Town Hall Reflection

The town hall meeting today was full of opinions as anti-slavery activists and speakers came together to attempt to persuade the town to join the abolitionist movement. Everyone at the town hall meeting took a different approach with some giving anecdotes about their own stories and others looking more at the impact slavery has on our country. 

While everyone's arguments took a stand against slavery, one really stuck out to me, Richard Allen. Mr. Allen was first to present at our Town Hall meeting, but his argument stuck out most to me. He is a very persuasive speaker which was only exemplified by his clear passion for the issue. 

I found Mr. Allen's argument the most compelling because he incorporated both a story about his life and a call to action which incorporated biblical ideals.

Richard Allen was born into slavery and fought hard for his own freedom. At a very young age he found himself under the control of Mr. Sturgis who was the new master of both him, his siblings and his parents after Mr. Chew sold them. Mr. Allen grew up without hope for a better day, but he still sought comfort in the Methodist church he attended.

Years later, Mr. Allen's plantation was visited by Reverend Freeborn Garrettson who shared the gospel with the slaves and planted to seed of anti-slavery ideals which would grow in Mr. Allen's head. 

Mr. Allen decided that he would make a deal with his master and work for his own freedom. Once Mr. Allen found himself a free man, he founded a church for other former slaves. He worked hard to make sure people found peace with the Lord as they entered their new lives. 

Mr. Allen's argument was also engaging for me because he focused in on God's view of slavery. During this time many people are using the Bible as evidence on both sides of the slavery argument, but Mr. Allen's was different.

He argued that the ideas of slavery that were planted into people's heads came directly from Satan. Mr. Allen also believes that God would never side with hatred, but instead work hard to seek freedom for his children.

In the end, Mr. Allen argued that slavery hurts both the master and the slave, so it should be abolished.

Overall, the town hall meeting was lovely. It was a joy to get to hear from so many others who are fighting alongside me to end this cruel practice. 

I will never forget the things I heard from Mr. Allen and many others as they spoke of their anti-slavery ideals and their own lives.