Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-11-17


of the SocieIy in question, were called
From their testimony It appeared that
,hev and many other respectable citizens,
n different Protestant denominations. met
10 February last, and formed a Society
for the distribution Of the Bible among
the more destitute members Of this COM
munity. They raised fund OF about
$1,000, and sent on an order 10 N. York
for lot Of Bibles equal in value to that
umount, directing that some Of them be
printed in English, some in French, IN
Spanish, and some in the German Ian
ouace. They received them in June, and
appointed agents from among their mem
bers to lave them placed in proper hands;
but Il neuer for a moment entered into
the minds of he society 10 present a single
Bible 10 a Stare. (5) The agents so APP
pointed portioned out the city into several
districts, and their duty was to ascertain
who, within the limits of their respective
Districts stood in need of Bible, and
would accept one. and to see that all such
persons were supplied with the divine
book. Each agent was at liberty TO APP
point an assistant, though not connected
with the Society. That part of the Sec
ond Municipality bounded by the river
anil st. Charles street. Delayed and boy.
dras streets, was made the district of Mr..
Lowndes; he appointed the accused, Mr..
Black, as his sub-agent, and he was dis
charging his duty as such when seen and
INTERCEPTED by Mr.. Avery.
Mr.. Lowndes impressed il strongly on
the mind of the court, that before any
Bibles were Distributed TO the parties
whose names might be taken by the ac-
cused. the list was to be first submitted to
him, (6) and as sOas opposed 10 his o,on
feelings, and CONTRARY TO THE INTEN-
TON OF THE SOCIETY. be WouLd certain
ly furnish no slace Nth a Bible. ~
The strongest and most satisfactory
proof was given that the accused bore an
excellent character, and that. in speaking
10 the slaves at all, he acted from mis-.
conception of Mr.. Lowndes' instructions,
and an ignorance of iis duty as sub
agent Of the Bible Society.
After the testimony was heard, the
counsel Of the accused, Mr.. Micou, said
he trusted the Recorder, having heard the
evidence, would see the pIopriety of at
once discharging his CLIENT and would not
send him before the Criminal Court. It
was evident he was ac.uated by no evil
intention, and that the most of which be
was guilty was indiscretion: (s) for which
he had already suffered enough by the
arrest. and by being brought before the
public as he had been in the newspapers
He believed that the true policy for every
one friendly TO southern institutions TO
pursue, was to get u2 no unnecessary
excitement, nor create any unnecessary
alarm; but to punish at the same time,
promptly and severely, in every instance
where there was evidence of guilt. (9)
He thea argued that the fact of asking a
slave, sCan you read or write 2-will you
take Bible2' of,which his client was
unwiltingly guilty, does not come within
the puryiew Of the statute, which makes
il punishable to do any act which would
lead 10 INSTRUMENTATION among the slaves.
The Recorder briefly addressed the pris-
oner and told him that he highly approved
the laudable work, distributing the Bible,
In which he was engaged :(l0) but while
executing shat duty, he must be cautious
that he does not infringe on OTHER RIGHTS
WHICH ARE AS SACRED TO THIS coMMU-
NIFTY AS RELIGION ITsELFul) BelieV-
ing that in speaking to the slaves he was
ncluated by no evil intention, he would
discharge him, bidding him God speed in
his religious career. and cautioning him
against ever bringing himself in contact
with our institutions.(l2)
~ How happy must be the condition
ofihose who may not be schalted familiar
u WITH except at the peril of ones life
(2) To talk with the slaves as though
they were human beings is terribly sus,
picious act, and shows how devoid of all
fears are their benevolent taskmasters
(3) What a commentary is this upon
the usual treatment of the slaves! The
poor creature was astonished to think that
a white man could believe he had soul I
(4) What pious blockhead to suppose
that, in the distribution of the Bible. no
distinction should be made on account Of
complexional differences Or, rather,
how true he was to the spirit OF the gos-
pell
(5) Tell i. not in Constantinople! Pub
lished it not in the streets Of Calcutta
(6) How careful! As if every Bible
were as dangerous as cask of gunpow-
der!
"a Recreant professor Of religion -
How dwells the love Of God in such a
society2
90 Pagans in Burmah. give earl To
offer Bible Internationally to slave. in
christian America, is only an indiscreet
act-hardIy worthy of bonds or death
l9) That is, lift could have been proved
mat me act Of offering Bible had been
fnfonflonnI 49, - - - 4