Page:Black Jacob, a monument of grace.djvu/84

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jacob hodges.

masters and mistresses, for I dare not call you my brethren and sisters.' He then spoke in most humiliating terms of himself, apologizing apparently for saying anything. He alluded distantly to his own previous history, and spoke of what he deemed his present insignificance in the church and in society; but nevertheless, he sought us to hear him, for the sake of Jesus. 'Not for my sake,' said he, 'for I am nobody, nothing but a withered and dry old leaf of the vine, away, away off, lying out on the ground. And now, my masters and mistresses, let a poor old black African entreat you to come up to the help of the Lord.'

"I can only say," adds Mr. Thompson, "that the effect which followed Jacob's address, was overwhelming. The very house seemed to rock where we were. All wept, and many sobbed aloud.

"When he concluded, summing up all, by saying, 'Now the question is, will you obey God—will you be for him—will you rise and work?' I do not believe that