Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/146

130 warmest friends of Mr. Carter was a colored woman named Katy Ferguson, born a slave in 1774. When she was but four years of age, her mother was sold to another master, and torn from her forever. Katy, in speaking of this cruel separation long afterwards, said, “Mr, B. sold my mother, and she was carried away from me; but I remember that before we parted we knelt down, and she laid her hand on my head and gave me to God.” When Katy was fifteen years old, she joined Dr. Mason’s church. Some of the members objected to having one of her color sit down with them at the communion table. Dr. Mason heard of this feeling, but said nothing until the time of the communion service, when he came down from his pulpit, and, passing along the aisle to the pew where the trembling Katy sat, took her by the hand, and, leading her forward, said, “Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; we have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all.” And seating her at the holy table, which was spread in the aisle, and around which according to Scottish custom the communicants sat, he said again, as he put into her hand the memorials of our Saviour’s love, and in a tone and manner that filled every heart with deepest emotion, “Eat, O friend! drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved!” The scene was most affecting and impressive, and most effectually accomplished the end desired.

Katy supported herself by making delicate confections for dinner and evening parties. She was a woman of