Mission Driven Stories: Frederick Douglass

Audrey Rindlisbacher Podcast

"From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him, I offer thanksgiving and praise." ~Frederick Douglass From his childhood, though burdened down by incredible oppression, this inner belief that he could someday, somehow overcome slavery was a light and hope that Douglass nurtured. The incredible circumstances which led to a chance opportunity to begin learning to read, and the perseverance and tenacity he demonstrated in becoming literate, are remarkable. With little more than his faith in God and his determination, Douglass conquered reading and it transformed his life. Empowered with this new skill, the world was now open to him and he saw the circumstances of slavery for what they really were. Once mentally liberated himself, he longed for his brothers and sisters in slavery to experience the same freedom. Compassion and deep love led him to teach his fellow slaves to read--whoever was willing to learn--and to lead them in worshipping the God he knew was aiding them. Yet, although surrounded by loving friends, it eventually became clear to Douglass that he could no longer live the life of a slave. He must escape or die. Join Audrey this week as she shares the terrible hardships of Douglass' young life and the triumphant heights he rose to--aiding in the freeing of other slaves, consulting with authors and a U.S. President, sacrificing everything to make the world a better place. His story truly teaches us that when we love God and seek truth, we can be lifted from any oppression, and truly set free. Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 1:36 Birth and Early Years 4:44 The Master - Colonel Edward Lloyd 7:59 The Overseer - Mr. Gore 9:27 Learning to Read 11:47 Self-education 15:50 Frederick Douglass and the Foundational Laws 19:12 The Columbian Orator 22:22 Breaking the Slave 26:37 A Moment of Resolve 36:52 Teaching Slaves to Read 38:25 Attempt at Freedom 43:00 A Miracle - Learning a Trade 46:49 Final Escape 50:00 New Bedford 52:21 Summary of the Rest of His Life Quotes from this episode: “I did not, when a slave, understand the deep meaning of those rude and apparently incoherent songs. They told a tale of woe which was then altogether beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterest anguish. Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains." ~Frederick Douglass “And here I saw what I had never seen before; it was a white face beaming with the most kindly emotions; it was the face of my new mistress, Sophia Auld. I wish I could describe the rapture that flashed through my soul as I beheld it. " ~Frederick Douglass “Mr. Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. To use his own words, further, he said, 'If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master—to do as he is told to do. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now,' said he, 'if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave.