Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-16
OFT Y 1T z M 8.

To THE "DEACOSs, TRUSTEES, AND TEMPO
RAJ COMMITTEE" OF THE FIRST PREs-yI -
RAN CHURCH OF WASHINGTON CITY-The
lady managers of the National Home for IndI-
gent COlOred Women and Children" have seen
with surprise and regret publication in the
SfGT OF the 18th, from pCru n OF the officers
and pew-holders OF the First Presbyterian
Church, protesting against the action Of the
session of the church in granting the of
their building for the purpose OF a lecture by
Frederick Douglass in behalf Of the Home
They allege that 'the lecture, although Osten-
sibIy TO obtain funds for The benefit Of colored
orphans" was ''in reality 10 enable certain
political parties 10 promulgate their peculiar
doctrines in opposition 10 the views of the
President OF the United Sra'es and a large
majority OF the American people"
Nothing could have been farther from the
design of the ladies than 70 ask the use of the
church for any such purpose, and they feel as
II wounded IN the house OF their friends when
protesting Christians can 30 cruelty impugn
the motives OF a few women, working in 4
despIsed field for the sake Of Him who conde-
scPnded to publicans and sinners: and resort
ing to such honorable mean as they know
how, TO provide food and clothing for the few
aged and seventy-two little ones under their
care. who but for the pers .stent effort and kind
charities of some one, would certainly suffer,
and probably perish.
One Of the means rCsOrted 10 was 10 have =
lecture from Frederick Douglass, not on po-
Htical or party topics, but in reference 10 the
ASSASSINATION OF the LAKE President, an atrocity
which they supposed ali mankind condemned.
Not being able 10 procure a hall for the puT-
pose the only evening on which DIR. Douglass
could give the lee uTe, tney apple 10 the ses-
sion for the use Of the church, which was read
lily granted. l. never occurred to them that
the use of the building 10 secure means TO feed
the destitute little ones, Of whom the Great
Head of the church has said, Take heed that
We despise not one Of these little Ones" but
s. suffer them 10 come unto me, for OF such is
the kingdom Of heaven" could destroy the
harmony of the church. and bring il into great
disrepute,' OF be construed into opposition 10
the views Of large majority Of the American
people, or of tie President, who is known TO
be a friend Of the Home and Of the colored
race.
They would not for the sake OF the five hun
drpd dollars. which the lecture has brought the
Home, willingly have wounded a single Chris
tian brother, or offended one OF those, however
weak who believe in Christ. Had they known
this possible they would not have made the APP
pHcstIOn.
Now that il e over and the exercises of the
evening have proven that no party end or po-
iitiCal purpose was intended, they sincerely
hope that the tears which Will BE- saved by the
relief the money Will afford the suffering, Will
suffice 10 wash out any stain which the occu-
patton of the Church for a single night may
EsYe put upon il, or its Christian members.
Mr.. Il. +. WADE, President.
Mrs. GO. W. MCCLELLAN, V. Pres't.
Miss L. HEACOCK, Secretary.
Mrs. j.. CRANDALL, Treasurer.
MR.. J.. TEUMBULL,
Miss J.. :. SWAN,
Mrs. HARRIET UEDERHILL,
Mrs. :. e.. POMERoY,
Mrs. =. ii. NELSON,
Mrs. ID. BAKER.
Board of Managers.