Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-09
0Nortester Daily Spp,
THE LATE ARNOLD BUFFUM,

March ID, after short but severe illness, in
his 18th year. His manly form has gone
there, but he is not in the tomb He still lives
and will ever live. Mortality has put on i'm
mortality. What was excellent in him sur
wives, and will be precious as an inheritance to
his children and childrens children, and as a
legacy to the world
He was born in the year 1882, at Smith
field, r. /. His father, William Buffum, was
an Abolitionist of the old school, the school of
Benezet, Hopkins, Franklin, Jay, Brown, etc.
His house, at that early day, was a refuge of
fugitive slaves. He had twelve children, and
could say, what few men have ever been able
truly to say, the whole twelve were all anti
slavery in sentiment ard practice. They had
an anti-slavery birthright. One only survives
of this large anti-slavery family
Arnold Buffum married Rebecca Gould,
daughter John Gould of Middletown, R. /. 1t
proved happy union, and continued over fifty
years. His worthy partner survives him, and
resides with affectonate children About the
year 1925, Mr.. Buffum visited England, where
he became acquainted with several persons
distinguished for their philanthropy
them, Elizabeth Fry, whom he frequently ac-
companied on her benevolent visits to New
gate prison. He often described this noble
woman as she appeared among the prisoners,
reading the Scriptures to them in her inimita-
BILE way, praying with them, speaking to them
words of instruction and hope and manifest
ing deep interest in their behalf He also
formed friendship with David Holt, called
the Father of Manchester" They were kin
bred Spirits and their friendship, cemented by
sympathy and correspondence, continued until
the death of Mr.. Holt.
In Paris, where he resided for time. he be-
came acquainted with Amelia Opie, of Eng
land, who was there on visit They asso-
ciated with a little band of ''Friends" who
were living there for a short period. Mr. Buff
FUN and Mrs. Opie were appointed by this
band to attend to the wants of several poor
people who looked to them for help. A pleas
ant friendship grew up between these kindred
spirits. Once week they met at the house of
Lafayette, and talked Of human rights with this
world renowned son of liberty, and the true
hearted friends who gathered around him at
his hospitable mansion.
In England, Mr.. Buffnm eagerly inquired
into plans for the better condition of society,
and among the objects that engaged his atten-
ton was infant schools. On returning to his
native country, he brought with him the APP
paratus used in their schools, and tried the ex-
pertinent of the first infant school in the United
States, at Fall River, Mass, where over hum
dred little children were taught. The expert
ment was so satisfactory to the people, that
they added an infant department to the public
vented, can only be known to Him who seeth
them from the beginning.
MIR. Butfum was one of the twelve individ-
uals who associated to commence the great
work that is now agitatng the whole nation
On the Both January, 1882, they formed the
New England Anti-Slavery Society in Boston
Mr.. Buffum was the first President, and the
first lecturer sent forth by the New England
Society He lectured also in opposition to the
al Il, 2
the Convention that assembled in Philadelphia,
December 4th, 1888, to form the American
Anti-Slavery Society, and, as he had opportu-
nifty, he attended Conventions for the forma-
ton of State and other Societies on behalf of
the down-trodden and oppressed.
After the formation of the American and
Foreign Anti-Savery Society, he acted as
member of the Executive Committee several
years. With his tongue and pen he advocated
the cause of the slave and the free people of
color with boldness and perseverance worthy
of all praise. His intimate friends knew his
remarkable patience under provocation, and
the senslbllity of his great loving heart when
friends oil long standing turned coldly from him
because he despised caste and was the out
spoken and fearless champion of the oppressed.
This GOODNESS, although it wounded him, could
not change his sentiments or his conduct or
make him swerve hairs -breadth from the line
OF 1Qellty TO the cause OF freedom.
In June, 1913, Mr.. Buffum attended the Gen
eral AntiSlavery Convention held in London,
and took an active part in the proceedings
Mr.. Buffum had manly form, a stentorian
voice, and cheerful temper, youthful gait,
an appearance of robust health, habit of look
ing at the bright side of things, and a step,
manner, and appearance that seemed to say,
'Tm determined to be young man as long as
ever ! can" Within a week of his departure
the writer of this had an interview with him in
this city, when, in answer to inquiries, Mr..
Buffum said 81 feel perfectly well they take
me for man ten years younger than am |
feel the same interest in affairs that ever did
and have good hope of immortality through
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" His man
ner, at this time, was unusually tender and af-
fectionate, while he spoke of friends and coad-
TUTORS, some Of whom had passed into the spir-
itual world, while others survived and were
still in the harness.
Mr. Buffums buoyancy did not arise merely
from animal spirits, natural cheerfulness and
constant hopefulness, for he had religious faith
that sustained him, and gave warmth and
steadiness to his spirits. He believed and con-
fded in the promises of God This faith car
ried him through all the trials and prosecutions
to which he was subject, aud over all the dark
and stony places of his pilgrimage. He had
full belief in the brotherhood of man and in
the Fatherhood of God. He believed that the
Almighty, as he had promised, would break
the rod of the oppressOr and let the oppressed
go free. This belief animated him in his long
continued labors in behalf of his fellow men,
and inspired him with undated confidence in
God As he walked about his dwelling he
would be heard chanting
"The Lord is my shepherd
No want shall know
The Lord was the strength of his life even in
times of disappointment and blighted hopes.
Mr.. Buffum had a serene temper and was never
embittered against his opponents, nor did he
suffer himself to lose confidence in his fellow
men.
During the last fortnight of his pilgrimage,
Mr.. Bufium suffered much pain, but his mind
was vigorous to the last. He felt that the mes
senger of death had called for him. Though
he had lived to good old age, he was sensible
that he was an old man. almost fourscore, and
he felt resigned to obey the divine call The
fourteenth chapter of John was read to him
by one of his grandsons, and he eagerly re-
sponded to the consoling words of Him who
spake as never man spake. Except some
whispered words of human love, his last ex-
pressions were. "Glory to God Glory to
God Let me go to Godl" In the language
of Whittier, applied to kindred spirit,
"Such was our friend, Formed on the good old
plan,
A true, and brave, and downright honest mani"
His children and children's children rise Ut
and call him blessed. They will never forget
his atlectionateness to them and their surviv
ing parent, his universal love to the human
race, his interchangeable Something's after truth
his trust in an overriding Providence. hi,
.c.IJ I,..s,. a L. q