The Opium Addicted Pistol Toting Preacher Who Raised The First Federal African

The Reverend John Jasper was a larger-than-life figure in American history. He was a powerful preacher, a passionate abolitionist, and a close friend and advisor to Frederick Douglass. He was also an opium addict and a pistol-toting gunslinger.

W.G.: The Opium-addicted Pistol Toting Preacher Who Raised the First Federal African American Union Troops

by William Burtch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5988 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	137 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Jasper was born into slavery in Virginia in 1812. He escaped to freedom in the North in 1835, and he soon became involved in the abolitionist movement. He was a gifted orator, and his sermons were known for their fire and brimstone. He was also a fearless advocate for racial equality, and he often spoke out against the evils of slavery.

In 1843, Jasper was appointed pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Philadelphia. He quickly became one of the most popular preachers in the city, and his church was packed every Sunday. Jasper was known for his dramatic preaching style, and he often used props to illustrate his sermons. He would sometimes bring a gun to the pulpit, and he would threaten to shoot anyone who tried to harm his congregation.

Jasper's addiction to opium began in the early 1850s. He was prescribed the drug to relieve the pain of a toothache, and he quickly became addicted. Opium was a common painkiller at the time, but it was also highly addictive. Jasper's addiction soon began to take a toll on his health and his ministry.

Despite his addiction, Jasper continued to be a powerful voice for racial equality. He was a close friend and advisor to Frederick Douglass, and he played a key role in the founding of the Republican Party. He also helped to organize the first African American regiment in the Union Army during the Civil War.

After the war, Jasper continued to be a prominent figure in African American life. He helped to found the National Equal Rights League, and he served as the league's president for many years. He also continued to preach, and he remained a popular speaker until his death in 1891.

Jasper was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant orator and a passionate advocate for racial equality, but he was also an opium addict and a pistol-toting gunslinger. His life was a testament to the power of redemption, and he remains an important figure in African American history.

Additional Resources

* John Jasper National Historic Site * John Jasper * John Jasper

W.G.: The Opium-addicted Pistol Toting Preacher Who Raised the First Federal African American Union Troops

by William Burtch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5988 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	137 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE