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The country of Liberia is much in the news right now. One of our Royal Treasure women is working today to meet physical needs and provide for spiritual leadership of a large group of refugees who look
to the possibility of returning to their homeland soon. Interestingly, another Christian woman had a hand in the development of that country nearly 200 years ago.
Coming to adulthood in the early 1800's, Emily Tubman's thinking was ahead of her time in respect to slavery that was common practice in this country. Using her Bible as her guide, she sought God's
direction in the matter and honed in on such scriptures as, "There is neither bond nor free...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28) Eighteen years before Lincoln's preliminary
Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, she was able to free her slaves. As early as the 1830's she and her husband were convinced that this was the right thing to do and when he died in 1836, his will stated
that he wished her to enjoin the legislature of Georgia for the purpose of making changes in the strict laws which forbade emancipation of slaves.
In 1844 she gave her slaves a choice of going to the new Republic of Liberia or staying in this country. She and her family undoubtedly were among those owners who treated their people with compassion and
encouragement and instilled Christian values because only about half elected to migrate. For the 69 of her slaves who chose to go to Liberia, she chartered a ship and contributed generously to a fund
which provided homes and supplies when they arrived. A grandson of two of her slaves, William V. S. Tubman, served Liberia as President from 1944 until his death in 1971. His leadership saw the most
progressive period in the history of the country, gaining international recognition, developing industry, schools and hospitals.
For the 75 slaves who elected to stay in this country, Emily provided land, clothing and regular provisions until they were able to suport themselves. She realized that legal freedom must be paired with
responsibility and understanding and was willing to help them until they made this adjustment.
Emily's family was from Virginia and Kentucky, but she spent most of her life in Augusta, the home of her husband, Richard C. Tubman where he made a large fortune as a planter and exporter of cotton,
indigo and tobacco. He was a generous husband, showering many luxuries on his beautiful wife and Emily became a distinguished and welcome addition to Augusta society. In addition to her social grace and
charm as a hostess, she was an earnest student of the Bible and her ideas on many social and spiritual issues came from her diligent study. In regard to her wealth, she often said, "I am a steward
of the Lord, and only hold this money in trust, and my supreme joy is to dispense it to advance His Kingdom or to relieve human suffering."
In 1836 Emily's husband died, leaving her his considerable fortune. She and a few others organized the First Christian Church in Augusta. Over the years she gave generously to this church as well as many
others in Georgia and Kentucky. As a major stockholder in the Georgia Railroad, she gave free transportation after the Civil War to weary Confederate soldiers returning home. She also fed and clothed the
families of many Confederate soldiers who died in the war. To encourage manufacturing and supply much-needed jobs in the Reconstruction Era, she helped establish a textile plant in Augusta. She gave
endowments to a number of private colleges and even sent money with a friend to help the poor of England and Ireland. Because she gave cheerfully and unostentatiously, she was much beloved by all who
knew her.
Emily Tubman was used by God to make a significant contribution in her community, her country and beyond. It is time that her contributions and that of similar women are known and appreciated.
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