Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-01-11
To the Pastors and Churches of New
Hampshire and Vermont.

Dca,. BretbyCR and Friends Finding it
impossible for me to be with you all, at
once in person, as agent Of the Amcri-
can Missionary Association FOR New
Hampshire and Vermont, in behalf Of
the Freedmen, will you allow me a few
words in the form Of 4 circular. The
points which wish TO bring to your
notice are three
|. The nature amt r,tru Of l5e l0rk 4"
hond. lis no trifing fact that we have
before us four millions OF Freedmen to
be recognized and treated as men, to be
aided in becoming Intelligent citizens,
to be fitted for a blessed Immortality.
In respect to homes, food raiment the
restitution Of many Is most deplorable.
1t is estimated that more than fifty thou
sand must rsh this winter unless they
get relief from their friends at the North.
But all this temporal need is only faint
symbol Of their deeper spiritual want
Nor is their need OF this moral and re-
ligiOus culture greater than their CapaC-
ity for it. Fifteen years of labor among
this same class OF persons, their hith
and kin, on their own ancestral shores
satisfies me that they have both mind
and heart enough for all the higher de-
grees of civilization, for the MODEST Of
attachments in all the christian graces.
Whether or not they have as much of the
pure intellect as the Japhetic family
there can be no doubt, in the mind Of
one who knows them, that they have
quite as much aud more Of susceptibility,
of all that emotional side Of human
nature which plays the largest part IN
hOnOring the relations we sustain to.
wards God aud our fellow men. Hence
all the more important 1t is, that these
moral and religious powers be properly
cultivated, else they go over to the wild
fire Of fanatiCism, or other forms of tr-
ratio, ruinOus extravaganza. Nor can
aught but divine truth, the gospel in its
purity and power, ever meet those spir-
itual wants. And hence the solemn du-
ty devolving upon, all true christian
friends of the Freedmen, to see that their
charities take such form and channel as
shall be at. once most benehcent and
evangelical, economical and effective
serving not only to relieve the distresses
of the present, but to At them also for
the joys.of the future.
IL, And this brings Us to notice, sec
Ondly, the tried character and aCkn0tCleaqed
u0,H Of the AMN4ca2 Missionary 4ssosta.
hoa, a. az agency complete, ready at HQfd
md adhlU06lY fitted fo,' this aeork. To those
acquainted with its history, it cannot be
necessary to say that it has ever been
devoted, as it now is, to the interests of
the African especially to the interests of
those who have tasted most Of the Bit
terness Of bondage. Another essential
element in this association is its truly
evangelical character. 1t holds all the
great cardinal doctrines Of the gospel,
making them the basis Of its work, the
guide of its course, arr the ground of
its hope,-a thing, AS we have seen, spe-
cially important in any organization
that shall think to meet the broader.
deeper wants Of the Africans spiritual
nature. Its thoroughly economical and
effective business character is another
! distinguishing feature that recommends
it to the confidence and support Of all
who would make their money and ener-
gies 90 farthest in aiding the Freedmen
| in this most eveutful and critical day of
their history
It was facts Of this kind which led a
well known Massachusetts clergyman to
write, not long since, III respect to the
cause and society before US 81 am glad
the American Missionary Society is in
the field, and ready organized as most
efficient helper in this work Of moral re-
construction, aud that our late council
at Boston 50 commended it to the
churches. regard it as great point
gained that we have provided for US g.
well known and tried agency through
which we can act upon the New South,
and that our sympathies and energies
are not left to be dissipated by q score or
more OF inexperienced and irresponsible
organizations And what could be
more to the point than the following
from the pen Of DR.. J. P. Thompson OF
New York ;-"For this work (the great
| education and religious work to be done
among the Freedmen the best orcapi-
Zation is the American Missionary 6sso.
citation, a thoroughly evangelical but
unsectariau body, with well appoined
agencies, christian teachers and preach
ers, and systematized labors in every de.
partment of its field" To the same eff
feet is the following, from the pen of DR.,
Storrs of Brooklyn: "The Association
is thoroughly organized and well and
economically administered. Its officers
and managers are men of enterprise,
energyi practical ssgscity, and christian
ZEAL" At the annual meeting of the
General Convention Of Vermont, held at
Woodstock more than year since, the
ministers and laymen there present
passed q resolution formally commend.
ing this association and its work amone
the Freedmen TO the confident aud gen
erous aid of all our churches in prefer
euce to any other organization, Ia Iik,
manner the National Council held r.
Boston last June, spoke Of it as an or
| gsnizstion" which by Its past fidelity {,
the rights and spiritual Interests Of tb
negro race, and By its evangelical char
acter and comprehensive plans and Ia
bors for the education aud religious In
sructi0n OF the Freedmen, IL provideu
1 Aa1R neenAroI foe TIA araat wv,ukr oe "a