Minister’s message: The Underground Railroad

Many slaves in the Southern states of America knew that up in the north, in the free states, slavery had been abolished. The journey there was long and hard and dangerous – there was little mercy shown to runaways.

But here and there, in the churches, there was help – a network known as the Underground Railroad – men and women willing to give shelter during the day and food and supplies for their night-time journey.

Railroad terms were used to describe it:

• conductors were those willing to help;
• stations were places to hide and sleep during the day;
• cargo referred to the slaves themselves.

In the cotton plantation churches, slaves heard Bible stories about the Hebrew slaves escaping the Egyptian chariots and making their way to the Promised Land. They heard the teachings and promises of the Lord Jesus offering forgiveness, rest and peace.

So biblical imagery was also used to describe escaping slavery:

• the Promised Land was Canada, where many slaves settled;
• the River Jordan was the boundary between the slave states and the free states;
• the Gospel Train referred to the network of help.

The spiritual songs sung on the plantations often described being ‘lifted up into the gloryland‘ or being ‘carried home‘, which described their heartfelt longing to be free.

Modern historians reckon between 30,000 and 40,000 freedom-seeking slaves settled in Canada after being helped by the Underground Railroad, much of which was made up of Baptists, Mormons and Methodists – followers of the Lord Jesus who, having experienced His grace and mercy, were themselves gracious and merciful.

Every blessing,
James Gatherer.

• Image: Routes of the Underground Railroad (Source)