The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-04-07
The Lecture at st. PauPs ChuLch,
Brooklyn.

Mr.. ED1roR:-In the present stage of
our discussion of the merits of the African
Civilization Society, and especially the
short turn they have taken, l do not in
tend to be drawn aside to make needless
explanations ] do intend, however, to go
to the people, and believe that those who
have known my speech among the people
for these thirty years, generally under
stand me when l speak.
Your correspondent who gave report
of my lecture delivered in St. Paups
Church, Brooklyn, says: "We regret there
were SO few persons present, as the Doctor
had thoroughly prepared himself for the
occasion" This statement was uncalled
for. I am in the habit of preparing
myself thoroughly, whether / expect to be
heard by few or many. No printed bills
were sent out by me, and as my expecta-
ton was simply to be heard by an intelli-
gent congregation in their own place of
worship, without fee or charge, the meet
ing answered my expectations far better
than the Cooper Institute meeting did In
view of the array Of borrowed forces and
the attrac ions of the hall, expected to
have met thousands instead of hundreds;
and I expected to have listened to men
thoroughly prepared for the occasion"
But | took my pen simply to notice two
important omissions made by your report
er. One of them is in regard to what I
gave as my impression of the objects of the
society. The omission in this connection
not only narrows my real statement, but
as he italicised words which I did not en-
phasize in the delivery of my lecture, it
well nigh places me in false position;
but when I come to deliver the lecture
again, I shall stop that gap.
Again, he omits to state that, in connec-
ton with Mr.. Levere's offer to open his
church on Monday evening for Mr.. Prime,
I offered him mig aoratten lecture to e1ana-
me, both which offers he failed to accept
at the time. To Mr. Levere he excused
himself by saying that he did not expect
to be at home for some time. To my offer
he replied that he had taken his notes.
In conversation with him afterwards, find
ing that he was likely to be led astray by
bis own notes, again renewed the offer;
but he turned it off by referring to DIR.
Payson, who, he said, was in the habit of
writing his matter, but when he came to
the delivery he would often, on seeing the
audience, become so warmed up that, leay-
ing his paper, he would Strike out" &c.
Now, sir, as to DR.. Payson, l never heard
or saw the gentleman, and never supposed
I was initiating him.
As to the number and intelligence Of the
persons composing the ST. Paups Church
meeting, it seems, after all, that Rev. Mr..
Prime, who is accustomed to addressing
meetings-and even small ones-felt called
upon to counsel them not to make up their
minds until they had heard both sides.
He also virtually implies that there was
sort of mutual fire acting and reacting up
on people and lecturer. This is highly
important in this great issue. Let the
fires be kindled upon the affairs of our pat
riotism, and let it be agreed that the God
that answereth by fire shall be the counsel
lor Of the people. The people are not to
be turned away by any Juggling or jostling
policy, and they well know on which side
to cast their suffrage when they are called
upon to decide whether there shall be
separation" or "no separation" of the two
races. W. @. PENNINGTON.