Petition to the King of Denmark by Black Moravians in St. Thomas, 1739

This petition, written in 1739 from St. Thomas to the King of Denmark, provides a glimpse into the struggles of enslaved African people seeking to practice Christianity in the Danish West Indies. Addressed on behalf of a community of over 650 converts, the letter conveys their commitment to learning about Jesus despite severe persecution, including physical violence, imprisonment, and the burning of religious books. The petition makes a heartfelt appeal for the king's protection to continue their religious practices without interference.

Gracious Lord King!

Now our hope is that His Majesty the King will give the order that we may dare to continue to learn about the Lord Jesus. We have remained steadfast until now, as it pleases God the Lord, even though we are greatly oppressed by all. We endure beatings and lashings when we learn about the Savior, and books are burned. Baptism is called 'dog baptism,' and brothers are called 'beasts.' It is said that a Negro cannot be saved and that a baptized Negro is firewood for Hell.

Our brothers, especially Brother Martinus, whom God had already used among us, and who is one of the twenty brothers who survived (the rest have died), along with his brothers, have been imprisoned in the fort for over three months, and they want to banish them from the land. They now claim that it is His Majesty's order that Negroes may not know the Savior, and they say that Brother Martinus will soon be driven away. But we, etc., etc., pray to You: allow us to know the Lord and remain with the Brethren's Church, for we wish to go to the Savior with them. We want to be obedient to our masters in all things, except that we would rather send our souls to Heaven to be with the Lord Jesus.

Our Lord has rescued us; Maroons have run away, gone to Puerto Rico, been fugitives, and deceived the masters' expedition. But now it is all different with us, as the masters surely know. Many a Negro has endured having feet and hands cut off for standing firm. We will willingly lay down our heads for the congregation before the Lord Jesus if our masters wish to kill us, as they say.

May God the Lord bless our Most Gracious King a thousand times.

Written in St. Thomas, on February 15, 1739.

In the name of the more than six hundred and fifty black disciples of Jesus Christ whom Brother Martinus has taught, especially all those whom he has already baptized,

Pieter

Mingo

Andries

Abraham

Madlena

Rebecca, Malattinen

Anna Maria