Question

John Brown delivered this speech on the last day of his trial, after hearing the jury pronounce him ‘guilty.’ He knew he would be sentenced to die. Given that context, what does this speech say about him as a person?

Answer 1

He was prepared for the fate which God would provide--John Brown believed he had a mission from God and God would judge his mission.

John Brown believed God had blessed him to aid in the freedom of slaves. He states in the speech he never intended violence but only wanted to free slaves from their condition of slavery. He has accepted his fate and the work of the system in making their judgement. He is ready to accept his death as part of his bigger mission.