The Thankful Child

The Thankful Child

I thank the goodness and the grace
Which on my birth have smiled,
And made me in my early days
A happy free-born child.

I was not born a little slave
To labor in the sun,
And wish that I were in the grave,
And all my labor done.

My God, I thank thee, who hath planned
A better lot for me,
And placed me in this happy land,
Where I may hear of Thee.

Now I will show that I am thankful. I will pity the poor slave. I will pray for him. I will save my money to give to the Anti-Slavery Society. I'll try not to eat any sugar or other things that the slaves are compelled to grow. When I see little colored children, I will be kind to them. I will consider them as good as others who behave well. God makes no difference, and I will make none. I will try to feel towards the colored people just as God feels towards them. This will be right. My conscience tells me so. I'll do it.

The Slave's Friend 1, p. 12

1.1.1836