A Christian Negro's Thanks and Prayer, by Bernard Barton
O Father of the human race!
The white, the black, the bond, the free;
Thanks for thy gift of heavenly grace,
Vouchsafed, through Jesus Christ, to me.
This, 'mid oppression's every wrong,
Has borne my sinking spirit up;
Made sorrow joyful, -- weakness strong,
And sweetened Slavery's bitter cup.
Hath not a Saviour's dying hour
Made e'en the yoke of thraldom light?
Hath not thy Holy Spirit's power
Made bondage freedom; -- darkness bright?
Thanks, then, O Father! for the gift,
Which through thy Gospel Thou hast given;
Which thus from bonds and earth can lift
The soul to liberty and Heaven.
But not the less I mourn THEIR shame,
Who, mindless of Thy gracious will,
Call on a Father's -- Saviour's name,
Yet keep their brethren bondsmen still!
Forgive them, Lord! for Jesus' sake;
And since THE SLAVE Thou hast unbound, --
The chains which bind the OPPRESSOR -- break,
And be Thy love's last triumph crowned!
Bernard Barton
Woodbridge,
4th of 5th Mo. 1826.