Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-02-23
ANTI-sLAvERY MINISTER IN VIRGINIA

Rev. J. S. Davis of Cabin Creek Kentucky,
writes to the American Missionary fan account of
a recent visit to Virginia, he says under date OF
D December A.:
l preached nine sermons in Virginia, two direct
ly on the subject Of Slavery, both in the same
place-a school house, half a mile from Woodstock.
l spent a little more than two weeks in the village
and vicinity; found many anti-slayery men, who
do not know how to make their influence felt.
Very few slaves are owned in the country. Most
of the inhabitants of German origin. moved directly
from Pennsylvania. They do their own work.
feel the constraint which slavery lays upon them ;
are becoming Disguised with the Democratic party;
never heard a sermon against slavery, yet can't
believe the system is right.
l preached three times for TIE minister Of the
German Reformed Church. He is absorbed in the
church question, and knows nothing about Slavery
attempted to defend it from the Bible, in CONVEX.
sation but soon gave up the attempt.
/ attended a quarterly meeting Of the United
Brethren. Saw several ministers: they think sla-
very sinful, but told me explicitly, that it would
be unwise to preach against it. ] preached once
by invitation.
I preached twice at n school house three miles
from Woodstock. A stakeholder walked two miles
to hear the Sermon on Sabbath. lie had horses.
but said he was afraid Mr.. Rye and myself would
not go home with him if he rode; we were walk
ing. AT night preach ed to a large congregation
III EuIhuurSH, IL Small UlIaSe, I'VE miles from
Woodstock. The congregation was large. Mr..
is a noble man. lie devoted his time to the
work. May. God bless him. | hope to write again
soon."
He writes at q later date,
~ think that 1 was brief in reporting the re-
suits Of my tour to Virginia. Mr.. George Rye,
a saddler, but now out of the business, is
A reliable out-and-out Abolitionist. For eighteen
years he has been endeavoring to place himself in
such as will enable him to give his
time and interest to the anti-slavery movement.
HIS wife is a kind woman, and would sympathise
and cooperate with him. They have no CHILDREN. /
His advantages of education have been few, and
yet he writes in a forcible and clear style. There
are other substantial men here who are interested
in the anti-slavery question.
Mr.. Rye proposed that / should go to Virginia
IN the spring, and call upon every minister in the
vicinity, stating frankly that my object is to pro.
cure the abolition of slavery, while at the same
| shall strive to develope in the church the
'ymmetrical Christian character. That with this
understanding, | preach to their congregations
)ut II not agreeable to them, then preach in school
houses, dwellings, &c.
Mr.. Rye writes to the Missionary:
There is not a minister of the Gospel in all yir
inia, that | am aware Of, that breaches against
he sin OF siaveholding, and in my opinion ii is of
he very first Importance that every place in the
'outh should he supplied, where there is any pro-
ability of success, with an anti-slavery minister.
his is one of those places, if a proper man can
&c found; and / think the finger of Providence has
,ointed to the man-Rev. James Scott Davis. Of
kentucky. lie is a Nirginian by birth, Ills faith.
p edited a newspaper in Winchester, thirty miles
rom this place, and there are many persons in
his neighborhood who were acquainted with him.
which would give him peculiar advantages. He
me a visit a short time ago, and on his arrival
avowed himself as an abClitionist-I intro
need him as such, and took special pains to have
i'm known as such. He remained here two weeks
a which time he preached nine sermons, and he
ever forgot the poor bondsmen in his prayers or
lie preached two very strong anti-slave-
: sermons, one of them from the text, "IIe that
'ys he loves God and hates his brother, is a liar" c
C. His preaching was strong and to the point; f
ut will say no more about his preaching here, he =
IN make his own statement. Mr.. Davis, | be- 3.
eve, is a n missionary of the American and Foreign !
-nti-Slavery Society. | hope you will for the a
ause' sake, use every exertion to place him in S
lis field, and supply his place in Kentucky with !;
Mother missionary, as | have no doubt YOU can :,
,, as the way is now opened. We will do here u
hat we can for his support, and it may be in t
year or two we can support him without any t
d from the Society. # T.
Sincerely yours, :,
In the cause of God and liberty, U
GEORGE RYE. :
Woodstock, Shenandoah Co. Va, Dec. IL, 1855. n