Phyllis Wheatly is really one great woman. She wasn't born a slave but she was stolen from Africa and brought to Boston and sold as a slave. Her life shows nothing but the providence of God because her masters recognized her talents and intelligence and allowed her to become educated. She became the first woman to publish poems in the United States. She was also Christian. How? We live in a day where people wonder how did people like her become Christians and take on the religion of their oppressors? The answer: They didn't. They put their faiths and lives in the hands of God not in the religion peddled by their oppressors. I admire her greatly. I think Mrs Wheatly had a handle on (a relationship and understanding of) God so many of us don't have today. She understood that God is in complete control of everything and understood that despite her struggles and suffering as a slave God had a purpose for her life and she praised God for what He did for her. Here is a poem she wrote. It puts my problems and my faith to shame inspiring me to do better.
On Being Brought from Africa to America
'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
Phillis Wheatley - Wikipedia
