Middletown transcript., 1897-07-03
FRIENDS SCHOOL, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

| dls IaLnefs on aceount OF MS reHgl0uS 0pln-
ions, was driven from his country to En-
gland, where Anthony received good ed
ucation. In 1871 the same year of Lays
arrival. and two years before the death of
Sandiford-Anthony came with his par
ents to Philadelphia. He soon began to
plead the cause of the oppressed" and in
time was recognized as the most Jealous
and assiduous advocate. for effecting the
abolition of the slave trade, then living
Clarkson said of him; Anthony Benezet
may be considered as one of the most zeal
GUS, vigilent, and active advocates, which
the cause ofthe representations ever had
The newspapers and almanacs of
the day contained articles from his
pen on this great theme. He was the
hrst in this way, to create an interest in
the subject of slavery at home and abroad.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the queens
Of England, France and Portugal, Able
Ragual and men of eminence, in his own
country, were recipients of his letters and
essays. One of his books Without doubt
had great influence upon Thomas Garkson.
at that time, a senior in the University of
Cambridge. In 1885; the vice chancellor
proposed the following subject to the senior
bachelors. "Anne liceat Invitos in Sery;-
tatem dare?" or rs it right to make slaves
OF others against their will" The pre-
vious year Clarkson had won the first
price for Latin dissertation, and he must
now take the present one, or both his fame
and college would suffer. "But Alas!'' saws
Clarkson, II was wholly ignorant of this
subject" Besides the time allowed for the
composition was short: but he determined
to make the best Of it. He gained access
to the manuscript papers of a deceased
friend, who had been in the slave trade" but
I still felt" he says myself at a loss for
materials, and did not know where to
get them; when going by accident into
friends house took up newspaper then
lying on his table. One of the articles.
| which attracted my notice, was an adyer-
tisement of Anthony Benezet's Historical
Account of Guinea. 1 soon left my friend
and his paper, and, to lose no time, has
tened to London to buy it. In this pre-
cious book found almost all wanted"
He obtained the first prize; but what is |
more, while writing his thesis. he became
convinced of the great wickedness ofsIavery,
which led him to become q champion for |
its abolition: Concerning Benezet's book,
Clarkson said, 'It became instrumental, be- |
yond any other book before published, in
disseminating proper knowledge and de-
testation of this trade" Benezet, however,
did more effective work perhaps by person
al interviews than in any other way. "Dur-
ing the sitting of the legislative in 1880" |
says Vaux, "a session memorable for the
enaction of law which commenced the
gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania
he had private interviews on the subject, |
with every member of the government"
Benezet died in 17S4. For more than
thirty years he had labored for the oRpres-
sed slaves with the utmost zeal. He had
written books and tracts on the subject with
telling effect. His good sense, the sweet
ness of his genial disposition, and his great
love for all humanity pervaded his writ
ings, and somehow carried conviction to
VAS ASoAb oA0 Au1AO Va tu0 ICcuCTs - L
delphia paper of May IL, 1884, spoke very
justly of this truly good man. The article
is brief and is herewith given entire-"On
Monday night, the third instant after
short illness, departed this life, in the 18th
year of his age, Mr.. ANTHONY BENEzEr, one
of the people called Quakers His catholic
ism in religion, his universal philanthropy
i
his unwearied acts of benevolence, endear.
ed him to all who knew him. He was kind
without reserve, courteous without deceit.
and charitable without ostentation. The
fertile bosom of the poor, which yields an
hundred fold was the receptacle of his an
nual income. He industriously laboured
throughout a long and most useful life, to |
advance the best interests of mankind, in {
an humble and private sphere. For some
years past he devoted his attention consid-
erably to the education of Negro and Mu- 8
latto children, from desire that they might :
hereafter prove useful members Of society,
and worthy of that freedom to which the S
humane and righteous law ofthis common '
wealth, passed in 1780, has restored them,
md. to this use, we understand, he has
given all his property (about 1000 l.) after ]
providing for his ancient and feeble widow" I
In 1742 q store-keeper at Mount Ho lily, | 2
New Jersey, sold a negro woman and re.
luested John Woolman, then in his en- c
,loy, to write bill of sale for her. This .
he young man did with much reluctance. y
The request was sudden, and he felt un- e
of the khot1ohf 0f / n
nent of slavery; but remembering that he f
vas hired by the year. and that Friend
lad bought the slave, he gave way through =
weakness and wrote the bill of sale. "But :
t the execution of it" he wrote in his
ournal, II was so afflicted in my mind, n
hat said before my master and the :,
'riend that believed slave-keeping to be q
ractice inconsistent with the Christian re- =,
gion.D This thought he kept in mind. :.
nd when some time after young Quaker n,
anne to have him write conveyance of q =,
ave to him, be refused without any hesi- d
.tion. n
On another occasion imam Of go cd es- co
em" came to him to get his will written. ST
ut when he proposed an article leaving
is young negroes to his son, Woolman .
i'd, IT cannot write thy will without
reaking my peace" The man went away
i'd got some other person to draw up the
lstrument. Some change, however, ,haying ws
ken place. in his family. he came to IA IN
Toolman again in few years desiring W.
IN to write new win. The subject Of the slo
aves again came up. They discussed the @l'
Gather in friendly way. and the subject ny ny
as deferred. "a few days after" notes
Ioolman in his Journal, ''he came again ad
ID directed their freedom and / then in
rote his win. :" He gives other instances ioi
his success with slave holders of his thu
lietly reasoning with them. In this way res
exerted an incalculahIe influence, and are
any slaves through his instrumentality all
ceiYed their freedom. No one ever hated cor
very more than he,and few.i any created Til
stronger sentiment against it. Whittier in dat
"A. in writing of the consummation Of pol
9 abolition Of slavery throughout the Gro
,rld, said, "A.far-reaching moral social, spa
q