Henry Garnet

He was the first African American to speak in the House of Representatives chamber. He was born into slavery in Maryland but escaped with his family to freedom, aided by the Underground Railroad. The school he attended was burned to the ground by an angry mob who disapproved of educating black children. Yet Henry Highland Garnet (1815-1882) persevered. After graduating with high honors from an integrated school, he was ordained in the Presbyterian church and served a congregation in Troy, NY where he was known as a passionate abolitionist and accomplished orator. He came to pastor the 15th Street Presbyterian Church in DC in 1864. The House of Representatives, following the lead of the Senate, passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery on January 31, 1865. Despite rules about decorum in House chambers, the victory incited a jubilant celebration. The House chaplain invited Garnet to speak at a worship service commemorating the adoption of the 13th amendment on Sunday February 12th. In those days, the House chambers could be used for such gatherings when the legislative body wasn’t in session. Garnet arrived with the choir from 15th Street Church. Let’s just say they rocked the House! Henry’s sermon, “Let the Monster Perish,” was based on Matthew 23.4, when Jesus condemned the Pharisees for tying up heavy burdens on people which they couldn’t themselves lift. He drew parallels between the Pharisees and those maintaining the institution of slavery. His words rang out to the standing room only crowd, “Let slavery die. It has had a long and fair trial. God himself has pleaded against it. The enlightened nations of earth have condemned it. Its death warrant is signed by God and man. Do not commute its sentence. Give it no respite, but let it be ignominiously executed.” He charged the mixed race gathering with a mandate to “emancipate, enfranchise, educate.” The final few paragraphs of his sermon read like a prayer. I have reworked his words into prayer: