From Slave Cabin To The Pulpit

Reverend Peter Randolph (c. 1825-1897) was a former African American slave who became a Baptist preacher. Born into slavery, he was freed and moved to Boston. He supported the anti-slavery movement, and preached throughout the US and Canada. He was the author of two books; Sketches of Slave Life (1855) and From Slave Cabin to the Pulpit: The Autobiography of Rev. Peter Randolph (1893).

Excerpt from From Slave Cabin to the Pulpit: The Autobiography of Rev. Peter Randolph; The Southern Question Illustrated and Sketches of Slave Life If to be truthful information on the subject of Slavery. G; 'slavery, we say, is dead; but the rising genera. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Negotiating Freedom : Writing the Emancipated Narrative -- Sketches of Slave Life, First Edition -- Sketches of Slave Life, Second Edition -- From Slave Cabin to the Pulpit -- Appendix -- Chronology

My friends, it is not the purpose of the writer to place before the public something to bias the minds of the people or instill a spirit of hatred. My book reveals in every chapter either the pathetic moan of slaves in almost utter despair, yet panting, groaning, bitterly wailing and still hoping for freedom, or of slaves with their hearts, lifted to God, praying for deliverance from the cruel bonds, the auction block, and years of unrequited grinding toil for those who had no right to their labor. Realizing, as I do, the injunction of the Lord Jesus, when he said, in Matthew VII, 12: "Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them, for this is the law and the prophets" my deliberations have been many and constant that God would take out of my heart all the spirit of retaliation or revenge. This is why my book has not been before the public years ago. I wanted to be assured of the fact that I could give to the world at least some thoughts that would not only be a remembrance, but would prove beneficial to all in whose hands this book may chance to fall. I would not have this all important fact pass from the mind and memory of men, that they should not give their consent, nor cast their ballot for the enslavement of any human being.