“Yes,” replied his master; “he has been taking great
pains to learn to read for some time past, and can make out a chapter in the Bible pretty well, as my maid-servant informs me. He speaks English better than many of his countrymen, but you will find it a little broken. When will it be convenient that I should send him over to you?”
“To-morrow afternoon, sir, if you please.”
“He shall come to you about four o’clock, and you shall see what you can make of him.”
With this promise he took his leave. I felt glad of an opportunity of instructing a native of that land whose wrongs and injuries had often caused me to sigh and mourn; the more so, when I reflected who had been the aggressors.
At the appointed hour my Negro disciple arrived. He was a very young-looking man, with a sensible, lively, and pleasing countenance.
I desired him to sit down, and said, “Your master informs me that you wish to have some conversation with me respecting Christian baptism.”
“Yes, sir; me very much wish to be a Christian,” said he.
“Why do you wish so?”
“Because me know that Christian go to heaven when he die.”