Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-06-13
A Sabbath Day Incident.

Just before giving out the final hymn
at Plymouth church, Brooklyn, yesterday
morning,an unusual but deeply interesting
scene occurred. The Pastor, Mr.. BEECH
Err, stated that be was about to step from
the ordinary line of ministry, and desired
to lay the matter before the congregation
that they might judge whether it was
right that be should thus act and speak,
or not. But first be would read his au-
thority for what he was about to do.
Then, after reading in the New Testament
the history Of the healing of the withsred
hand on the Sabbath day, be said:
"About two weeks since, received q
letter from Washington containing some
singular statements. Afather had brought
his own, his recognised and acknowledged
daughter to the slave market, there to be
sold to the highest bidder To be sold
for the South. For ,rhat she was to be
bought, you may judge, when you see her,
as presently you shall. A human slave
trader in v ashington-and thank God
that there are such men, even in the
midst of slave MISUNDERSTANDING the
circumstances, bid her off himself He
thee gave her an opportunity to obtain her
freedom, and generously contributed 500
out of the $1,000 which she had cost him
for that purpose. Another we'll disposed
slave trader there, at his solicitation, con-
tributed another hundred dollars. Her
appeal to liberalminded men and churches
there and Baltimore, raised $500 more, lea
wing only $500 to make up the entire price
of her freedom. At this juncture l was
written to, to know whether you my hear
ers, would take part in this woman's re-
demption from slavery. l said l could do
nothing unless they would send her here
in person. She is now present. Here,
Sarah, step up and let our people see
you"
Sarah made her appearance on the plat
form, and seated herself. She is an intel
ligent looking woman, nearly white,
twenty-five or thirty years of age. As
Mr.. Beecher proceeded with his remarks,
sho wept freely:
"She is legally free, now, I know, and
she knows 1t, but she has come here on
her word of honor to return, in case the
$500 is not raised, and she will keep her
word too. Tho, is more sacred to her
than the laws of the land-more precious,
oven, than her liberty. Now have one
simple question to ask. Will you heal
this witbered hand on the Sabbath day D.?
or rW you let this ,consan 90 back to sla-
yerye We shall see. Let the plates be
passed.
al do not suppose she ever saw so many
people at one time before her, and il you
contribute the sum required, which 1 can
not doubt, this will, indeed, be . Sabbath
day to her-s day of freedom and rejoic-
ing. 1t is said and believed at the South,
that the northern Abolitionists are men of
mere words. This church is, believe,
suspected Of having abolition tendencies.
Let US see whether i.s rorks 60 with its
beliefs"
The interest evidenced by the audience
during this brief and affecting appeal was
intense, and when the plates were handed
around the contributions poured into them
with alacrity. Mr.. Beecher continuing to
remark upon the hope that the sum would
be produced, Mr.. Lewis Tappan arose in
his seat, and said that himself and few
gentlemen about him would make up any
deficiency there might be.
The collection finished, the services
concluded, and Sarah left the platform,
and soon after, the church, but nearly two
thirds of the audience remained to learn
the particulars Of the result. Tho money
was counted as rapidly as five or si1 pairs
Of hands could handle it, and passed, in
sums of 100 dollars, to Mr.. Beecher
$500, $500, $500 were severely called out,
and then $500, and not all counted yet,"
being announced, suggestions were then
made as to what the surplus should be de-
voted to- When the sixth 500 had been
banded to him. Mr.. Beecher said be would
state other particulars of Sarah's life which
has not yet been mentioned:
/" Her father had other children, other
daughters, BY white woman, and in this
family Sarah had lived. Her half sisters
we're turbulent in disposition, and left no
means uutried to make her unhappy. Her
intelligence and appearance would have
made her rival, had she been ought than
q slave. At length her state became SO
unbearsble, that she bssought her father to
sell her. She was willing rather to dare
The terrors of slave market, than longer
live - she was. And this il Why she vas
sold. But there yet remains untold sad
page Of her history. She leaves behind
son, NOW two years old. This child is
still . slave. It's freedom can be obtained
for moderate sum, and Sarah intends to
earn that sum herself, without help, but
think the surplus Of our contributions can
not be better appropriated than helping
her in this respect"
A general assent was indicated to this,
and soon after the counting was completed
and announced % over $500! and the
last remnant Of the congregation dispersed.