Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect… Before the time when Abraham Lincoln emancipated three millions of coloured people in the Southern States of America, there was one day a slave auction in New Orleans. Amongst the number was a beautiful Mulatto girl, who was put upon the "block" to be sold to the highest bidder, like a cow or a horse. The auctioneer, dilating on the graces of the girl, her skill in working, and the beauty of her form, asked for a bid. The first offer was five hundred dollars, and the bids quickly rose to seven hundred dollars. Then a voice called from the outside of the crowd, "Seven hundred and fifty dollars!" The slave owners thereupon advanced their bids to eight hundred, eight hundred and fifty, and nine hundred dollars. The bids continued to rise, but whenever there was a pause the unseen bidder offered fifty dollars more, and at last the girl was knocked down to him for 1,450 dollars. He then came forward, and, paying the money, arranged to receive delivery of the lot in the morning. The slave girl saw that her purchaser was a Northerner, one of the hated "Yankees," and was much disgusted to become his slave. The next morning her new owner called at the house, when the poor girl said with tears, "Sir, I am ready to go with you." He gently replied, "But I do not want you to go with me; please look over this paper!" She opened the paper, and found that it was the gift of her freedom. The Northerner said, "I bought you that you might be free!" She exclaimed, "You bought me that I might be free! Am I free? Free! Can I do as I like with myself?" He answered, "Yes, you are free!" Then she fell down and kissed his feet, and almost choking with sobs of joy, she cried, Oh, sir, I will go with you, and be your servant for evermore!" Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; |
    |