Jupiter Hammon, born on October 17, 1711, is recognized as the first published African American poet in North America. A lifelong slave, he used his literary talents to express faith and advocate for emancipation. His notable work, “An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries,” was published in 1761.
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Today on Celebrate the Bible, we’ll take a look at a man considered the first African-American Poet in the early United States.
Jupiter Hammon was born on October 17, 1711. He was an American writer, poet, and preacher. He is recognized as the first published African American poet in North America.
Hammon was a lifelong slave to the Lloyd family on Long Island, New York. He used his literary talents to express his faith. He navigated the complexities of slavery and advocated for the emancipation of enslaved people.
Jupiter was born into slavery at the Lloyd Manor on Lloyd Neck, Long Island. He was the son of Obadiah and Rose, who were among the first enslaved people purchased by Henry Lloyd.
He learned to read and write. He was educated alongside the Lloyd children. This education was likely provided by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
This enabled him to work not just as a farmhand. He also worked as a commercial clerk and bookkeeper for the family.
Jupiter was a devout Christian whose work was heavily influenced by the religious revivals of the 18th century. His writings often blended evangelical Christian themes with his experience as an enslaved person.
This brings us to the piece I am showcasing today: “An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries” (1761). This was his first published poem, written on Christmas Day, 1760. It was published as a broadside in early 1761. He became the first African American to publish literature in the United States.
Only one known copy of this broadside exists. It is in the collection of the New York Historical Society. The copy that I have in the Celebrate the Bible collection, is a printed facsimile from that piece.
If you would like to see photos of this broadside, please visit my WordPress page at celebratethebible.com. If this story is no longer on the front page, type “Jupiter” into the search box. The search box is located at the bottom of the page.
I will include a link or two below. This way, you, the listener, may pursue additional information on both Jupiter Hammon, and his writings.
For this broadcast, I would like to read an excerpt from the copy that I have. The poem is shown in its entirety at the web page.
Here are the first ten stanzas to An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries, written in 1760.
As follows:
— Salvation comes by Jesus Christ alone,
The only Son of God;
Redemption now to every one,
That love his holy Word.
— Dear Jesus we would fly to Thee,
And leave off every Sin,
Thy Tender Mercy well agree;
Salvation from our King.
— Salvation comes now from the Lord,
Our victorious King;
His holy Name be well ador’d,
Salvation surely bring.
— Dear Jesus give they Spirit now,
Thy Grace to every Nation,
That han’t the Lord to whom we bow,
The Author of Salvation.
— Dear Jesus unto Thee we cry,
Give us the Preparation;
Turn not away thy tender Eye;
We seek thy true Salvation.
— Salvation comes from God we know,
The true and only One;
It’s well agreed and certain true,
He gave his only Son.
— Lord hear our Penitential Cry:
Salvation from above;
It is the Lord that doth supply,
With his Redeeming Love.
— Dear Jesus by thy precious Blood,
The World Redemption have:
Salvation now comes from the Lord,
He being thy captive slave.
— Dear Jesus let the Nations cry,
And all the People say,
Salvation comes from Christ on high,
Haste on Tribunal Day.
— We cry as Sinners to the Lord,
Salvation to obtain;
It is firmly fixt his holy Word,
Ye shall not cry in vain.
Additional Stanzas:
— Dear Jesus unto Thee we cry,
And make our Lamentation:
O let our Prayers ascend on high;
We felt thy Salvation.
— Lord turn our dark benighted Souls;
Give us a true Motion,
And let the Hearts of all the World,
Make Christ their Salvation.
— Ten Thousand Angels cry to Thee,
Yea louder than the Ocean.
Thou art the Lord, we plainly see;
Thou art the true Salvation.
— Now is the Day, excepted Time;
The Day of Salvation;
Increase your Faith, do no repine:
Awake ye every Nation.
— Lord unto whom now shall we go,
Or seek a safe Abode;
Thou hast the Word Salvation too
The only Son of God.
— Ho! every one that hunger hath,
Or pineth after me,
Salvation be thy leading Staff,
To set the Sinner free.
— Dear Jesus unto Thee we fly;
Depart, depart from Sin,
Salvation doth at length supply,
The Glory of our King.
— Come ye Blessed of the Lord,
Salvation greatly given;
O turn your Hearts, accept the Word,
Your Souls are fit for Heaven.
— Dear Jesus we now turn to Thee,
Salvation to obtain;
Our Hearts and Souls do meet again,
To magnify thy Name.
— Come holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
The Object of our Care;
Salvation doth increase our Love;
Our Hearts hath felt thy fear.
— Now Glory be to God on High,
Salvation high and low;
And thus the Soul on Christ rely,
To Heaven surely go.
— Come Blessed Jesus, Heavenly Dove,
Accept Repentance here;
Salvation give, with tender Love;
Let us with Angels share.
And thus ends the reading for today.
So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible.com, this is Francis Douglas.
If you would like me to give a presentation at your church, school, gallery, or organization, for this America 250 celebration year, please let me know. My contact information is below:
You can reach the author at fd316@celebratethebible250.com
The topic I cover is the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America.
Your group will not only learn about it. They will also see, on display, pages from the most significant Bibles in American history.
I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
Additional Resources:
America 250 Semiquincentennial Bible Celebration 