Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-08
Q0lortestGr Qa1ln Spp.
FREEDMEN IN VIRGINIA,
To the Editor of tie Free Nation:

ness proydentidlly opened near Fortress Mon
roe. Nearly eighteen hundred ex slaves, some
having fled from their masters, while not few
masters have fled from their slaves las John
Randolph predicted), are now under the pro-
lection of the commanding general at the fort.
ress. They receive regular ralions from gov
.ernment, and a large number are employed in
public service. Others are industriousy sun
porting themselves in various kinds of employ.
ment. The largest number are quartcred in
deserted houses near the former female semin-
airy, in a former negro quarter, &c.
Rev. p Franklin Jones, chaplain of the first
regiment OF New York voIunteeLs, wrote t. the
Young Mems Christian Association of this city,
recommending that missionary he sent to
labor among the "cOutrabands," saying, "a
more interesting field of missionary work was
never opened to the christian public . As the
Young Mems Christian Association had no
funds Tor such an enel prise, Rev. l.. C.. Lock
wood, Congregational minister Of this city,
who had been in their service laid the matter
before the American Missionary Association,
who immediate ly entered upon the work and
after comforting with the authorities al Wash.
ington, deputed him to go to the fortress. He
was there CORDIALLY welcomed by Gen Wool,
who promised him every needful facility.
MIR. Lockwood has made arrangements Tor
three services ON the sabbath, one in The house
of ex President Tyler, on in a large omen
building near the female seminary, and one in
the hospital chapel OF the fortress. He has also
established sabbath school, in which several
soldiers act teachers. Week dac meetings
are also held. Two thousand primers and
variety of Sunday school cards have been for
warded, SO that elementary and religious in
struction is attended to- The negroes are de-
lighted beyond measure with the opportuni
ties enjoyed, and say that "the good Lord"
has at length answered their prayers. Hun.
dreds of them, who have lived as man and wife
tor years without any form Of marriage, and
not a few being protesting christians, have been
united in marriage by Mr.. Lockwood,
Many Of them seem to be consistent Chris
tians, and there are among them several OF
superior abilities and fervent piety, whose
prayers and celebrations are exceedingly in
tersting. Those who were raised near the
trustees and seminary had experienced slavery
in miider form than those who came from
the interior of the state; but all lOnged Tor
freedom Mr.. Lockwood writes that the meet.
ings are largely attended, and there is the
manifest presence OF the Spirit in awakening
and quickening power. Numbers manifest a
desire to be freed from the bondage of sin aud
satan, while God is delivering them from the
bondage of man. Several seem in an anxious
state Of min ami are inquirng what they
shall do to be saved.
On the 10Th Of September, MIR. Lockwood
writes -
Thank and praise the Lord Yesterday
was a high day in Zion. AT 81 A. NJ, opened
a sabbath school in ex president FLYERS house
uear Hampton. Commencod Nth tho ssoaai
exercises repeated together The card;
arranged the classes employing those that
litflnl rs tgoolars Ella
mentary books and papers were distributed.
All felt that it was the beginning of better
days for them and their children and in glad
anticipation hailed the time when they and
their children should all be taught of God,
A similar course was pursued in the sabbath
school, in the gymnasium of the seminary, at
twoP. NJ. All were eager for books This
morning l find those who received them, old
and young, busy learning to read during the
leisure morning hour. The Lord bless this
good work! AS to charity in the form OF
clothing ard bedding, am more and more
convinced OF its imperative necessity Many
yesterday were kept from meeting by want of
proper attire. individuals in Boston, and in
Wilmington, Delaware, have already made
inquiries in regard to their wants, with the
view of supplying them. May the Lord open
the heart and the hand Of many cheerful
giver.
and eXhortatiOn meetings. one conducted by
an engineer, and the rest by ''contraband"
leaders. The meetings were very largely at
tended and of marked interest Alter the
first preaching service the people sang, with
great enthusiasm, a chant in regard to Joseph
and Moses, and the delivcrance from Egypt.
The afternoon meeting was one long to
be remembered. After L had finished my
discourse several of the eXhorters spoke One
- IA
every heart. He appe led to the soldiers
present who were in rebellion against God
while striving to put down rebellion in this
land, and asked them how they, who had been
taught to read the Bible, and learned the
Lords Prayer in infancy from mothers lips
could stand in judgment when a poor despised
race who, thOagh denied the Bible, had been
taught OF God, aud found their way 10 Christ,
should rise up and condemn them. He then
turned to his fellow contrabands, and entreated
them to embrace thankfully and improve the
boon already given. He said he had longed,
and sometimes almost expected to see such Il
day as this, yet the blessing was SO great that
he feared he might die without tile sight.
but now" said he, "our eyes see and our
hearts enjoy, and shall we not manifest our
gratitude to the great emancipation, by turn.
ing unto him. aud embracing double free
dom2"
Mr. Lockwood writes, Sept. 23d =
Three Sabbath schools are already in sue
cesstul operation. The school at the seminary
was yesterday very interesting. There had
been great zeal during the week i'll preparation
for it. In addition to the reading exercises,
catechetical rehearsals, &c., verses and hymns
were promptly rected. To this result our
day school has greatly contributed. This
school was commenced last Tuesday with
about twenty scholars, and has since increased
to about fifty 1t was suggested by request
of the children themselves. Mrs. Peake the
teacher is a free woman, with fair qualifica-
tions for the post. God has allotted her the
privilege of opening the first reading and
writing school among this people. / have
authorized other females to commence day
schools in other neighborhoods We hope TO
have night schools TOR adults, who are engaged
in work during the day. These arrangements
are simply designed to make the best present
use of the teaching talent we have, not to
preclude the sending OF competent teachers
as soon as your funds will warrant it. ask
an interest in your prayers for me and for this
people.
feel that ] am laboring in a blessed cause
But though never weary of my work, l some
times weary in it, even to sickness, as was the
case the latter part of last week, after attend
ing funerals for several days in succession, in
addition to other labors. | would like TO have
coaborer, to share my arduous duties Ii
any way is opened for The support of an addl-
tonal laborer, please send one on. One rea-
son for desiring an increase of lab0rers is, the
number of the people is constantly increasing,
sometimes by dozen or more in stampede.
Under date OF Sept. oath MIR. Lockwood