Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 611   Enlarge and print image (49K)

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Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 611   Enlarge and print image (49K)

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HELPERS AND SYMPATHIZERS. 586 volunteered timely aid and sympathy to the Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia. Not to mention any of this class would be to foil to bestow honor where honor is due. We have only to allow the friends to whom we allude, to speak for themselves through their coirespondence when tbeir hearts were stirred in the interest of the escaping slave, and they were practically doing unto others as they would have others do unto them. Here, truly, is pure philanthropy, that vital Christianity, that True and Undcfiled Religion before God and the Father, which is to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and to undo the heavy burden, and let the oppressed go free. The posterity of the oppressed at least, will need Biich evidences of tender regard and love as here evinced. In those days, such expressions of Christian benevolence wore cheering in the extreme. From his able contribution to Anti-slavery papers, and his fearless and eloquent advocacy of the cause of the down-trodden slave in the pulpit, on the platform, and in the social circle, the name of Rev. N. R. Johnston, Reformed Presbyterian (of the old Covenanter faith), will be familiar to many. But we think it safe to say that his fidelity and devotion to the slave are nowhere more fully portrayed than in the appended Underground Rail Road letters. TOPSUAM, VT., September 1st, 1855. WM. STILL, MY DEAR FRIEXD:—I have the heart, but not the time, to write you a long letter. It is Saturday evening, and I am preparing to preach to-morrow afternoon from Heb. xiii. 3, " Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them." This will be ray second sermon from this text. Sabbath before last I preached from it, arguing and illustrating the projx)sition, deduced from it, that "the great work to which we are now called is the abolition of Slavery, or the emancipation of the slave," showing our duty as philanthropists. To-morrow I intend to point out our duty as citizens. Some to whom I minister, I know, will call it a political speech; but I have long since determined to speak for the dumb what is in my heart and in my Bible, let men hear or forbear. I am accountable to the God of the oppressed, not to man. If I have his favor, why need I regard man's disfavor. Many besides the members of my own church come out regularly to hear tne. Some of them are pro-slavery politicians. The consequence ia, I preach much on the subject of Slavery. And while I have a tongue to speak, and lips to pray, they shall never be sealed or silent so long as millions of dumb have so few to speak for them. But poor Passmore Williamson is in bonds. Let us also remember him, as bound with him. He lias many sympathizers. I am glad you did not share the same fate. For some reasons I am sorry you have fallen into the hands of thieves. For some others I am glad. It will make you more devoted to your good work. Persecution always brightens the Christian,