An essay on the phrenology of the Hindoos and Negroes ... / Together with strictures thereon, by C. Thompson.

  • James Montgomery
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the phrenology of the Hindoos and Negroes ... / Together with strictures thereon, by C. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SANDANEE S DREAM. Some years ago, two Negro youths were taken out of a vessel in the London docks, and brought to Sheffield by a benevolent lady belonging to the Society of Friends. They were placed under the care of Mr. William Singleton, who resided at a small village in the neighbourhood. By him they were instructed in reading writing, and other branches of useful learning; but above all, in the knowledge of the Scriptures, and the doctrines of Christianity, as held by the Friends, to qualify them to become teachers of their countrymen at some future time. Their conduct was credit¬ able, and their improvement satisfactory during the time of their schooling. About five years ago, they accompanied their kind patroness on a visit to West Africa, and by her were left among their kindred, with a fair prospect of fulfilling the hopes and expectations of their benefactors. The following was received from Mr. Wm. Singleton above- mentioned. The accounts of the Day of Judgment, which are to be found in various parts of the Scriptures, evidently suggested the scenery and circumstances of this dream. The personage styled “ the Minister,” no doubt, represents “the Judge of the quick and dead.” The form in which He appears, and the part which He and the Bible may be said to act in the tremendous drama, have not been exceeded in splended imagery, or sublime conception, by any thing in the writings of uninspired man; nor are they in the smallest degree degraded, but rather heightened, by the inimitable simplicity, and the beautifully broken English, in which the narration is given from the lips of the poor Negro lad. t / “8th Month, 7th, 1820. “ Last night Sandanee had a dream, which he related in language nearly as follows:— “ ‘ O Fader, when I sleep last night, I hear something like as it call me here, (laying his hand on his breast,) ‘ Sandanee! Sanda- mee ! look at this.’ “ ‘ Then I look, and see a great star there, (pointing backward.) O, I never saw such great star in all my life. When I look at him, I cry water from my eyes—I cannot look he so bright. “ ‘ Then the star go that way, (forward,) O so quick. And when the star go quick, the clouds all go away—some on this side, some on that side, and no sky left—but all fire in the middle, and very light with the star. And the star has great tail, and the tail go every way, and turn about, and when he go so very quick to the west, then he fall and make very great fire, and burn the trees, and burn every thing. And the fire make very great noise, and go over me, from the west to the east—and the clouds very red, and the ground all red. . ...
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