Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-13

ing Of the AmeTiean Missionary AssociG-
ton, October 16, 1852.
In the providence Of God, tens of thous-
ands of freed slaves are now waiting, in
various parts of the South, for the privil-
eges which freedom confers, and slavery
has denied them. The number is con-
stantly increasing, and within few months,
or weeks, it is probable that hundreds
of thousands will be looking to their friends
for aid. And what class Of people ever
presented a better claim to charity. IN
deed il hardly deserves the name Of char
ity, TO supply their wants. They only ask
q little interest on a long standing debt.
We have ali reaped the fruits Of their IN
paid toll
Their first wants are physical. Many
Of them have escaped, and will escape from
their bondage in very destitute condition.
They need clothes, and bedding, and some
shelter from the storm. This want will
be temporary: they will soon be able to
supply themselves. But for few months
they must have help.
They need education.- Few Of them can
read, and still fewer can write. They
need day schools and evening schools, for
children and adults. Every family should
st tonoe be supplied with the Bible, and the
mass Of them should be taught to read it.
They need the preaching of the Gospel.
Many Of their own number are e1horters
and preaehersi but need teachers who can
Hexpound unto them the way Of God more
perfectly"
They need assistance in organizing
themselves into schools, Sabbath schools,
congregations and churches. And they
need intelligent friends and eounselors, to
guard them against the insults, imposi-
tions, immoralities and various abuses Of
those who hate them, and are interested to
prove that the negroes are an improvident
race, unfit to take care Of themselves.
For every thousand Of these emancipat-
ed people there should be at least Que able,
experienced, faithful missionary, to preach
to them, to teach, TO organize, and counsel
them; and he should be assisted by sever
al subordinate teachers. If q million
should be emancipated within a few
months, a thousand teachers will be needed,
besides the requisite clothing, houses,
school-houses, books and churches. Very
inferior accommodations viii satisfy them
ct first but in some shape these must be
provided.
These wants should be met at once.
Never again will they welcome so heartily,
appreciate so greatfully, and improve so
satisfactorily these advantages, as on their
first escape from the house of bondage.
Such an inviting and promising field has
rarely, if ever, been open to the Christian
world. No time should be lost; already
our work Lays behind the demand. The
missionaries and the teachers will be found
when the call is made, if they can be sus-
tanned; and to support q thousand mission
aries and the requisite number Of teachers
will cost less than the support Of q single
regiment Of cavalry. Shall it be said that
the good people of the United States cannot
do SO much in this important work, with
out diminishing their contributions to
other benevolent objects? We dare not
ask for less. To say nothing Of our obliga-
tions to these oppressed people, we owe 1t
to ourselves, and to our country, if the
Presidents proclamation is TO be carried
out 10 see to it that it does not work dis
astrously, or fail Of its legitimate fruits,
for want Of efficient cooperation on the
part of Christian community.
The undersigned are a committee, ap-
pointed at the last annual meeting of the
American Missionary Association, to pub
hsh this appeal. We have no disposition
to direct or advise the public through what
channel they shall contribute to this work,
but most earnestly do we entreat all to aid
It in some way without delay, or without
waiting to be called upon.
To those who have not already chosen
another channel for their contributions,
we recommend the American Missionary
Association, as q society which was the first
to enter upon the work, and which is pro-
scouting it with great vigor and success,
and using the resources committed to it
for this purpose with great fidelity and
economy.
To ali Christian ministers we make our
appeal, urging them to bring the matter
before their respective congregations i'm
mediately, and take up collections for the
object.
To the members Of churches we appeal,
urging them if public collection is not
taken up, to SECURE the appointment of
committees to go from house to house so.
licting donations Of money and clothing.
To every benevolent individual We say,
if no one calls for your contribution, send
it yourself Do not fail to have a share in
this most important and most promising
work Send money, or boxes of clothing,
and bedding, to Lewis Tappan, Esq. Treas3
No. 6l John Street, New York.
Ministers and teachers, who are able and
willing to enter this field of labor, can for
ward their offers Of service and testimonials
to the Secretaries of the American Mission
ary Association, New York.
This is not to be permanent demand.
In few years the freed slaves will be able
and willing to support in a great measure
their own institutions. But their wants
are imperative now; and as a matter of
economy as well as humanity, they should
be speedily met. What benevolent person
win not respond to call so reasonable
and so importunate?
E. H. FMRcHILD.
J B. WARKER. CoF7nritiss-