After the emancipation of the slaves, the freed men exhibited a great desire to learn to read and write. One old uncle desired to learn to read that he might read the Bible, but cared nothing about writing. When first able to spell out the words, he studied out the verse, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). In the midst of the verse his feelings overcame him and he said, “Is dis ra’al? Is dis surenuff word ob de Lord?”
“No doubt about it,” said his teacher.
“And Uncle reading it for hisself!” When he had finished reading the verse, he said, “Now, if old Uncle dies, he kin go up dar, and tell de good Lord Jesus dat he read in His book, ‘Whomsumevar b’lieves on Him shan’t perish, but hab eberlasting life’; and de Lord knows dat Uncle Sam b’lieves on ‘m, and he read it for hisself in His own book.”
ML 08/06/1961