Thursday, April 05, 2007

Active Adventist #2?

She was married once and bore five children, all of whom were sold from her in their early life. Up to the time of her emancipation she served five masters and suffered all the hardships, deprivations and abuse common to slaves of that period.

She was called Isabella until she gained her freedom when she asked God for a new name settling on Sojourner because of her many wanderings and Truth because she was to preach the truth as to the iniquity of slavery, and because, as she says, "God is my master and His name is Truth and Truth shall be my abiding name until I die."

Although nearly ninety years old, she made several visits to the White House to request and urge President Lincoln to enlist the free colored men of the north in defense of the Union. He gave her audience and promised to consider the matter. Shortly after, Mr. Lincoln and Congress gave consent; and Negro soldiers, north and south, were fighting for their freedom.

Though her baptism is questioned by some historians, it is generally accepted that Sojourner Truth (Isabella Van Wagener), the famous abolitionist, was a Seventh-day Adventist.* She was acquainted with Adventist teachings, knew early church leaders like Ellen White, John Byington, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and spoke at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and several other church gatherings. Her grave is in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek near the White family burial place. For more info, see Homespun Heroines and Other Women of Distinction by Hallie Q. Brown by clicking here or the picture above.

*From: Delbert Baker, In Search of Roots on "Roots: Adventist African-Americans" website on website of Oakwood College (a Seventh-day Adventist college in Huntsville, Alabama). Click here for more info.

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