Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-04

Plymouth Church was filled with Teachers
and Scholars. After singing 'There is hap
py land, - Rev. DR.. MOReAN pronounced short
prayer.
E. p. INaERsoL Eeq., then gave an eloquent
greeting to the oberlin School in behalf of the
Plymouth School, followed by remarks by DR..
MORGAN, Father KEEp, Rev GEo. THOMPSON,
Prof. J. NJ. ELLIS, Rev. J. A. THoME, and Rev.
J. @. WHITE.
The remarks at the Church were earnest and
to the point. Slavery was pictured as a great
monster that had trampled upon good men in its
course, had taken fathers from their families and
their homes, and cast them into prison One
who was dear to the children; whose words of
counsel they loved to hear and heed one who
had led them for many years in the way of
righteousness; was cast into prison to please the
great Moloch of Slavery.
A hearty response was given by the Oberlin
Sabbath School to the sentiment:
"OUR SUPERINTENDENT: We respect him more,
and love him better to-day, than ever before"
] Sabbath Ssbeol annss enliv.nod the proceed
ings, and the benediction was pronounced by
Father KEEP; when the Oberin School return
ed to the yard in front of the Jail about s. p NJ.
to listen to what the Superintendent and others
of the Prisoners had to say, and bid them
"Good-bye"
Prof ELLIS called for Mr.. FITcH, who came
forward and addressed the children as follows:
Ny DEAR CHLDREN-I am exceedingly glad
to see you, and am greatly gratifed to observe
the pains you have taken to visit your Superin
tendent in body These beautiful banners and
all these other evidences of your interest graft.
fy me much. mean, they make me glad, that
is the better word. cannot suitably express
the happiness feel on seeing you all once more
May God bless the precious children!
1t is now my privilege to address the scholars
whom have so often met efore in the dear
old church at Oberlin, and am going to imag-
inc that this great company of four hundred
Sabbath School scholars, and their faithful
teachers, have undertaken all this labor to meet
their old Superintendent again. Be assured
do not fail to appreciate all this The next
eighty days of my imprisonment will be lighter
because of this kindly EXPIRE ssed sympathy and
confidence.
For sixteen years, have endeavored to be
faithful in instructing you in morals and relig-
ion, and have often,specially warned you to be
careful in your habits, and to avoid the great dis.
grace of being sent to jail. Hitherto scarcely
member of our dear school has ever disgraoed
US in such a way. But what do | now see!-
What great evil has Overtaken you! What
great crime have you now committed! Here
behold you all IN jail! How shall account for
it. remember my legal friend, one of our
prisoners, says some people are brought to Jail
by the Marshals warrant and others 6y an at.
taehment. Surely here is the explanation.
An attachment" must have brought you here,
Tor such precious children az those who now
crowd around me, in this Jail yard, are incapable
Of a crime.
You must have noticed, my children, that
two classes Of people have in all ages been made
the inmates Of prisons. Wicked people, who
harm the world, and the good and holy who
are so far in advance OF their age that the wicked
world misunderstands them. The Bible and
history will assure you Of the truth of what |
say. To which class does your Superintendent
and his companions belong! / will not here |
say we are representatives Of the good aud holy |
Let our past lives tell their own tale But this !
will say--OUr friends-those who uphold our
sentiments-those who applaud our course, and |
who 8purn the infamous Fugitive Act under
which we are imprisoned, as the DEVILS own in
strument, are among the wise, the learned, the
good and the holy Of earth. They are those
who have despised personal ease, and worldly
gain, and have, durIng their whole lives, deVo-
ted themselves, body and soul, to the work of
doing good. / see just at my right hand the
venerable father KEEP, man with the weight
of many years upon him. He has preached
this gospel OF Jesus for more than 0ty,fpe years,
and yet with youthful spirit he mipgIes with
the children to day, On what times are we
fallen when such men are considered as felons
--as fit tenants Of jail; but their prosecutors,
who perhaps have defrauded the halter of lie
due 60 free as If they were the goodl
Yet, thus has It always been The motto on
Ibis beautiful banner, which the excellent Mayor
Of our town is holding by my side, is the text for
ls all. "Stand up for Jesus These words Of the
dying Tying, are the words for US to-day. SO
will we DO while life shall last,
We are compelled to endure painful impris-
Dnment, but we have done no wrong. We ap-
peal to God above and all the holy, that 10 feed
he hungry, 10 elothe the naked, and to securely
hide and safely convey away poor and help
sas brother, who is painting In bis haste 10 e.