The Underground Railroad
announcement with which we were awakened: they have carried Martha to
the South. To do what will be of most service to the cause--not their
cause--ours--that of our race, is our burning desire."
* * * * *
HELPERS AND SYMPATHIZERS AT HOME AND ABROAD--INTERESTING LETTERS.
The necessities of the Committee for the relief of the destitute and
way-worn travelers bound freedom-ward, were met mainly by friends of the
cause in Philadelphia. Generous-hearted abolitionists nobly gave their
gold in this work. They gave not only material, but likewise
whole-souled aid and sympathy in times of need, to a degree well worthy
of commemoration while the name of slave is remembered. The Shipleys,
Hoppers, Parrishes, Motts, Whites, Copes, Wistars, Pennocks, Sellers,
Davis, Prices, Hallowells, Sharpless, Williams, Coates, Morris, Browns,
Townsends, Taylors, Jones, Grews, Wises, Lindseys, Barkers, Earles,
Pughs, Rogers, Whartons, Barnes, Willsons, Wrights, Peirces, Justices,
Smiths, Cavenders, Stackhouses, Nealls, Dawsons, Evans, Lees, Childs,
Clothiers, Harveys, Laings, Middletons, etc., are among the names
well-known in the days which tried men's souls, as being most true to
the bondman, whether on the Underground Rail Road, before a Fugitive
Slave-Law Court, or on a rice or cotton plantation in the South. Nor
would we pass over the indefatigable labors of the Ladies' Anti-slavery
Societies and Sewing Circles of Philadelphia, whose surpassing fidelity
to the slave in the face of prejudice, calumny and reproach, year in and
year out, should be held in lasting remembrance. In the hours of
darkness they cheered the cause. While we thus honor the home-guards and
coadjutors in our immediate neighborhood, we cannot forget other earnest
and faithful friends of the slave, in distant parts of the country and
the world, who volunteered timely aid and sympathy to the Vigilance
Committee of Philadelphia. Not to mention any of this class would be to
fail to bestow honor where honor is due. We have only to allow the
friends to whom we allude, to speak for themselves through their
correspondence when their hearts were stirred in the interest of the
escaping slave, and they were practically doing unto others as they
would have others do unto them.
Here, truly, is pure philanthropy, that vital Christianity, that True
and Undefiled Religion before God and the Father, which is to visit the
fatherless and widow in their affliction, and to undo the heavy burden,
and let the oppressed go free. The posterity of the oppressed at least,
will need such evidences of tender regard and love as here evinced. In
those days, such expressions of Christian benevolence were cheering in
the extreme. From his able contribution to Anti-slavery papers, and his
fearless and eloquent advocacy of the cause of the down-trodden slave in
the pulpit, on the platform, and in the social circle, the name of Rev.
N.R. Johnston, Reformed Presbyterian (of the old Covenanter faith), will
be familiar to many. But we think it safe to say that his fidelity and
devotion to the slave are nowhere more fully portrayed than in the
appended Underground Rail Road letters.
TOPSHAM, VT., September 1st, 1855.
WM. STILL, MY DEAR FRIEND:--I have the heart, but not the time,
to write you a long letter. It is Saturday evening, and I am
preparing to preach to-morrow afternoon from Heb. xiii. 3,
"Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them." This will
be my second sermon from this text. Sabbath before last I
preached from it, arguing and illustrating the proposition,
deduced from it, that "the great work to which we are now called
is the abolition of Slavery, or the emancipation of the slave,"
showing our duty as _philanthropists_. To-morrow I intend to
point out our duty as _citizens_. Some to whom I minister, I
know, will call it a political speech; but I have long since
determined to speak for the dumb what is in my heart and in my
Bible, let men hear or forbear. I am accountable to the God of
the oppressed, not to man. If I have his favor, why need I
regard man's disfavor. Many besides the members of my own church
come out regularly to hear me. Some of them are pro-slavery
politicians. The consequence is, I preach much on the subject of
Slavery. And while I have a tongue to speak, and lips to pray,
they shall never be sealed or silent so long as millions of dumb
have so few to speak for them.
But poor Passmore Williamson is in bonds. Let us also remember
him, as bound with him. He has many sympathizers. I am glad you
did not share the same fate. For some reasons I am sorry you
have fallen into the hands of thieves. For some others I am
glad. It will make you more devoted to your good work.
Persecution always brightens the Christian, and gives more zeal
to the true philanthropist. I hope you will come off victorious.
I pray for you and your co-laborers and co-sufferers.
My good brother, I am greatly indebted to you for your continued
kindness. The Lord reward you.
I have a scholarship in an Ohio College, Geneva Hall, which will
entitle me--any one I may send--to six years tuition. It is an
Anti-slavery institution, and wholly under Anti-slavery control
and influence. They want colored students to prepare them for
the great field of labor open to men of talent and piety of that
class. When I last saw you I purposed talking to you about this
matter, but was disappointed very much in not getting to take
tea with you, as I partly promised. Have you a son ready for
college? or for the grammar school? Do you know any promising
young man who would accept my scholarship? Or would your
brother's son, Peter or Levin, like to have the benefit of it?
If so, you are at liberty to promise it to any one whom you
think I would be willing to educate. Write me at your earliest
convenience, about this matter.
* * * * *
I presume the Standard will contain full accounts of the
Norristown meeting, the Williamson case, and your own and those
connected. If it does not, I will thank you to write me fully.
* * * * *
What causes the delay of that book, the History of Peter Still's
Family, etc.? I long to see it.
The Lord bless you in your labors for the slave.
Yours, etc.,
N.R. JOHNSTON.
TOPSHAM, VT., December 26th, 1855.
WM. STILL, MY DEAR FRIEND:--I wrote to you some two or three
weeks ago, enclosing the letter to the care of a friend in
Philadelphia, whom I wished to introduce to you. I have had no
answer to that letter, and I am afraid you have not received it,
or that you have written me, and I have not received yours. In
that letter I wished to receive information respecting the best
way to expend money for the aid of fugitives. Lest you may not
have received it, I write you again, though briefly.
A few of the Anti-slavery friends, mostly ladies, in our village
have formed an Anti-slavery Society and sewing circle, the
proceeds of which are to go to aid needy or destitute fugitive
slaves. They have appointed me corresponding secretary. In
obedience to my instructions, and that I may fulfill my
promises, I want to find out from you the desired information.
We want to give the little money raised, in such a way that
fugitives who are really needy will be benefited by it. Write me
as soon as possible, where and to whom we should send the funds
when raised. I have thought that you of the Vigilance Committee,
in Philadelphia had need of it. Or, if not, you can tell us
where money is needed. Probably you know of some one in Canada
who acts for the needy there. So many impositions have been
palmed off upon charitable abolitionists, I am afraid to act in
such a case without the directions of one who knows all about
these things. Is money needed to help those escaping? If so,
should we send to New York, Philadelphia, or where else? When I
was in New York last, a young man from Richmond, Va., assuming
the name of Robert Johnston, who had come by steamboat to
Philadelphia, and whom you had directed to the Anti-slavery
office in New York, had only one dollar in money. His fare had
to be paid by a friend there, the treasurer of the fund being
absent. I know that they nearly all need money, or clothing. We
want to send our money wherever it is most needed, to help the
destitute, or those in danger, and where it will be faithfully
applied. Write me fully, giving specific directions; and I will
read your letter to the society. And as I have been waiting
anxiously, for some two weeks or more, for an answer to my
previous letter, but am disappointed unless you have written
very recently, I will be much obliged if you will write on the
reception of this. Any information you may communicate,
respecting the doing of your section of the Underground Railway
will be read before the society with much interest.
If you know the address of any one in Canada, who would be a
good correspondent respecting this matter, please give me his
name.
* * * * *
My dear brother, go on in your good work; and the God of the
oppressed sustain and reward you, is my earnest prayer.
Yours, fraternally, in our common cause,
N.R. JOHNSTON.
TOPSHAM, VT., December 18th, 1856.
WM. STILL, VERY DEAR FRIEND:--I will be much pleased to hear
from you and our common cause in Pennsylvania. I am so far
removed, away here in Yankeedom, that I hear nothing from that
quarter but by the public prints. And as for the Underground
Railway, of course, I hear nothing, except now and then, I would
be greatly pleased if you would write me the state of its funds
and progress. Whatever you write will be interesting.
The Topsham Sewing Circle has begun its feeble operations again.
Owing to much opposition, a very few attend, consequently little
is made. The ladies, however, have some articles on hand unsold,
which will bring some money ere long. I wish you would write me
another long letter in detail of interesting fugitives, etc.,
such as you wrote last winter, and I will have it read before
the circle. Your letter last winter was heard by the ladies with
great interest. You are probably not aware that fugitives are
never seen here. Indeed the one half of the people have never
seen more than a half-dozen of colored people. There are none in
all this region.
I am lending Peter Still--the book--to my neighbors. It is
devoured with great interest. It does good. I think, however, if
I had been writing such a book, I would have wedged in much more
testimony against slavery and its horrid accompaniments and
consequences.
I would be glad to hear how Peter and his family are prospering.
Do you see my friends, Mr. Orr and Rev. Willson, now-a-days? Do
they help in the good cause?
If the ladies here should make up fine shirts for men, or
children's clothes of various kinds, would they be of use at
Philadelphia, or New York, to fugitives? Or would it not be
advisable to send them there? The ladies here complain that they
cannot sell what they make.
My dear brother, be not discouraged in your work, your labor of
love. The prospect before the poor slave is indeed dark, dark!