Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-17
Letter from South CarOlina.

Well, to tell the truth, ,ohite folks have
not received much of my attention lately. |
and il is only because | am within few
DAYS of my return home that bave taken
mp "de claims of de norf."
limo certainly has made good use of
its wings, for it has flown with unparal-
leled swiltncss, and thou gh may truth |
fully say have been diligent, l cannot
exactly boast of having found the rest for
which weary mortals are said to pine.
And | NAV rs we'll record it here, and in
advance of any questions which might be
asked me, that it is my firm conviction
that 10 soul alame with Christ's love,
there is no place in this sin cursed world
where rest can be found. No matter bow
delightful the place, if one has "eyes to
sec and cars to hear" the old cry comes
ever, " Come over and help u.s." 1t comes
from the loungers around the groG shops,
from the profano lips Of tho Sabbath
breaker, from uucared for or carelessly
taught children in our schools and on our
streets, from the sad homes and wrecked
lives which are everywhere, and even
from the very church of God which is
comparatively powerless, because so large
majority Of its membership "have
name to live and are dead" and might
as well add, and from the pulpit also, for
so many dare to stand as Gods evangel
and fail to declare the whole truth to a
dying world.
have been greatly interested in the
colored people here, and understand as
never before the difficult questions which
they are working out in connection with
their social, civil and religious life. They
are surely wonderful people when we
take into consideration the past and its
many disadvantages, to say nothing of its
cruel wrongs and the few years Of their
freedom, which has necessarily been large
ly spent in securing a foothold and sup
plying daily sustenancc. Many of them
have nice homes and live in taste and
comfort.
l saw large audience Of such people
on Easter morning at St. Marks church,
Charlestown. There was not turban or
coarsely dressed person among them. The
church was beautifully decorated, the
music fine and the service, Episcopal con-
Quoted very imprcssivcly by the colored
rector the FIRST, am told, ever admitted
TO tho Episcopacy.
Ths color Of the congregation ranged all
the way from the blue eyed and ilaXen
hal /, with nothing about them to unini-
tiated eyes to denote their race, up through
all III shades of brown, TO the real shiny
black, which | am inclined TO like best
because ii is genuine. Pleased as I an
with this class, and greatly as l rejoice IL
al to which they have attained, am NOR
deeply Interested in those who are largel,
in the majority, on whom ignorance ant
poverty and the mixed social relations
the cursed heritage of slavory-pres
heavily, and out OF which it Is impossible
for them to rise without help.
Tho schools arc doing much and th
influence of northern teachers is yer
marked, but in the country places til
population is widely scattered and til
schools are many miles apart; besides, tn
children are put TO work ut n very earl
age. Mus do it, ter keep dc homin,
pot blin', missus."
Some of the parents who feel kneenl
their own lack OF education are willing {
make any sacrifices to have their childre
know suthin'," and the eager boys an
girls walk daily six and seven mile
starting " befo' sun up" and not reachin
home again until "black darkness cate
en-" They cheorfully plod through tn
heavy sand, the little bags, with books an
frugal dinner Of sweet potatoes, ,slung ov'
their shoulders, "goin' afer larnin
marm."
have made several trips back into tt
country to see plantation life, which
some respects isn't so greatly change
from the past. Oppression has not cease
by any means, and might makes right
apparently.
| said TO one man, g Are you any bett
of than in the old slavery days?"
"'Pears like not much, missus. Has il
as hard time, SwnwGys; but den we
free, an dat is ebbery ting, tank de Lord
"Yes," said his wife, "an' dey car
sell us like do cattle, if we does,hab to
like EN-"
One thing have noticed, that howcv
low and debased they may be. allowi
free range TO appetite and lust, Il
according to their own phraseology tn
have "Wo Odcr determinc but to gil ia
hc5bN when de troubles OBJ dis ar wick
worl' am obcr." said TO one, "t
you must have another dctcyminc: Y
must love the Lord and try to serve hi
while in this wicked world"
"Oh, missus, | does lub do Lord; cou
does Nobody ken help doin' dat;
as to sarvin' him, putty poo sarvice h
tink mine was, 'spccts; an sides,
dcbbel Keep ebbery one SO mortal busy.
But" I continued, why should J
oct into heaven if you do not try to oh
the commands OF tho Lord?"
Don't know, missus. Nobber try
look into sich DtyStcra'3S, but know
70 sure, dat by DO time gets troo wild
ar hard wori'. shall be all tired out
do de5bcl an' his works an shall
mighty anxious to get IN out oh dc
bll's clutches.
have beard similar arguments coucl
in various terms from people In very
ferent walks Of life. To get into heave
somehow, being their hope and purpose
fhe singing here is something wond
fol. Every one sings-od aud youn,
and | never tire of listening TO the
Their old time SONGS which thev te