An Ante-Bellum Sermon

The primary theme of Dunbar’s “An Ante-Bellum Sermon” is the inherent equality of all men and the universal right to freedom for all people. During Dunbar’s time, many white Americans believed themselves to be the superior race and believed that Black people were unintelligent, incapable of self-governance, and generally inferior (see: Contextual Analysis). Dunbar challenges those assumptions throughout his poem. His speaker, a Black preacher, teaches his congregation of fellow slaves that, in the eyes of God, they are no worse than any other race. He characterizes their race as the children of God, just like Israel was during their own enslavement. Because God saved Israel, the preacher knows that God will once again “he’p his chillun” (Line 23) and “sen’ some Moses / Fu’ to set his chillun free” (Line 32). The preacher insists the Lord’s “ways don’t nevah change, / An’ de love he showed to Isrul / Was n’t all on Isrul spent” (Lines 44-46). He understands the eternal nature of God means God’s love for the human race cannot have changed, and God will show the same love to Black slaves that he once showed to the Israelite slaves. Although