Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-07-16
JUDGE TANEx IN FORMER TIMES.

4" '"o "ohth vi august, 1910, tncrc
was camp-meoting held by the ministers
and laity Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
on the plantation Of COL Jonas Hogmiro of
Washington county in the State of Mary
land. On the Sabbath or Sunday evening
of the meeting it fell to the lot of tho pre-
siding elder Of tho district--thc Rev. IA
con GRuBER--to fill tho pulpit. There
were from 1900 to 5000 whites and about
300 to 500 blacks prcscnt--most of the
latter being, of course, slaves.
Mr.. Gruber took his text from the book
of proverbs: "Righteousncss cxalteth ma
tion, but sin is a rcproach to any people,"
After having shown what kind Of righteous
ness exalts nation or person, and how sin
is reproach to individuals, he came to
what arc callcd national sins, among which
he classed slavery and oppression. His
language, as reported by himself, in this
part Of his discourse, is worthy of being re-
peated even at this late day of the Republic
"This in particular" says he, ais re-
proach to our nation. We pity other ma
tions who arc under the yoke Of emporors
and kings who tyrannizo over and make
slaves of their subjects. We arc happily
delivered from such bondage; we live in a
free country; we hold self.evident truths
that all men arc created free and equal
and have inalienable rights, such as life
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But
arc there no slaves in our country? Do not
sweat and blood and tears say there are p
Tho voice of thy brothers blood crieth. Is
1T not reproach to man 10 hold articles
Of liberty and independence in ono hand,
and bloody whip in the other, whilc q ne
gro stands and trembles before him, with his
back cut and bleeding
"Thero is laudable zeal manifested in
our country to form Bible and Missionary
Societies, to send tho Scriptures and the
Gospel to heather nations. Would it not
be well for some to be consistent? Instruct
the heathcn at homo in their kitchens, and
let them hear the Gospel likewise. What
would heather nations ut distance think
if they were told that persons who gave
money literally to send them the Bible and
the Gospel did not read, believe or obey it
themselves, nor teach their own families to
read that book, nor allow them time to hear
the Gospel of their salvation preached?
"There is difference even in this country.
We Pennsylvanians think it strange, and it
seems curious to read tho public prints or
papers from some States, and find: For
Sale--A plantation, house and lot,horses,
co,cs, sheep and hogs; also, number of
negroes, men, ,comen and children, some
very valuable ones; also pen IN such and
such a church. For Sale for Hs-A like
ly young negro, soho is an ercellen matter,
sotdjor no famt-or else for want of en-
ploynaent. Look further and SEQ. F;fty
Dollars Reward?- One Hundred Dollars
Reward-Two Hundred Dollars Rewayd.
What for? Has an apprentice run away
from his masterl No; perhaps reward for
him would be six cents. A man that ran
off has probably gone to sec his wife, or
child, or relations, who have been sold and
torn from him, or to enjoy tho blessing of
free country; and to get clear Of tyranny
In this inhuman traffic, and cruel trade, the
most tender ties arc torn asunder, the near
est connections broken. That which God
has joined together, let not man put asunder.'
This solemn injunction is not regarded
God will be avenged on such nation as
this.
"But some say, We use our slaves we'll
better than they could use themselves if
they were free. Granted. But what as
surancc have you, or what security have
thoy, that your children, or those you will
them to, will use them as you do? Nav
they not tyrannize over them after you are
dead and gone, and may they not (the slaves
thus abused,) rise up and kill your children,
their oppressors, and bo hung for it, and all
60 to destruction together! The Lord have
mercy on their souls Such alarming and
dreadful consequences may attend and fol-
low this reproachful sin on our land and ma
ton. ..s.
| "Is there not some chosen curse, - 1.
Some secret thunder in the stores of Heaven,
Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the wretch
That tralics in the blood Of souls, fi s,' iaa,rt
Or makes his fortune from the blood of soulsi"
Now turning TO tho negroes, who at
camp-meetings in the Slave States sit in
the rear of the preachers stand, Mr.. Cru
ber,according to his own account continued {:
"Of all tho people in the world you ought
to have religion. You have most neod of
it, in order to enjoy some happiness or
peace. Sin is reproach to you. There is
no peace TO the wicked. Some of you have
good masters; you ought to attend to regu-
lar duties; never be absent from family
prayer, when it is in your power to attend (;
discharge your duty, and it may make your
situation more agreeable, even here, and
certainly hereafter. Some of you have cru
ell masters, are slaves to them, slaves to sin,
and slaves to the devil, and if you die with
out religion, you will be slaves in he'll for
ever-miserable, wretchod, poor and lost to
all eternity. But if you repent and got
converted, be made free from sin, serve the
Lord faithfully unto death (however hard
your situation may be in this worldly your
suffcrings will soon be over, and you may
have crowns and kingdoms in glory, where
the wicked cease from troubling, where ev-
cry tear is dry,
And not a wave OF trouble roll
Across your peaceful breast;'
be happy in heaven forever, while wicked
monsters are turned into hell and damned
foreverp
On the day after this extraordinary SER
mon, DIR. Frederick Dorsey, Dr. William
Hammond and David G. Yost, prominent
citizcns Of Washington county, went before