A narrative of the most remarkable particulars in the life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African prince, written by himself.
Gronniosaw, James Albert Ukawsaw
A NARRATIVE OF THE Most Remarkable Particulars IN THE LIFE OF James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, An African Prince, Written by HIMSELF.
I will bring the Blind by a Way that they know not, I will lead them in Paths that they have not known : I will make Darkness Light before them and crooked Things straight. These Things will I do unto them, and not forsake them,
ISAI, xli,16.
BATH Printed : NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND : Reprinted and Sold by S. SOUTHWICK, in Queen Street, 1774.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE Countess of Huntingdon, THIS NARRATIVE Of my LIFE, And of GOD's wonderful Dealings with me, is, Through Her LADYSHIP's Permission, Most Humbly Dedicated, By Her LADYSHIP's Most obliged And obedient Servant,
JAMES ALBERT.
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THE PREFACE To the READER.
THIS account of the life and spiritual experience of James Albert, was taken from his own mouth, and committed to paper by the elegant pen of a young Lady of the town of Leominster, for her own private satisfaction, and without any intention, at first, that it should be made public. But she has now been prevailed on to commit it to the press, both with a view to serve Albert and his distressed family, who have the sole profits arising from the sale of it ; and likewise, as it is apprehended, this little history contains matter well worthy the notice and attention of every Christian reader.
Perhaps we have here in some degree, a solution of that question that has perplex'd the minds of so many serious persons, viz. In what manner will God deal with those benighted parts of the world where the gospel of Jesus Christ hath never reached? Now, it appears, from the experience of this remarkable person, that God does not save without the knowledge of the truth ; but, with respect to those whom he hath foreknown, though born under every outward disadvantage, and in the regions of the grossest darkness and ignorance, he most amazingly acts upon, and influences,
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their minds, and in the course of wisely and most wonderfuly appointed providence, he brings them to the means of spiritual information, gradually opens to their view the light of his truth, and gives them full possession and enjoyment of the inestimable blessings of his gospel. Who can doubt but that the suggestion so forcibly press'd upon the mind of Albert (when a boy) that there was a Being superior to the sun, moon, and stars (the objects of African idolatry) came from the Father of lights, and was, with respect to him, the first fruit of the display of gospel glory? His long and perilous journey to the coast ofGuinea, where he was sold for a slave, and so brought into a Christian land ; shall we consider this as the alone effect of a curious and inquisitive disposition ? Shall we, in accounting for it refer to nothing higher than mere chance & accidental circumstances ? Whatever Infidels & Deists may think, I trust the Christian reader will easily discern an all wise and omnipotent appointment and direction in these movements. He belonged to the Redeemer of lost sinners ; he was the purchase of his cross ; and therefore the Lord undertook to bring him by a way he knew not, out of darkness into his marvellous light, that he might lead him to a saving heart-acquaintance and union with the triune God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself ; and not imputing their trespasses. As his call was very extraordinary, so there are certain particulars exceedingly remarkable in his experience. God has put singular honor upon him in the exercise of his faith and patience, which, in the most distressing and pitiable trials and calamities, have been found to the praise and glory of God. How deeply must it affect a tender heart, not only to be reduc'd to the last extremity
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himself, but to have his wife and children perishing for want before his eyes ! Yet his faith did not fail him ; he put his trust in the Lord, and he was delivered. And, at this instant, though born in an exalted station of life, and now under the Pressure of various afflicting Providences, I am persuaded (for I know the man) he would rather embrace the dunghill, having Christ in his heart, than give up his spiritual possessions and enjoyment, to fill the throne of Princes. It perhaps may not be amiss to observe, that James Albert left his native country (as near as I can guess from certain circumstances) when he was about 15 years old. He now appears to be turn'd of 60 ; has a good natural understanding ; is well acquainted with the scriptures, and the things of God ; has an amiable and tender disposition ; and his character can be well attested not only at Kidderminster, the place of his residence, but likewise by many creditable persons in London and other places. Reader, recommending this Narrative to your perusal, and him who is the subject of it, to your charitable regard,
I am your faithful and obedient servant, For Christ's sake,
W. SHIRLEY.
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An Account of James Albert, &c.
I WAS born in the city of Baurnou, my mother was the eldest daughter of the reigning King there. I was the youngest of six children, and particularly loved by my mother, and my grand-father almost doated on me. I had, from my infancy, a curious turn of mind ; was more grave and reserved, in my disposition, than either of my brothers and sisters, I often teazed them with questions they could not answer ; for which reason they disliked me, as they supposed that I was either foolish or insane. 'T was certain that I was, at times, very unhappy in myself : It being strongly impressed on my mind that there was some GREAT MAN of power which resided above the sun, moon and stars, the objects of our worship. -- My dear, indulgent mother would bear more with me than any of my friends beside. -- I often raised my hand to heaven, and asked her who lived there ? Was much dissatisfied when she told me the sun, moon and stars, being persuaded, in my own mind, that there must be some SUPERIOR POWER. -- I was
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frequently lost in wonder at the works of the creation : Was afraid, and uneasy, and restless, but could not tell for what. I wanted to be informed of things that no person could tell me ; and was always dissatisfied. -- These wonderful impressions began in my childhood, and followed me continually till I left my parents, which affords me matter of admiration and thankfulness. To this moment I grew more and more uneasy every day, insomuch that one Saturday (which is the day on which we kept our sabbath) I laboured under anxieties and fears that cannot be expressed ; and, what is more extraordinary, I could not give a reason for it. -- I rose, as our custom is, about three o'clock (as we are obliged to be at our place of worship an hour before the sun rise) we say nothing in our worship, but continue on our knees with our hands held up, observing a strict silence till the sun is at a certain height, which I suppose to be about 10 or 11 o'clock in England : When, at a certain sign made by the Priest, we get up (our duty being over) and disperse to our different houses. -- Our place of meeting is under a large palm tree ; we divide ourselves into many congregations ; as it is impossible for the same tree to cover the inhabitants of the whole city, though they are extremely large, high and majestic ; the beauty and usefulness of them are not to be described ; they supply the inhabitants of the country with meat, drink and clothes ; * the body of
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the palm tree is very large ; at a certain season of the year they tap it, and bring vessels to receive the wine, of which they draw great quantities, the quality of which is very delicious : The leaves of this tree are of a silky nature ; they are large and soft ; when they are dried and pulled to pieces, it has much the same appearance as the English flax, and the inhabitants of BOURNOU manufacture it for clothing, &c. This tree likewise produces a plant, or substance, which has the appearance of a cabbage, and very like it, in taste almost the same : It grows between the branches. Also the palm tree produces a nut, something like a cocoa, which contains a kernel, in which is a large quantity of milk, very pleasant to the taste : The shell is of a hard substance, and of a very beautiful appearance, and serves for basons, bowls, &c.
I hope this digression ...
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