The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-09-19
From the True Wesleyan.
Isaac I, Hopper and the Methodist
Shareholder,

Daring the late session ofthc General
Conference of the M. E. Church in the
city of New York, that we'll known friend
to the slave, Isaac r. Hopper, was intro.
duced to three young ladies, daughters of
slaveholdng Methodist preacher from
Mississippi. Said the friend at whose
house they were visiting, This Isaac T.
Hopper,is one of the most rabid abolition.
lists in the North. And these" turning to
the ladies, care the daughters of a slave
holder from the South"
By this means they were soon we'll
known to each other. And the conversa-
ton which ensued, with other interesting
incidents, will give in the language Of
friend Hopper, who related it to me 10.
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 10 the North. And I did not know
what to do when left home: felt in
cined to bring servant with me-
81 wish thee had brought one said /.
"Why What would you have done,
Mr. Hopper, if you had seen her?'
81 should have told her that she was
free woman now, but if she went back to
the South, she would 90 as a pig or a
sheep, to be sold if occasion called for it,
They only laughed at the frankness
thus expressed, and continued the conver.
salion for some time, on the same subject.
then told them should like TO see them
at my house with their father. And in a
few days they came, very much 10 my
satisfaction. We had long talk about
slavery.
Said this preacher Mr. Hopper, do you
say and think that am not ChristianR
81 certainly do not regard thee as
Christian
why, Mr. Hopper ! do you think
cannot get 10 heaven p
THAT | will not saw. But slavery is a
great abomnation, and no one who is
gully 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 igno.
rance of the fact that thou ait living in
sim
We reasoned on il at some length, when
the conversation turned neon the conduct
of aboliionists.
Said The preacher, 1.-THE aboIiionis's
were all like you and Mr. Gibbons, we
could come to some agreement on this
matter. Why, never was treated so
well by any body as you and Mr. Gb~
6ons,you: abolition friend have treated mt.
But your abolilionists generally are Vi
client and abusive.
A friend present remarked TO him that
none were more generally eXcrecated, as
vile and abusive aboIitonists, than was the
notorious Hopper as the Southern pa.
pers called me. | then said, the slave
holders love and make lie in this thing.
"Well,' said he, we should be glad 10
see you with US, friend Hopper, on visit.
"Ah and hou wouIdst lynch me, or
thy friends would if they caught me-
30 no sir we would treat you welt
But how would you do about slavery
when there 2
Why, | should tell the slaves to be
obedent, faithful, industrious, and never
think OF running away from so good
master, unless they were sure they would
escape and in that case be off as soon as
possible for if caught they would fare
much worse than they do now. And I
would say to thee, that as thou caimestto
be a minister of Jesus Chris, consistency
of character and the spirit OF Thy. Master
require ofthee 10 give deliverarce TO the
captive---o let the oppressed go free.
Before we separated saw tears in his
eyes, Iappealed to him close y, and bore
a faithful testimony.
Myfriend, dost thou have concience
void of offence! When thou liest down
at night, is thy mind always at ease AZ.