Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-11-02
Irom he boston Transcript Of 1hnrsdog ere
From the Christian Sentinel
JOHN HERSEI AND HIS BOOKS.

JOIN nERSEY AND HIS BOOKS.
DEAR BRornrn DRAKE;
While busy runor, lingcd with the complexion
of the times, was actively engaged in the circua-
ting%v reports respecting me, felt no uneasi-
ncss0t mind, because il i. only truth which can
round OF STAIN. In reference, however, To a cir
cumsance which occurred recently in Richmond,
| wish To say a few words. The books of mine
which the Committee of Vigilance brought into
notice and committed 10 the flames had been laid
aside nor did attrmptto circulate them publicly,
after the excitement which now agitatcs our coun-
try was called into existence. These books were
published more than Two years apo, and have been
opcnig circulated this and other savchodng states
SINCE that tirnc and have been highly approved of
by the most intelligent and respectable Shareholders
who have examined them.
Although am neither ashamed nor afraid TO
meet any legal or rationai tribunal ON earth, To
account tor the doctrine and sentiments expressed
III this boob vet in view of that divine prcccpt
(by which hope 10 be govcrncd) 3" 1bStoin
from all appearance Of erH," | had declined cir
culating them NJ der existing circumstances and
although some of them were packcdnp with other
religious books to be forwarded to me, il not
done by my request or wish
Th, book, il appears, has been denounced as
inccndiary publication if 50, then am | guilty
of violation of the law of heaven and gross out
rage upon society. The most pointed remarks
which can be found in i'll reference TO the sub
jcct of slavery, taken from the pen of Thomas
Jefferson, and the speeches of several members Of
the Legislature, delivered publicly in the Cap
itol at Richmond, il 1892, and published in
the newspapers of that city. If those extract,
have been considered inilamna,ory or offensive
/ the guilt cannot fall Oh my head am not the of
fender.
My own sentiments expressed and inculcatcd in
this publication in reference TO servants are, that
they are bound to obey their masters commands
implicitly and ,riUingiv, they cannot please
! God, or be received into heaven. | fear, howcv-
err that my principles do not accord with the fash
ionablc views and movements of the present times.
] have always believed, and enforced the scnti-
mcnt, publicly and privately, that without prompt
and honorable obedience To the lars and rules Of
the tdnd-to parents and also to masters (uncss
those who govern should command those under
their authority to violate the plain laws of God. }
neither rof"e, nor security. nor happiness, can
long be enjoyed by any community In the
publication under consideration, it is tr,c have
examined the relation which exists between the
master aud servant, and have advcrtcd to the mas
ter's duty, III PLAIN, but respectful, aicctionatc
and rational manner. | also recommended the
master, and all who are concerned in this matter,
10 rcrcncll their expenses, and cut of their
cessarv cxtravaeanccs, and cast the redeemed a
mount into the funds OF the Colonization Society
There is sentiment expressed in the book
winch even recommends general emancipation, be-
cause do not believe the slaves at present
qualified to appreciate state of liberty, partcu-
larlv if they to remain in this country their
freedom would not amelioratc their condition
unless they were placed in country to them
selves
And has ii been recorded upon the page of our
country history, that sue, book has been con-
dcmncd and burned by pubic authority, in the
metropolis OF one of the principal states of thi>
free, christian land Surely those who AUTHORS
ed thi. act will reflect deliberately upon it undo:
other circumstances, and render Justice to it., au-
thor
Rumor, with its thousand inventive tongues has
identified me with the aboliiionsts at the north,
and stamped the mark of abolitionist on my char
actcr. All have to say is this | have never had
any Intercourse with these aboltonists either d-
rcctly or indirectly, spent several weeks during
tn" past year III New York, nor did become per
Sonally acquainted with member of the anti
slavery society. BY request, called to see a la
dy who appeared to be jealous friend of that
society. | advised her to cuivatora better spirit
and pursue different course nor have | seen
her since, nor do even rccollect her name In
Philadelphia called on an individual two or three
IIHCN, ktil puSltcSS,) VINO, afterwards learned
was an abotouiS This is all the personal ac-
quaintancc have, and all the intercourse have
had with them IN any way, except that | made
some remarks respecting them in "A letter publish
ed in the Christian Advocate and Journal, dated
July 18th, 1884. 1t is true, approve and advo-
cate the plan OF the Colonization Society," believing
II to be the best and only rational method which
can lie devised to benefit permanently the condi-
ton of the slave. II this sentiment constitutes me
an abotioni>t, ! am contcntcd to bear the appel
ation, particularly as ii associates me, in reference
To tins subject with some of the distinguished
patriots, statesmen and phan,hropiss of this
State.
May Heaven in mercy bless, and save our
Church and State from any and every evil.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN HERSEN.
L. S. II there is nothing improper in the above
communication, and You can do conveniently
will esteem it great favor If you will insert it in
the next number of your paper. As the political
papers i'll Richmond published the account of the
burning ofthc books, which has eXcrtcd wide in
Ilucncc against me and the cause OF religion. viii
YOU be kind enough to request them to re- publish
this letter. j. II.
Madison County, Oct. 9th, 1885
FROM the Nem Orleans Bee, Oct. 10.
On Thursday the Mayor was informed tina, there
was negro Oh board the brig Roxbury, arrived
from New York, who had abolition pamphlets and