To Have a Hope in Jesus

Two great people in history who displayed the beauty, truth and love of Jesus Christ...
Catherine (Katy) Ferguson
Born on a schooner travelling from Virginia to New York, Catherine Ferguson knew firsthand what an enduring faith amid hardship was all about. Her mother was a slave, and Catherine was enslaved until age 16, when two Christians purchased her freedom.
For the first eight years of her life, Catherine’s mother trained her beloved daughter with a love for the Scriptures. Even after her mother was sold, Katy faithfully attended church, and became a member of Murray Street [Reformed] Church in New York City.
Catherine married around the age of 18, but lost her husband and two children to illness. Nevertheless, Katy kept her trust in the Lord, and continued to follow Christ and do the work of His Kingdom.
Katy (as she was fondly known) worked as a washer woman and later ran a confectioner’s shop. Her earnings were poured into feeding, clothing and educating poor children, both Black and white. She also sought families to adopt those who were orphaned.
As if that wasn’t enough, Katy established the first Sunday School in the city in the basement of the church house. When the minister saw that Katy needed help, he provided assistants to teach the children to read and write. Twice a week she held a prayer meeting in her home for children and unchurched adults; something she did for 40 years.
Katy grieved for those who suffered because of their own sins, some of which caused their poverty. She said: “The ruination of both white and colored people, in this city, is*gambling. I told one of them, that*I*would never do it; that I had rather live on bread and water.”
The Evangelical Guardian (November 1846), records of some strife within the members regarding Catherine Ferguson’s affiliation with the church. Some well to do [white] women objected to Katy and her cousin (a young man who was a new believer in Christ) taking communion at the same table as the rest of the church. Here is how the minister handled the situation:
“When the day for the communion came round, and the people were about to take their seats at the Lord’s table, the Doctor came down from the pulpit, and taking the two colored persons by the hands, he said, ‘This is my brother, this is my sister. He that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister and mother. In Christ Jesus, there is neither Greek, nor Jew,—Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free,’ and then led them forward to the table and set them down ‘first of all.’ This was the result of the Doctor’s reflection on the subject, and it settled the question forever.” [excerpted from*The Evangelical Guardian, vol. IV, no. 6 (November 1846): 285.]
Katy was about 80 years of age when she died of cholera. She had not felt well for a few days, and visited a doctor. The illness took her quickly, but her mind and spirit were strong. “Oh,” she sighed with joy, “what a good thing it is to have a hope in Jesus!” It is recorded that her last earthly words were, “It is well.”
Of her life, one writer said, “The secret of Katy’s usefulness was her fervent, uniform, and consistent piety. No one could be with her, even for a little while, without feeling its influence. The love of God was shed abroad in her heart, and it found expression in acts of benevolence to his children.”
Elisha A. Hoffman
The name Elisha Hoffman may not be a household word in most homes, but the place he served in 19th century Christianity still blesses many today.
Author of over 2000 hymns, some of Elisha’s songs are still loved and sung in many churches and homes. These are hymns depicting a living faith, joyful and vibrant. They include: “Over the Rolling Sea” (a missionary hymn), “Are You Washed in the Blood?,” “Where Will You Spend Eternity?,” “I Must Tell Jesus,” and “Open the Wells of Salvation.”
Though not formally trained in music, Elisha wrote not only the words, but also the tunes of many of his hymns. This love of song came naturally for Hoffman, who grew up in a strong Christian family who joined together each day for family worship. Hymn singing took an important part of this daily devotion, and was seen by the Hoffman’s as natural to the soul as it is natural for the body to breathe.
A widower at 34, Elisha was left with three sons to raise alone. During his time of bereavement, he and another widower, A.J. Showalter, wrote together “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” Six years later, he married again, to a woman of 26. He and Emma had two children together, adding to Elisha’s three.
Elisha always had time for the needy and down-trodden. Once, when a poor woman was overwhelmed with her difficult circumstances, she cried out, “What shall I do?” Kindly, the old pastor told her, “You must tell Jesus.” The light of faith dawned on her face and she answered, “Yes! I must tell Jesus!” Those words echoed in the minister’s heart all the way home, and found their way into a deeply comforting hymn that is cherished even today. Elisha Hoffman lived to about 90 years of age; full of years well-spent in service to his Lord.
by Tamra Lee, wife of Pastor David Lee, New Testament Fellowship