inal interpretation of supernatural
phenomena varying widely even in one individual from time to time.
Convinced of his supernatural calling, he felt inferior to no one in
the power of exegesis. As long as he held his balance and remained on
terra firma his followers believed in him as he believed in himself.
But as Lucius Little has well said: "Once in a while a colored
preacher lost his influence with his congregation by drinking too
deeply of the Pierian spring. Too much learning raised him out of
their orbit. They fell on stony ground." Strange, yet how true, that
the more ignorant a slave minister was, the more power of influence
for good he had among his fellow human beings.[378]

James Lane Allen has given us a splendid little sketch of three of
these native characters whom he evidently knew in his younger days:

"One of these negro preachers was allowed by his master to fill a
distant appointment. Belated once, and returning home after the
hour forbidden for slaves to be abroad, he was caught by the
patrol and cruelly whipped. As the blows fell, his words were,
'Jesus Christ suffered for righteousness' sake; so kin I."

Another was recommended for deacon's orders and actually
ordained. When liberty came, he refused to be free, and continued
to work in his master's family until his death. With considerable
knowledge of the Bible and a fluent tongue, he would nevertheless
sometimes grow confused while preaching and lose his train of
thought. At these embarrassing junctures it was his wont suddenly
to call out at the top of his voice, "Saul, Saul. Why persecutest
thou me?" The effect upon his hearers was electrifying:--as none
but a very highly favored being could be thought worthy of
enjoying this persecution. He thus converted his loss of mind
into spiritual reputation.

A third named Peter Cotton, united the vocations of exhorter and
wood-chopper. He united them literally, for one moment Peter
might be seen standing on his log chopping away, and the next
kneeling down beside it praying. He got his mistress to make him
a long jeans coat and on the ample tails of it to embroider, by
his direction, sundry texts of scripture, such as "Come unto Me,
all ye that are heavy laden." Thus literally clothed with
righteousness, Peter went from cabin to cabin, preaching the
Word. Well for him if th