Grace and Mercy Brought Us Through is loosely based on the life of my great-grandfather Rev. Aaron Davis. Rev. Davis was born into slavery and grew up during the Civil War. He received freedom with the Emancipation Proclamation and became a circuit riding minister with the Methodist Church in Mississippi. His life as a preacher is well documented, but little was known about his personal life. My Mother wrote a short story about her grandfather and she stated that his Mother was named Tena and his Father was named Indian Charlie. From this information I filled in the blanks and found a fascinating story that took me from Senegal West Africa, through the Middle Passage, through plantation life in Mississippi, through the life of Native Americans in Mississippi and the Black Seminoles in Florida and on to the life of a Black circuit riding preacher. With every word I wrote I realized that God's Grace and Mercy really did bring us through and made us strong people.

GRACE AND MERCY BROUGHT US THROUGH

By Phyllis Jean Robinson

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Phyllis Jean Robinson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-4121-2

Chapter One

Trinity Methodist Church, Chicago, Il.

"Good Morning Rev. Aaron", yelled Mother Grant as she rushed across the parking lot to greet Rev. Aaron Davis as he got out of his car. "And let me be the first to wish you Happy Birthday. How are you feeling this wonderful day? You look very handsome sir. You have a great day now, you hear! I've got to get in here and make sure everything is in good order for your special day. See you downstairs after service."

Rev. Davis smiled and said, "Thank you Mother Grant."

It was Sunday, August 19, 1946 a special day for Rev. Aaron Davis, a Black man who was about 5'10'' in height and weighed 180 pounds in his heyday. Today he stooped slightly, and he walked with a slight shuffle as he pulled up as tall as he could on his cane. His freshly cut hair was snow white and his brown eyes twinkled with delight when two young boys ran past and bumped him a little. "Sorry Rev. Aaron. Happy Birthday."

One of the missionary ladies, who nodded hello, saw what happened and she pulled their coat tails and said,

"Now you boys have got to be careful. Stop running. Walk like gentlemen."

"Yes Maam," said the young boys.

"Leave the kids alone, they did me no harm", said Rev. Aaron. "We better be glad that they are interested in coming to church."

"You are right about that, Rev. Aaron", she said as she shooed the boys away and rushed inside.

Rev. Aaron couldn't see things as clearly as once he could. But, for a man who had reached a century mark in his life, one would say he was doing quite well.

He was 100 years old today. He was being honored at a special morning service program at his home church, the Trinity Methodist Church on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. One of the premier Black churches in the city, Trinity could house approximately 400 people comfortably on its main floor and in its balcony. Its choir stand held about 100 singers and every Sunday it was filled with enthusiastic voices singing anthems, hymns and spirituals to the Glory of God.

Rev. Davis looked at the beautiful white stone building that was framed on both sides by tall, oak trees and accented with containers filled with colorful daisies, impatiens, snapdragons and trailing greenery. The fragrance of the flowers filled his nostrals with sweet smells and the yellows, pinks, lavendars, reds and blues of the flowers in the redwood containers were pleasing to his senses.

Neatly trimmed hedges lined the walkways and the freshly cut green grass and the formally trimmed evergreens showed the excellent skilled workmanship of the grounds keepers. A calming sound from the bubbling fountain and the fluttering and tweeting of the robins, sparrows and bluejays in the birdbath completed the serene Sunday morning scene.

A majestic white cross on top of the church steeple, the stain glass windows that told the religious story and the melodious bells chiming in the tower were all beacons that welcomed the parishioners who were coming to worship. Rev. Davis had attended many churches in his life time, but there was something especially friendly and welcoming about Trinity that he hadn't found as readily anywhere else he had attended.

His youngest daughter Annie took his arm and helped him out of their shiny, black Ford. "Here's your cane Papa, let's get inside before the crowd comes."

It was a short walk from the handicapped parking lot to the church and they made the trip in short order. From behind they heard Annie's husband Edward say,

"I was listening to the radio this morning and I heard the weather report. The weatherman said that it's supposed to get up to ninety degrees today. I believe it's close to that now. He was wiping perspiration from his face with the white handkerchief that he was carrying in his hand. "I hope it is a little cooler inside than it is out here. They are going to need plenty of extra electric fans in there to keep things cool."

A white Lincoln drove up and pulled into the parking space next to theirs. Liz, Aaron's oldest daughter, was driving. She poked her head out of the window and said, "Good morning family. Hi Papa, you're moving too fast, wait for us."

Liz, Scott, Rosie, Ben and James all got out of that car and rushed to catch up.

"Well, we surely don't want to be late for this special day," said Rosie. "I'm glad it's not raining. It's so hot now that the rain water probably would evaporate before it hits the ground."

They arrived at the front door of the church at 10:45 on the dot. Entering at the front door was very important to Aaron because he vaguely remembered a time, long ago, when he was unable to enter through the front door of the house of God. He remembered that only White people could go in the front door and when they entered they could sit where ever they wanted to sit. Black people had to go in the back door and sit up in cramped quarters up in a balcony in the rafters of the church. He remembered feeling very uncomfortable in that place and he didn't like that feeling at all. Because of that experience, he never again entered through the back door of any church nor would he sit in its balcony.

The head usher, Brother Moses Jones was waiting at his post with a big smile on his face. "Good morning Davis family. Hello,

Rev. Davis, Happy Birthday! We are giving you a special seat today."

Annie had pep in her step and a smile on her face as she followed behind Aaron and Brother Jones. She was wearing a crisp white, linen shirt dress, black kid gloves and black patent leather pumps with a fashionable purse to match. Her wide brimmed, black Milan straw hat made a statement of class to the church members who waved and looked on as she and the other family members made their way down the aisle. Brother Jones led the family down the red carpet of the center aisle and seated them in the front pews. He passed a program and a cardboard fan to each member as they passed him and took their seats. The grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and close friends filled in the pews directly behind them. Annie had to `shush' them and remind them of proper demeaner as they clamored noisily to get to their favorite seat so they could see what was going on.

"I can't see cause Aunt Myrtle got on that big hat she always wears," blurted out little Eddie. Aunt Myrtle was wearing her favorite floppy, natural straw hat. She had paid quite a bit for this stylish, Mr. John original and she intended to get her money's worth so she wore it every chance she got and little Eddie was not the only one to complain about it's size.

This floppy natural straw hat made her look mysterious and she loved how special she felt when she wore it. She had heard what little Eddie said and she started to say something to him; but she decided to ignore his remarks as she thought about the fact that he was much too young to understand fashion and style. Instead of making a scene, she opened her program and started reading. She looked up and smiled when she saw his Mother, Annie, coming down the aisle to chastise him.

Annie came back and spoke to little Eddie. "You have got to be quiet in church, honey. Don't embarrass the family. Now sit back and be nice or you are going to have to come up front and sit next to me."

Little Eddie didn't want to sit next to his Mama, like a baby, even if he would be able to see everything, so he sat back...