Approach Method of the Study

1. The Picture of Puritan Afro American Community

In the beginning black people were imported from Africa as workers. They were treated as commodity for the sake of white land lord. Slavery in the United States started in 1619 when the first Africans arrived. In that year a Dutch vessel landed in Jamestown and the captain sold 20 blacks to Virginia settlers Pinkney 1. Slave trading was a common thing at that time. The landlord needed slaves because they had a lot of farms to be cultivated. The slaves were imported from many countries. They had different culture and language. Those were the reason why they managed to communicate each other and they formed a mixed language from their own community. The land lord also forced them to learn English for the sake of the land lord in ordering them to do something. Breaking the communication barrier, in this case language, gave them a new change in managing better life. This situation enabled them to form a community that strengthened them in the same feelings as slaves. Church was a place that became the foundation of Afro American community life. Church as the central of black community had a great role in motivating black people to get their freedom. Most of the freedom movements formed by black community were discussed within religious community of Afro American people. Church was the safe place. So, church was not only a place for praying or communicating with God, but also a place for sharing knowledge in managing freedom from slavery and solving problem they have. In the beginning, the Whites became the leader of black community as missionaries. Yet in progress, Black people chose their own preacher. Every men and women liked to be himself or herself an active member of the church and though their preachers were in a great degree their leader, these preachers were chosen by the people from the people Myrdal 860. This fact was clearly stated that Afro American community was a puritan community. Religious life is a base for their life although it was ironic. “Segregation in Christian church is an embarrassment in a religion whose central teaching is brotherly love and the golden rule. Preachers have to do a great deal of rationalizing as they expound their own gospel Myrdal 861. ” This situation is also pictured in Ruby as a community of Afro American people. In Ruby, the Church is the central life of the community. Religious and pure life is the dream of Ruby. They base their life on the rule of God. Ruby has its own preacher as the leader of Ruby. Listening to the preacher is one way to know God‟s will. Therefore some preaching is used in purpose of political intention. The domination of the Baptist church and the Morgans give clear picture of it. The Baptist was the largest congregation in town as well as the most powerful. So the Morgans sorted Reverend Misner‟s opinions carefully to judge which were recommendations easily ignored and which were orders they ought to obey Morrison 57. There is a conflict between the old generation and the young generation of Ruby. The conversation and how they deal with the problems arising give a clear picture of a puritan family in Ruby. So understand me when I tell you nobody is going to come along some eighty years later claiming to know better what men who went through hell to learn knew… “Wait now, Deek,” said Richard Misner. “Think what‟s been said. Forget naming – naming the Oven. What‟s at issue is clarifying the motto.” PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI “Motto? Motto? We talking command” … Destry, looking strained and close to tears, held up his hand and asked, “Excuse me, sir. What‟s so wrong about „Be the Furrow‟? „Be the Furrow of His Brow‟?” “You can‟t be God, boy.” Nathan DuPres spoke kindly as he shook his head … “God‟s justice is His alone. How you going to be His instrument if you don‟t do what He says?” asked Reverend Pulliam. “You have to obey Him.” “Yes, sir, but we are obeying Him,” said Destry. “If we follow His commandments, we‟ll be His voice, His retribution. As a people –“… “See what I mean? See what I mean? Listen to that You hear that, Reverend? That boy needs a strap, Blasphemy” Morrison 86-87 The religious principle or some people call it as the motto of Ruby community is “Beware of the Furrow of His Brow.” The rule which is inherited from their ancestors is undefeatable and absolute in keeping the purity of this community. The preachers of Ruby and also the Morgan family, in this case Steward Morgan and Deacon Morgan, keep this principle tightly and they insist that people of Ruby do not violate this principle. Conflict is unavoidable. Some people, most of them from the young generation, want to change the principle. They think that the principle is not appropriate with the situation they face. They want to change the principle into “Be the Furrow of His Brow.” The consequence is that it will change the habitual life of Ruby community and it maybe threat the position of the Morgan family in the society. Once again, Steward as the new father in Ruby strictly rejects the changing. He threats the young people harshly. “Listen here,” he said, his voice thick and shapely with Blue Boy. “If you, any of you, ignore, change, take away, or add to the words in the mouth of that Oven, I will blow your head off just like you was a hood-eye snake ” Morrison 87. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI Religious life and a lot of principles Ruby community influence the mind frame of its member. Keeping the purity and the old rule, although it seems to be feudalistic, becomes the characteristics of Ruby community. The situation changes after the massacre in the Convent happen.

2. The Role of Preachers in the Afro American Community

There are several congregations within the Afro American Churches. The biggest church which had the biggest followers was the Baptist church. It got 41 from the total followers Myrdal 866. The other churches, ranked from the higher to the lower followers after the Baptist church, are the Methodist, the Protestant Episcopal, the Roman Catholic, the Presbyterian, the Adventist, the Congregationalist, the Moravian, and Lutheran. Most black people in rural communities are affiliated with either Baptist or Methodist churches with Baptist outnumbering Methodist Pinkney 58. As previously mentioned, the religious leaders are mainly white people. Yet later on, each of the Afro American community has their own preacher from their own people. The role of preachers in Afro American community is definitely needed since the preacher of a church is also the leader of that community. As a leader, preachers have big responsibility for managing their followers. The development of Afro American church depends on how preachers attract the people to join their church as members. If they want to keep the continuity of their followers, the preacher must maintain a better life for their followers. It is not surprising when an Afro American community has a great PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI