"This vault is erected by the 2d African Church, as a token of respect."
The following is upon a large stone table. The reader will
observe its date; but I must add that, while in North Carolina,
I heard of two recent occasions, in which public religious
services had been interrupted, and the preachers—very estimable
coloured men—publicly whipped.
"Sacred to the memory of Andrew Brian pastor of 1st colored Baptist
church in Savannah. God was Pleased to lay his honour near his heart
and impress the worth and weight of souls upon his mind that he was constrained
to Preach the Gospel to dieng world, particularly to the sable
sons of africa. though he labored under many disadvantage yet thought
in the school of Christ, he was able to bring out new and old out of the
treasury And he has done more good among the poor slaves than all the
learned Doctors in America, He was im prisoned for the Gospel without
any ceremony was severely whipped. But while under the lash he told
his prosecutor he rejoiced not only to be whipped but he was willing for
to suffer death for the cause of CHRIST.
"He continued preaching the Gospel until Oct. 6 1812. He was supposed to be 96 years of age, his remains were interd with peculiar respect an address was delivered by the Rev. Mr Johnston Dr. Kolluck Thomas Williams and Henry Cunningham He was an honour to human nature an ornament to religion and a friend to mankind. His memory is still precious in the (hearts) of the living.
"Afflicted long he bore the rod
With calm submission to his maker God.
His mind was tranquil and serene
No terrors in his looks was seen
A Saviours smile dispelled the gloom
And smoothed the passage to the tomb.
"I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth! Yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from the labours.
"This stone is erected by the First Colored Church as a token of love for their most faithful pastor. A. D. 1821."
