Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-06-25
A SLAVE PURCHASED IN PLY
MOUTH CHURCH.

a curious scene occurred in the Plymouth
Brooklyn. Mr.. Beecher stated
that he was about to do something which
perhaps would be misunderstood, and
subject him to considerable criticism and
He read the following.
from Il e 18th chapter Of Matthew, to show
that he had precedent in the conduc'
of Christ for what he was about to do
8. And when he was departed thence.
he went into their synagogue:
10. And behold, there was a man
which had his hand wilhered. And
they asked him spying, Is it lawful to
heal on the sabbath day? that they might
accuse him.
IL. And he said unlo them, What
man shall there be among you that shall
have one sheep, and if it fall into pit
on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold
on it, and lift it out?
L. How much then is a man better
than sheep? Wherefore, is 1t lawful to
do well on the sabbath day.
IS. Then saith he to the man, Stretch
forth thy hand. And he stretched it
forth; and it was restored whole, like as
the other.
After reading the above, Mr.. Beecher
continued: - About a week since 1 re-
ceived letter from the city of Washing
ton; which contained what 1 conceive to
be most extraordinary story. A GER
tain young woman nearly white was Of
fered for sale in that city by her own
father, for purpose so infamous, that it
is impossible for me to allude TO it here.
Strange to say, slave dealer who knew
of the facts became Interested in the
girl, and to his credit interposed in her
behalf, to save her from The fate that
awaited her. The price of the girl was
fixed at $1,000. He subscribed 500
himself and actually induced another
slave dealer to give another 500 to-
wards raising a fund for her liberation.
Application was made to certain eminent
men in Baltimore, and $500 more were
raised, leaving $500 to complete the re-
quired sum. The girl was sent to this
city-to me on her own personal security,
and she must go back next week unless
the $500 are subscribed before to-mor-
row. You. brethren, are to say whether
she will go back or not 1t is said that
Abolitionists talk about the freedom Of
the slaves but do not act. 1t is for you
to show that that statement is untrue
1 VIII show you the girl who is to be
condemned to life of infamy unless
this Christian congregation interposes to
save her. Sarah, come up here.
This last remark was addressed to
a young mulaito girl who came forward
and assembled the pulpit, Mr.. Beecher
handing her up the steps and furnishing
her with seat, so that the whole audi.
ence could see. The utmost curiosity
and interest was manifested by the audi
ence when the girl was in sight. She
was almost white, and had straight hair,
and might in a crowd have passed for a
white woman. She was about twenty
years of age, was neatly dressed, and
might be called handsome.
While the plates were passing round /,
many of the women in the house were
in tears, and the contributions were most
liberal, the plates being covered with
gold coin and bank bills.
Mr.. Beecher continued addressing the
audience while the money was being
collected, and asked "were they willing
that vast territories should be thrown
open for the enslavement of such wo-
men such as the one now before them -
Here an old gentleman in the audi.
ence rose and stated that several per-
sons in his neighborhood had pledged
themselves to raise all that was neces-
sary over the collection to free the wo-
man. This announcement caused loud
applause, as the feelings of the audience
were aroused to the highest pitch. The
stamping of feet and the clapping oI
hands continued for some minutes.
Several females in the vicinity of the
writer were applauding loudly, and hand
kerchiefs were very generally used-in'
deed, the utmost excitement prevailed
Mr.. Beecher said he did not approve
OF an ungodly clapping of hands in the
Church of God, but he could see no harm
in doing so on the present occasion
The hills of Judea were won't 10 ring
with The plaudits of the people and the
sound of cJmbals, when any signal in
stance of Gods presence was manifested,
and be could furgive that natural out,
b1rst of enthusiasm on an occasion like
the present. Let us now, he continued,
join in the hymn-the FIRST hymn Of free,
dom cur sister has ever heard.
! A hymn was then sung with grea
ferver, when the audience slowly dis
persed.
We learn that eight hundred dollar
were collected, $500 more than was re-
quired. 1t is stated, with what truth w
Lnnr -thnt this ,rirI is thn dannhfel