John Brown (May 9, 1800-December 2, 1859) was an abolitionist, reformer and northern martyr. In his efforts to free the slaves, he opened his barn in Pennsylvania as a station on the Underground Railroad, and even lived in a black community for a time.
He also took extreme steps, most notably the killing of settlers who believed individuals had the choice of enslaving a human life, and the seizing of the government arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
He was captured, sentenced, and on December 2, 1859, he was hanged. Labeled insane by some, he was called Saint John the Just by Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women.
At the end of a church service, in which the murder of the abolitionist publisher Elijah Lovejoy was recounted, John Brown stood up in the back of the church and declared:
<Here, before God, in the presence of these witnesses, I consecrate my life to the destruction of slavery.> 1800JB001
In a letter John Brown wrote:
<I commend you all to Him "whose mercy endureth forever," to the God of my fathers, "whose I am, and whom I serve." "He will never leave you nor forsake you." Finally, my dearly beloved, be of good comfort!
Be sure to remember and follow my advice, and my example, too, so far as it has been consistent with the holy religion of Jesus Christ, in which I remain a most firm and humble believer.
Never forget the poor, nor think anything in them is to be lost in you, even though they may be black as Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian eunuch, who cared for Jeremiah in the pit of the dungeon; or as black as the one to whom Philip preached Christ.> 1800JB002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1800JB001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Brown, statement. Richard O. Boyer, The Legend of John Brown (NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1973), p. 314. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea (Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1986), p. 402.
1800JB002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Brown, in a letter. Frank B. Sanborn, Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 580. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 55.