"Salvation" By Langston Hughes

In "Salvation" Langston Hughes tells of himself as a little boy and the choice he made at a church revival. Reflecting mans instinctive behavioral tendencies for obedience. Young Langston whose congregation wants him to be saved, gives into obedience and goes up to the altar pretending that he has seen or felt the light of the Holy Spirit. He was a young boy who wanted to see Jesus, who wanted to earn His salvation, but when he couldn't see Jesus, and everyone else already had, he found himself in the terrible position of disappointing not only himself but everyone in his community. He finally "saved" himself by pretending to see Jesus . He was not saved honestly or by love of Jesus as a congregation or preacher intended but by pretending to be other than who he was. One wonders what would have happened if he hadn't stepped forward? Would they have seen a frightened boy? It is hard to say. However, it is obvious that he was afraid to be rejected and to dissapoint the congregation; therefore, he falls into the trap of trying to please everyone. In addition, he meets the needs of no one since he deceived everybody in church and himself as well. Hughes wasn't ready to put his trust in God. He didn't let God's will be done upon him. Even if he was kneeling down he was not entirely humbling himself to God. As a result, he couldn't bear to tell his aunt that he had lied about Jesus and now he didn't believe Jesus existed because he did not go to his rescue.