[If The Woman of Colour was written by a Caribbean woman of color, she would not have been the first to have published in England. This poem, “written by a Mulatto Woman,” predates the novel by twelve years; however, there is nothing within the body of the poem that suggests the race of either the ‘brother’ or the speaker. Without the clarifying note at the beginning, contemporary readers would have assumed that the protagonists are both educated, pious, and white. The race neutral approach taken by this “Mulatto Woman” poet presents the startling possibility that educated women of color like her and Olivia could have published many such anonymous poems, articles, etc. in eighteenthcentury British texts. Furthermore, the decision to market the poet’s race and gender in the introductory note reinforces an idea that The Woman of Colour makes evident on a much larger scale: it is entirely acceptable, even desirable, to use a woman of color’s own voice to promote personal religious crusades such as missionary work as well as political ones like the abolitions of prejudice and slavery.]
The Evangelical Magazine for 1796. The Profits arising from the sale of this Magazine are applied to Charitable purposes. Volume IV (London: Printed by and forT. Chapman, 1796) 559
The following Lines were written by a Mulatto Woman, in the Island of Grenada, and sent to a Missionary on his removal from that Island to Jamaica, in the year 1794— [The information provided to contextualize the poem here as well as in the subsequent footnote could have been supplied either by the author or a source familiar with her.]
BROTHER, adieu! may heav’n your steps attend,
And ever from all ill your soul defend;
Shadow you as a cooling cloud by day, *
A cheering fire by night, to guide your way!
Should sore disease afflict your feeble frame,
May you have power to trust in Jesu’s name!
212 APPENDIX B
May pious friendly S—* her aid afford,
And in the dear disciple, serve her Lord!
O! may you find in her a hand and heart,
That will in all your sorrows bear a part!
Such as poorWEASIL found t’assuage his grief, When angel-like she minister’d relief.
I trust your way is sanctioned from above,
That God hath pointed out your quick remove: Obedient, rise at his command and go,
And by his grace sit loose to all below.
Bind on your armour, stand in his great might,
Go scatter all around the Gospel light:
O! fix on Christ a single steady eye.
And on his cross let self and nature die.
Be ev’ry wish resign’d to him alone.
And daily cry, O Lord! thy will be done!
So may your soul be fill’d with faith and love, Your mind replete with wisdom from above;
The Spirit’s unction on the word attend,
And by its energy hell’s kingdom rend.
I fain would humbly drop a word or two,
Far from intending to dictate to you:
Believe, your good its only aim and end,
And say, let God, by whom he chuses, send.
Has it pleas’d Providence to cast your lot.
Among the unenlighten’d and untaught?
Behold them truly precious in his sight.
Who sinners calls from darkness into light;
And never, never with the world, despise
The soul Christ purchas’d when he clos’d his eyes.
Ever abhor the smiles of worldly fame;
Among the poor diffuse the Saviour’s name;
Keep in your mind a gracious filial fear.
Lest the ungodly’s food become a snare;
Be on your guard against the subtle arts.
Which steal from God unwary youthful hearts;
Let not entanglement from female charms
Bereave you of your locks, and bind your arms; Guard your affections from a vain delight,
In those shut up in sin and error’s night.
Lest the unequal yoke you should put on,
And you, (tho’ twain) will have to walk alone. O! may you daily antedate that rest,
Which, seeking, you shall find among the blest. Rejoicing, trust the promise of his word,
And humbly wait the coming of your Lord.
214
APPENDIX B