Harriet Tubman: Faith and courage

Harriet Tubman (1821-1931) was a former slave in Maryland who risked her life to free over 300 Southern slaves during America’s darkest years, the slavery years. Her mission in helping to free slaves became known as the “Underground Railroad” and she was known as the “conductor.”

She was considered the Moses of her people, leading them out of slavery to freedom as far north as Canada where her people would be truly free. She made numerous trips back to Maryland to help free her sister and her sister’s family, three of her brothers, both her parents and many, many more. She was a Civil War heroine and remembered in honor. In fact, there are Harriet Tubman museums in Cambridge, Md., Washington D.C., Auburn, N.Y. (her northern home) and Macon, Ga., established in her honor. 

Harriet Tubman was small in stature, about five feet tall, and she was smart, courageous and strong. Yes, she even carried a long rifle to defend her “passengers” and the mercy mission of the Underground Railroad. 

Her Christian faith is expressed in the following quotations:

“I always told God: ‘I’m going to hold steady onto You, and You’ve got to see me through …’ Just so long as He wants to use me. He’ll take care of me, and when He doesn’t want me any longer, I’m ready to go.”

To her biographer, Sarah H. Bradford, Tubman related in 1868: “It was the Lord, I always told Him. ‘I trust You. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ and He always did.” 

Quotations are from “America’s God and Country, Encyclopedia of Quotations,” edited by William J. Federer, Fame Publishing, 1996, page 592.

Harriet Tubman was Moses to her people. She lived her faith, and she is held in honored memory by millions of Americans.

Peace!