On October 30, 1859, Henry Ward Beecher preached a message at Plymouth Church titled, “The Nation’s Duty to Slavery”.  I will review this speech and attempt to draw some conclusions in reference to the question- “Is membership in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) a type of slavery?” My resource text for this speech is from “Classic Speeches” (Copyright 1965, Philosophical Library Inc.) “Henry Ward Beecher was born in 1813…the son of the famous Calvinistic minister, Lyman Beecher. His sisters, Catherine and Harriet, were successful writers, the latter the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” (page 2) He attended seminary and was the pastor for a time of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. “John Hay called him “the greatest preacher the world has seen since Saint Paul preached on Mars Hill.” (page 2)

     Without surprise, there will be those who are upset with even posing the question about membership at WOFF. However, I will attempt to make a case for the question. First, let us recognize some obvious differences between the slavery of years past the WOFF-life. Slavery in this country during the time of Mr. Beecher was not optional for the slaves involved, practically speaking. There were options to end one’s involvement in slavery but, to take them could cost your life. Some took those options and made the flight to freedom. Those who escaped left familiar surroundings and some even left their families behind to take the chance at freedom. The torment of not knowing if you would make it to freedom must have been small compared to the hope of a better life.

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