John Jay Chapman's Essay On Coatesville

In John Jay Chapman’s essay, “Coatesville”, he expresses his horror and rage at the burning of a black man while hundreds of white onlookers did nothing. In this piece he states how the American people are bound to cruelty, during the age of slavery. Chapman originally addresses his primary thesis at a prayer meeting in 1912, were he establishes that all of America was to blame in the tragedy and that we are all guilty. This process of racism and prejudice had been extended for too long and with this horrific nature of crime over time, there is a personal accountability. All of us are tinctured by the wickedness of the inhuman crime for three hundred years. Being since there is a psychological effect on everyone in society, the legacy of slavery lives on. A nation cannot practice this type of behavior for three hundred years and then try to suddenly throw off the effects of slavery. Chapman calls for an awakening and a spiritual cleansing of America, calling for a revival of repentance to humble the hearts of the people. Collectively there is need for a new life and everyone needs to turn their life over to God. In Chapman’s argument he has a firmly held belief and …show more content…
Also describing the passive inactivity of nearby onlookers who did nothing to prevent the brutal act. An attempt to prosecute the chief criminals had been made, but had failed; because the entire community was really involved in the guilt. “The failure of the prosecution in this case, in all such cases, is only proof of the magnitude of the guilt, and of the awful fact that everyone shares in it.”(71) Leading to the author’s secondary claim stating that everyone is in need of repentance collectively in order for their sins to be forgiven. His secondary claim reveals that there is a demand for a mass revival. “It seems fitting …hold a prayer-meeting… mercy may flow into us,” Chapman states