Page 84
76
JACOB HODGES.
masters and mistresses, for I dare not cal
you my brethren and sisters.' He then
spoke in most humiliating terms of him¬
self, apologizing apparently for saying
anything. He alluded distantly to his
own previous history, and spoke of what
he deemed his present insignificance in
the church and in society; but neverthe¬
less, he sought us to hear him, for the
sake of Jesus. ' Not for my sake,' said
he, 'for I am nobody, nothing but a with¬
ered and dry old leaf of the vine, away,
aivay off, lying out on the ground. And
now, my masters and mistresses, let a
poor old black African entreat you to
come up to the help of the Lord.'
" I can only say," adds Mr. Thompson,
'■* that the effect which followed Jacob's
address, was overwhelming. The very
house seemed to rock where we were.
All wept, and many sobbed aloud.
"When he concluded, summing up all,
Oy saying, ' Now the question is, will you
obey God—will you be for him—will you
rise and work?' I do not believe that