Final answer:
Slave preachers did not universally insist on references to freedom in this life due to repercussions but incorporated the message in various ways within their sermons and spirituals, often with double meanings or indirect references.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether all slave preachers insisted on making reference to freedom in this life in the presence of whites cannot be answered with a definitive yes or no. During the period of slavery, African-Americans held onto the concept of freedom with a deep faith, and references to liberty were certainly present in their spirituals and exhortations. However, many preachers during revival movements preached spiritual equality but did not openly challenge the institution of slavery due to the potential for reprisal and restriction of access to the enslaved population by slave owners. The message of freedom in the context of slave spirituals often carried a double meaning, referring to eventual freedom in the afterlife, while some took it to mean literal freedom in the temporal world.
The reality was that openly challenging slavery could result in preachers being barred from spreading their message, due to the fear by slave owners of insurrections or loss of control. As the movement progressed, some preachers would use biblical passages to support slavery, advising obedience to masters as a Christian duty. It was not until later that the message of freedom took on a bolder tone, openly referring to freedom in the physical world, particularly as the Emancipation drew near.