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| 656 THE UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD. tion only by transfer to another; and, in October, 1835, he accepted a pulpit in Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pa., where he preached for one year, to a Presbyterian congregation, to what purpose, and with what views, may be learned from the following passage token from one of his letters, written more than twenty years afterwards, to the National Anti-Slavery Standard. " The first settled pastor of this little flook was one sufficiently well-known to such of your readers as will be interested in this, to make mention of his name unnecessary. H« had studied for the ministry -with a. strong desire, and a half formed purpose to become a missionary in foreign lands. Before he had proceeded far in his studies, however, he became 'alive to the claims of the ' perishing heathen' here at home. When h<; received his lioensure, his mind was divided between the still felt impulse of his first purpose and the pressure of his later convictions. While yet unsettled on this point, the case of the little church at Womelsdorf was made known to him, followed by an urgent request from the people and from the Home Missionary Society to take charge of it. He acceded to the request and remained there one year, zealously performing the duties of his office to the best of his knowledge and ability. The people, earnest and simple-hearted, desired the 'sincere milk of the Word,' and receiving it 'grew thereby.' All the members of the church became avowed abolitionists. They showed their faith by their works, contributing liberally to the funds of the Anti-slavery Society. Many a seasonable donation has our Pennsylvania organization received from that quarter. For though their anti-slavery minister had left and had been followed by others of different sentiments and though he had withdrawn from the church with which they were in common connected, and that on grounds which subjected him to the imputation and penalties af heresy, these good people did not feel called upon to change their relations of personal friendship, nor did they make it a pretext, as others have done, for abandoning the cause." In October,. 1836, he accepted a lecturing agency under the American Anti-slavery Society, as 6ne of the "seventy," gathered from all professions, whom Theodore D. Weld had by his eloquepce inspired to spread the gospel of emancipation. Mr. MoKim had long before this had his attention drawn to the subject of slavery, in the summer of 1832 ; and the reading of Garrison's " Thoughts on Colonization," at once made him an abolitionist. He -was an appointed delegate to the Convention which formed the American Anti-slavery Society, and enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest member of that body.* Henceforth the object of the society, and of his ministry became inseparable in bis mind. * It m»y to » mttter of MOW intoroit to >Ut* that the orijlnml draft of tbe Declaration of Sentiment* adopted at this meeting, together with tUo antograpbi of tbe lignora, i* now in the keeping of tt» Hew York Hittorioal BocUtJ. |