The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-05-05
Yome Cotrssgonbente.
Our Philadelphia Letter.
PHILADELPHIA, April 80, 1860.


Mr.. EDIToR:-On Tuesday evening last
Mr. u. B. Vidal lectured before the Phila-
delphia Library Company in the lecture
room of st. Thomas Church, but, owing
to pressing engagements in another direc-
ton, was unable to attend, which very
much regret.
I have for some years past been very
seriously considering the propriety of CIV
ing money to purchase the God-given
rights of humanity. Case after case has
come under my observation within few
years past in churches and other public
meetings, and in all cases have / refused
to place money in the Golfers of slavehold-
ers. 1 came to this conclusion long since,
by reasoning out the matter in my own
mind. Several years ago happened to
be at lecture, and when the regular ex-
ercises were over, stalwart individual
came forward and desired to speak; per-
mission being given, he stated that he had
a wife in slavery whom he loved, that he
loved that audience, and loved the God Of
heaven, and if there was anybody present
who would not give him something where
by to purchase that wife, he would not like
to be that person. He pressed his case
with so much warmth that all present, no
doubt, sympathized with the man, and no
one more than I did; but they were gov
erned by different impulses from myself
for good collection was taken. AS sat
and revolved the matter in my mind, two
very pertinent questions presented them
selves: First-Suppose I had a wife and
dear little children in the hell of American
slavery, how would discharge my duty
toward them and toward my God +? Sec
ond-In what way could l contribute to
the support of slavery better than by pur-
chasing slaves2 To the first question my
soul responded. know no obligation
which compels me to submit to outrage,
wrong and contumely, and before l would
suffer myself or my posterity to contribute
by years of unpaid toll, to the support of
l would consent to be sacri-
feed with them upon the altar of freedom.
To the second I was no less sudden in
coming to conclusion-so long as slave
holders can find Northerners willing to
purchase their stolen property, just so long
will they endeavor to hold them and con-
slider their claims as just. These were my
conclusions then. Recent events in our
city and in Troy, have made me feel
sublime contempt for those who do not
love liberty enough to die for it. Life is
dear, and SO is liberty-but sometimes it is
necessary to sacrifice the former for the
latter. A few weeks ago Moses Homer
was brought to this city, tried before a
partial Judge, and delivered to the blood
hounds of the South. Several generous
hearted men attempted his rescue, but fail
ed. One day last week intelligence reach
ed us from Troy, stating that man bear
ing the image of his Maker, was arrested,
claimed as chattel personal, that crowd
of about 1000 persons assembled, princi-
pally negroes, and rescued him and sent
him across the water, but on the other side
he was arrested and again rescued. When
l read the facts, my heart was glad within
me to think of such heroic conduct on the
part of an oppressed people. Solar as the
rectitude Of slavery is concerned, it is de-
Tended by the Old Testament, but it teach
es me, "He that stealeth man, and sell
eth him, or if he be found in his hand, he
shall surely be put to DEATH" Exodus 21st
chapter, 10th verse. 1t is our duty to
give the fleeing bondman protection by
every means in our power, but to give our
moneyto purchase those whom we believe
to be unjustly held, is equivalent to buy
ing stolen goods.
l am very happy in being able to state
that several of our churches are rapidly
increasing in membership, of which may
be mentioned the Pearl street Baptist
Church, Rev. James Underdue pastor, and
the First Presbyterian Church, Seventh
street, below Shipper, under the pastoral
charge of Rev. Jonathan G. Gibbs. The
latter church has rapidly increasing Sab
bath school connected with it, which will
celebrate its twenty-ffth anniversary on