Janie B. Cheaney: The “life and faith” of Sojourner Truth

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Wednesday June 28th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Up next: reflections on the Christian abolitionist, Sojourner Truth.

A biography titled We Will Be Free: The Life and Faith of Sojourner Truth by Nancy Koester was published earlier this year. WORLD commentator Janie B. Cheaney now shares a few highlights of the book as she reflects on the woman’s “life and faith.”

JANIE CHEANEY, COMMENTATOR: She was an impressive figure, tall and plainly dressed, striding to the speaker’s platform. “I have a voice like a trumpet,” she said.

At birth she was named Isabella, the property of Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh in upstate New York. Her mother had seen several children sold away, and throughout her early life Isabella herself suffered a series of owners, some less harsh than others. But none had any regard for her feelings or her family, and her back bore the scars of severe beatings.

Emancipation came to New York in 1827, but Isabella’s last owner broke his promise to free her a year early. Taking matters into her own hands, she walked away (reasoning it would be a sin to run away) and took refuge with a devout Christian couple.

Isabella knew there was a God in heaven who heard her prayers, yet she became discontented and restless and even considered returning to slavery--until a shattering experience transformed her. In her Narrative, published in 1850, she recalled a vision of an overwhelming Presence who searched out her sins and weaknesses. When she could no longer bear the intense scrutiny, a “friend” appeared, stepping between her and judgment. To her repeated cries of “Who are you?” the answer finally came: “It is Jesus.”

The revelation led to a calling, realized on Pentecost Sunday, June 1843. “The Spirit calls me and I must go,” she told her employer. She would no longer be Isabella, but Sojourner—"because,” she said, “I was to travel up and down the land, showing the people their sins and being a sign unto them.”

Sojourner Truth never learned to read, so her Bible knowledge developed slowly and she never wholly outgrew certain perfectionist tendencies. Still, her testimony was heartfelt and profound. So was the impact of her powerful voice, natural wit, and imposing physical presence.

As her fame grew, she took up other causes, particularly women’s rights. But whatever the cause, Sojourner’s faith was her driving force and inspiration. “Christ Jesus lighted up my mind, and my soul filled with love,” she said--allowing her to forgive even those who beat her and sold away her children. After freedom finally came for her people, she turned to exhorting them to take responsibility for their lives: “You have freedom; you must now have regulation, or you are undone.”

Sojourner would probably be disappointed at the state of race relations today, but not in despair. Her faith would still look to the one who lighted up her mind and changed her heart. In one of her last messages, she said, “We are all the children of one Father, and He is God, and Jesus will be One among us. God is no respecter of persons, and we will all be as one.” That divine end may be a long time coming, but it is certain.

I’m Janie B. Cheaney.

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