The Weekly Anglo-African. (New York [N.Y.]), Vol. 1, No. 36, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 24, 1860 Page: 1 of 4
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VOL. I.—NO. 36.
NEW YORK, MABCH 24, 1860.
PRICE FOUR CENTS
fbt Ot'lfflUn ^nqlo-^fritan
is pi hlisiikd
K V i: U Y SATURDAY,
HY TIIOS HAMILTON,
BKEKMAN STREET. NEW YORK.
l'kkm.t of slbsi kiptliin,
Dollar.. |>< r your. ar Four Cents per copy,
utile ou Unlivery.
KATES or ADVKHTISIMJ.
^ , , dih I\ line for ths first insertion, and Throe
t ,r subsequent insertion
,,f llirili*- Marriages. Death*, Publio
,Vf »r Twonty-tivw iVnti, l>r*>
, 1,, „,,t .-xoimmI tiM' linos, if roor* Titan
, 1 , 1 ,'tit* i'.>r each additional line.
' intentions f">r the must h* ad-
tiios HAMILTON.
„ V ... »t N » York, | IV O Box 1213.J
M
1I1.
not FULLY IDENTIFED."
o—
1, \ mis* uah 1 H i 1 rooiL
fully
rum
o|i, t'ririnlr. who ^ntli.r
Thi
Wu-
known
In r.
I tin tmt{iii»h of this hour of iVnr,
I, nil the horror* of the fate thul bound
In r.
(I, ,« (lit- I II.' 1 hut V•• llHVM lli'ld so >l>»r *
|,A,r witIkii wIi.mic fin* 1 \oie» still lingers,
I |irilhiu: thy s-«ul :»* words may iwv.r tell,
1 , 1 1I1 mi not viv. were thcx.i the Hvial.li»K lin-
ers
WI...-C li^lit.-'t touch thy heart has IovcJ so
v». II "
vlnth'T «ln. hove uinl ltliraei.1 the temler flower,
In r close from aught like rtnle alarius,
i'nii-1 lli..11 not l.'ll if. In an evil hour.
\\tills th. ehil.l who left thy wli«-lt».ring
ill'ln* *
( , I , v>li.. .ov the tifrlit of thv "lurk dwelling
| .i|. -lowly out when she lui.l left thy si.le,
,1 Hi .11 in.1 know, imiiilst Ili\ tears fast sw.-ll
U
nw<
• 1 In- I lie
iliiu^rhter of thy love ami pride
1 lli.ni kin.west who at morn and even
1 . .iiln .1 tliu saute prayer at the fond mother's
ktiev -
| , ,| to th-- sittit,' SWeut words ol hop.* Kiel
Iie 11 v vii —
1 1 . In..I. upon her now ou this l.u she?
1 ..11, 1 wh.., with a loinl, protecting duty,
11. s^ttr.-.l the sister ill thine eyes so tail',
in.-, look upon this wreck of what, was beauty—
lit.in mirely eaust not claim her lying tliure!
Aii 1 liero is Oiig who knows—to what clear
seeing
A I l.hts darW hour is bright, with intiuile truth ,
lraft I Inn 111 l.iith , t he treasures of our living
Hi will give l.tioU to an immortal youth.
.o l It. tv not now—even to our pits»ioii.tt«
grinving ,
tint ivln-u we slaitil with h» r lielori' llii tliron
\U Unit to us seems dark and past lielieving,
liiill 111 lint clearer light, l.e ••fully known."
• - II Mm ■> >
pffcrrcb (Torrcsjponbcncf.
OUR NEXT BISHOP
Mi; Km nut:—a number ol times within
tlie lii>l eighteen months I have heard it
iisiked liy ministers ami member* of the
At'ricau Methodist Episcopal Church, who
w ill bu elected bishop by our next Gouer-
nl Conference. The serious earnestness
with which this question was asked shows
that it h.is tnkeu a deep hold ou the mind
of tin' church This solicitude is not with-
out ruasou. The otlico of bishop is not
only one of great dignity and honor, but
one of great intluouce over the church, and,
through the church, over society at large.
Th© usage of the church, unlike the usage
of the state, does not allow of bringing for-
ward the names of candidates and throng)
the newspapers and other public mediums
advocating their claims to the ollico; but it
does allow of inquiries into its general con
dilion, the circumstances surrounding it
the measures necessary to its general wel
t in-, anil the necessary qualifications ol
the men who, under God, are to preside
over its destinies.
It is the opinion of the more strict and
orthodox Methodists that all true Bishops
are called of trod to tho oilice, and that no
one should seek the otlice for himself, nor
should any friend, merely as such, seek it
lor him; that when a Bishop is needed in
the church, God, by the linger ol his prov-
idence, will point him out; and tliut it is
then the duty ol' tho constituted authorities
ot the church to consecrate and regularly
induct him into otlice. This opinion is so
consonant to tho Bible and the tnie spirit
of Christianity as to commend it to the
univers il approbation of the church.
I'he providence ot Ciod is various, but
that providence by which he mainly speaks
to his church and guides Iter in her duty,
is history; tor what is history but God
speaking to us by his providence? llonce,
then, by acquainting ourselves with the
history of the church and the men proposed
lor her go\ eminent, we may discern wheth-
er the one is adapted to tho other, and
^lu'ther the welfare of tho one will be ad-
v"iK'ed hy the promotion ol the other.
But what is the present history or cdn-
•litiou ot' the church? What are the cir-
uuistiuices by which she is surrouuded ?
hirther, what are the qualifications
""\i should be possessed by the man
*'ecti'd
to preside, under God, over her
destinies? In brie/, by answering these
questions I hope to be governed by a be-
coming modesty and prudence, and a due
regard to the general welfare of the church.
In surveying our Connexiou, 1 shall, for
tho present, pass over her boundaries, her
property, her numbers, &c., and conte at
once to the consideration of the moral and
religious condition of her people. Histo-
ry teaches that the advancement of all
people in moral improvement is slow—so
slow, indeed, that it can only he discerned
by comparing one age with another; and
so it is with the people ol our Connexion.
If we compare the people of this year with
those of last, we can scarcely perceive auy
difference; hut it we compare the people
of this year with thoso of tho year 181t>,
when the Connexion was first organized,
then the difference is clear and palpable.
In learning virtue and all the refinements
tf t "In istian civilization, We are a whole
generation in advance of that period. To
the minister or oilier public mail who went
from house to house among our people in
liS lt», trying to do them good, and is still
engaged in the same work, the improve-
ment of the people in tho location, furnish-
ing, and management of their homes is
most striking. If the gravity of my sul>-
ject would allow of it, 1 could both amuse
and instruct my young readers by compar-
isons. But let the young lady who sits
011 the sota in the elegantly carpeted par
lor, whilo she reads this letter, aok her
grandmother what kind of seat she rested
herself upon, and what sort of carpet cov-
ered her parlor. Lot the young gentle-
man w ho is now taking lessons 011 the pi-
ano forte ask his grandfather what kind of
instrument he used to play upon. But to
enlarge here is needless. The intelligent
reader can carry out the comparison for
himself The improvement of our homes
now, comjuircd with those of is as
striking as it Is gratifying to every lover
of ('hristian civilization.
Nor is the improvement in our homes
mow striking than the improvement in our
language. We are getting entirely clear
of the dialect ot barbarism, and becoming
masters ot the clear, beautiful, and express-
ive Knglish. This in itself is an achieve
ment of vast importance, for it opens the
door to us to all the learning, refinement,
and religion in tho world. The Knglish
language is emphatically the language of
religious liberty and of Christian civiliza-
tion, and all who are possessed of it are
possessed of one of tho most powerful
means of advancement.
Since 1810, there lias been among the
people of our Connexion a vast increase in
Bible knowledge and the great truths of
Christianity. In that year but a compara-
tively few families possessed a Bible; now
it is difficult to find a family without one
Then but a comparatively few could reai
the Bible; now almost every one can read
or his children can reiul to him.
Let these evidences suffice to show a
great moral and practically religious im-
provement is going 011 anioug tho people
of our Connexion—an improvement which
our General Conference ought not to over
look when they come to elect a Bishop—
nay, an improvement which they shouh
do cverythiug in their power to encour-
age.
I11 noticing the surrouuding circum-
stances of our Connexion, I can only call
the attention of the reader to two peculi
arities of the age in which wo live. The
first is the spirit of inquiry which pervades
it; the second is the spirit of utility. In
quiry is extending to everything, especial
ly to everything in reference to the rights
of man. The religious, moral, social, aud
civil rights of man are more inquired into
aud better understood than ever before
Xor is the spirit of iuquiry in advaece of
tho spirit of utility. Everything is beiug
subjected to the test of utility, and every
thiug which cannot stand such test is be
ing cast aside as rubbish. Cseless gov-
ernments, institutions, religions, and use-
less men, are being cast aside, and left be-
hind by the advancing hosts of the age in
which we live.
From this liasty sketch of the condition
of our Connexion and its surrounding cir-
cumstances, we see what sort of a man it
needs for Bishop. It needs a man who
does not merely love progress, but a man
who has made progress, and is still advanc
ing. It needs a useful man—otherwise
he would fall under the contcinpt of the
people of this age of utility. It needs a
cultivated man, free from the dialect ane
manners ot barbarism—a man well iustruc
ted iu religious truth and Christian liber-
ty, that he may be able to defend his peo-
ple against the errors of infidels and the
oppression ol tyrants; a man with a heat,
stored with Bible knowledge, and a heart
stored with Christian grace. Such a man
does our Connexion now need, and, need-
ing him, may we not hope that God has
qualified him for the work of leading and
I governing his people ? May we not hope
that, by the finger of His providence, he
will distinctly point him ont to his serv-
ants, the members of the General Confer-
ence, that they may elect and regularly in.
duct him into office. lewis woodson.
Piitshi au, March 12, I860,
OUE BALTIMORE LETTER.
Baltisokk, March 15. 1860.
Dear Amu:—In my last I stated that
there had been an organization for emi-
gration commenced in our midst. This
association is designed to aid all who are
tired of the annoyances which occur at ev-
ery meeting of the Legislature of this State
to move beyond the limits of the United
States. On the evening of the 8th inst.,
from the eucouragement which the movers
in the matter had received, a committee
consisting of Messrs. J. F. R. Jackson,
Trisly Richfield, James A. Handy, and
Peter Hill, was appointed, to nominate
permanent officers for the "Emigrant Aid
Association. An invitation was given for
all who approved of the object of the asso-
ciation to come forward and give their
names. This invitation was numerously
responded to. Mr. B. Jackson made an
able speech in favor of the object of the as-
sociation, in which he stated that there
were :i5,O00 free colored persons in the
city of Baltimore alone, and should each
person give one cent per week in one year
they would have nearly twenty thousand
dollars to aid in the noble work.
Mr. 1). J. Baily also spoke approvingly
011 the subject. Tho objects which the as-
sociation have in view are to create a fund,
and prepare to leave the United States-
leaving each party to select the home of
his choice. llayti is looked upon with the
most favor
The "Mary Caroline Stevens," from Li-
beria, West Africa, arrived here last week.
She had as passengers, in the cabin, I)rs
J. M. Knight, of Iowa, ami .1. H. Snow-
den, of Boston, Messrs. M. Castendyke, A.
K. Johns, and Mrs. S. Brown; in the steer-
age, Mrs. P. Fuller, Miss. E. Logan, Miss
M. J. Richards, and Mr. T. Butler. Dr.
Snowden lias been in Africa abont five
years, and will return iu the "Stevens."
Most of the others will remain in the Uni-
ted States for a longer period, but design
returning to their adopted home so soon as
they shall have visited the dear ones here,
to see whom they came to this country.
l>r. Snowden met with quite a mishap the
day after his arrival in this port. Some
misunderstanding had occurred between
one of the sailors (white) and himself on
the passage, and on the arrival of the ves-
sel the man secured some "fellows of the
baser sort" to assist him in pommeling the
Doctor in a way not at all pleasant, and
leaving marks upon his phiz not the most
beautifying. The occurrence is certain-
ly to lie regretted, and I most heartily sym-
pathize with the Doctor.
The Galbreth Lyceum celebrated the
birthday ot the Rev Geo. Galbreth on the
evening of the 7th inst., in the Baptist
Hall. The programme was as follows:
1. Singing and prayer.
2. Opening address by John H. Butler,
after which the audience was supplied with
refreshments, free of charge, which m> one
objected to.
4. Music;
5 A debate. Subject—"Which is the
greater loss, the loss of the sight or the
loss of the speech ?** The discussion was
conducted by Revs. Wm Williams andH.
H. Webb.
(Intermission of twenty minutes.)
G. Music.
7. An essay, by Jas. H. Jordan.
8. Music.
9. An essay on "Summer and Winter,"
by Jas. G. Johnson.
10. Music.
11. Closing remarks, by John W.
Hayes.
All things were so conducted as to make
it an intellectual treat.
Our Legistu re closed its session on Sat-
urday night, at 114 o'clock. As a little
girl once said, "thank the goodness and the
stars," our enemies were defeated. Their
bills did not pass—at least, not all of them.
There is one which is said to have passed
o prevent future manumissions unless the
freed bondman determines to leave the
State; one also which gives any man of
color the choice to go voluntarily into
slarrry if he Irishes; another to hire out
such men and women as shall be proven
to have no employment, and to apprentice
children whose parents are unable to sup-
port them. These are the only additional
laws, as now appears, which the Legisla-
ture has given to the people of this State
relating to our people. If it should appear
that others have been passed, I will inform
you
Our friend (?) Mr. Jacobs was in the city
to-day, and a committee of us did ourselves
the honor to call upon him to ascertain his
real object. In my next I will inform you
what his intention is. He says he lores
the colored man. Nonsense ! He will
have hard work to convince any colored
man of that who has as much brains as can
rest upon the point of a pin.
Most of the churches made collections
yesterday to aid the "Protective Associa-
tion" in meeting its expenses, which have
not been light. Bethel paid over $30 yes-
terday, and $ 11 before—in all $41; the
Sharp street $25—what their previous col-
lection had been I cannot state; the John
Wesley $10. I have no means of knowing
at present what the entirecollection amounts
to, but the committee were enabled to pay
this morning 011 account of $-?OOj
DELPHIC.
"AH IUQUIRY- ANSWERED.
Mr. Editor:—In your issue of the 10th
inst. 1 find the following query: "Why is
there so luuch prejudice among colored
people who attend colored churches, against
those of their own color who choose (per-
haps for reasons better known to them-
selves) to attend white churches ?" I do
not now propose to answer the inquiry in
full, nor do I expect to answer it to the
satisfaction of the fair querist, and others
who may sustain similar church relations.
1 will, however, make the proposed inquiry
the basis of a few thoughts that occurred
to my inind as I read it.
In the first place, as no specification in
regard to churches is made, we are at lib-
erty to supj>ose that the inquiry is gener-
al, anil refers to any association of evan-
gelical Christians, whatever maybe their
theory or practice in regard to slavery.
Taking the question thus, it applies alike
to churches in Massachusetts and Mississ-
ippi,to pro-slavery and anti-slavery church-
es. But still 1 cannot for a moment think
that the inquiry is made in regard to pro-
slavery churches North or South, for sure-
ly it would be rank injustice to suppose
that one whose "heart bleeds for the poor
oppressed," would be connected with
church that was pro-slavery in its head or
members, however exalted th'i "spiritual"
(?) to be attained thereby. If there are
any among us, who, from choice, connect
themselves with such churches, and thus
strengthen the oppressor, it is easy to see
why a prejudice against them is excited in
the minds of the oppressed But your cor-
respondent asks again, "Are we not all
children of the same Father?" In one
sense we most assuredly are children of
one common Parent, but, in another sense,
I hope and trust we are not, for, while all
oppressors, together with their aiders, abet-
tors, and apologists, are of their father, the
Devil, I fain wouldbelieve that some of the
oppressed are the children of God. Again
the inquiry is made, "Are we not all trav-
eling to the same haven of rest ?" If we
are, this is a reason why we should insist
on equality along the road If we are not,
if, as the martyr John Brown said to the
pro-slavery clergyman, "We do not wor-
ship the same God," perhaps it is a dim
perception of this truth, that the oppressed
and the oppressor do not and cannot wor
ship the same Being—that leads to the
prejudice of which your correspondent
complains.
It is well to be humble, but there is a
difference between humility and servility,
and suffering for Christ's sake aud for col-
or's sake are two distinct passions. As for
the privileges to be enjoyed by colored
worshippers in white churches, it seerns to
me that a proper self-appreciation would
lead us to repudiate them, unless founded
on a cordial recognition of our equal man-
hood in every relation of life. What! deny
my rights as a man and a citizen, and yet
claim me as an equal brother in Christ!
Out upon such an absurdity 1 Give me
first the enjoyment of equal rights as a
man, then, and not till then, can I consis-
tently claim equal privileges as a Christian.
But this question of colored people attend-
ing white churches, does not hinge upon
privileges granted or withheld. It is sim-
ply a question of right or wrong, to be de-
termined by other considerations than
those of personal interest and convenience.
Assuming slaveholding to be a sin, and all
its aiders, abettors, and apologists to be
implicated in its guilt, we ask all Chris-
tians, anil especially all colored Christians,
to regard and treat all who practice it, and
all who directly or indirectly sustain or de-
fend it, just as they do other sinners. If a
white church can be found whose pastor
and membership are thoroughly anti-slav-
ery both in theory and practice, there is
perhaps no good reason why colored Chris-
tians may not join it. And if, in addition
to anti-slaVery,the church be anti-prejudice
and recognize the equal manhood of the
colored man in each and all the relations
of life, I venture to predict that very little,
if any, prejudice will be excited "among
colored people who attend colored church-
es, against those of their own color who
choose (perhaps for reasons better known
to themselves) to attend" such "white
churches." What colored man, think ye,
would rebuke or reproach a brother or sis-
tor for uniting with a church of white
Christians of the John Brown type ?
boaz.
LETTER FROM PATERS0N
PatkrsoN, X. J. March 12, 1SC0
Mr. Editor:—In continuing my Pater-
son correspondence, permit me to mention
a few more noteworthy colord Patersonians.
Prominent among these is Mr. Harry Hop-
per. Like those mentioned in my last, he
is a property-holder, and is highly respect-
ed by all whose respect is worth having,
both white and colored. Whenever a
good work is to bo done, Harry is ready
to take a leading part in forwarding it. He
is, indeed, an illustration of the truth of
the poet's assertion, "An honest man's the
noblest work of God." (Ladies excepted,
of course!) Among those, Miss Eliza Ton
ner deserves particular notice. Her occu-
pation is dressmaking, for which she has
established quite a reputation.
Sunday afternoon 1 had the pleasure of
attending the Bethel Church, which seems
to be in a growing condition at present. A
tea party for its benefit will be given some
time during the month. In the evening I
visited the Zion, Rev. Mr. Manning occu
pying the pulpit. Some excellent re-
marks were made in the course of his ser-
mon, especially those showing the necess-
ity of reading newspapers, history, &c.
a. r. s.
members of our Connexion should arouse
to action, and do all they can for the sup-
port of the ensuing General Conference.
The poet breaks out in the following:
Help us to help each other. Lord,
Each other'* croM to b«ar;
Let each his friendly aid afford.
And feel hi* brother'*
Help ii* to baild each other up,
Our little stock improve ;
Increase our faith, confirm our hope.
And perfect us in love.
Your* in Christ,
jacob b. TRUSTY.
Xzwakk, X J., March 14, 18G0.
THE DYING
For the Weekly Anglo Afric&D.
CHILD TO ITS BLIND
FATHEE.
TO THE BRETHREN OF ZION CON-
NEXION.
As the time of the sitting of the Annual
and General Conference is near at hand,
permit me to state the duty of the minis-
ters and laity of our belcvedZion. It may
be well to state, first, that the Southern
Auuual Conference will convene iu the
city of Baltimore, Md., March 30th, in the
llauimond street Chapel; the Philadel-
phia, at llarrisburg,. Pa., April 2Uth; the
New York, in New York City, May 12th,
in the Sixth street Church, aud the Gener-
al Conference in Philadelphia, May 30tli,
iu Wesley Church, Lombard street, be-
tween Fifth and Sixth streets. First, then,
it is the duty of the ministers aud the lai-
ty to collect funds for the support of the
Conferences, particularly the General, in
order that the minutes of said Conference
may be published immediately after its
adjournment. You are aware, dear breth-
ren, that in consequence of having no
funds in hand, the minutes of the two pre-
vious Conferences were not published.
There are various modes by which money
is raised, but 1 deem the formation of so-
cieties in the different churches the better
way to reach the desired object—societies
formed f»r the sole object of raising money
for the conference. Let me point you to
the members of Wesley Church, Philadel-
phia, for example, who have done more for
the support of the Connexion than any
other society in the whole Connexion, for
a number of years, and are still doing all
they can for the ensuing Conference. There
have been three missionary societies con-
nected with that church—viz: the "Mis-
sionary Daughters of Miller," the "Mission-
ary Daughters of Conference," and the
"Missionary Daughters of Clinton"—who
have all accomplished what they could for
the spread of the gospel, while other socie-
ties in the Connexion have been dormant.
Is it not a shame to let one church do all
the work while others are standing idle ? I
am happy to learn, however, that the
"Daughters of Brooks," in llarrisburg: the
"Daughters of Turpin," in Washington
City; and the "Daughters of Conference,"
in Nevark," have done something, and I
trust they will continue to keep the ball in
motion. There may be others from whom
I have not heard; if there are, I bid them
God-speed. I repeat that every minister
and every memlter should become inter-
ested in the General Conference, and use
their endeavors to send money for its sup-
port.
In October last, it was my pleasure to
form a society in Wesley Church, Phila-
delphia, under the name, of "The Lnited
Missionary Sons and Daughters of Trus-
ty." This association is said to be the
largest of the kind in that city. They are
working for the ensuing General Confer-
ence, and are engaged in establishing a
bazaar for its benefit, which will open
about the 11th of April next. One prom-
inent feature in this society is, that persons
from other denominations have united with
it. This is what I call union in truth. I
think the "good time is coming." If mem-
bers of other churches and those who make
no profession of religion are willing to aid
us in our mission of love, tho ministers and
by fkanoks ellen watkins
There's a whisper round my soul, father.
And it tells tne I must go,
While my heart throbs back the answer.
In beating so faint and low.
I am sorry to leave you, father,
1 know you will miss me so,
And the world, for you, will gather
Such a deeper shade of woe
You will miss me, dearest father,
When the violet* wake from sleep.
And when timidly from the hedges
The earliest snow-drops peep
I shall not be here to gather
The flower* by stream and dell—
Tin- bright and beautiful flowers,
D«»ar father, you 1ot« so well.
You will miss uiy voice, dear father,
From every earthly tone—
All the songs that cheered your darkness—
And you'll l>e *o sad and lone.
I can scarcely rejoice, dear father.
In hope of the brighter laud,
When I know you'll pine in sadness.
And miss my guiding hand.
You are weeoing.dearafct father !
Vour sobs aru shaking my soul ;
But we'll meet again, where the shadow
And night from your eyes shall roll
And then \ un will see me, father,
With vision undimmed and clear ;
Your eyes will sparkle with rapture—
You know there'* no blindness there.
Fot th<_* WevLIy Jl «j£k> .Uritau.
THE FEELINGS OF THE EARLY
CHRISTIAN CHURCH CONCERN-
ING SLAVEEY.
ey lydia maria child.
U
Christians had the same feeling as
the Israelites of old concerning allowing
their oun brethren to be in slavery; aud a
similar degree of exclusiveness led them
generally not to include Pagan bondmen
within the circle of their sympathies. It
early began to be the feeling that one
Christian not to bold another as a slave—
the relation, even under the best circum-
stances, seeming to them inconsistent with
Christian brotherhood. Many converts
emancipated all their slaves as soon as
they joined the church, being impelled by
their own consciences, though no ecclesias-
tical law required it. When slaves were
converted, it was common for Christian
masters to emancipate them, so that bap-
tism came to be considered a sign of free-
dom. Chromacius, Proefect of Rome, who
was converted during the reign of Diocle-
tian, was baptized with fourteen hundred
of his slaves, to whom he gave freedom,
saying: "These, who are the children of
God, ought to be no longer the slaves of
men." He crowned this act of justice and
humanity by taking paternal care concern-
ing their means of livelihood. During the
reign of Trajan, a Proefect of Rome, named
Hermes, was converted to the Christian
faith, with his wife and children. At the
succeeding festival of Easter, he proved
how deeply the teachings of Christ had
taken possession of his soul, by emancipa-
ting one thousand two hundred and fifty
slaves, and on -hat joyful occasion they all
received baptism and liberty. The thought-
ful kindness of the conscientious master
went still further. Knowing that their
condition, as slaves, had deprived them of
the means of acquiring property, and fear-
ing that their families might suffer for a
time, from dearth of employment, he added
a liberal donation to each one, to assist
him in commencing business for him-
self.
Bishops considered that no more pious
use could be made of the funds of the
church, than to redeem a Christian broth-
er from bondage. Ambrose sold the orna-
ments of the churches, and even the plates
and goblets of silver and gold, used for
the commemoration of the Lord's Supper.
He said: "We are ransoming souls from
eternal perdition. It is not only the lives of
men, and the honor of women, that are en-
dangeaed by slavery, it is also the religions
condition of their children." Clement,
Bishop of Rome, in an epistle to the Corin-
thians, says: "We have known many
among us who have delivered themselves
into bonds and slavery, that they might re-
store others to liberty." The Bishop of
Nola expeuded his whole estate to redeem
all he could from slavery. At last, a poor
widow went to him and entreated him to
rescue her only son, who had been sold to
a prince of the Vandals. He"told her he
had not a single penny left, but be would
freeley give himself as a ransom. The
poor woman thought lie was jesting with
her anxiety, but he assured her he was in
earnest. Accordingly,be accompanied her
to Africa, and begged the prince to release
the young man, because he was the only
son of a poor widow, offering to labor freely
in his stead. Tho prince accepted his
proposition, aud employed him to work in
his garden. His industry and faithfulness
gained the favor of bis master, who, after
some time, discovered that he had been a
bishop. Impressed by the greatness of
such an example, the prince gave him his
liberty, and promised to grant whatsoever
he wished. The good man asked no fa-
vors for himself, but begged the release of
all his countrymen who were in bondage
They were accordingly all 6ent home in
ships laden with provisions.
pro<;rk3s of rf.i.!i;iors ideas.
Such was the view of slavery in the
early Christian Church, from the time of
the Apostles till after the time of Theodo-
sius the Great. That was the way they
understood Paul's direction to Philemon to
receive Onesimus, "not as a Nf/raw,but as
a brother beloveil.' The tradition is that
Onesimus became a bishop; and, certain it
is, that for several subsequent centnries, it
was no uncommon thing for slaves to be-
come bishops.
Hon is it with the Christian Church
now? Now, when a dark complexioued
member of the Christian Church escapes
from bondage, at the peril of his life, Paul's
request to Philemon is quoted, by clergy-
men, as authority for sending him back to
the slave-pen, to be chained, and mana-
cled, and scourged, and driven farther
South, to be at a more hopeless distance
from freedom. And when he is offered fos
sale, his piety and church-membership are
put in the advertisement, among the qual-
ities likely to render him more marketable,
for purchasers are interested in the fact
that their human chattels have religion
enough not to cut their master's throats.
Such is the progress of the Christian
Church in eighteen hundred and sixty
years
1'rom tlie .'N :iti il
LIFE UPON A RAILROAD
—o—
There is an old saying, that the friend-
ship of a dog is better than his ill-will, and
for many years in my capacity as a rail-
road conductor, I have found the above to
be true to a letter—but mind, 1 am not
saying that I have no enemies. 1 undoubt-
edly have a few, but I don't think there is
a man that lives but has more or less. A
little kindness now and then to the many
needy ones a conductor will find, almost
every over, his road, will not be lost; and
he will, in many cases,find, from his "bread
cast upon the waters," a return fonr-fold.
Yet he must use a great deal of judgment
in bectowing his charity upon even those
he thiuks entirely worthy of such bestowal.
I will, in connection, relate a little incident
by which a little kindness saved my lite,
and "the lives of all the passengers on board
my train.
The Western division of our road runs
through a very mountainous part of Vir-
ginia, and the stations were few and far
between. About three miles from one of
these stations, the road runs through a deep
gorge of the Blue Ridge, and near the
centre is a small valley, md there, hemmed
in by the everlasting hills, stood a small,
one-and-a-half story cabin. The few acres
that surrounded it were well cultivated as
a garden, and upon tho fruits thereof lived
a widow named Graff. They were indeed,
untutored in the cold charities of an outside
world. I doubt much if they oversaw the
sun shine beyond their native hills. In the
summer time the children brought berries
to the nearest station to sell, and with the
money thoy earned they bought a few of
the necessities of the outside refinement.
The oldest of these children I should
judge to be abeut twelve years, and the
youngest about seven- They were all
girls, and looked nice and clean, and the
healthful appearance and natural delicacy
gave them a ready welcome. They ap-
peared as if they had been brought up to
fear God, and love their humble home and
mother. I had often stopped my train and
let thein get off at their home, having found
them at the station, three miles from home,
after disposing of their berries.
I had children at home and I knew their
little feet would be tired in walking three
miles, and therefore felt that it would be
the fame with those fatherless little ones.
They seemed so pleased to ride, and thank-
ed me with such hearty thanks, after letting
them off near home. They /eqnently
offered me nice, tempting baskets of fruit
for my kindness, yet I never accepted any-
thing without paying their full value.
Now, if you remember, the winter of
1854 was very cold in that part of tbe State
and the snow was nearly three feet deep
upon the mountains.
On the night of the 20th of December of
that year it turned round warm and the
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The Weekly Anglo-African. (New York [N.Y.]), Vol. 1, No. 36, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 24, 1860, newspaper, March 24, 1860; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth596275/m1/1/?q=+date%3A1845-1860: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .