After coming to Philadelphia from Barbados, Benjamin Lay was known for using scare tactics to coerce people into rejecting slavery (he once even took a slaveowner’s son so that he could feel the pain of slaves who were separated from their families). In this speech, he does not hold back in voicing his strong opinions. Instead of using religion, Lay takes a different approach to attacking slavery and expressing how detrimental it is. Again, it is more than just the simple buying and selling of people that he sees objectionable. For him, the problem is deeper. What are some examples of Lay’s direct, “tell it like it is” tone? What effect does his writings have?
"I say, you are beyond Gospel, Law, Abraham, Prophets, Patriarchs, to the Devil himself, beyond Cain, for he murdered but one, that we know of, but you have many thousands, or caused them to be so, and for ought I know many hundreds of thousands, within 50 years. What do you think of these things, you brave Gospel Ministers? that to keep poor slaves to work for you to maintain you and yours in Pride, Pride and much idleness or laziness...How do these things become your plain dress, demure appearance, feigned humility, all but hypocrisy, which according to Truth's Testimony, must have the hottest place in hell...You go to your places ordained or appointed for you; so leave these poor unhappy creatures in their worn-out old Age, to your proud, dainty, lazy, scornful, tyrannical, and often beggerly children, for them to domineer and tyrannize. Dogs and cats are much better taken care of. I could almost wish such hardened, unthinkable, sinful devilish liars were put into their places, at least for a time, in a very hard service.
Many have said, they do not see it so great an Evil or sin...I think it is my duty to inform them what I can by word and writing, and then leave it to the Lord."
Definitions
Demure: shy
Feigned: pretend
Truth's testimony: God
Many have said, they do not see it so great an Evil or sin...I think it is my duty to inform them what I can by word and writing, and then leave it to the Lord."
Definitions
Demure: shy
Feigned: pretend
Truth's testimony: God