Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-30


audience to listen 20 their story, and learn the par
tculars Of the Ostraoism Of the Company, who
were driven out Of the State Of Kentucky for dar-
ing to believe that slavery was against the law Of
God. Rev. J. A. r. Rogers aud Rev. J. f. BOugh-
ton were present and addressed the audience.
The exercises commenced with singing and
prayer. Rev. Mr. Rogers remarked that although
they stood before the audience as e1iles, they did
not appear as objects Of sympalhy merey-mueh
less to stir up anger against those who had driven
them from their homes, with their wives and chill
dren. They would have the audience feel more for
those who were left behind than for them.
One part of nation cannot remain vile and
another part pure, and hence they would have
their hearers act fer their oppressed brethren and
friends, for their own good and safety. Our chief
danger lies in the fact that good men az not
alive TO do their duty.
The church south takes the ground, that slavery
Is right and il fills its Golfers with the sale of its
own members. Is 1t not evident that such
church although it has good men in it has lost its
savOrl Can the church north look upon such q
state Of things and be nolup and dOingl
II is said why not let slavery alone and
preach Christi" But can man preach Christ and
not liftup bis voice against seeing his fellow men,
made in the image of God, being sold to the sla-
verl The only hope of our nation and of the
church is for the latter to labor for the evangelical
ton OF the South.
The modern or free church movement owes its
origin 10 the Rev. John @. Fee. While at Lane
Seminary this clergyman first became interested in
the subject Of slavery. Seeking field Of labor,
be made an arrangement to supply the pulpit in
Louisville. This arrangement was however broken
up and he went to q settlement in Lewis county,
in Kentucky, where there was a small chnrch.-
Here be was pleasantly located until he broached
the subject of slavery, when he was almost entire
ly deserted by his former congregation and church.
Ia spite of all opposition he continued to preach
against this great sin, though be was assaulted and
prosecuted for his adherence to the faith. Five
years ago Mr. Fee lef; this place for Berea, near
the centre Of the State, on the border Of ''The
Mountains" Here, under his labors the
church was pprOspered. Two years ago
an effort was made TO establish q lit
eraTy institution at Beres. This was sue
cessful and a very hourishing institution was
founded. A college charter was obtained and all
looked favorable until last October when the news
came Ofthe Hsrper's Ferry raid Itwas said that
new insurrection was to break out at Berea, and
spite of all pTOtestatiOns to the contrary the panic
increased. At one. time three parties were out in
search Of Mr.. Fee when be should return home
from the East. The citizens of the county held
meetings and appointed committee Of sixty-five,
embracing the influence of the county, which
Committee went to Berea. On the 23d Of Dec.
Last this Commit ee reached the place. Mr.. RO-
gers wAi sitting in his house when he was called
out to meet the Committee, who told him that in
ten days he must be out Of the State. He replied
that be had violated no law and had right to cit
iZenship and should endeavor TO serve his SaI iour
as faithful clergyman, and if It was His will, be
would go, They then went to others, among them
an old man who asked them what his crime was.
They replied that such abolition sentiments as be
held we're not to be tolerated.
DEPRESSING from the narrative. Mr.. Rogers said
that within few years slavery must come 10 an
end either by means Of the gospel or the pike-he
believed the former. True, persecution will fol-
low the true preacher, but Paul did not stop for
persecution, asd neither shodld Christian men now
stop because theg must make sacrifices for the
sake Of their Lord Jesus. The Church must be
ready to think and act
Mr.. Rogers spoke eIOquentIy and earnestly, aud
held the strict attention of his audience.
Rev. Mr.. BOughtOn then addressed the audi
enee, continuing the narration which Mr.. Rogers
commenced. Ne remarked that during the past
season, the church at BeFea had been in e very
prosperous condition and no further fears were fell
for mObs or prosecutions, and even after the Har-
peTs Ferry foray, hopes were entertained that no
further mOIestatiOn would be made with them. Il
was evident that the residents of the county vert
reluctant to prOesed against them without the
foundation Of definite charge. The next day af'
ter the visit Of the Committee, they assembled 81
Mr.. Fees house for consultation. They mus
either remain aud, defend themselves, or TAXI
their fate calmly and meekly, or to go quietly
sway. It was generally considered that the bes
course was to leave quietly, and SO they did. Thi
meeting was On Saturday, and the speaker gave
very touching account Of the sOrOWful parting
Sabbath services on the day folloWing-ive week
ago yesterday. On the following Thursday the!
left in heavy rain storm, to which all were great
ly exposed. The confidence which was felt Il
them was sVlncsd by the liberal offers Of bushes
men to give them what credit they wanted eithe
in money or goods, at their coming away.
Mr.. BoughtOn closed with an ezhOrtatiOn to al
to devote their powers to the redemption Of th
slave territory. He was listened to with deep AT
tention.
Rev. ]. C. White, who was 3 elassmate Of Mr.
Fse,spOke for few moments, relating with ferVsh
slOqusncs, the story of Patrick Hsnry's defeno
of the Baptist ministers WHO, seventy five year
ago we're indicted for "preHching the gospel of th
Son Of God in Virginia" Mr.. White then, In b
bold, clarion tones, spoke of the opposition Of th
slavery supporters against preaching the Goi
pei, wherein and wherever 1t touched upon the
besettlnR sin. This colony had been peaceable an
non-resistant, and had not built up the walls
the Spiritual Jerusalem as Cassius n. Clay, or
(the speaker) would, with a troWel in one han
and a sword In the other, and with the cry, "Ib
I Sword Of the Lord and Of Gideon, but notWitl
standing this they had been driven out. He spoil
: highly Of Mr. Fee, and closed With an sarneI
= hearty exhoFtation to labor, work and fight
J. need be, for God and the right.
e A collection was then taken up for the benei
Of the families Of the sxss, and the large andien'
{ dispersed.