Author: Jared Brock
This is the edifying real-life story of “Uncle Tom”, Josiah Henson, who was a slave for 41 years of his life. Henson’s mother encouraged him to hear a local preacher—John McKenny. Undeterred by those who blocked access to hearing his first sermon, Henson “stood in the doorway and listened, transfixed; Henson had never heard a sermon before. McKenny preached passionately about the character of Jesus, asking the congregation to consider what kind of man dies for his enemies or sacrifices himself for others?” This inspirational presentation reflects the powerful freedom found in the Gospel.
Brock, J. (2019, June 10). Before ‘Uncle Tom’ Was a Bestseller, He was Josiah Henson. Retrieved from Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2019/june/josiah-henson-uncle-tom-slavery-underground-railroad-faith.html
Image: Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
Portrait of Josiah Henson, June 17, 1876.
