'vi«a ftt ^. »^/. *j„u. 111. t9ue counsel of God." Yoo have finished a Collegiate course of study — received the approbation of your Professors, and applause of the denomination of Christians, to which we hold membership. You are now about to enter upon a course of Theological studies, under the guidance of those Divines whom we have been accustomed to venerate. My object, in addressing you, is to endeavor to persuade you to leave that Institution immediately ; I do this, because I think you will sustain American Slavery, by continuing members of the Institution in its present condition. My belief is founded upon the following reasons : — 1st. That Institution courts the support of Slaveholders and their apologists. Slaveholding ministers and laymen frequently visit the Institution — great pains are taken to obtain their favor. Nothing is said to them respecting the sin of Slavery, or if it is mentioned, it is only to say that the circumstances justify its continuance. The contributions of Slavehold- ers are received. In return, your Professors go to the South, talk and pray, but hold their peace in reference to " the peculiar Institution" — Slavery Your Professors neglect to cry against the sin of Slaveholding. These men pro^fess to be Teach- ers of the pure Religion of Jesus Christ. Their station gives them an extensive influence. I learn from the min- utes of the last Triennial Convention of the Baptists in the U. S. held at Richmond, Va., that two of them were among the Speakers on that occasion. In the State of N, MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. T7 Y., their influence is almost boundless. Indeed, it may be said, that the teachings of the Hamilton Professors are exhibited in almost every town in the State. If they neg- lect to hear the cry of the poor, ministers, less informed, readily think themselves excusable. Your Professors preach in behalf of the heathen, and correctly charge that man, who neglects the call of God through them, as lacking the es- sentials of piety ; and a prominent argument, presented by the Agents of your Institution when soliciting funds is, that young men are trained within its walls, to preach the Gospel to the benighted nations of the earth. And is it true, that those very Professors hold their peace, when two and a half millions of Americans are forbidden even the Bible ! You are forbidden speaking against the sin, or the right of free discussion. The evidence of this is, that an Anti- Slavery Society formed by yourselves and fellow students in the Institution, *' was dissolved by the Official request of the Faculty." You are permitted to form Temperance, Moral Reform, Missionary, Colonization and other Societies, and their merits have been freely discussed. You doubtless recol- lect, the public dicussion of the merits of the Coloniza- tion Society, when our departed brother, Ralph J.Brown, exposed its foolishness, yet the Professors entered their protest against his arguments, and sustained the ignoble enterprize. These various societies prosper, and their continuance is thought to be advantageous ; even weekly and semi-weekly discussions, are not only permitted, but considered useful. Time rolls on a little, and a few breth- ren form an A. S. Society. The Professors hear the news, and ** post haste," one of that venerable body, is sent with a stiffnecked request, that the infant A. S. Soci- ety be immediately dissolved. The reasons for dissolving that Society were, I suppose, simply these. Anti-Slavery principles were rather unpop- ular. The South universally hated them, and the North did not fear God sufficiently, to preach what they must ad- mit to be true. If the Society prospered, its member* ♦7 78 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWNr would be ranked among the Fanatics, and as the Profess-' ors were known to control the internal operations of the Institution, they of course, mu&t be considered as sanc- tioning the Society, and thus they also, yes, even the ven- erable Board of Professors of the Hanyjlton Baptist Liter^ ary and Theological Institution, with a double D. D. at their head, would be reckoned among the reckless fanat- ics. Methinks, such thoughts as these filled their migh- ty minds. There are Garrisony Tappan, Birney — good men — but over zealous, called fanatics by the world, and madmen by the Church. Our venerable names, noted for our candor and consistency — *' cool heads" — our reputa- tion will be gone, if it is once known that we sanction ab- olition. Again, it is not practicable. Slavery is a sin. It cannot be right to make property of a man, but it cannot be stopped all at once. Then, Abraham had servants. Again, there is the Baptist Denomination, just getting into lovely Union. Let the Presbyterian body fight Slavery. The Baptists have been contemptuously looked upon long enough. There are our Southern brethren, excellent men, good Christians. Our beloved Baptist Zion, it must not be distracted. Our Institution, just insuring the con- fidence of the Churches. Our candid and stable friends will leave us. '* The gospel will destroy Slavery." O Lord, Thou great Head of the Church, direct us. Give us wisdom to check this abolition spirit in the bud. Whatever might have been the reasons assigned, caus- ing your Faculty to dissolve that Anti-Slavery Society, it is certain that it was a worldly policy, a bending of the truth for the sake of gain, and to win the confidence and favor of the votaries of this system of oppression, in vio- lation of the dearest rights of humanity. Yours, &e., ABEL BROWN, JR. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 79 CHAPTER VIII. Settlement at Beaver — Eeceives Appointment of Agency from the A. S. Society of Western Pennsylvania — Persecution— An attempt to throw him into the Piiver Ohio — "Delivers the Spoiled from the hand of the Spoiler" — Efforts to advance the Cause of the Slave in his own Denom- ination. While at North East, a Church was established, through his instrumentality, on Reformatory principles. Soon as this wasaccomplished, he left the Pastoral charge of the Church and received an invitation to settle at Beaver, a city pleasantly located on the Ohio. The call was accept- ed, at what date I am not informed. He chose rather to itinerate, fearlessly preaching the truth, than to establish himself in any one place by a time serving policy. Neither can it be expected, that a minister will long be tolerated in openly rebuking the sins of a people, in such a manner, that they cannot fail to make the personal application, for his preaching was of that character, that it seemed to speak like that of Nathan to David — '* Thou art the man." He continued to preach throughout that section as oppor- tunity offered. Additional sketches from his Journal, suf- ficient to show the assiduity and zeal with which he labor- ed, are given. Sunday, 'i5th, 1838. In morning attended Sabbath School at Bridgewater. At 11 and 2 o'clock attempted to preach. Prayer meeting at noon. Communion at 3 o'clock. At half past 4 went to Old Brighton, to lecture in the evening at Fallston. Felt very little in comparison with Christ, yet felt like warning men in view of the approaching judgment. . Sunday, April 29th. Have preached four sermons and attended two Sabbath Schools. At the S. School at Fallston, 9 o'clock A. M. Some liirge boys gathered from the fishing places, came in and were instructed with interest (to myself at least), and 86 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. more apparent interest is manifested in all congregations than on last Sabbath. I feel delighted in presenting the sublime truths of the Gospel, to the children of men, and although so vile and unworthy myself, yet I hope and expect a revival in this region. Sunday, May 6th, 1838. In the morning superintended the S. S. at Fallston. Good attendance and interesting. Children many of them gathered from ** the highways and hedges." Some quite large, twelve or fourteen years old, who could not read. Others quite intelligent. Tried to plainly warn these young immortals. At 1 1 o'clock preached in W. Bridg- water. At 2 P. M. in Freedom. Congregation full and attentive. At 4 P. M. preached in East Bridgwater. In the evening at half past 7 preached at Fallston. Visited a number of destitute families. Retired at 10 o'clock rath- er fatigued and feeling myself miserably vile and sinful, in view of my own heart. Monday, 7th, 1838. Spent most of the day aiding my wife. In the evening attended and lectured at a Temperance Meeting in Bridg- water. Sunday, 13th. Spent the day as usual. Attended five services — at 11 A. M., and 2, 4, 6 and 8 P. M. ; also afS. School at 9 A. M. The following days of the week, attended an Anti-Sla- very Convention at Pittsburg. Lectured each evening to large assemblies. The same spirit was rife, that caused the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, whose walls resounded to the motto, " Virtue, Liberty, and Independence," from the 14th day of this month, until the evening of the 17th witnesssed its destruction, by a lawless Mob in that '* city of brotherly love," and State so dear to the memory of Franklin, Rush and others, among the earliest advocate* of Imman liberty. On the 25th succeeding, Mr. Brown received an ap- pointment of Agency from the Western Pa. A. S. Society. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 81 Soon after, he relinquished his charge, as Pastor of the Baptist church in Beaver, and as *' a Minister in good standing," received a cordial recommendation from the same. He now devoted his time and talents almost exclusively to the cause of the Slave, zealously endeavoring to arouse and incite his brethren of the Baptist denomination to ac- tion. He was also employed as Corresponding Secretary and Agent of the Home Missionary operations of that sec- tion. He seemed ready to act at once, and determinately, on any subject involving the duties of himself and co-labor- ers, with reference to the question of that *' sum of all vil- lanies" — American Slavery. The following letter on a subject previously entertained and suggested by himself, is full of interest ; and was perhaps the dawn of a brighter day, both to the denomination to which he belonged, and the Slave of our country : Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. ^th, 1839. Rev. Joshua Leavitt : Dear Brother — In the Emanci- pator of last week I see a proposition for holdmg a Baptist Abolition Convention. I think it very important that such a convention should be held in the month of May or June. The alarming demands of a slaveholding church require that immediate and mighty efforts should be made lest an avenging God overwhelm us in deep destruction. The Baptist churches in the South hold property in slaves, buy and sell men for the sake of gain, — even Bap- tists sell Baptists — part husband and wife — parent and child — advocate and sanction polygamy — rob the poor to re- plenish the treasury of the Lord — withhold the scriptures from those whom God has required to search them, — and then say that God has given them this liberty and requires it at their hands. Ministers, D. D's, commit these crimes, and even leave men and women to be sold at auction after their death. Baptists have been found on lynch commit- tees, who have beat innocent men contrary to the laws of God and man. Northen Baptists have quietly beheld these 82 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWK. things, have fellowshipped and are still fellowshipping these ** dear southern brethren" — have sent their agents to the South, asked and received a part of the profits of these Christian robbers — received men-stealers into their pulpits — asked them to preach, pray and commune with them. The leading Baptist periodicals have been silent under the command, " Open thy mouth for the dumb," have excused slaveholders and censured those who '* rebuked them sharp- ly," have seen their own brethren driven from the house of God by brutal mobs, have opposed a faithful editor un- til he was shot down at his post, and then rejoiced that the martyr was not a Baptist minister. Baptist ministers, D. D's, and Theological Professors, have limited " human re- sponsibilities^" expelled young men who feared God more than mortals from their " Schools of the Prophets," utter- ed gag laws, and defended practices at which hell itself would shudder. These statements may appear harsh to many, but they are true, and even this is not all the truth. Transactions far more degrading have been exhibited by Baptists. Many good brethren are not aware that slavery 16 thus sapping the very foundations of tfuth in our churches. They have supposed that such papers as the N. Y. B. Register, Gospel Witness, and Cross and Journ- al, published weekly a true account of all affairs of impor- tance occurring in the denomination. They have never once thought that they were upholding slavery. Very ma- ny professed abolitionists have voted to send delegates to the Triennial Convention, without even suspecting that they v/ere sending them as agents to welcome men-stealers into the bosom of our Zion, and thereby bidding them ** God speed " How can the Baptist churches be aroused and enlightened upon this infinitely important matter ? Can it be done more effectually than by calling and .ittending a National Baptist Abolition Convention? In such a meeting the whole subject could be canvassed, at least as far as human power is concerned, — many of the Baptist papers would publish the proceedings — new papers could be established if necessary, and thus this subject would be brought before niost if not alj the Baptist churches in tho MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. North. The result would show whether the Baptists love slavery more than truth. My abolition brethren in the church, upon whom rests the responsibility of calling such a convention, if not upon us ? Most surely God hath committed this blessed work to US. Whi/ should we de- lay 1 Fifty thousand of our colored brethren in bonds ask us, Will/ ? 3,000,000, who have never heard of Christ, will soon meet us before the throne of God, and in the si- lence of eternity ask, Why? Will not an insulted God ask, Why ? And shall we, while the blood of Jesus is interceding for us, delay ? The place of holding such a convention is not very im- portant. I propose Albany, New York, Utica or Phila- delphia. Certainly many would meet at either place. Will not brethren Galusha, Tucker, Carpenter, Grosvenor, Ide, Colver, and others, immediately issue a call '^ I have no apology to offer for thus presenting this prop- osition to the public. I almost daily see the poor heart- broken slave making his way to a land of freedom. A short time since, I saw a noble, pious, distressed, spirit- crushed slave, a member of the Baptist church, escaping from a (professed Christian's) bloodhound, to a land where he could enjoy that of which he had been robbed, during forty years. His prayers would have made us all feel. I saw a Baptist sister of about the same age, her children had been torn from her, her head was covered with fresh wounds, while her upper lip had scarcely ceased to bleed, in consequence of a blow with the poker, which knocked out her teeth ; she too was going to a land of freedom. Only a very few days since, I saw a girl of about eigh- teen, with a child as white as myself, aged ten months ; a Christian master was raising her child (as well his own perhaps) to sell to a southern market. She had heard of the intention, and at midnight took her only treasure and travelled twenty miles on foot through a land of strangers — she found friends. I gazed upon her intelligent coun- tenance — I thought of the immortal but crushed intellect. That body which should have been the " temple of the Holy Ghost," had been, and was still intended by her mas- 84 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. ter to be a source of profit to him, realized even by the raising and selling of its fruit as would best promote his interest. But why should I write ? Have not the Baptists hearts ? Do they not hear the wailings of millions 1 Does not the wintry blast echo their bowlings 1 Will they neg- lect to act ? Will they forget the slave 1 Forbid it, slum- bering justice ! Forbid it, indulgent mercy ! Forbid it, Almighty God ! Will the editor of the Christian Reflector please pub- lish this coramsnication ? ABEL BROWN, Jr., late Pastor of the 1st Bap. Ch., Beaver, Pa. From a Report to the Executive Committee of the A. S. Society, under date of December 3d, 1838, 1 make the following extract : *' I have been laboring during the two past weeks in Beaver, Bridgwater, Old Brighton and New Brighton, Fallston, Freedom and Chippevvay. I have been in close action with the enemy. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, was one continued row. A mob drove me from the house on Friday night. Saturday night I could not get to the house unless through showers of stones, and Sunday, the house was found nailed up, and during one hour the friends could not open it; after it was opened, it was found too late to address the people without infrmging upon the ap- pointment of the Methodists, which must not be done, even to save all the souls of the slaves. The mob in Bridgwa- ter was headed by . . . of the firm of ... . forwarding merchants, . . . merchant, . . . and . . . butchers. There were others concerned in the matter, but the two first named gentlemen, gave the " character and standing" to it. I suppose, perhaps, some went even greater lengths, than was anticipated by the leaders. Who threw the stones, I am unable to say, but stones were thrown. The house of a friend of mine was stoned, and his wife barely escaped being hit in the head, as the mob threw at me. The door was accidentally left open. It is hardly safe for me to walk in the street after MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 85 dark. The cause of these things, is simply, because there is no minister in the place who opens his mouth for the dumb. The presiding Elder in this region, is one of those haters of abolition, of which the Devil should be asham- ed. There has been a great " Revival of Religion," among the Methodists in this place. I mean the religion of this age, not the religion y the Bible. I shall be heard even here, before many weeks, I am quite sure. I wish to state to the Committee, that it will be utterly impossible, for me to support my family with less than $700 per year. I am obliged to give my whole and undivided attention, and the best days and energies of my life, to the cause. I only regret, that I cannot do more. I must now be ab- sent from home (if the northern county meetings are held) until the first of Feb., with the exception of only one or two days. In the month of February, I hope to be oblig- ed to attend four or five county meetings. My family are so situated, they think it impossible to " board out." This is a matter however, that I leave with the Committee. I cannot think it my duty to leave Beaver, until I find a more needy and wicked place. I would give up the cause in this region, and seek the retired spot from whence I came, (which is proffered uie) if I was not sure, that it would be running away from duty. I know the truth will ultimately prosper, even here. Indeed, even the leaders of the mob, who on Saturday evening stoned me, are afraid to look me in the face. I have had a personal in- terview, with one of them this day ; he turned ghastly pale, and even these God defying ministers, seem ashamed of rhemselves, although I have not uttered a word, for or against them Of farther riotous proceedings, he writes the following letter, without date : Rev. Robert Crooks : Very Dear Sir — I cannot ex- press all the satisfaction and grief, I have felt in reading your short, instead of long, as you ? ay, letter, I thank God and take courage. Be assured, thai it will be of vast benefit to our common cause ; this, I know, is all the reward you desire. I intend having the three articles published in an 86 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. extra sheet, and scattered through tliis region. It will probably be as well to omit your name and residence, as the effect here will be the same. Last night, I came home in deep distress. This morn- ing I received your letter, and it is indeed refreshing. While lecturing, on las.t evening, a ruffian rushed into the house, seized me by the collar, and started to drag me from the house. His associates who were in the house followed, but the friends of truth were too strong for them. As I went from the place I was stoned. There are a few such men among us at present. It was I think the enemies last struggle in that place (Brighton, Beaver Co.) I drop my pen, to return to the same house this evening and lecture. Some additional circumstances are found in another ac- count, probably retering to the same event during a series of meetings in Old Brighton, in the month of Nov., 1838 : Returning from the school house after lecturing, I was egged, &c. Sabbath following, preachtd to a large assembly in this place. On. Monday evening, a respectable audience convened. There was considerable excitement. I saw the mob as I passed up the street, and most of them soon followed me into the house. They ex- hibited their wrath, by tearing down a picture, posted for the evening's use. After prayer, I commenced speaking. The mob kept quiet, perhaps ten minutes, when a person entered the room in disguise. His face was either painted or false (probably both,) with large false whiskers. His savage appearance rather surprised me — quick as thought, he rushed towards me with a hideous yell — seized me by the collar, and in connection with some associates, attempt- ed to drag me from the house. " Making no resistance," the interference of his friends alone prevented the merci- less treatment in store for him, as the victim of their rage and malice. While residing on the Ohio river, it is said that Mr. Brown aided slaves in their escape from bondage. In- deed, all those who had been in the prison house of sla- very, and were in the act of fleeing from the tyrant mon- MFMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 87 ster, ever found a welcome at his door and safety from the grasp of the pursuer. From a verbal statement given me by a gentleman from Va., I have the following account, (omitting names not es- sential to be given,) pertaining to the case of a young girl in Alexandria, District of Columbia : " Mr. R. (who gave the facts) was with Mr. Brown, and both labored to help her off. Air. B. went to Baltimore — met R. there. He had previously written to him (Mr. B.) at Beaver. The girl was conveyed to at Balti- more, through Mr. B.'s influence." " 'I'he advertisements were ahead of them, for her appre- hension. Officers were watching at the cars, and also at the steamboats. Mr. B. was in a very critical situation. Suspicion rested on Mr. B., by one of the principal slave- holders. He was detained there three days, concealing himself; then Mr. B. obtained a carriage, took the girl in, and drove off, about 7 o'clock in the evening, and went on to Little York. '' He was there arrested, and tak- en on trial. He disposed of the girl previous,, by putting her under the care of Mr. J. A trial was held, but no ev- idence being found, and Mr. B. not being obliged to con- fess against himself, (in the eye of the law,) he was con- sequently discharged. Mr. Brown contrived to have her (the alleged slave) conveyed on, during the trial, and she proceeded to Canada." Mr. B. was engaged also, in a case in Kentucky with Mr. R. A slavt; was conveyed from Louisville to Cincinnati, Ohio, through Mr. Brown's in- fluence. Many might have been aided, through his means, from the adjoining States, as his location afforded peculiar facilities for thus " delivering the spoiled from the hands of the spoiler." An attempt was made while residing in Beaver, to throw him into the river, by twelve men assembled for the pur- pose of thus taking his life. Mr. Brown had been lectur- ing on the evils of mtemperance. In relating the circum- stances to myself, he said, the mob surrounded him on the Ohio — that he stood fearless before them, looking them di- rectly in the eye and talking to them of the "judgment to 88 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. come." They all quailed and faltered from their purpose, except one, who was very determined in his purpose, but was restrained by his fellows from committing ^ne act. At a meeting in the evening of the same day, those ungodly men presented themselves directly in front of him, as list- eners to the preaching of Mr. Brown, whose life a few hours previous they had essayed to destroy. CHAPTER IX. Receives Appointment of Agency for tlie Western Educatio-n Society- Leaves Pennsylvania— Visits Massacliusetts— Continues to Labor in the Cause of the Slave. April following, Mr. Brown received the appointment of agency for the Western Education Society, formed the year previous, and m which he had taken part in devising plans and forwarding operations, to carry into effect. The leading design of the Society, was to form " an In- stitution for the instruction of youth, in all tne various branches of a Collegiate and Theological course of stud- ies," on the basis of a free, moral and enlightened senti- ment, involving the reformatory movements of the age. The location of the Institution, in view, to be establish- ed at some eligible point on the river Ohio, communicat- ing, by the canal, with Lake Erie, and regions of the West. The College itself, to be instituted, controlled, and sus- tained by a body of men actively engaged in purifying the church from the contaminating influence of Slavery.. How successful in the result of their efforts, I am en- tirely unacquainted, but presume from the nature of the object, and the state of public sentiment, linked as it is MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 99 with a proslavery conservatism (in this " Republican age") that the project was never fully realized, or if, as was the fact, that the auspices under which it commenced, were favorable, would there be found principle, self-sacrifice and perseverance enough to sustain such an enterprize. Cer- tain it is, however, that a joint stock Company was form- ed with a Capital of eighty thousand, about one half of which, (thirty-eight thousand) was taken up and the re- mainder, offered to the Eastern and Middle States. Writing on this subject, Mr. Brown remarks : There is a great necessity for a wholesale business to be done, in educating pious young men and women for the work of the Lord in the west. A small number will not answer. At least, ten thousand Teachers of common schools are now wanted, to instruct over five hundred thousand child- ren, now destitute in the valley of the Mississippi. I am overwhelmed with the thought — and that a nation is al- most sleeping over this subject, fraught with such moment- ous consequences. ***** One reason for starting a project, like that under con- sideration, may have been found in the alarming tendency, not only of a corrupt Protestantism, but in the increasing v population of the Roman Catholics at the west, with all their auxiliaries in the form of Churches, Colleges and Mis- sionary points of influence. The subjoined article written by Mr. Brown, contains an account of some of the obsta- cles in the way of progress, to advance the cause of eman- cipation and kindred efforts. The missionaries employed by the Catholics are men who easily ingratiate themselves into the affections of a community, composed of such materials as are found in many sections of the west ; and Jesuits as they are, they pass for kind, tender hearted and pious ministers, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They go into villages in- habited almost entirely by Protestants, and obtain Protest* ant churches and congregations, and there defend their re-^ ligion with such cunning craftiness, as to cause multitudes to admire. Some churches which are denied to Baptist *8 i^SO MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ministers and Anti-Slavery lecturers, are readily opened for Roman Catholic Priests. The Methodist Episcopal church at Wellsville, Ohio, has been repeatedly refused to Baptist ministers, also to the friends of the slave to hold a prayer meeting; and yet this church was opened last year to a Catholic Bishop, and such was his defence of the Catho- lic Church, and her blessed effects upon the nation, were so skillfully portrayed, that apparently all apprehension of evil results were allayed. From facts that have come un- der my observation, I am quite confident that many minis- ters in the west, would sooner aid and assist the Roman Catholics in their efforts to subdue the nation to the will of the Pope, than to suffer the Baptist Church, with its re- publican government, to be established upon that extensive field. The Catholics are taking possession, as far as their means will permit, of all the strong points, the large cit- ies, the seats of government, &lc. in the western States. They are at present, making a mighty effort to command the influence of the State of Illinois. They are erecting a College at its seat of government, thus preparing to win its Legislators to aid them in corrupting the morals, and debasing the minds of its future inhabitants. There are many other influences which hinder the progress of en- lightened Christian efforts in the west, but the most po- tent of them all, is that of an aristocratic and domineering priesthood ; that by their ecclesiastical power and personal influence, would prevent the people from hearing every sen- timent, but such as they approve. The leading men in the Methodist Episcopal church, and too many in the Presby- terian and Baptist churches, are of this stamp. These men, knowing that the truth would uproot them, make ev- ery possible exertion to keep it from the people. There are ministers who are known by reputation in this com- monwealth, as pious, devoted servants of God, who do not hesitate to connive at, and by their influence sustain mobs, rather than have the Truth, as God has revealed it, pro- claimed among them. Would to God, the Ba-ptist church was free from such men f ! Leaving Pennsylvania, on his way to the Eastern States^ MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. -W. Mr. Brown, in a communication to Rev. C. P. Grosvenor, writes the following under date of Rochester, May 16M, 1839. Dear Brother: — Since receiving your last letter I have been very busily engaged in forwarding our cause, on my way from Pittsburgh to this place. I have visited many warm friends, and not a few stern opposers. Many influential Baptist Ministers are determined to shut the dis- cussion of the subject of Slavery out of the church. . . I was told yesterday, by one of the most influential op- posers of abolition in the Baptist church, that the Faculty of the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution had resolved anew, that the students should not form A. S. So- cieties or discuss the subject of Slavery in that Institu- tion In reference to the appointment of Agents for the Chris- tian Reflector, he says, " They will all do something." There is, however, a determination on the part of many in this (N. Y.) State, to keep all ^4w;2-Slavery Papers, es- pecially Baptist, away. Some men go on as if determin- ed to die opposing the cause of Emancipation. Your brother, amid scenes of strife. * * * * To THE SAME. Ballston Spa , N. F., June Sd, 1839. I have conversed more with that class of ministers, who oppose the Anti-Slavery cause, and find most of them determined to sustain their ground. They say, slaveholders shall not be excluded from the church. They are also determined to sustain the " gag laics'^ at Hamilton and Granville Institutions, and the Baptist Reg- ister &. Co. in their neutrality. The ministers say, they are the servants of the Church and must preach what the Church says. This is especially the doctrine of the Ham- ilton Faculty. A. M Beebe Editor of the N. Y. B. Reg- ister, denies me a small place in his paper, even to state the principles upon which the Education Society intended to act. "9^ MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. He said that Institutions that permitted students to form Anti-Slavery Societies, should meet with no encourage- ment from him, and denounced us as a set of ultraists, do- ing more hurt than good. I see, we must as friends of the slave go on alone. Church and State have united with the devil to oppose the freedom of the slave, but go on, dear Brother, and in God's name you shall triumph. . . . CHAPTER X. Commission from the Massachusetts Abolition Society — Settles at North- ampton — Private Correspondence — Death of his Sister — Letter to C. P. Grosvenor. While in Massachusetts, he labored unitedly, in the Ministry and the cause of the slave. In the month of Ju- ly, 1839, he received a Commission from the Massachu- setts Abolition Society, and subsequently settled as Pastor of the Baptist church in Northampton. A few extracts from his correspondence at this period are given. To Rev, Elon Galusha. Sept 5th, 1839. I see by the Christian Reflector of yes- terday, that through your instrumentality, a number of worthy names have been attached to a call for a National Baptist A. S. Convention. I wish to inquire, whether the persons whose names appear in the Christian Reflector, as far as you have been instrumental in obtaining them, are believers in the doctrine — 1st. Of the sinfulness of holding men as property un- der all circumstances? 2d. In the duty of immediate emancipation without com- pensation ? MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. SlO 3d. That Slaveholders should be excluded from the fel- lowship of the Christian Church? You will understand the reasons of this inquiry, when I say, that some of the persons whose names appear with yours, were bitter oppnsers of Anti-Slavery efforts, only a few months since. Will you tell the readers of the Re- flector whether they have been converted or not. Yours for the Slave, A. B., Jr. Bro. Grosvenor — You can attach my name to the above if necessary. I fear that many of the names are of the ^^ prudent sort." Quotations from family letters at this period : Our dear Walter is vcri/ well. A noble little fellow truly as we think. .Mary Ann is usually well. She has been lecturing for the Moral Reform Society. She now has an invitation to labor for the New England F. M. Society. She will, if she can have time, do something in the cause I trust I was lately invited to ad- dress a large audience in Boston upon this degrading vice (licentiousness) — five hundred houses of Infamy in Bos- ton. We hope to accomplish something through the press &/C., if time is not otherwise occupied. I attend, upon an average, about ten meet- ings per week. My health is good, very good. There is now a tremendous opposition from these old Congregational churches, and the open hat- ers of truth, but all to no purpose. The Lord is with us, I trust. The Church are all united Our re- ligious denominations are beco/ning more and more con- formed to the world, and filled with the spirit of human expediency. Consequently we must be the more fiiithful in rebuking and reproving their hypocrisy. I have very few attachments on earth. Yet, I love my friends, but I dare not spend time to visit them. Indeed, it renders all society irksome, when I am not benefitting my fellow men. It is also hard for one to attend to my busi- ness transactions. Indeed, there are such multitudes perish- 94 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ino, that I cannot do less than labor without cea.sing for their conversion. I do not expect that the old superstitions of N. E. will last very much longer. They are withering before the truth. . . * . . I have no expectation of continuing here, longer than the Church can be sufficiently advanced to sustain the gos- pel. To his sister (Mrs. C. B. Mercer) then resident of Mis- souri : The cause of Anti-Slavery is marching onward. This is especially true in all the northern States. The slaves must be free. Yes, they will be free or death will overwhelm the nation. There are many abolitionists who will labor without any relaxation of effort, until sla- very dies. I hope you will not be contaminated by that vilest of all abominations — American Slavery. Touch it not, but pour the burning fire of truth upon it, whenever in your power. Make no terms with it whatever. * * On the Death of his Sister. Northampton, 3Iass. Nov. SOth, 1840. Mr. Reuben Mercer : Very Dear Brother — A letter from my parents informs me that my dearly beloved sister Cynthia, is no more. She was my only sister, and much I loved her, and earnestly did I labor to aid her to that place where you first knew her. Indeed, I feel the loss. Not that I mourn, for why should I, since God has thus appointed it. It was not because I loved her less that I aided her to depart to a land of strangers, but because I felt that I could not see her live without being useful to this lost and fallen world. I thought then, and still think, that I did what was duty, and I would that I had another sister to live and die, if God designed, under such circum- stances. Yours has been the lot to enjoy the society of her, whom I loved as I did myself, and I am quite sure that you have appreciated it. She was indeed, worthy of the society of a kind and generous friend. I have not been able, on account of an overwhelming MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ^ pressure of duties, to hold a regular correspondence with you or my sister, but have heard regularly by my parents. I hope you will not give yourself to grief and over much sorrow. Death is common to us all, and we should daily be so conversant with it, as to be able to meet it with calmness and reconciliation. There is nothing about death that should really make us afraid, since Jesus Chnst has been with us in life — he certainly will not forsake us in that trying hour, and if He is with us all will be safe. I should be very happy to see you, and it would give me great pleasure to visit you. Should be very happy to have you visit this State. Permit me to say, that inasmuch as you have found pleasure in the society of one who is now taken from you, be not given to melancholy, but commit your cares to the Lord, and think it not criminal to secure the friendship and society of another, who may go with you through this wilderness world. I am sure I shall not think you loved my sister less. I make this remark and leave you to make your own choice, whether to live single or otherwise. I shall ever think of you as brother. But my brother, your dear and interesting wi^e is not dead. All there was about her that made her interesting, and that filled your mind with joy and satisfaction indes- cribable, still lives and will eternally live. That wife, who made your home an earthly paradise, has lost none of her sweetness. That which made all her form lovely, that which made her eyes to you more precious than gold, and her voice the music of heaven, still lives. All that is dead would never have been loved by us, had it not been the abiding place of that which never dies. You only think of that body, and of its loveliness, as enclosing the intelligence which made it all that was to you desirable, and you never would have wished its stay, if it had not possessed that intelligence. That is not dead, and that only was your wife. V\ hile that form was with you, therp was a constant struggling within it, a desire to look be- yond, an indccribable something, which was constantly seeming to say, " itnbind me, take off these fetters, cut me 96 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. loose, let me expand and he with God, and dwell with Him — see His glory and know His greatness. This temple is too small for me. I am immortal, I cannot , thrive in mortality^' God has heard those groanings after life, — has struck off the clog and set the prisoner free, and now she is where there is nothing to retard her progress. She is beyond every influence that affects mortal life. She is lost in the boundless contemplation of God. You would not bring her back. How calmly she watches all your ways. Yes, she lives. Lives did I say? Poor word, it does not half express the thought. She reigns with God. I can almost hear her saying, husband weep not. Dry up all your tears. I am happier than you could make me. You were overwhelmed with grief when I leit that body which you so much loved, but to me it was the beginning of life. It raised the curtain which introduced me into this state of happiness, which to mortals I cannot describe. I cannot come back, but you can come here. Gabriel is here. Jesus is here, and is constantly saying, Father see my hands, my feet, my side. Forgive ! O forgive. Could you but see him once, certainly you would love him, for he is beyond expression lovely. Your Brother, ABEL BROWN, JR. P. S. I should be happy to have you preserve the writ- ings of my sister, as I desire to write a small volume for the S. S. library. Therefore, any writings of hers which you may possess, and any account which you may give of her life, sickness, and death, I should be happy to obtain, especially her Joiirnal. You will, of course, be willing that her friends should thus prepare a short token of re- membrance,' of an only daughter and sister. If you con- cur in this request or suggestion, I wish you would be so kind as to send such writings &/C., as may be of service to me to Northampton, Mass. If you could copy what you think would be of some interest on to two, three, or fonr large double sheets, you would be at liberty to send it by the mail If you cannot, please retain them until I MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 97 can get them, or you have an opportunity to send them to this place, or to my Father at Prairie Village, or send by mail, if the postage is not more than two or three dollars. Please write me soon. Yours, &-c., A. B. In reference to the Annual Conventions of the County A. S. Societies in the western section of Massachusetts, under date of January, 1840, he writes : To C. P. Grosvenor. The Hampshire county meeting was at- tended by about 150 delegates. There were a number of ministers present, among whom I recognized our aged Fa- ther Nelson. He made a thrilling speech in favor of with- drawing fellowship from all slaveholding churches, and be- nevolent associations. The Missionary, Bible, Tract, and other societies, which ask and receive robbery for burnt offering, were shown to be unworthy of confidence, almost all of which are directly upholding slavery. The duty of christians, and especially abolitionists at the polls, was freely discussed. It was distinctly shown that God re- quires us to regard this cause when we vote. The wick- edness of sustaining such papers as the Boston Recorder and Christian Watchman, was clearly portrayed. In Hampshire county similar resolutions were discussed. That respecting withholding contributions from those be- nevolent associations, which ask and receive the " price of blood" into their treasuries, occupied about half of the time. It was stated upon authority which will not be dis- puted, that the A. B. of C. for F. M. held slaves only about two years since — that their missionaries had remonstrated with the Board, and had attempted to appeal to the church- es, respecting the wickedness of slaveholding, and against the reception of money kept back from the slave by fraud, and that the A. B. of C. for F. M. had suppressed the com- munication. Also, that the abolitionists had remonstrated with these servants of the church, and yet they were con- niving at the robbing of the poor. The A. Tract Society was begging for aid, professing to supply the destitute with the gospel, yet amid about 100 volumes of publications, 9 98 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. not a word had been said in behalf of the poor and op- pressed bondmen in America. The A. Bible Society was and is still, do. do. The A. Baptist Board for Foreign Missions had not on- ly asked robbery for burnt offering, and through their cor- responding Secretary, apologized and defended the Baptist slaveholders, but had sent a bold defender of slavery and an unrepenting slaveholder in heart, not in practice, to preach the gospel to the heathen — had made a notorious slaveholder president of the Convention, and still manifest- ed no repentance for their evil doings. I heard all this and more also, stated in a public meeting of hundreds. Are these things so? The Baptists in this region, are awaking to their duty concerning the slave. I hope the" watchman" will sound the alarm. May wisdom from above guide us all, is the desire of your brother in Christ. A. BROWN. CHAPTER XI. His Anti- Slavery Position — The Political Contest — Correspondence — Leaves Northampton — Subsequent Settlement at Sand Lake, N. Y. — Continuation of Letters. From the correspondence of Mr. Brown, it is evident that he had no sympathy, neither could he have had partici- pation, in the origin of the secession movement in 1840, in opposition to the original Anti-Slavery organization. He, however, firmly believed and sustained a system of political action, which formed the second issue of the new organization ; but not alone the ground of their separa- tion. In the right, dnty and privilege of waman to act, speak and vote in the cause of the slave, he ever believed and maintained. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 99 In a letter addressed to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, January 27, 1841, he writes — that " the Hamp- shire County Society became auxiliary to the Massachu- setts Abolition Society the winter previous, in order that it might get rid of that " pestilent fellow. Garrison," and his (or rather Christ's) more humble doctrines of" Peace on earth and good will to men." A iew of the more in- fluential Abolitionists, were very anxious to be where their influence at the polls, and at the church, might not be re- tarded, by Garrison and his true-isms." This ground as- sumed, seemed less objectionable, and even justifiable at first, in the mind of Mr. Brown, who entertained a high respect for the piet 7/ of the churches, and especially of hia ancestral town. In reference to which, he says of North- amption : It seemed that " the place where I stood was holy ground." But alas, my confidence for once was mis- placed The time came for the exercise of that mighty instrument, political action. The Committee of this same County, not only did not sustain their pro- fessed principles, but used every effort to defeat those who were desirous to remember, (even at the polls), crushed and bleeding humanity ; many of them previously gave their nam.es to secure the election of pro-slavery candi- dates." " With one or two exceptions, the com- mittee sustain ministers, who do not open their mouths for the dumb, and who are among the neglectors of Anti-Sla- very efforts. Some members of the Committee, receive their spiritual food from, belong to, and sustain a minister, who is an open reviler of the Anti-Slavery cause at large, and a slanderer of the friends here, in particular. The church where they worship, is forbidden to those who plead for the slave." . . . . " Yet there are a few, who have not bowed the knee to Baal." In the political contest of 1840, Mr. Brown found oc- casion for open and decided reprehension ; and to the peo- ple of his charge, in the ministry, he did not fail, espec- ially, to warn and dissuade from attendance on those con- 100 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ventional exercises, in which log cabins, hard cider, and loud sounding hosannas in favor of " Tippecanoe and Ty- ler too," were the prominent features, and the only visible arguments of partizans of that period. He also engaged, in endeavoring to correct the false impressions of the pub- lic mind, with reference to the artifice employed to insure the votes of abolitionists. Such a course, in opposition to the popular current of the times, called forth the most severe opprobrium ; not only from private foes, but from the public prints — Professors of Theology and Politics, among whom were Prof Stowe, and J. C. Calhoun — ^no- ticing a speech delivered by him in Boston, bearing on some points, relative to this eminent statesman. The following letters from a correspondent, contains an exposition of Mr. Brown's course at this crisis of political excitement : FrederickshurgJi, Va., Aug. 17th, 1840, Rev. and Dear Sir : — I have seen in the newpapers, a letter addressed by you to " Mr. B. F. Hallett," upon the subject of a letter, which had been circulated privately at the North, written by a member or members of Congress, "by authority from Gen. Harrison," &c. And I have also noticed since, in some of the papers, accounts that a »^«?> ton outrage had been committed upon your person — that you had been insulted and abused, &c., inconsequence of some statements, which you made in the correspondence above referred to ; which correspondence, it seems, grew out of some remarks which you made in a public meeting, in relation to the letter, which was written and circulated by authority from Gen. Harrison, to aid in his election. Being myself a minister of the Baptist denomination, and an ardent friend of human rights and liberty, I have taken the liberty to address you this letter, and to ask you to give me a full account of the whole matter. I am prompt- ed to this by no one, but for my own satisfaction. I wish to know, if we as a people and nation have come to this, that ministers of the gospel,, in their persons and effects, are not safe from the brutal assaults of the sons of Relial^ MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 101 upon publishing without reserve their own views, or in giving a plain statement of facts, in relation to any mat- ter, which may have transpired within their knowledge. I have for some time, been thinking of taking a preach- ing tour through some of the northern States, and even on this account, I should be glad to know, to what extent the freedom of speech and the press is abridged ; or to what extent, an abridgement has been attempted. I know that the system of Ijynch Law has been prac- ticed in our country for several years back, to an alarming extent : and which, together with other scenes, which fre- quently occur under both religious and political excite- ment, makes me sometimes tremble for the Republic. In addition to the facts, in relation to the assault, which is said to have been made on you, I should also be glad that you would give me the particulars of the " secret let- ter," if there is any thing of note, besides what you wrote to Mr. Hallett. I am Yours, &c. Rev. Abel Brown. JOHN CLARK. From the Same. Sept. Sth, 1840. My Dear Brother : — Your interesting letter of the 21st ult., was received, and as it had been intimated in some of our papers, that you had been abused, and also reports circulated, prejudicial to your character and stand- ing, as a minister of the gospel, I have made your expose of the wickedness of the ciderites public, in which, the intelligent will clearly see the true cause of all the abuse and persecution which you have received. The party now, will no doubt, devise some new mode of attack, as I understand, they have already declared here that you are an impostor, politically so at least, and that you only publish those things, to injure the whig cause. I trust, however, my brother that you will feel a consolon lion, in the midst of these afflictions, irom the considera- tion, that " the master of the house," was treated in like manner, and for a similar cause; that of preaching against y 10^ MEMOt-R OF AREL BROWPT. wickedness. He hesitated not to testify of the world, that their deeds were evil. My principal object in writing to you at this time is, to guard you against any letter or letters, which you may re- ceive from here or hereabouts, unless subscribed to by me ; for you have not many friends here, and they would not write to you without my knowledge, an^d your enemies may, with a view to entangle you, and expose you in the papers. Should you, therefore, receive any letter from this quarter, in which I am not recognized, you had better write to me upom the subject ; that is, if you sli^H feel dis- posed to answer it at aH. This same cider party h-ave been guiFty, both in Ohio and Indiana, of the sacrilegious blasphemy of administer- ing the supper, to their deluded followers and converts to Harrison, vf'iih. parched com and hard cider^ saying, " take this in remembrance of Old Tip ! !*^ I will, if I can, put my hand upon it, and send you the paper containing the full account of these proceedings. I have thought, that certainly, the monstrous wickedness of the time, was without a parallel in the history of the world I remain yours, in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, JOHN CLARK. The foolish excess to which the people had been trans- ported,, at this period of political excitement, must, in the cool reflection of " after days," appear like anything, rath- er than a rational procedure, to secure the highest gift of the peopFe in the election of its chief ruler, however worthy the candidate of their suffrages might be. In the midst of the most viruJent opposition, Mr. Brown succeeded in accomplishing much good for the prosperity of the church over which he was placed ; yet declined an invitation to remain longer as Pastor of the same. In the spring of 1841, on his removal to New York, he accepted of a call to the Pastoral charge of the Baptist church in Sand Lake. He there pursued the same course MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 103 of faithful teaching, exhortation and rebuke, as occasion required. A few letters indicative of his views and continued course of action, are herein inserted ; together with an aecount of the progress of Temperance, in which Mr. Brown might well congratulate himself in having helped to achieve ; written by that warm and distinguished friend of every good and noble enterpise, (E. W. Goodwin), ad- dressed to the Editor of the Tocsin of Liberty. Great Mass Temperance Meeting. Auburn, Feb. 1st, 1841. This is the day advertised for a great mass Temperance meeting in this place. Well, it is now, while I write, about 12 o'clock M., and it really seems as if the great fountains of the deep are broken up among the people. The principal street is one moving mass of men, women and children. In the mean time the great Auburn House, (now kept by J. M. Brown, on Temperance principles) is overflowing. Gen. Riley is here, and a host of reformers, ready to take the platform as orators in the different churches, which will be filled to overflowing at 2 o'clock. Then there are bands of music, and choirs of singers, heading the masses as they march in, from the different towns, with banners and appropriate devices and mottos. Altogether it is grand beyond expression. I can hardly realize that I am not dreaming. How strange ! A few short years ago, temperance was very small here. Now men are complete enthusiasts for it. Once the grocery interest held the dominion, and swayed an influence over the entire village. Now it is weak and powerless. In- deed all along my journey to this place east of Utica, men can scarcely think of anything else, talk of anything else or hear of anything else but temperance. They seem al- most to have forgotten the ordinary avocations of business and gone to work en masse as moral reformers. Tell Abel Brown, that the man Clute — formerly the great embody ment of intemperance and rum selling, who whipped him while collecting facts and laboring as temperance agent. 104 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. has turned his liquor into the streets and signed the Re- former's pledge, and has become a good citizen. And that the same mob that howled and dogged him from the place, before whose ferocity he was compelled to flee for his life, are now, many of them as energetically engaged as re- formers. Ah, what an encouragement this for his rejlec- tion. What an encouragement for all who may suffer reproach and shame and poverty in the holy cause of mor- al reform, to endure patiently, with strong hope. The day of rejoicing will come. * * * * Albany, Aug. 23d, 1841. Wm. Lloyd Garrison : Very Dear Brother — I am al- ways happy when writing to you, because I feel assured that you will publish the truth, though it should render you odious. Go on, my brother. Toil here, and rest not, un- til Christ shall call you to himself. My spirit cannot rest, so long as my brethren are crushed by the iron hoof of op- pression. What follows may strike you with terror, but it is nev- ertheless true. Mr. Jones affirmed it to be so in the pres- ence of Mrs. Stewart and Miss Briggs of Troy. Slaveholders are received into the Mission churches ; and the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Congrega- tional Missionaries among those tribes, are unanimous, so far as he is acquainted, in sustaining slaveholders, as Chris- tian brethren in the churches ! That they (the Missiona- ries) neither preach against this practice, nor use means to put it out of the church. That almost all the Missiona- ries, either own or hire slaves of their masters to work, and pay the master for their services ! That he has been obliged in cases of sickness, to do it himself That the Rev. Mr. Mason, a Baptist missionary, was obliged to leave the country, because he would oppose slavery ! Rev. Mr. Kellam left, I suppose, on the same account. That the Rev. Mr. Hatch and wife. Baptist missionaries among the Choctaws, left, because they could not conscientiously sustain slavery. That Rev. Mr. Flemming and Rev. Mr. Dodge, M. D., missionaries of the American Board, left MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 105 on the same account. That the Rev. Mr. Potts, Baptist missionary among the Choctaws, either owns or hires slaves of their masu - that he is open and public in this, and all understand iiiat he sustains slavery, and receives slaveholders into the church, as good, pious Christians ! That Rev, Mr. P., a Methodist missionary among the Choctaws, owns a number of slaves, and treats them as such ; and that he shot and killed a white man, whom he supposed was stealing one of his slaves, and that Rev. Mr. P. is in full fellowship with the other missionaries ! That he (Mr. Jones) has received the communion services from his hands &c. It would need a man or woman of considerable faith, as they would perhaps mistrust that " a negro stealer," had come among them, and the Rev. Mr. Perry might be ap- pointed to shoot the fanatics; especially, if he should be found among his negroes ! ABEL BROWN. Elder John Peek of Cazenovia, in this State, who is (or was) travelling at the South, as an agent of the Ameri- can Baptist Home Missionary Society, waiting from Ala- bama to the N Y. Baptist Register, says : ** I saw in this place a coJorGd iTjinistering brother, be- longing to Montgomery church, named Caesar Blackmoor, who is owned by the Alabama Association, and is appoint- ed a missionary to the colored people, under the direction of three trustees, and preaches in the bounds of the As- sociation and elsewhere, at their direction. Brother C. informed me that he has been very successful in his la- bors, and preaches to great acceptance to both white and colored brethren. He baptized last year on his mission one hundred and ten persons of his own color. As a man, a christian, and a minister of the gospel, his characther is irreproachable. He preached on Lord's day in the after- noon in the same pulpit that I had occupied in the morn- ing, but my health w^ould not permit of my going to hear him." Shameful! An Ambassador of Christ made a Chat-- 106 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. TEL ! The Minister of the Gospel of ONE color is plac- ed on a perfect level with the Horse of his Brother Min- ister ! ! One ambassador the property, chattel, of another ambassador. The Representative of Christ, for such min- isters claim to be, is made the personal property of Christ's church, and sent out as a Missionary to preach the glad news of salvation, " peace on earth and good will Co man," with a chain on his neck! The Bihle in one hand, and the other chained to his back, to keep him from running away ! The proceeds of preaching used to send the gos- pel of peace to the Isles of the sea ! A Baptist Minister gave $100 to a Missionary Society, and asserted as a reason why he was able, that he had made a good sale of slaves I The Board of the American and Foreign Missionary Society refuse to testify against slavery, because they could not obtain the support of the south if they should. We view the church as being in a very wicked position, and as deserving the frowns of offended mercy. We be- lieve the frown of God rests upon American churches,, and our alarm cry to them is and shall be, in earnest voice : "Oh, rouse ye — ere the storm comes forth^- The grant- red wraih of God and man — Like that which wasted Egypt's earth, VVIien hail and fire above it ran." # * # * * *# # * Sand Lake, June 12th, 1842. Dear Brother Brown : — I feel as if I could weep tears of blood over the apparent desolating prospects of Zion. Whether God is about to give up his people, and let them have the desire of their own hearts, or whether his judgments are fast ripening, that will be sent to bring them back to Him, that they may deliglit to do His will, requires the scrutinizing eye of that God, who alone is able to scan the motives, and trace the windings of the human soul. I feel as though we were called upon to con- tend inch by inch with the adversary of all good, for the right to our master's territory. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 107 The cloven foot never appeared to me more apparent, and more deformed, than it did yesterday in our church, in the determination of our Deacons, that they would do what they could to prevent your going as a delegate from this church, to the Association at Poughkeepsie. The main objection of Dea. Fox was, that you would agitate the subject of slavery, and it struck him very forcibly, that you had neglected to take a letter of dismission from this chnrch, purposely that you might get the delegation ; and this he thought very mysterious. Dea. Gregory had objections, but he did not make them known, and although it was voted that you sJwuld go as a delegate, yet the vote was afterwards rescinded. I hope the Lord vi^ill direct you in the way he would have you go, and if it is his will that you should, that all the causes of discouragement will not prevent your be- ing present at the Association. Trust in God — he will sustain you. If means are wanting, I will bear a part of the expense. Yours as ever, C. H. GREGORY. Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., June 2Sth, 1841. J. H. Vinton, MissiOxXary at Maulmain, Asia : Very Dear Brother — You will, doubtless, recognize my name, as that of a brother of your acquaintance, in the Hamilton Institution. I trouble you only to make a few inquiries, as we are in perils among brethren. Whether they are' false or not, "God knoweth." You know that American Slavery is upheld and supported by the Baptist churches, I suppose. I will, however, make a few statements in order that I may be fully understood. There are about 125,000, or one sixth part of all the Baptist church members of the U. S., slaves. Almost all the intluential Baptists of the Southern States, both ministers and laymen, are slaveholders, and within two or more years past have come out boldly and published sermons, letters and pamphlets, making God, 108 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the author and sustain- ers of slavery. Eld. Fuller, late preacher for the U. S. Baptist Tri. Convention, has just published a document, boldly advocating these doctrines. Dr. Wm. B. Johnson, the President of the Convention, is another. It is known that many of the southern Baptists raise negroes and sell, and almost every southern church upholds this traffic. One year ago last April, a convention of Baptists was held in the city of New York to concoct, and carry out measures, for the overthrow of slavery in the Baptist church. The most we did, was to prepare an address to the southern Brethren, telling them our grief, and exhort- ing them affectionately to cease to buy, sell and hold men as slaves. Eld. Galusha was Chairman of the Convention, and signed the address. We sent them to every church and nnuister in the Southern States. The result has been, that the southern churches came out plainly, and justified themselves ; said that it was right in the sight of God, to hold property in man ; and demand- ed that the northern churches, -hould either turn out the brethren who published the address from all and every office in the Baptist Benevolent Societies, and receive and fellowship the southern churches in buying and celling and holding slaves, or they, the southern Baptists, will with- hold all money from the Treasuries of the Home and For- eign Mission and Bible Societies. The Boards of these Societies have written letters, and sent their agents to the South, assuring them that they utterly disapprove of the efforts of the Anti-Slavery brethren. The Home and For- eign Mission and Bible So leties have, at their annual meetings, rejected the Anti-Slavery brethren, even put out Eld. Galusha from an office in the F. M. Society, only be- cause he was one of the brethren, who could not consci- entiously receive slaveholders into communion and fellow- ship, in a Christian church. A number of the most stren- uous slaveholders (Baptist ministers) have been in Boston, New York, Albany, and have been invited to preach, and received as Baptist Christians in good standing. This has been done by the South, 1 suppose, to see whether there MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN, 109 was any disposition on the part of northern Baptists, to put away slavery. Again, we are exceedingly grieved, that these Societies should suffer their Boards to send agents to the southern Baptist churches, to collect apart of the money, which is robbed from the blacks, to send the gospel to heathen in other countries. Those agents which are sent South, are particularly understood as being such as will not reprove slaveholders, and indeed they all, I believe, are every month writing letters home to be published, telling what excel- lent Christians our dear southern Baptists are. They all oppose, and many publicly condemn those of us who are laboring to uproot slavery. Again, I am exceedingly grieved, that yourself and oth- er missionaries, should suffer yourselves to be supported by money collected from men who rob the poor, and some of the money is actually received from those who sell men, and is a part of the profits, and that too, without offering a single reproof, through the Board, for such robbery. The slaveholders make their boasts, that they are sustained by the missionaries in this way, and that the Board and agents sustain them, and condemn the Anti-Slavery Baptists. Now, my dear brother, I have to ask you if you will not come out, and write letters to the Board, remonstrating against their sending agents South to collect money, rob- bed from the bleeding slaves, and also refuse to accept support from those who rob the poor. Rest assured, one such letter sent home, asking to be supported by money which is nol the price of blood, will do much toward ar- resting the pro-slavery spirit, which is rife among us. And it will secure you and all who take a similar course, an abundant support. I have done paying money to a Board, that helps rob the poor. I cannot send money to those, who, at the same time, ask the price of blood, and sanc- tion the crime of extorting it from my colored brethren under the lash. We sent the last $25,00 last week. But if the missionaries will come out and condemn this crime, and ask to be supported by the earnings of honesty, there are many brethren who would go from house to house and 10 1 10 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. from town to town, and collect money for their support. If you write letters to the Board, please send a copy to me, for the Board, I fear, will suppress them. I am having no quarrel with any of these men — have as high a place among my brethren as I deserve. All I wish is, that God may be honored in setting the oppressed free. Since 1836, I have been travelling much — about two years on the Ohio river and vicinity — for the past three years in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. I have been laboring in behalf of the oppressed. God is fast breaking the yoke, and soon, I trust, I shall have the privilege of preaching Christ to the dying blacks of the South. I have been there and seen their abject heathen- ism. About two millions of them are as really heathen as those in Asia. I have often desired to be with you in Asia, but could not, without being sent by a board, that takes the robbery of the poor for burnt offering. I have lived in constant persecution, until within a year past. Three times I have been publicly whipped, once, more than fifty lashes. I have been stoned and mobbed very, very many times, but always in the free States. Very many times have I been stopped by the leading ministers, when I was referring to the heathen at homey as we all do to the heathen abroad. Never, until this year, would Hudson River Association let a word be said in behalf of the slaves; but this year we discussed a resolution about two hours. I was called to order again and again, but the Moderator knowing that I was in order, did not stop me, yet they would not pass a resolution, saying that slavery was a moral evil. Howev- er, I think that good was done, and hoping in God, I trust, with his assistance, I shall persevere. The Association appointed me one of their delegates, to attend the annual meeting of the N. Y. State Convention, and the A. B. Home Mission Society, where they must know, I will bring up the case of the slave. The best of all is, God is with us. My kind regards to your wife, Brother and Sister How- ard. And now, may the blessed God help you to do just MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. Ill what will meet his approbation, in consideration of two mill- ions of heathen in this land, and another million that can- not read the Bible. I shall probably make this my earthly home, for two years or more. The fatigues of myself and family for four or five years past, render it necessary. When we meet where Jesus is, then we will talk orer our trials and troubles, and blessings. I have had the hap- piness of baptizing about seventy, within the past year. From your sinful brother, yet hoping in Christ, ABEL BROWN. To N. P. Rogers, Editor of the Herald of Freedom. Sand Lake, N. F., Aug. 17th, 1841. Dear Brother : — In the last number of the Liberator, I find an article copied from the Herald, headed *' Rev. Jonathan Davis." In that article you call upon Bro. Murray, and consequently upon all Baptist abolitionists, to renounce the denomination. And you speak of him as having fellowship with the denomination, and as being one of the most worthy among the abolition host, among the Baptists. Bro. Murray is able to answer for himself As you have cut loose from all denominations, I should be happy to have you point out to me ray duty to the Baptist connection, if I am not already doing it. 1st. I am a regular ordained Baptist Minister, and a mem- ber of a Baptist church. 2d. I firmly believe that it is my duty to preach that men should repent, believe in Christ and be baptized ; and when men or women, black or white, do repent and be- lieve in Christ, I baptize them if it is their request. I then suppose they are members of Christ's visible church on earth, and are at liberty to associate themselves with a body of baptized believers, subject only to the laws and ordinances of Christ himself They are subject to the laws or authority of no council, association, society, or convention, but elect whom they will, to teach and instruct them in the way of Christ more perfectly. They have power and authority from Christ himself, to ordain or set 112 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. apart ministers, deacons, or any other officers which Christ appoints; and such officers, when set apart, have no more authority, than any man or woman in the church. Each and every member has one vote, and only one, in deciding any matter whatever, which concerns the church. No sin whatever, is to he practised hy them, either in an indi- vidual or collective capacity. If a brother or sister fall in sin, and cannot be restored in the spirit of meekness, fellowship is to be withdrawn from them, and the of- fender counted not as an enemy, but admonished as a brother. Of such a church, am I a member. As their minister, when permitted by Providence to be with them, I do not fail to rebuke and reprove sin, and when abroad I do the same. We would no sooner receive a slavehold- er into the church, than we would any other thief ; and I would as soon baptize old Satan himself, as a believer in, or a practiser of slavery. 3d. Whenever I am appointed by the church to attend any religious meeting, it is taken for granted, that I will carry out the principles held and practised by the church ; that I will not, even by silence, give my sanction to sin in any form. If I am sent to attend an Anti-Slavery, or any other convention, and they refuse (like the Nation- al Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention) to obey the whole truth, I am in duty bound to faithfully rebuke them, and use my influence to bring the body to embrace the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If after faithful trial, the enemies of God prevail, escape from them ; always remembering to bear faithful witness against their evil deeds. 4th. So far as the " National Baptist Triennial Conven- tion" is concerned, I am free to declare, that its last meet- ing was composed oi thieves and robbers, and their abettors ^ as much worse than common horse and sheep thieves, as men are better than horses and sheep. I fully believe, that those who sanctioned their proceedings, by neg- lecting to rebuke them, and by giving their votes for thieves and robbers, are partakers of their sins. 5th. These views I endeavor to advocate on all suitable MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 113 occasions. I have published them to the world. A. Broth- er was kind enough to take me aside from the Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention in New York city, in April last, and advise me to leave the Convention, and go off along with G-arrison & Co., but I expect it will be duty to go back next spring, and rebuke your Bro. Worth, Colver 4* Co. There is yet some hope that they will come to re- pentance. 6th. I am not particularly anxious to be called a Bap- tist, but as I understand the term Baptist to mean '* oppo' sition to all sin," and as those who do not practically and really oppose all sin, are only Baptist hypocrites, I think it duty to still belong to a Baptist church. During the past year, amid all the opposition which Baptist hypocrites and their abettors could bring against me, it has been my happy privilege to baptize more persons, than any other Baptist minister in the western half of Massachusetts. In conclusion, my brother, let me ask you faithfully to rebuke me, if I have not renounced the present Baptist denomination in the U. S., as far as duty requires. As you stand aloof from all church organization, you may be better prepared to judge than myself. I do not patronize any of the hypocritical Baptist peri- odicals. I pay nothing to their societies, and receive noth- ing from them. I do endeavor to rebuke their sins, when- ever an opportunity presents. In addition to these labors in behalf of common humanity, I still feel it a duty to preach, and baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, all who give evidence of repentance towards God and faith in the Redeemer. Your brother in Christ, ABEL BROWN. 10* 114 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWX. CHAPTER XII. Bemoval to Albany— Labors in behalf of Refugees — Engages as Publisher of the Tocsin of Liberty — Formation of the Eastern N. Y. Antislavery Society — Fugitive Slave cases. Early in the year '42, Mr. Brown engaged in labors for the slave in Albany ; a city, which from its location on the banks of the Hudson, was the constant resort of fugi- tive slaves, when travelling in the direction of the North Star, to seek shelter under the wing of Queen Victoria's dominion, or happily, perchance, to find an Asylum in the nominally free States. To effect this, and also to render their flight effectual, and speed them on their course to the goal of freedom, it was found necessary that a syste- matic train of operations be devised, by Committees formed for the specific purpose of aiding those who thus sought the protection of friends in a strange land. Mr. Brown entered anew, into this department of labor, with all the zeal and benevolent enthusiasm which had heretofore prompted him, when alone on the borders of slave States, to pursue, in rescuing from slavery the helpless victims of American oppression. He also engaged as Publisher of the Tocsin of Liberty, a paper conducted by E. W. Goodwin, whose ability as an Editor, was equalled only by his philanthropic zeal, and devotion to the interests of the slave. It was then the Tocsin rung with the joyful intelligence of the arrival of fugitive slaves from the land of chains — and often too, sounded the note of alarm, to the watch- men on freedom's walls, who neither slumbered nor slept in their untiring vigilance, io protect these ** outcasts " of humanity from farther invasion of southern man-hunters, and legalized robbers. Formation of the Eastern N. Y. A. S. Society. Mr. Brown was one of the prominent movers in the organization of this Society. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 115 The following is an account of the proceedings of the Convention, gathered from the Secretary's reports. " In accordance with a call, previously published, the Convention met in Albany on the 20th day of April, 1842, for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming an Eastern N. Y. Antislavery Society, and for doing such other business as might legitimately come before them. The meeting was called to order by Elder Abel Brown, prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Shipherd of Troy. The meeting was held at the City Hall and continued in session two days. There were about one hundred names reported as dele- gates, representing twelve Counties, viz : — New York, Columbia, Albany, Schenectady, Washington, Saratoga, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Oneida and Madison. There were also several anti-slavery friends present from three other states, viz : Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, who by request took seats in the Conven- tion and participated in its deliberations. With the ex- ception of one or two occasions of differences of opinion, wherein some feeling was manifested on both sides, the Convention was characterized with unusual harmony, and a firmness of purpose to go steadily forward, towards the goal for which abolitionists started." Among the speakers, during the series of meetings, were Gerrit Smith, Henry B. Stanton, and others whose powers of eloquence and effective address contributed much to the interest of the occasion. John A. Collins and Charles Lenox Remond, were also present at the solicitation of Mr. Brown, bearing with them the great Irish Antislavery Address, with its sixty thousand signa- tures, headed by Daniel O'Connell and Theobald Mat- thew. Among the resolutions, the following is found in refer- ence to political action. We pledge ourselves in the words of Gen. Washington, who said, *' Slavery can and ought to be abolished by laii\ and so far as my suffrage will go, it shall never be want- ing." 116 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. In the election of officers, Mr. Brown was chosen Cor- responding Secretary and General Agent of the Society, The counties embraced in this division, including all those bordering the Hudson, those on Long and Staten Islands, together with Delaware, Schoharie, Montgomery, Schenectady, Fulton, Essex, Hamilton, Washington and Warren. The field of operations (thus defined) being compara- tively new, even at this period of the Antislavery Enter- prise, will account for the apathy and want of interest in some, and opposition in other places to the movement. However, there were a few *' true and tried friends of the slave," who were neither slow nor weary in well doing in their efforts to upbuild this great and mighty cause, while traversing the vallies and hills of the noble Hudson. Although pledged in the various offices assigned him, to sustain the work in this department, (involving both his time and powers in no small degree,) yet Mr. Brown found occasion, still to labor for other objects, alike important to the public weal and to the welfare of individuals. A few instances on record, designate his labors at this period, as also some articles published by him in the Toc- sin of Liberty, concerning his agency for the Vigilance Committee and fugitive slaves. 1842, April 23d. Notified meeting (by writing to all members of Ex. Committee.) 28, 29. Spent most of the time preparing for, and getting up a meeting to oppose licensing the sale of spirit- ous liquors in Albany. 31. Sabbath — spent in preaching on dock, and resting. The following advertisement from Mr. Brown, in behalf of a poor colored brother, shows, on what conditions, many slaveholders are willing to relinquish their slaves. $15800 Wanted to buy a Wife and six Children Albany, 3Ion. Morning, May 1, 1842. E. W. Goodwin, Esq. — Dear Sir : — There arrived in this city from Washington D. C. during the last week, a man by the name of Freemen, a carpenter by trade. He MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 117 has letters from gentlemen of high standing and respecta- bility, in Washington, and also from gentlemen in Charles- ton, S. C. He has formerly been a slave of the Hon. Mr. B., late Sec'y of the U. S. Navy, from whom he purchas- ed himself for the sum of $800. The said Sec'y now holds in bondage his wife and six children ; and utterly refuses to give them up unless the husband and father will pay him the sum of $1,800, and has promised to retain them nine months, to give the father an opportunity of purchasing them at the expiration of that time : otherwise they are to be sold, and perhaps separated, never more to meet on earth. Mr. Freemen wishes to obtain in this and adjoining places, the sum of $200, which with what he has now in his possession, will enable him to obtain from that Honored American Robber, that which now justly belongs to him. He is willing to work for a term of years, for any person who will furnish him means to thus bless his family. Those who love to aid the perishing, are re- spectfully invited to send donations to the subscriber, No. 8 South-Pearl-st. Yours, in haste, ABEL BROWN. A fine opportunity was thus, not unfrequently, afforded those, who affirm so great a desire, that the slaveholder should he paid, for his living though actually dead "prop- erty" in human beings. This is a reward, however, that never should be granted, except, (in the case of no alter- native) as a ransom in the liberation of a slave. " May 2d. Visited Poughkeepsie, and lectured in the evening, to a small audience in a corner of the village. The Churches were all closed against lectures from Antislavery Agents. May 4. Visited Peekskill, but could not find even a hovel, in which to lecture for the slave. The rummies threatened me with a niob, if I dared to lecture, and to pull down any house, that should be opened for the purpose. The Washingtonians, got me up a Temperance meeting, and cheered me on, until I was tired. Ascertained that my appointment was not out in Sing Sing — Saw one of nS MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. the Levites, as also a priest, from that place ; but they were as far from doing any thing, as the Priests and Le- vites of old were, for the man that fell among thieves. May 5th. Took passage for Brooklyn, and after a long and painful talk with pro-slavery ministers, arrived in New York and from tlience to Brooklyn. The dear Christian Churches of that City, shut me out doors. Consequently, my appointment failed. The day following — Spent in ob- taining a meeting hereafter, and in consultation with the friends — shall probably obtain a Methodist house soon, and have the assurance of the kind co-operation of the friends of the cause. All appear happy, that the Committee are willing to engage in this good work, and I find a few, to sustain us in all places. June 3d. Wrote and prepared letters for the Am. & Foreign A. S. Soc'y — aided Fugitives. Watched Kidnap- pers &c. 4. Went to Troy, to watch a constable from Baltimore, and aid the friends in Troy, in knowing and watching him. 5. Sabbath — Preached on the Dock and in the Bethel, four times. (This he usually did on the Sabbath.) 10th. Spent most of the week in aiding runaways, and in sending off Circulars — Soliciting money and find- ing solicitors — Went to Sand Lake, and made arrange- ments to send a certain person there. Amidst a variety of efforts to aid fugitives, Mr. Brown writes, — "Lectured on the dock, four evenings, respecting Tem- perance " A few short sketches (given by Mr. Brown) concerning fugitive slaves, are designed to show the ridiculous posi- tion, and the contemptible meanness of slaveholders, in their pretended ownership of the bodies and souls of men ; also, the utter futility of their efforts to regain this species of flying property, when once in the hands of a skillful Committee. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 119 [For the Tocsin of Liberty.] Kidnapper , Look Here ! Albany, June 20tk, 1842. E. W. Goodwin, Esq. Dear Sir : — The vigilance com- mittee are up to their elbows in work, and are desirous to have you inform a few of those men who have lately lost property consisting of articles of merchandize (falsely so called) in the shape, and having the minds and sympathies of human beings, that we are always on hand, and ready to ship cargoes on the shortest notice, and ensure a safe passage over the "Great Ontario." Please inform the fol- lowing persons, that their property arrived safe, (though some of it was badly worn) and has been forwarded and arrived safe in Canada. Cheney Hutton is hereby informed that two very large men, the one a market man and teamster, the other a first rate field hand, came up on the "Peoples Line" of steam- boats, and marched right up to the office and handed out the following ''Bill of Lading." Ncio York, June 6th, 1842. ''Shipped on board the steamboat R , Peoples Line, the bearers, who are kindly commended to your care," 6i.c. W . Agent. They confessed that they were runaways and their coun- tenances proved that they were guilty of being as black as a slaveholders heart. They did not appear to be ashamed of what they had done, but a gentleman present said, he was ashamed for them that they had not done one thing more, and that was, to have driven along the market wagon well loaded, as part payment for the robbery of about 30 years service. Friend Hutton may as well give up the chase, — for Benjamin and Phillip, will hereafter sell their own poultry, raise their own corn and own their bodies, and let Cheney Hutton do his own marketing or pay for doing it, as honest men do. ABEL BROWN, Forwarding Merchant, Albany. 120 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. Albany Kidnappers. Mr Editor : Certain gentlemen, who take such a deep interest in the welfare of Miss Leah Brown, lately held in servile bondage by Mrs. McDonald, are hereby informed that Leah has no wish to return to the embrace of the family who have robbed herself and mother, and her brothers and sisters, of their inalienable rights, from their earliest infancy. Also, that she is beyond the reach of those men who have lately offered one hundred dollars for her delivery, to the woman who formerly held her as a slave. She earnestly hopes, that Mrs. McD. will treat her mother and sisters kindly, and not sell them to Georgia. Will you please also, to inform the lovers of liberty, that the Vigilance Committee are in great want of funds to aid in sending emigrants to Canada. They have just received a lot fresh from the Southern District. Please also inform Robert Gilmore of Baltimore, that he need not give himself further trouble about his very intelligent and noble slaves, Marianna, Polly, Elisabeth Castle, and her fine little girl, for they have got safe over the great Ontario, where such men as his honor, would not look very well placing their feet for the purpose of kidnapping. Tell him also, that his slave John Weston left here more than a week since, at full speed, in a fine carriage drawn by fleet horses, and report says, there were not less than six well loaded pistols in the hands of John and his associates. The carriage was driven by as fine looking and noble hearted a son of the South, as I ever saw. The kidnappers who came on from Baltimore after John, have great reason to be thankful that they were outwitted and did not overtake the carriage, for most surely they would have met a hard reception. John said he would die sooner than go back. I am quite sure that Marianna, Elisabeth, John, and the little girl, have had a joyful thanksgiving in the other land. (I hope Robert will not envy them their happiness.) Tell the British Consul, that I sympathize with his afflicted wife, in the loss of Elisabeth, and if she will send MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. J^l^l me her free papers, and give me the liberty of so doing, I will invite her to return from Canada, and make her an inmate of my own family. I will not however, pay the $50 reward which her agent offered for Elisabeth. Inform Dr. Stewart, that Mary Ann had some fears when here, that he would catch her, but that the kindness of friends dried up her tears, and she too went over that awful lake, that smiles on slaves, and frowns on slavehol- ders. I have a charge against Robert Gilmore of $15 for money paid to the order of John, and $10 for money paid to the order of Elisabeth Castle, and her mother and daughter. I shall charge the British Consul $30 for money and service rendered Elisabeth. I charge the Con- sul somewhat extra, because he is disgracing the country of his birth, by his American practices. The kidnappers made it expensive transporting John, and Robert certainly ought to pay the $15 without cere- mony. I told him he might go back free of charge, or he might stay in Albany if he chose, but he would listen to no other proposals than such as secured him a passage to Canada; there appeared to be a charm in that name. He started on foot, and walked until his feet were perfectly blistered, when a friend brought him back to take a ntJ) start. Here he found that wTetched constable of Baltimore, watching for him, but there were more watching the kidnapper than he could find to watch John, and even the aid of the entire kidnapping gang that hang around a mock Justice in this city, could avail nothing after the * Vigilance Committee' had once taken him under their care. Kidnappers, look here ! E. W. Goodwin, Esq : — The forwarding business is still good, and a little more ready cash would place us upon a sure footing. We have been making as permanent arrangements as possible, and considering the " hard times," and hard hearts with which we have to do, have succeeded as well as could be anticipated. Not many weeks since, a licensed exhorter of the Meth- 11 122 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. odist Episcopal Church arrived in this city, and came so well recommended that there could hardly be a doubt but that he was just what he professed to be, a pious christian man, who had been a slave more than thirty years. He had taken his wife and children, and in the night fled from the land of robbers. The woods and swamps, were the abodes of himself and family for weeks. He found at last a friend, who kindly offered to protect his wife and little ones, until he should flee to Canada, and earn sufficient to defray the expense of moving his family to that land of freedom. He came to this city, and had it not been for a despised abolitionist, he would have come in vain. We will not now, expose the contempt with which he was treated by many of his own brethren in the church, God says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord." Their wickedness will one day he exposed. Then, those who condemned him as a thief, for taking possession of his own body, and of his own wife, and own children, and who turned from him with neglect, will know, that Jesus Christ was treated with neglect, in the person of that dear colored child of his. We helped the man all we could ; so did some of the old fashioned Methodists. There is one Mr, Woodford, living far below Baltimore, whom we wish you to inform at as early a day as possible, respecting that woman, Eliza Wilson, whom he pounded with sticks of wood, whom he stripped naked again and again, and whipped with the cat and nine tails, until her body was completely lacerated, whom he then washed with salt brine, to make the smart worse, whose eyes he also filled with salt and water, whose neck and head my own eyes saw covered with scars, caused by blows from him and his agents, whose back the women say is one complete scar, having been whipped several different times, until it was completely cut to pieces ; whose head bears the mark of heavy clubs, in different places, whom he ever treated as a brute, a beast of burden, and whom he has robbed of the Bible and of education, from her earliest in- fancy ; whom he made work on the field, and submitted to be treated like the brutes that perish, MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 123 Tell him that he had better repent of his awful crimes, for God's vengeance is out against him, and he will cer- tainly feel even more than he has poured upon the inno- cent head, of perhaps his own daughter. But she is now beyond his reach. We want money to aid in sending another on the same rood. Tell Mrs. Widow Margaret A. Culver, that the reward of $100 which she offered for her slave Levi, put us on the watch, and sure enough, he came pat upon us and handed out his bill of lading. We told him that the kidnappers of this city, were look- ing out. That man whom God will bless with a high place in heaven, gave him a piece of money and some food, and he passed on, where Margaret will never go. We refer the poor thievish widow to the letter of Sam Weller, found in another column, for further information respecting Levi. We trust she will send us forthwith, $25,00, as a re- ward for telling her where he may be found. We think he is now about half way over the Great Ontario, on the steamboat Freedom, or at least Levi calls her Freedom, and if Margaret thinks her cause a just one, she had bet- ter call in her minister and have special prayer offered to the ** Prince and power of the air," that he will drive that steamboat back, and suffer her to take care of Levi. The forwarding business calls our immediate attention, therefore we cannot write more until next week. Yours as ever, BROWN &, Co. Forwarding Merchants, Albany, N. Y. E. W. Goodwin, Esq , — Tell kidnappers to take notice, that we have such an amount of business on hand, that we have no time to report progress. One day last week eight noble persons arrived, all pant- ing for liberty. It only cost about twenty-five dollars to colonize them. A certain knave in New-Orleans owned two of them, and another who intended to have come with them, and who laid the plan for their escape, was whipped to death by Joseph Wolcott. That same murderer has 124 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. sent his sons to a northern college, where they have been educated, and are now following the business of their un- godly father. These sons and their father have been court- ed by certain " Doctors of " who live in the state of ; yes, they have even given such murderers certifi- cates vouching for their good moral character. But thank indulgent.Heaven, Sarah and her little girl of four years old are safe, and her unborn child will, we trust, never feel the curse of slavery. May God have mercy upon the man who killed its father. More when the shipping season is over. BROWN & CO. Forwarding Merchants, Albany. The history of the slave woman, concerning whom al- lusion is made in the preceding articles is as follows : — " Mrs .S. was born in the free State of New York ; and at an early age went to reside with Mr. , New York city. At about the age of ten years, Mr. took her to New-Orleans as a waiter for his wife. At that place he sold her to Mr. Wolcott, who owned a plantation near the city. When Mr. left her, he promised to return with- in a few months and take her to New York ; but he never returned. She bore her toil and oppression with patience, away from home and friends. She was kept as a house girl to wait upon the family. After six years, Mr. Wol- cott brought home a young man by the name of Smith, and gave her to him for a wife. She found him to be a husband, indeed : he was a methodist, could read and write, and was a praying, Christian man. For six years they lived togeth- er, and prayed to be liberated from their cruel bondage. And finally. Smith succeeded in making arrangements with a gentleman to carry them to New York. Previous to the day appointed, it became known that there were cer- tain slaves on the plantation designing to run away ; the story was traced to Smith, and he was tied to the whipping post to make him reveal the secrets of the expedition. The lash was applied, but in vain ; Smith refused to give them any information respecting it, or to reveal the names MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 125 of the friends who had aided him in his efforts. They whipped the man until life was almost extinct, and the noble man died the day following the laceration. His poor wife went to see her dead husband, but her grief was so great that the master drove her to the house, with the stern command to "shut up," and never speak again of her husband. Her grief in secret was indescribable, but it only renewed her desire to get away. Her husband had revealed to her the plan of escape, and when the night ar- rived, she in connection with two other female slaves, and her little girl of four years, descended the ladder placed at the window by those who aided in her escape, and they, amid the darkness of the night, were placed in the hold of a vessel that conveyed them she knew not where. She was secreted during the day, and in the night was per- mitted to come out while the passengers were asleep. She did not see the sun from the time she left New Orleans until she found herself on shore a few miles from New- York city. — They were put to the land in a small boat, with a few shillings of money, happy indeed that they breathed an air free from slavery. She found friends by whose aid she was sent to the committee at Albany. The master advertised her, which, in connection with other cir- cumstances which she mentioned, found to be correct, was proof positive that she was the slave of Mr. Wolcott, and those who have been most intimate with her, have found her story to be at all times the same. She left N. Orleans about the first of May, a few days after her husband's dreadful death, and arrived in Albany in July. Her sit- uation was such, that the committee dared not send her on, lest she die by the way. A place of rest was therefore provided for her, and after two weeks she gave birth to a son Her health is restored ; she has placed her eldest child with a family near the city, while she is now at work in a neighboring county, and there paying the board of herself and free born child. If the donors of the ''Vigilance Committee" could have been at the office of the agent, when Mrs. Smith came and fell down upon her knees, and with tears of gratitude 11* 126 KEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. gave thanks to the committee, for their kindness in pro- viding for her a place of rest during her sickness, they cer- tainly would have thanked God that they had ever been permitted to give to the objects of a vigilance committee. " In another lot of these children of sorrow, was ELI Z A- BETH CASTLE, the slave of Robert Gilmore, of Balti- more. By the wish of her master she took for a husband a slave of the same name. Being a dress-maker, she was quite profitable to her owner, and had reason to expect that she would be permitted to enjoy the society of her family in peace, but it was not so. The birth of her first child convinced her, that her master regarded her as of more value, as every child she bore increased his wealth and caused him to watch her closer than ever. She found to her sorrow that not only herself, but also her children were considered to be mere articles of merchandize, and would in all probability be sold from her as soon as the market would warrant a profitable sale. She resolved, therefore, to flee. Her resolution wa& strengthened, when she found herself in a situation that would render it less convenient to perform a journey of some seven hundred miles. In connection with her mother, daughter, and two female friends, she started for that snowy paradise a little north of the mighty Ontario, where a woman with a heart of flesh sways the sceptre of freedom, and permits even colored women to " bear children^ without fearing that their help- less bodies will be torn from them by that American eagle which is ever watching to devour lawful prey." The company came to this city,, but were soon pursued by those hungry bloodhounds who are forever prowling about the kenn«ls of slavery, but the noble women were safely conveyed by the committee to the happy land. A few weeks since, they were visited by a member of the committee : all were delighted with their situation. Eliz- abeth has opened a shop on her own hook, and is delighted in looking upon her free born infant, safe from the fangs of Robert Gilmore, who sent the constable of Baltimore to seize it, even before it was born. Elizabeth only asks one favor of the ever despicable slaveholder, and that is, MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 127 that he will liberate her husband, and suifer him to enjoy the society of his wife and children in a land of freedom." Mr. Brown usually had one or two fugitives from the land of chains, accompanying him on his agency, and the licensed Methodist Exhorter, by the name of James Bulah, (concerning whom, allusion is made in a former account of refugees) was now his travelling companion and Exhor- ter, in behalf of his brethren and sisters in bondage. Some curious specimens of introduction are found among Mr. Brown's papers, commending to his care and that of the Albany Vig. Committee, " certain travellers,, going North, for their own accommodation." One is represented as a friend of the Saviour, going to Canada, on an important mission, &,c. A member of the Vigilance Committee of New York, {Mr. Johnson) writing to Rev. Mr. Garnet, says, — " The bearer is travelling northward, in quest of his wife (who obtained her freedom by operation of natural assumption,) and he is ahso endeavoring to secure to himself, the same advantage. I am under the impression, that she did not go to Troy, but was directed to Mr. Abel Brown, of Albany, to whom I have directed some fortij or Jiffy, within a short time. 128 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. You will therefore obtain such information from Mr. Brown, as will enable our friend to find her. If Mr. B. keeps accounts, as a forwarding. agent should do, he will find, she was shipped from N. Y. on the 16th or 17th inst. July 29, 1842. CHAPTER XIII. The Slave Hunter— Scenes of Outrage— Rights of Colored Citizens in vaded — No Legal Redress — Interfierence of Mr. Brown in behalf of the injured — Consequent Indictment — Proposition to Lecture — Mob Ele- ments Combined— Mr. Brown is Burned in Effigy, &c. — Clay Indict- ment — Circular— Explanatory Statements— Indefinite Postponement of Trial. The Vigilance Committee of Albany, often found them- selves in personal contest with slaveholders and their abet- tors, on account of the infrincrement on the rigrhts of . . . colored citizens of Albany ; by the Baboon insolence, (I know not what else to term it) of those prowling men- hunters and woman hunters, to recapture ** slaves" under any pretence, that might best subserve their purposes. During the month of May, the following occurrence took place. " A lady from Baltimore who has relations in Colum- bia Co. brought a slave girl with her to this city. Learn- ing that she was free by law, the girl left the woman. The woman and her friends attempted to recover her under the false pretence that she had stolen something. A warrant was obtained for her, and committed to con- stable Charles W. Mink, and he, with another tool of slavery, undertook ,to search the houses of the free people of color, violating the just principles of the law which ex- empts the houses of the citizens from all " unreasonable searches and seizures." In searchinof the house of Wm. MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 129 Johnson, a reputable citizen, he was guilty of an assault aud battery upon Mrs. Johnson. ** The then justice of the police court refused to hold the ruffian to bail, and the Grand Jury refused to indict him, in consequence of the false representation of a prominent citizen. But public opinion, as expressed in large public meetings, condemned both the police and the jury, and threw an additional shield around the injured. When a member of the committee exposed the conduct of the police officers and the Jury, in the public prints, the ser- vile Grand Jury promptly indicted him (Mr. Brown) for libels upon the jury, and Mink, Loveridge and others. It is a sufficient comment on the indictments, to say that those who obtained them have been wise enough to let them sleep. Another member of the committee, Mr. Goodwin, was brutally assaulted in the street for the part he took in the matter, and when denied redress, and out- raged by the police magistrate, was promptly acquitted of all blame by an intelligent jury." The outrage thus committed on peaceable and unoffend- ing citizens in Albany, without any power of redress from a civil tribunal — also the corrupt public sentiment that would uphold and sustain the nomination of a slaveholder for the Presidency, called loudly for rebuke. Mr. Brown consequently designed to place before the public an ex- position of facts, as stated in the following account given by E. W. Goodwin, Editor of the Tocsin of Liberty. Grand bar$t-up of mob elements, but nobody hurt ! ! Our staid and quiet Albany was thrown into a most vio- lent commotion on Tuesday evening last, by the appear- ance of the following handbill : War! War! War! Don't he frightened, only a war of words. The subscriber proposes to give a course of street lec- tures. 1st. He will comment upon the abominable wickedness of the late gentlemen's Grand Jury, in conniving with kid- 130 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. nappers, and neglecting to indict a slave-hunter of this city. The names of the Grand Jurors will he given. 2nd. Show that there is a gang of kidnappers watching for prey. 3d. Will give account of the escape of fugitive slaves, and ask money to aid them to a land of freedom. 4th. Will give a few reasons why that notorious Sah- hath breaker, Swearer, Gambler, Duelist, Thief, Rohher, Adulterer, Man-stealer, Slaveholder, S^c. HENRY CLAY ! should never be President of these U. S. Lectures will commence on Tuesday evening, at 7 1-2 o'clock precisely, near the Centre Market. ABEL BROWN. Albany, July 18, 1842. ** Now in the first place it may be proper to state, that although Mr. Brown is the agent of the Eastern New York Anti-Slavery Society, yet he by no means acted as their agent in the production of that hand bill, as will be seen by his own private signature. And further, Mr. Brown did not counsel with any of the abolitionists; as he did not wish that any should share the responsibility but himself: ' I take the responsibility ' was the position he assumed. It is true some of the abolitionists saw the bill before it was posted up, and advised a different course as more prudent : but their counsels did not prevail. Now, what was the sequel ? Why, that Mr. Brown did not appear at the time and place appointed, but that the mob to a large number, (as we are told, not being present) did appear with abundance of wrath and cabbage, sheep's plucks, and other missiles, swearing and roaring vengeance on Abel Brown ! The Mayor and police were there too, ready as we also understand, to take the ** street brawler" into custody. It is true also, that the mob threw a stone against the sash of one of the windows of the Tocsin office, breaking in a couple of lights of glass, and made several efforts to push open the doors, but without success. Here we owe a debt of gratitude to those excellent mechanics, the MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 131 Woleensack's, for a couple of their excellent and honestly made locks, for the preservation of our property. Thus much premised ; — now for the moral of this busi- ness. What was the difficulty? In the first place xMr. B. proposed to give his views or opinions, on the conduct of the grand jury, which refused to indict a man notoriously out of his official duty, in entering and disturbing, and assaulting a colored family, — alleging that he was search- ing for a slave, which had just escaped — the husband being absent. Was it for this the mayor and police were there ? '^nd. He was going to tell the people about there being kidnappers m town 1 Who doubts it after what has been so publicly made known within a few weeks past. 3d. He was going to give the people an account of the poor fugitive slaves, who are constantly running as for life from a slavery far worse than Egyptian bondage, and ask the benevolent to aid by giving some money to help them on their way. Was this wrong? Oh no : it was the 4th thing he proposed to do that *' touched the raw," that entered like seven daggers into the ** proud flesh" of pro- slavery politicians — that pierced " like an adder," the very soul and life seat of those foul and dark spirits. It was THIS, that made them " gnash on him with their teeth ! !" They were afraid their great Idol, which they had sac- rificed so much money and conscience to set up, would be endangered, and like their kindred spirits at Epheisus on another occasion, who clustered around to protect the shrine of Diana, by the existence of which they had their gains, like them we say, they begai\ with one accord to shout ** great is Henry Clay of Kentucky :" — " great is Henry Clay of Kentucky;" — and some whig abolitionists were able to sound the loudest bugle in the Babel chorus. As to the charge Mr. Brown has preferred in his hand- bill against Mr. Clay, we have nothing further to say at present than this: — We suppose it will not be denied, that Mr. Clay is or has been, (and we have no evidence of ref- ormation or repentance) a " swearer, gambler, and duel- 132 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ist." That he is a SLAVEHOLDER, is notorious. And the Bible decides that " He that stealeth a MAN, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to DEATH." Are men '^ found in his (Mr. Clay's) hand ?" " All men are created equal, and entitled to life, LIB- ERTY and the pursuit of happiness,'' says our admirable declaration. Does Henry Clay deprive any person or persons of their liberty ! ?" If so then what is he 1 What would that man be who in Algiers should deprive YOU of your liberty, though he might do it by law ! What would you call HIM? You would call him a manstealer ! Can any doubt then, that, when it is made out, that a man is guilty (morally) of the greater — that he is not also guilty of the lesser crime of stealing? Or in other words does not the greater cover the less ?" In reference to the statements in the foregoing notice, Mr. Brown remarked to me, that he expected, at the time the bills were posted, that they would accomplish their own work, and thus save him the necessity of lecturing ; which however, he was ready and willing to do, had not the bare announcement proved sufficient for his purpose. Soon after the production of the hand-bill, Mr. Brown was indicted for an alleged libel on Henry Clay, and was held to bail in the sum of for his appearance at court. Mr. Brown declared himself prepared to meet the indictment, believing himself able to sustain the allega- tions rendered, by a number of '' competent witnesses," who had expressed their willingness to testify to the truth of his assertions. Having also secured the most eminent counsel and advice, in his friend the Hon. Alvan Stewart, who very generously contributed his services in behalf of Mr. Brown as defendant. In reference to the alleged libel, Mr. Brown published the following Circular, entitled MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. IIH CHARGES AGAINST HENRY CLAY SUSTAINED, and Albany Grand Jury Exposed- The Charges against Henry Clay. ** A subject of some importance to the cause of human- ity, and which my position has compelled me to watch over with solicitude, and which now for the first time has compelled me to speak, is the efforts which are making for the election of Henry Clay to the Presidency of this nation. When these efforts first commenced, I supposed that they were only the efforts of a few reckless and unprinci- pled men, who. wished to get themselves into notice at the expense of the principles of common justice and human- ity. In this I have been sadly disappointed, time has proved that men who have heretofore passed as men, of more than common intelligence and honesty, were ready to use their influence in church and state, to secure the election to the highest office in the gift of the people of this union, a man whose public and private character has ever been a disgrace to a Christian nation. And let it be distinctly understood, that I have made no new charges against Mr. Clay. Of the crimes speci- fied in the hand bill, he is not only guilty, but notoriously guilty. He has himself published his own shame, if there is shame attached to these transactions. He has not even waited for political opponents to charge him with these crimes, but has let them shine with all their blighting, withering influence, upon the nation, as if he gloried in them." In this place, it may be sufficient to state, that his proofs were adequate to his statements ; and were afforded him by '* living and credible witnesses," among whom was Mr. Coffin, a well known philanthropist — then resi- dent of Philadelphia, who authorized a friend of Mr. Brown, to publish, that Henry Clay was not only a gambler, but that he had won and lost human beings at the gaming table. This fact, Mr. Coffin pledged himself to establish by the testimony of living witnesses, whenever those papers 12 134 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. which are endeavoring to palm the Kentuckian upon the people, would open its colums for their presentation. Also, the noted duels, in which Mr. Clay had either been acces- sary or principal, including that with John Randolph, and his influence or second hand in the death of Cilley ! Other statements were found in the public prints, such as his oath in the senate, when he said to a distinguished mem'ber of that body, when touching some point relative to slavery — Go home, &c. Another light in which Mr. Clay's conduct is considered in this circular, is presented under the following heads ; — " Theft, Robbery, Man-stealing, Slaveholding. As it regards the charges of thefl, robbery, man-steal- ing, and selling. I have only to remark that the first two are included in the last two. If the writer of this article should meet a fellowman, black or white, in the public highway, and there by violence and force, take from him only the money which he had earned by the labors of one day, that act would be termed highway robbery ; and for it, this commonwealth would compel him to spend a term of years in the State prison. How much greater would be the crime if the man was robbed of his earnings for life. Henry Clay not only robs the poor man of a single day's wages, but of the services of his life, steals his chil- dren, steals his wife, steals the man himself, &