and oppression. Her activism gained the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who invited her to the White House and showed her the copy of the Bible he had received from a group of African-Americans. She found allies among the likes of Harriet Beacher Stowe (author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin). Upon first meeting her, the two abolitionists shared the following conversation: 

 

"You's heerd o' me, I reckon?" the former slave asked Stowe when she came downstairs.

 

"Yes, I think I have. You go about lecturing, do you not?"

 

"Yes, honey, that's what I do. The Lord has made me a sign unto this nation, an' I go round a'testifyin' an' showin' on 'em their sins agin my people."

One in the Love of Jesus

Throughout her life, Sojourner Truth endured tremendous suffering and felt and testified powerfully to the love of Jesus. His love motivated her to give this well-known speech at a meeting held at the state Sabbath School Convention, held in Battle Creek, Michigan: 

       The Great Sin of Prejudice Against Color

Children, 

who made your skin white? 

Was it not God? 

Who made mine black? 

Was it not the same God? 

Am I to blame, therefore, 

because my skin is black? 

Does it not cast a reproach 

on our Maker 

to despise a part of His children, 

because He has been pleased 

to give them a black skin? 

Indeed, children, it does; 

and your teachers ought to tell you so, 

and root up, if possible, 

the great sin of prejudice 

against color from your minds. 

 

While Sabbath School Teachers 

know of this great sin, 

and not only do not teach 

their pupils that it is a sin, 

but too often indulge in it themselves, 

can they expect God 

to bless them or the children? 

 

Does not God love colored children 

as well as white children? 

And did not the same Savior 

die to save the one as well as the other? 

 

If so, 

white children must know 

that if they go to Heaven, 

they must go there 

without their prejudice against color, 

for in Heaven 

black and white 

are one in the love of Jesus. 

 

Now children, 

remember what Sojourner Truth has told you, 

and thus get rid of your prejudice, 

and learn to love colored children 

that you may be 

all the children of your Father 

who is in Heaven.

All are One in Christ

These words are a fitting reminder of the truth of Galatians 3:27-29:

 

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

 

May the Lord grant us all his grace in every age and every culture to live as one in union with Christ and communion with one another by his Spirit.