Thomas Johnson 
(?1836-1921)
“The long night of affliction in the house of our bondage had passed, and that deeply desired and hoped for and prayed for time had come! The cries and groans and prayers of millions of poor and defenceless slaves, with the prayers of their friends in America, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and everywhere, had reached the throne of God. Innocent blood of murdered men and women and children had cried unto God from the ground, and He in His own time, which is always the right time and best time, and in His own way, which is the very best way, answered that cry.”
—Thomas Lewis Johnson, former American slave
More Online Resources
Twenty-Eight Years a Slave or the Story of My Life in Three Continents
By Thomas Lewis Johnson
Thomas Johnson: No longer a slave
America had a spiritual awakening while Thomas Lewis Johnson was a slave in Richmond, Virginia, but it didn’t end slavery. Not enough people realized that a judgment of God was coming because of this great national sin. People were getting saved but they did not apply their faith to corporate repentance on behalf of the nation, so God had to send a great Civil War less than four years later to free the slaves.
What we won’t see by revelation, God must send by tribulation. What new judgment is about to hit America? Will you consecrate yourself now so that you can hear His voice and repent for our nation?
Story of a slave's transforming conversion
In 1857, a slave named Thomas Lewis Johnson was in a state of desperation, walking the streets of Richmond, Virginia. His despair was deeper than his condition of slavery. He had a yearning inside for real contact with God. He wrote of his anxiety in his autobiography Twenty Eight Years a Slave:
“Matters came to such a pass that during the day I could scarcely speak to anyone; instead of being lively, and cheerful I was gloomy and nervous, and my master wanted to know what was wrong, and even threatened to send me to Georgia. But I had made up my mind that wherever I went I would not stop seeking religion until I found peace.”
As he was walking, he met another Black man who told him how to find Jesus. The words changed his life. He wrote:
“In the year 1857 there was a great revival in America. The coloured people thought the Judgment Day was coming. Everywhere we heard of great meetings and of thousands of souls being converted. In the Richmond tobacco factories, which employed many thousands of slaves, there were many converts daily. First one and then another of my friends would set out to ‘seek religion.’ . . .
“One day I met a coloured man in the street, named Stephney Brown. He was a Christian, and quite an intelligent man. He explained to me the simple Gospel. He told me to go to God, and say:
“ ‘Lord, have mercy upon me, a hell-deserving sinner, for Jesus’ sake; set me out your way and not my way, for Jesus’ sake.’ . . .
“As soon as my work was done for that night, and all was quiet, I resolved that, if I lived for a thousand years, I would never stop praying ‘for Jesus’ sake.’ I went into the dining room, fell down upon my knees, and said: ‘O Lord have mercy upon me, a hell-deserving sinner, for Jesus’ sake.’
“Then I became very happy. I got up and went into the porch. Everything appeared to be different to me. The very stars in the heaven seemed brighter, and I was feeling brighter and so very happy. I did not see any great sights, but there was an inward rejoicing. I had not done anything—I could not do anything—to merit this any more than the thief upon the cross, but my blessed Jesus had done it all; there was nothing for me to do.”
