A negro, having been sold as a slave, was carried away from his friends and country, and taken to a strange land. There he heard the gospel, and soon gave evidence by his conduct that it had taken root in his heart. Having entirely won the confidence of his master, he was employed by him to choose some fresh slaves. Among them, on one occasion, was an infirm old man, whom the master, yielding to the earnest entreaties of his faithful servant, at length consented to purchase.
The old negro was taken by the Christian slave to his own hut, and was treated by him with the greatest kindness and respect.
The master wondered much at the conduct of his servant, and calling him one day, he inquired,
“Is that old man your grandfather?”
“No, massa, that man is not my grandfather.”
“Is he, then, some relation or friend?”
“No, massa,” was again the reply.
“Then what can make you take so much care of him?” asked the still more astonished planter.
“Ah, massa,” said the Christian, “that man was my greatest enemy; he seized me when I was free, and sold me into slavery. But,” continued he, “I have read in the Book, ‘Love your enemies, and do them good’; and, therefore, I am trying to do all I can to make him happy.”
ML 08/27/1944