Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-03-13

brance some of my early struggles after know
ledge, and the difficulties that then lay in the
way of its attainment. | remember the first
time | ever heard the Bible read and | tell
you the truth, when | tell you, that from that
time, | trace my first desire to learn to read.
| was over seven years old my master had
gone out one Sunday night, the children had
gone to bed, | crawled under the centre table,
and had fallen asleep, when my mistress COM
menced to read tho Bible, 50 loud that she
walked me-she walked ne TO sleep no more
| learned that the chapter which she then read
was the LIST chapter of Job. / remember my
sympathy for the good old man; and my great
anxiety TO know more about him led me to
ask my mistress-who was, at this time, a
kind lady-to teach me to read. She com
menced, and would have, but for the opposi-
ton of her husband, taught me to read. She
ceased to instruct me; but my desire to read
continued, and, instead of decreasing, %increas-
ed and, by the aid of little boys, obtained
at different times, | finally succeeded in learn
ing to read. (Applausc.) After learning to
read, my desire for books was equal to my
early desire TO learn how to read. | have ire
qlently, with my fingers, from the mud and
filth of the gutter, raked leaves of the sacred
volume. These | have washed and dried,
and read the words Of heavenly wisdom which
they contained with a glad heart, considering
myself fortunate to enjoy such a privilege. |
trust shall not be deemed presumptuous or
egotisticdl when | say, that, from my present
position, | see points in my humble history
marked by the finger of God. (Cheers.)
Twenty years ago, while lying, not unlike a
pet dog, at the feet of my mistress, in her
house, in PhiIpot street, FelIs-point, B4lli-
more, | was reused from the sweet sleep OF
childhood, to hear the narrative Of Job. A
few years afterwards found me searching for
the Scriptures in the muddy street cutters,
and rescuing its pages from the filth into
which neglect and wastclulness had plunged
them. A few years later, | escaped from my
chains, gained partial freedom, and became
IN advocate for the emancipation of my race.
A suspicion arose that | was not what | pro-
TESS to be; to silence which, it is necessary
10 write out my experience in Slavery, and
give the names of my enslavers. This en-
dangers my liberty. Prosecuted, hunted, and
outraged in America, | have come TO England,
and behold the change! The chattel becomes
a man. Ibreathe, and | am free. (Applause.)
Instead of culling the Scriptures from the
mud, they come to me dressed in polished
gold, as the free and unsolicited gift of de-
voted friends. (Applause.) | will take it,
and while live, preserve il; and long after
| have gone hence to my reward, if my will
is carried out, it shall be preserved by my
children, and remain Il memento in the house
of Douglass till time shall melt il into dust.
(APplause.) | assure yon, gentlemen of the
Committee, you have selected a proper mode
of expressing your regard for me. What
could be better than the Bible to me, contend
ing against oppression, fraud, and wrong
(Applause.) Ii is full of wisdom and good.
nesS-faith, hope, and charity, sparkle or
every page, all Of which deal death to Slave
ry. An attempt has been made to press the
Bible into the service Of Slavery. The abo
lition party, in America, find no mole deter
mined opponents of the cause which they ad
~vocate, than the expounders of the Word o
God. That, to this audience, might appea
strange; but such is the fact. | thank Coo
that a change for the better is taking place
a purer and higher grade of men are finding
their way into the Ministry, and brighter day.
are beginning to dawn upon my country
You could not have given to me token S
appropriate as this Bible. 1t contains all tia
is right, and is opposed to all that is wrong
1t knows no one by the color of his skin
(Applause.) 1t treats all alike, and says t
all, "Whatsoever you would that men shoul,
+, do unto you, do you SO unto them" If yor
I claim liberty for yourself, then grant it t
your neighbor, is the doctrine it inculcates
| feel much struck with the change in M,
circumstances only a few months ago, | wa
in a land where I was hated and abhorred-
. where the bloodhound might have been pr
| upon my track, and | have been hunted dow
I and carried back into Slavery. ] left tn;
| land, and in eleven and a half days | set m
. foot on British soil, and was free. applause,
now find myself surrounded by kind friend
the very expression of whose countenance
beam with sympathy, such as | never eXpec
ed to meet with, and which has quite unmal
ned me. (Cheers.) | could expose SLAYER
in the midst of those who would uphold it.
| could contend for the great principles Of
Y berry in the face Of the most determined o
position, but ] am not equal to address tho
whose sympathy has been excited for my rae
n and who have showed me so much kindnes
(Applause.) l will always remember t
Is people of Belfast, and the kind friends nc
lie see around Inc; and wherever else / feel m
self to be a stranger, ! will remember | ha
a home in Belfast. (Applause.) will 10
forward with pleasure to the day which W
Or find me among you again-(cheers)-aT
e. in the meantime, you shall hear from n
p wherever my lot may be cast. (Applaus
III Let me thank you, with my whole heart,
ID the address and the beautiful present y
IS, have made me, as we'll as for the deep in
h, rest you have taken in the cause of the wrol
er ed and oppressed slaves of America. y
have discharged your duty nobly, and
it Christians should do. When ! came a str
st, ger among you, l was taken by the har
ny and, ! may say, my hand has been h