The narrative illustrates the inconsistencies in Christianity of that time, but also the undying faith that many people, especially the slave, had. These inconsistencies are most evident in the way the tyrants saw God verses the way slaves saw God. The tyrants thought that God had placed Africans on this earth to be of service to them, that they were doing them a favor by enslaving them and that they could not survive without their masters. This is illustrated by the wealthy, elderly lady on the train who says, “for niggers never know what is best for them” (63) and later continues this by explaining that her son is a Christian minister and that her “son knows what’s best for the niggers; he has always told me that they were much better off than the free niggers in the North.” (66) This minister and man of God truly believes that slaves cannot take care of themselves properly and that slaveholders are doing them a favor.

In contrast, William has a very different idea on his life as a slave and Gods roll in that life. He and his wife risk everything to be freed, leaving their life in the hands of God. With every obstacle they pass, he praises God and attributes his successes to Him.

The differences in the Christianity displayed in this narrative is also evident in the way William does no wish revenge or suffering for the people who have done so to him; he wishes for God to forgive them and that their souls may be saved. However, the slaveholders have a very vengeful spirit. Even the elderly woman from the train, with a minister for a son, who has no wants to needs still feels that if her runaway slaves ever returned, she would “cook their infernal hash, and tan their accursed black hides well for them! God forgive me, the niggers will make me lose my religion!” (66) It seems that if anyone had any reason for revenge, it would be the slaves, and I am sure some did want or seek that revenge, but the way the slaves nature and Christianity is displayed in this narrative is that of a forgiving soul.

One thing that does make it hard for me to analyze the faith of the slaves compared to that of the slaveholders is that we are given many different quotes from many different free people on Christianity and God, but the only views from the slave’s faith are that of the author’s. This makes me wonder if it is fair to assume that all slaves are such a strong relationship with their God as William and Ellen did. I wonder what other viewpoints from slaves in other narratives could offer to the comparison and discussion of Christianity.

Morgan McMahan