A Narrative of the Life of Rev. Noah Davis, A Colored Man | Page 9

new
life. The next thing was, how could the six hundred dollars be obtained
in six weeks. I had upon my subscription list and in pledges nearly four
hundred dollars. But this had to be collected from friends living in
Fredericksburg, Washington city, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
I left Fredericksburg, and spent a few days in Washington, to collect
what I could of the money promised to me there; and met much
encouragement, several friends doubling their subscriptions. When I
arrived in Baltimore, and made known the peculiar strait I was in, to
my joyful surprise, some of the friends who had pledged five dollars,
gave me ten; and one dear friend who had promised me ten dollars, for
this object, and who had previously contributed largely in the purchase
of myself, now gave me fifty. I began to count up, and in two weeks
from the time I commenced collecting, I had in hand four hundred
dollars. Presently, another very dear friend enquired of me how I was

getting along; and when I told him, he said, "Bring your money to me."
I did so. It lacked two hundred dollars to make the purchase. This, the
best friend I ever had in the world, made up the six hundred dollars,
and said, "Go, get your wife; and you can keep on collecting, and repay
the two hundred dollars when you get able."
I was now overcome with gratitude and joy, and knew not what to say;
and when I began to speak, he would not have any of my thanks. I went
to my boarding house, and shut myself up in my room, where I might
give vent to the gratitude of my heart: and, O, what a melting time I
had! It was to me a day of thanksgiving.
Having now in hand the six hundred dollars, and the promise of Mr.
Wright's security for three hundred more, I was, by twelve o'clock, next
day in Fredericksburg.
At first sight, my wife was surprised that I had come back so soon; for
it was only two weeks since I had left her; and when I informed her that
I had come after her and the children, she could hardly believe me. In a
few days, having duly arranged all things relative to the purchase and
removal, we left for Baltimore, with feelings commingled with joy and
sorrow--sorrow at parting with five of our older children, and our many
friends; and rejoicing in the prospect of remaining together
permanently in the missionary field, where God had called me to labor.
I arrived in Baltimore, with my wife and two little ones, November 5th,
1851, and stopped with sister Hester Ann Hughes, a worthy member of
the M. E. Church, with whom I had been boarding for four years.
The Md. Baptist Union Association was now in session here, and it
became my duty to prepare my church letter and missionary report, for
that body. The church had now been organized just three years;
commencing with only four members, including the pastor. Our church
statistics for the year, as reported, were: Baptized, 2; Received by letter,
2; Present number of members, 15.... Sabbath school much revived,
under the special efforts of several white brethren and sisters. Present
number of Sunday scholars, 50.
This year was a joyful one to me--my little church increasing, and the

Sabbath school flourishing, under the superintendence of the late truly
excellent brother James C. Crane, though he was with us but for a short
season. My wife and little ones were also with me, both in the church
and Sabbath school. I was a happy man, and felt more than ever
inclined to give thanks to God, and serve Him to the best of my ability.
My salary was only three hundred dollars a year; but with hard exertion
and close economy, together with my wife's taking in washing and
going out at day's work, we were enabled by the first of the year, to pay
the two hundred dollars our dear friend had loaned us, in raising the six
hundred dollars before spoken of. But the bond for three hundred
dollars was now due, and how must this be met? I studied out a plan;
which was to get some gentleman who might want a little servant girl,
to take my child, and advance me three hundred dollars for the purpose
of paying my note, which was now due in Virginia. In this plan I
succeeded; and had my own life insured for seven years for five
hundred dollars, and made it over to this gentleman, as security; until I
ultimately paid him the whole amount; though I was several years in
paying it.
Among the number that joined our little church, was a young brother,
Jos.