More than forty years ago the writer of the following pages read
Wilberforce’s publications on the slave trade, in which were described
the various methods of procuring the slaves in Africa, the horrors of
the “middle passage,” and their cruel treatment in the West Indies.
In perusing these statements of that great philanthropist and friend
of the injured African race, his feelings became, in some measure,
enlisted in favor of the colored people of our land, and in opposition
to the slavery upheld by our nation.
He was never sensible of feeling the prejudice against color, so often
manifested; but, in his intercourse with colored persons, treated them,
as he would others. And having them for many years as neighbors, and,
not unfrequently, as hired help, they were admitted to eat with the
family at the same table.
In 1824 he was invited to attend a political celebration on the 4th of
July. In declining the invitation, he noticed the inconsistency of our
conduct in celebrating our liberty, founded upon the principle that
all men are created free and equal, and proclaiming this “self-evident
truth,” and yet holding hundreds of thousands of our fellow men in
degrading bondage.
The next year, he was requested to preach on the 4th of July. The
sermon was, by request, printed. The following extract will show the
writer’s views respecting American slavery. “Our conduct in relation to
the Africans has been most inconsistent, absurd, and criminal. While
earnestly contending for the principle, that all men ought to be free
and equal, and risking every thing in opposing the claims of Great
Britain to _tax us_, we were, at the same time, holding in abject
slavery hundreds of thousands of our fellow beings, who, upon our own
principles, had an equal right with ourselves to enjoy the sweets
of liberty. How great guilt then has been contracted by enslaving,
and holding in bondage, and maltreating the poor negroes. And what
efforts ought to be made for their intellectual, moral and religious
improvement, and their emancipation, and their enjoyment of the rights
of freemen.”
Such being the feelings of the writer, he rejoiced to see attention
turned to the subject of slavery, and combined efforts making for its
removal. And, though he deeply regretted the harshness and severity
with which opposers of abolition movements, and even those who did not
engage in them, were treated, yet he was willing to countenance the
cause of abolition, hoping that this, in his view, very exceptionable
manner, would be gradually corrected. But, as it respects many of the
Abolitionists, he is sorry to say, his hopes have been disappointed.
Being, therefore, fully persuaded that the course alluded to is
injuring the cause both of religion and abolition, he ventures to point
out what he believes the word of God teaches to be “a more excellent
way.” And he will endeavor to do it kindly, and not needlessly to
wound the feelings of any, hoping to be guided by that wisdom which
is from above, and “is profitable to direct,” and which “is pure,
and peaceable, and gentle, and is without partiality, and without
hypocrisy,” and to present the subject as it will appear in the light
of the great day. And he requests the reader impartially to weigh what
is offered in “the balances of the sanctuary,” and to regard it so far
only as it corresponds with the teachings of the divine oracles.