Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
Isaac 7, Hopper and the Methodist
--- Stakeholder

During the late session of the General Confer
ence of the M. E. Church, in the city of N. York,
that we'll known friend of the slave Isaac T. Hop
per was introduced to three young ladies, daugh-
ters of slaveholding Methodist preacher from
Mississippi. Said the friend at whose house they
were visiting, "This is Isaac Hopper, one of the
most rabid abolitionsts in the north. And these, -
turning to the ladies, care the daughters of
STAKEHOLDER from the south"
BY this means they were soon well known to
each other. And the conversation which ensued |
with other interesting incidents, | will give in the
language of friend Hopper, who related it to me
to-day.
They were very intelligent girls; was much
pleased with them. One Of them assured me,
however, that she could not do without the
slaves
why, Mr. Hopper said she, never dressed
or undressed myself until came to the north, and
l did not know what to do when left home felt
inclined to bring servant with me-
6 wish thee had brought one,' said 7.
if you had seen her?'
Il should have told her that she was a free wo-
man, now, but if she went back to the south she
would go as pig or sheep, to be sold if occa
sion called for it,
They only laughed at the frankness thus ex-
pressed, and continued the conversation for some
time, on the same subject. | then told them |
lIh0 W SVo luCtIl 1T MY HOuS6 WIFI lle
Their. And in few days they came, very much
to my satisfaction We had long talk about
slavery.
Said this preacher, Mr.. Hopper, do you say
and think that am not Christian?
{ / certainly do not regard thee as Christian
Why, Mr. Hopper, do you think cannot go
to heaven?'
THAT will not say But slavery is great a.
domination, and no who is guilty of it can be
Christian, or Christ-like. | would not exclude
thee from the kingdom of heaven. To thy own
master thou dost stand or fall If thou dost enter
there, it will be on the ground of ignorance of the
fact that thou art living in SIM
We reasoned on it at some length, when the
conversation turned on the conduct of abolition
lists.
Said the preacher, If the abolitionists were all
like you and Mr.. Gibbons, we would come tC
some agreement on the matter. Why, | was
never treated so well by any body as you and Mr.
Gibbons, your abolition friend, have treated me
but your abolitionsts generally are so violent ant
Abusive
"A friend present remarked to him that none
were more generally execrated, as vile and abu
sive aboitonists, than was the notorious Hop
per- as the southern papers call me- then said
the Shareholders love and make lie in this thing
'Well' said he, we should be glad to see yo
with lis, friend Hopper, on visit.
All and thou Wouldst lynch me, or thy friend
"OuluJ IL tHCy uSuI IilC'
o no, sir: we would treat you well. But hov
would you do about slavery when there?'
Why, should tell thy slaves to be obedien
faithful, industrious, and never think of running
away from good a master, unless they wer
sure they would escape! and in that case to be o.
as possible for, if caught, they would far
much worse than they do now. And | would sa
to thee, that as thou claimest to be minister
Jesus Christ, consistency of character and the sp
rt of thy master requires of thee to give deliver
ance to the captve-tO let the oppressed go free.
Before we separated | saw tears in his eyes.
appealed to him closely, and bore a faithful test
mony.
My friend, dost thou have conscience void
offence? When thou Hest down at night, is tn
mind always at ease? After pouring out thy sol
in prayer to thy Maker, dost thou not feel the GU
ragged sense of right, like perpetual notion res
less and disqueted within thy breast, telling the
'ts wrong to hold these men in slaVery-the
wives and their little ones?
TO this he answered frankly, that he sometime
doubted; yet, upon the whole, he thought it be
and right. When they were about leaving, one
his daughters, young widow, thus addressed M
sMr. Hopper / thank God for this privilege
never saw and talked with an aboitionist befor
am now persuaded that savehoding is sinful
the sight Of God When my husband died. he le
me several slaves. | have held them for fl
years. But return home now resolved to be t
owner of slave no longer We babe each 9th
FAREWELL
This narrative has interested me. think
will edfy the reader 1t teaches this sentimer
Abolition is the truth of God. Shareholders mi
be happily influenced by it. And the relate
which pro-slavery men sustain, is that of tattle