James Wilson made some remark I could not understand, but finally said
that as I had come home he had some work for me to do before I could
hire myself out. I felt somewhat easy in my mind, and waited to be set
to work. But when he afterwards told me he wanted me to take a load of
cotton to Memphis, my heart misgave me, I felt sure, in my mind, that I
was to be sold from the slave-pens at Memphis. The grand trial time had
now come for me, and the teachings of my mother and uncle Ben and uncle
Jack before and at our final separation came to me in full force. They
taught me, before I could read for myself, that in trouble I should rely
implicitly on the help of my Savior, and that I should pray without
ceasing. To God I immediately turned for guidance and help, and asked
that my every step might be directed by him, and that he should protect
me from my enemies and persecutors.

I felt that I was being persecuted for Jesus' sake, for I was promised,
time and again, that if I would quit preaching and talking to the slaves
on religious subjects, I should be advanced and my life made easy and
comfortable. I refused the offers, because my Master's work was of more
importance than my ease. I was impressed, deeply, with the great
responsibilities resting upon me, and was determined to preach and teach
while I had strength and opportunity to do so. I may have been mistaken
with regard to the cause of my persecution by the Wilsons, but I think
not. I do not really believe that any one is persecuted for Christ's
sake in this day and age of the world, in a Christian country, except in
the South before the rebellion. I have heard men, and, I am almost
ashamed to say, preachers, proclaim that they were persecuted because of
their adherence to the cause of Christ, when they were not persecuted
at all on any account, except probably on account of some wrong act of
their own. Paul and the apostles were persecuted, and early Christians