p. 35 | Old Isaac

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1861

Old Isaac.

AMONG the pleasant recollections of my childhood, very vivid and very precious is that of a visit at my father's house from Dr. David Nelson (now so widely known as the author of "Cause and Cure of Infidelity"), one of those holy men of later times, of whom, emphatically, it might be said, "He walked with God."

He had come to the Eastern States for the purpose of raising funds for the Quincy Institute, Illinois, of which he was the founder, and was to present his cause at our church the next Sabbath. He was very simple in his dress, and in his habits, and well do I remember how he looked as he walked in at our back door, just at dark, one Saturday evening, in a broad-brimmed hat, and long drab surtout, his only baggage a little black carpet-bag. He was tall, slender, and commanding in appearance; his first look, perhaps, a little stern to a child, though his character was most lovable, his smile very sunny, and his stories a never-failing source of amusement and instruction to old and young.

Although himself a slaveholder for many years, he could not feel that slavery was right, and when the colonization scheme was started, he entered heartily into it, hoping it would do away with the evil entirely; but soon satisfied it would never accomplish that for this country, he turned his attention to the duty of "immediate emancipation;" and after long and prayerful consideration of the subject, he consulted his wife about the matter, and they decided to set their negroes free at once.

So, calling them together, he told them his convictions of the sin of slavery, and that he had decided to give them free papers. Their joy was unbounded, and he was overwhelmed with their vociferous exclamations of "tank you, massa! tank you massa!"

"Old Isaac," as he was called, was a very stupid, careless, indolent fellow, who seldom did anything right, even when he was told. If sent to the barn to feed the horse, he was sure to leave the measure where the horse would kick it over, and everything he undertook seemed to go wrong. So Dr. Nelson and his wife conscientiously concluded it would not be right to set Isaac adrift, for he never could take care of himself, and would be in danger of starving.

Soon after, the Doctor began to reason with his neighbors on the sin of slaveholding, and the duty of emancipation, appealing to his own example as evidence of his sincerity. They replied he had not liberated all, as Isaac was still a slave.

Dr. Nelson said that it was very true, and that for conscientious reasons he did not think it would be right to turn off such a stupid fellow, and he retained him merely out of pity for him.

"That's just the case with our niggers," they replied. "They cannot take care of themselves, so we keep them for their own good!"

Dr. Nelson was in a quandary. He saw he must liberate Isaac, at all events, if he would have any influence with others in the matter. So he went to him, as he sat in the kitchen one day, with the same leaden look upon his face, seeming more asleep than awake. "Isaac," said Dr. N.

"Yes massa," drawled Isaac.

"I've been thinking of giving you free papers." (Isaac looked up rather wonderingly.) "But I'm afraid if I do you will suffer." (Isaac opened his eyes wider than before.) "I don't think you can take care of yourself; I have no idea you can." (Isaac looked anxious.) "But I've made up my mind to set you free." ("Oh, tank you, tank you, massa!") "And Isaac if you ever get hungry, just remember there is enough to eat in my kitchen, and come and help yourself."

Isaac no sooner realized that his master was in earnest than his face lighted up, and he burst out, "Oh, tank you, tank you, massa; freedom is de sweetest ting in de wide world, massa!"

He took his papers and left, and for some months Dr. Nelson heard nothing of him. But one day, as he was traveling, he saw some one approaching on horseback. As he drew near, the "ivory" began to shine, the eyes rolled about in rather an unusual manner, and who should the stranger be but "Old Isaac!" Not Isaac the slave, but Isaac the freeman,—in a new suit of clothes, and with a face no longer stupid, but full of the consciousness and importance and happiness of his new life. He was quite overjoyed at meeting his old massa.

"And how do you like freedom, Isaac?"

"Oh, massa, freedom sweetest ting in de wide world! sweetest ting in de world, massa!"

"But what have you been doing, Isaac?"

"Oh, me bin to work; me got forty dollars in me pocket; me own dis brack pony; tell you what 'tis, freedom is de sweetest ting in de world, massa!"—And Dr. Nelson said he never afterwards doubted that any slaves, with the motives of freedom to inspire them to work, could "take care of themselves."