Ernest A. Jones SR Onesimus, the Run-Away Slave

Annotation

The main characters in this storycome from the Bible. I have taken alittle known man, Omnesimus, and formed a uplifting, high moral story. He is only heard of in the newtestament books of Philemon and Colossions. The Apostle Paul, who wrote Philemon sent thisletter to Philemon to help him show mercy to this run-away slave.This is a story that the youngwill enjoy! It has excitement, drama andlove but without language that would offend anyone. I have gleamed information from encyclopediasand from the Internet concerning the area in which this story takes place,gaining information about the climate, agriculture and terrain of the land,trying to make the storys setting accurate while still folding a fictitiousstory around the main character. I havealso talked to a person who has lived in the area my story takes place, andgained information here too.The first few pages start with Omnes childhood in what is now Turkey. Then as a strong, husky youth he is taken byraiders. He is treated, harshly, as aslave and for several months lives in the filthy campsof those who stole him. Here he isbefriended by another slave, a lad about his own age, who tells him about theGod in Heaven. This boy tells Omne that the gods of silver and wood are worthless!After many months Omne is taken away from this camp and sold as a slave to aman who treats his slaves well. This manhad been visited by one of the men who help Paul and he believed in Christtoo! One day while Omneis working his team of oxen in a field near the river, he rescues his mastersyoung son from drowning. This feat hedid even though he had never learned to swim and this act nearly takes the lifeof this helpful slave. As a reward forthe valiant act Omne is given Martha, a most lovelyand sweet young lady, for his wife.With the passing of time childrenare born into this coupleshome. Omneand his family are treated almost like children of the masters household. Omne is respectedby his master and the other slaves whom he is now boss over. All goes well until Omneseldest son dies and Omne cant accept his death. He grows very despondent, and blames God forhis sons death. Feeling that all hopeis gone he steals from his master and leaves his beloved wife and children. He tries to run away from God but in theprocess finds that God is ever with him even through 2 robberies and beatingsthat nearly kill him while traveling clear to Rome.In Romehe meets Paul, who along with Luke and several others applies soothing balm tohis battered body and coaxes life back into his body once again. At last Omne isable to forget the past, accept his LORD again and full of hope and lovereturns to his family and to his master.Paul wrote a letter and sent it with Tychicus,one of his trusted workers, to be given to Omnesmaster. The two men then return to Omnesmaster. Though willing to forgive hisslave Philemon still puts him through 90 grueling days of hard labor beforeonce again taking him back as a trusted slave; but not really as a slave but asa son! The freedom he has longed for somuch for so long is finally his!