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A Lady teaching h-er little brother and the Author, prior to the latter 
 redeeming his mother, who remains with the lady. The author goes 
 to his new home, carrying with him obedience, truth, honesty, willing 
 at all times to receive good instruction, by which means he was treat- 
 ed as one of the family, and wanted for nothing. 
 
THE 
 
 LOOKING-GLASS: 
 
 BEING 
 
 A TRUE REPORT AND NARRATIVE OP THE LIFE, 
 TRAVELS, AND LABORS 
 
 OP THE 
 
 KEY. DANIEL H. PETERSON, 
 
 A COLORED CLERGYMAN; 
 
 Embracing a period of time from the year 1812 to 1854, 
 
 AND INCLUDING 
 
 HIS VISIT TO WESTERN AFRICA. 
 
 WITH ENGRAVINGS 
 
 NEW- YORK: 
 WRIGHT, PRINTER, 146 FULTON STREET. 
 
 1854. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year IS'4, 
 
 By Rev. Daniel H. Peterson, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 
 Southern District of New-York. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The author of this work has for a long 
 time, been greatly concerned for this land and 
 nation, and for the human family in general ; 
 but, more particularly, for the unfortunate 
 African, both in this and every other part of 
 the world which he has seen or read of. The 
 Author desires, and his prayer is, that tran- 
 quillity, peace, and happiness may cover the 
 earth, as the waters cover the great deep. 
 
 Forasmuch as there has been a great deal 
 
 of confusion in relation to my afflicted nation, 
 
 and different parties holding opposite opinions 
 
 • have come forward with a design to alleviate 
 
 £) their condition, which good intentions have 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 all failed, therefore I have made it a matter 
 of prayer, if perad venture I might be enlight- 
 ened with respect to the best plan for the re- 
 lief of the colored people. I now feel that 1 
 am able to answer this great question in full. 
 First, It is necessary to become Chris- 
 tians, to love and fear God, and keep his com- 
 mandments, to have patience, and faith in our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ : then we shall 
 be delivered in due time. Secondly, the 
 reader is referred to the pages of this work 
 Please read it impartially and carefully. You 
 will see plainly that the Author's sole aim is 
 to promote the happiness of the human family 
 here and hereafter. Therefore, I pray that 
 those who will read this book may be forever 
 blessed in this world, and receive endless 
 happiness in the world to come. 
 
 D. H. PETERSON. 
 
 New -York, May, 1854. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Author purchases his Mother's freedom. An excellent 
 young lady. He goes to Baltimore. Early religious impres- 
 sions. He goes to Philadelphia and hecomes united to the 
 Church. Is Steward on the Delaware. Remarkable vision. 
 His ministry p. 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Cholera in Philadelphia. The Author is concerned for the 
 poor and afflicted; he visits them. Good fruits of Gospel 
 labor. Pride and vanity in the Bethel Church. Desecration 
 of the old Church. Pulling down the old building. Fatal 
 accident. Misconduct of the Church authorities. An Epistle 
 from D. H. Peterson, warning the Church to take heed of 
 their ways, and admonishing all men to lead a just and holy 
 life on the earth, that they may partake of a heavenly reward 
 hereafter. The Author enters the great Gospel field ; leaves 
 Philadelphia, and travels in the Ministry p. 30 
 
vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Author addresses his brethren in bondage. A door is open 
 for the relief of the people of color. Bethel Church of Phila- 
 delphia is reproved for her folly and pride. A great blunder 
 at the Conference in Buffalo. Oppression and persecution. 
 Church in Sixth street, Philadelphia, and her minister. No 
 facilities in the United States for educated colored men. Sla- 
 very of the Africans was permitted on account of their rebel- 
 lion and idolatry. Brilliant prospects for the colored man in 
 Liberia. The Author exhorts his colored brethren to reflect 
 seriously, and choose that good part which will not be taken 
 from them p. 49 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Good treatment on board the Isla de Cuba. Departure for 
 Liberia. Worship on board every Sabbath. Much sea-sick- 
 ness. Kind attentions of Capt. Miller. "Warm weather on the 
 Coast of Africa. Unsuccessful attempts to take a turtle. Se- 
 rious accident to the mate, Mr. Hatch. They catch a shark, 
 and cook him for dinner. Description of Cape Mount. A 
 beautiful fish. Visit from a little bird. Visits from the na- 
 tives on the Coast. Arrival at Monrovia. Mr. Cauldwell 
 goes on shore p. 76 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Author goes on shore. Kind reception. Visits the Presi- 
 dent, Judge, and other distinguished persons. Beauty of the 
 country. Deseriptioa of the town, the soil, and the inhabit- 
 ants. Good opportunities in Liberia for emigrants. Me- 
 chanics, farmers and schoolmasters wanted in Liberia. Those 
 
CONTENTS. IX 
 
 who lay the foundations of this great nation should he moral, 
 industrious, economical, and religious persons. With the aid 
 of friends in the United States, the cause of colored emigration 
 to Liberia cannot fail to prosper p. 94 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Author visits several places in the vicinity of Monrovia. 
 He speaks a number of times in the Churches. He sails for 
 Sierra Leone. On the passage Mr. Caldwell is very sick, and 
 the Steward tries to get possession of his property. The Au- 
 thor opposes this nefarious attempt. They arrive in Sierra 
 Leone. The Author finishes his business and sails for Gambia. 
 Arrival in Gambia. Mahometans ; Idolators ; treatment of 
 criminals under the British rule. The Author prefers the 
 United States Government. , He sails in the Isla de Cuba for 
 the United States. Storms at sea. The Author trusts in the 
 Lord. Two men concealed on board. The Gulf Stream. 
 Arrival at New-York p. 102 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Author relates part of a conversation with an English 
 officer. Some description of Gambia and its inhabitants. 
 Necessity of cultivation. The minds of the natives must be 
 cultivated as well as the land. Fine opportunities in Africa 
 for steamboats, and enterprising men generally. Cape Mo\mt. 
 No newspaper in Liberia. An excellent opening for Frede- 
 rick Douglass. Address to the rulers of Liberia. The ne- 
 cessity of treating the natives well and respecting their rights. 
 Duties of parents and teachers. The young should be in- 
 structed Mr. Home in Monrovia. Mrs. Ann Wilkins 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 Mr. Phillips, a colored teacher. The Rev. Samuel Williams 
 and family, formerly of Pennsylvania p. 117 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. ' Certificates, including one by 
 His Excellency J. J. Roberts, President of Liberia, "Western 
 Africa. Notice of the Return of the barque Isla de Cuba. 
 Resolutions adopted by the Passengers highly complimentary 
 to Capt. Miller, on approaching the Coast of Africa. . p. 133 
 
 Church Collections — On the mode of making them . . p. 150 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Author purchases his Mother's freedom. An excellent 
 young lady. He goes to Baltimore. Early religious impres- 
 sions. He goes to Philadelphia and becomes united to the 
 Church. Is Steward on the Delaware. Kemarkable vision. 
 His ministry. 
 
 My parents were slaves. The place of my na- 
 tivity was in the State .of Maryland, near Baltimore, 
 in the respectable family of a Mr. Tyler, near con- 
 nexion of the Hon. John Tyler, late President of the 
 United States. 
 
 In the year of our Lord 1812, my mother was too 
 aged to be emancipated, and was left in slavery. She, 
 however, desired her liberty, but knew not how to 
 obtain it. The Author, although but a small boy, 
 readily agreed to enter an apprenticeship for the 
 redemption of his mother. Children can never 
 remunerate faithful parents for the care that has 
 been extended to them in their tender years, and for. 
 the trouble and anxiety of which they have been the 
 2 
 
14 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 cause. Therefore it is in obedience to the dictates 
 of wisdom, that children and youth obey and honor 
 their parents. If they do this, they will be blessed 
 for ever. I realized this blessing from that time 
 forth : and my dear aged mother died a free woman 
 in the year 1844. 
 
 I fulfilled my obligations faithfully in all things, 
 and was treated as one of the family. Among those 
 with whom I lived, was a young lady, Miss S. T., 
 highly accomplished and benevolent, with fine Chris- 
 tian feelings, and very kind to the poor. Through 
 the blessing of the Lord, she took the oversight of 
 me, and from that source I received instruction and 
 other great benefits. I parted from this family at 
 length, not without regret and sorrow on both sides, 
 for I esteemed them for their kind treatment of me, 
 while they respected me for my obedience and the 
 faithful service which I had rendered them. But I 
 desired to acquire attainments by which I might 
 become useful to my fellow-men. I remembered 
 the impressions that had been made upon me, when 
 a child, at the prayer meetings that had been held 
 in the house of my parents. Those religious impres- 
 sions were the first that I had experienced, and they 
 never left me. They preserved me from vice, and 
 influenced my conduct in all times and places. They 
 
 RBC 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 15 
 
 The Author attending in a gentleman's family. 
 
EARLY RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 17 
 
 were like grain that is sown, and continues to grow 
 until it has arrived at full perfection. Therefore, 
 prayer is always good, and to be recommended to 
 all persons under all circumstances. The aforesaid 
 family is certainly a great and noble family, and 
 have done much for me, in the way both of example 
 and of instruction, but the time came for us to part, 
 as I had a greater work to do. 
 
 I then took up my residence in Baltimore, with 
 respectable and eminent families. I was treated well 
 and allowed money, and excellent privileges, which 
 I endeavored to improve both by moral and religious 
 exercises. I avoided all bad company, and was full 
 of zeal for the Church, and of love for all mankind. 
 I continued to look ahead, and pressed forward to 
 the mark of a higher calling, which I believed it was 
 possible for me to obtain. I lived a considerable 
 time with Mr. Hopkinson, by whom I was well treated : 
 also, with Messrs. Cook, Gilmore, Hollins, Mc Blair, 
 and Commodore Ridgely, who were good men : 
 Also, with William Hollins, Jr. Esq., and Col. P. 
 Workman. These were all gentlemen af the high- 
 est standing, merchants, &c. I also lived with many 
 others, among whom were Messrs. Oliver and Thomp- 
 son, all of whom moved in the highest circles of that 
 city ; they supplied me with whatever was necessary 
 
18 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 to my comfort and convenience. When I wanted 
 clothing, I had only to call upon the tailor and get 
 a supply, these gentlemen freely paying all my bills. 
 
 Many colored persons entertain the opinion that 
 all white people are their enemies. That is not true, 
 for I declare that, from a child unto this day, I have 
 found all my best friends among the white people. 
 Therefore, the prejudice which I have mentioned is 
 the child of ignorance, resulting from the want of 
 a clear conception of facts, and sometimes from im- 
 propriety of conduct. A great many men bring 
 trouble upon themselves, by their own mismanage- 
 ment. 
 
 While living with the gentlemen whom I have 
 named, I applied myself to the study of the AVord 
 of the Lord, with prayer and meditation. I found 
 it good so to do. I perceived that the spirit of the 
 Lord was with me, and felt an impression that I 
 must labor in the vineyard of the Most High. 
 
 In the year 1815, 1 left Baltimore and went to 
 Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania. There I 
 united with the Church and became a member, under 
 the influence of the gospel preached by Rev. Mr. 
 Fox, an old minister from Frenchtown. His text 
 was Matthew xiii. v. 48. " They gathered the good 
 into vessels, but cast the bad away." It was under 
 
STEWARD OF A STEAMBOAT. 19 
 
 the power of these words, that the spirit came home 
 to me. I rejoiced in the blessed Lord and his great 
 mercies, for he redeemed me from sin and death. I 
 was still impressed with the idea that there was a 
 greater work for me to do than to remain an ordinary 
 member of the Church. I made it the subject of 
 prayer, and besought the Lord to instruct me in re- 
 gard to his will. In that condition I remained for a 
 season, awaiting an answer. During this time 1 
 was engaged in domestic life, having good employ- 
 ment in the best families. I was sent for, to come to 
 Burlington, N. J., and act as steward in the house 
 of John Griffith, Esq., at Green Bank, the building 
 occupied by the British Governor while the country 
 was subject to the English crown. I went to Green 
 Bank and lived with the family awhile. I was much 
 pleased with them, and they were well satisfied with 
 me. They wished me to remain with them, but I 
 was sent for by those honorable gentlemen, the Cap- 
 tains of the steamboats on the Delaware river, in 
 connection with the establishment of Robert L. Ste- 
 vens, Esq. and Brothers of New-York, the first engi- 
 neers in the country. I engaged in the employment 
 of those favorite Captains A. and M. Jenkins, and 
 remained with them a number of years as chief 
 steward, having full charge of the Bar and Table, 
 
20 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 and control over all the cabins, &c. Those excellent 
 men will never be blotted from my remembrance. 
 
 Notwithstanding my good situation, ample wages, 
 and kind treatment, I found it my duty to leave all. 
 I was impressed with the conviction that the Lord 
 had other work for me to do. I said to the Cap- 
 tain — " Sir, I shall be obliged to leave you. I have 
 no fault to find with my place, but I am impressed 
 with a belief that I am called elsewhere by the Spir- 
 it." Our accounts were then settled in an honorable 
 manner, and having put another man in my place, I 
 took my departure. I then travelled with James 
 McClanaghan, Esq., to New- York, who went from 
 Baltimore to the former city with his family, soon 
 after losing his wife. He was connected with the 
 great house of John B. Murray and Son. I remained 
 awhile with Mr. McClanaghan, and was treated well 
 by him. 
 
 At the time appointed, I left him aDd went to 
 Philadelphia. There I settled and began to look 
 out for a bosom friend, one to whom I could confide 
 my secret thoughts, and whose advice would always 
 be of service to me. After a time I became ac- 
 quainted with one of the most respectable colored 
 families in the city of Philadelphia, that of Mr. Jon- 
 athan Trusty, residing in Locust street. I married 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 21 
 
 The Author as a Steward on the Delaware. 
 
 The cahins were always clean and in good order ; due respect paid to 
 the owners and officers ; and eyery attention to all passengers. 
 
REMARKABLE VISION. 23 
 
 his eldest daughter, Mary Trusty. At that time 
 Mr. Trusty was araan of property and a trustee of 
 the Church, over which he exercised much influence. 
 I then settled down and went into business for my- 
 self for a few years. During that time I applied for 
 a license to preach. I had difficulty in obtaining it, 
 but succeeded after a while. I labored in the city 
 and county extensively for several years. The Lord 
 blessed my labors, I had a good wife, very kind on 
 all occasions, and I continued awhile in Philadelphia 
 with my agreeable family. But the blessed Lord 
 showed me that this could not always be. " Not 
 so," said He — " thou art a chosen vessel, and I will 
 send thee far away. Thou shalt bear testimony for 
 my name's sake in distant lands, even among those 
 who know me not, and have not heard the glad 
 tidings of the gospel." 
 
 The Lord showed me in the visions of the night, 
 upon my bed, the dreadful state of mankind through- 
 out the world, living in sin and wickedness. " Oh ! 
 wretched man !" said I — " who shall deliver me 
 from this body of sin and death !" There is none 
 can do this but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 
 and He only, for Christ has become a sacrifice for 
 us. Therefore let us keep the feast with love and 
 unity, which is well pleasing in the sight of the 
 
24 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 Lord." In the vision of the night, I saw s ome to 
 the door of my dwelling, a coach and four white 
 horses, with a good driver. I was taken into the 
 carriage, and it was driven off. We travelled far 
 away in a South-Western direction, until we arrived 
 at a large village. There I alighted from the coach 
 and saw it no more. But the people of the town 
 were in a state of intense excitement, and for some 
 cause unknown to me, they were filled with fear and 
 horror. I then saw a garden in which there was no 
 grass, but a number of young vegetables had sprung 
 up and were in a nourishing condition. I passed 
 through the garden with a saw in my haud. I look- 
 ed, and beheld a number of people gazing from their 
 windows, both above and below ; and then I saw a 
 cloud rising in the West. There was thunder and 
 lightning, and the people were much alarmed. I 
 passed out of the garden with the saw in my hand, 
 and was fearful that it would attract the lightning. 
 As I left the garden, the cloud became more dark 
 and terrific. I saw ships tossed to and fro upon the 
 cloud ; and after that, I saw two persons of very sol- 
 emn appearance ascend from behind, and stand upon 
 the top of the cloud. Above these two beings, the 
 sky was perfectly clear, and their feet rested on the 
 very summit of the cloud. One of these men held 
 
REMARKABLE VISION. 25 
 
 in his hand a sword, and the other was armed with 
 a spear. 
 
 These two men appeared to be very angry with 
 the world of mankind. They turned swiftly around 
 and brandished their weapons in a threatening man- 
 ner, and soon afterwards they disappeared again 
 behind the cloud, the one following the other in his 
 descent. As soon as the two men were gone, fire 
 came from the cloud. The earth itself was ignited 
 by this fire, and the flames ascended to the skies. 
 The conflagration extended so swiftly along the earth, 
 that neither beast nor bird could escape its fury. 
 
 After witnessing this vision, I came to the deter- 
 mination to leave all and enter fully into the vine- 
 yard of the Lord. " Eveiy one that hath forsaken 
 houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, 
 or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, 
 shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit ever- 
 lasting life." — Matt. xix. 29 v. 
 
 The reader will please observe, that the family 
 with which I was connected was that of Mr. Jona- 
 than Trusty and his wife Esther, a religious family, 
 in which there were only three children — Mary, the 
 eldest, whom I married, Hannah, who became the 
 wife of Mr. Wm. Tucker, of Lexington, Ky., and 
 Esther, who remains single and resides in my family 
 3 
 
26 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 at the present time. The worthy gentleman referred 
 to on another page, M. Jenkins, Esq., has retired 
 from business, and now resides iu Trenton, N. J., 
 surrounded by his worthy family — a perfect gentle- 
 man and sincere Christian. 
 
 It must be borne in mind, that in my vision I be- 
 held the great evil of slavery in this gigantic Repub- 
 lic, as well as the magnitude of other sins. I prayed 
 that the iniquities of the nations might all be re- 
 moved, so that this great earth might become a per- 
 fect Paradise, a place of happiness and joy, instead 
 of sickness, sorrow, pain, and death. 
 
 I consulted my wife in regard to the new views 
 that had been opened to my mind, to which she 
 replied, "If you must leave us, the will of the bless- 
 ed Son be done. I will, with the help of the Lord, 
 do the best that I can in all things ; but you will 
 remember me and all others in your prayers, at all 
 times and places, and we will remember you in our 
 weak way." I next waited upon several of the cler- 
 gymen in the city. I told them that my intention 
 was to embark upon the great Gospel ocean, and 
 endeavor to turn men from darkness to light. They 
 gave me the right hand of fellowship, and said, 
 " Brother, go on, and may the Blessed One be with 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 21 
 
 Connection of the Author with the Church. 
 
 1 One thing I desire, that 1 may dwell in the house of the Lord 
 for eyer." 
 
HIS MINISTRY. 
 
 29 
 
 you for ever." They then presented me with letters 
 of recommendation to all people among whom my 
 lot might be cast. So I entered fully into this work 
 in the year of our Lord 1848. 
 
 8* 
 
30 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Cholera in Philadelphia. The Author is concerned for the 
 poor and afflicted; he visits them. Good fruits of Gospel 
 labor. Pride and vanity in the Bethel Church. Desecration 
 of the old Church. Pulling down the old building. Fatal 
 accident. Misconduct of the Church authorities. An Epistlo 
 from D. H. Peterson, warning the Church to take heed of 
 their ways, and admonishing all men to lead a just and holy 
 life on the earth, that they may partake of a heavenly reward 
 hereafter. The Author enters the great Gospel field ; leaves 
 Philadelphia, and travels in the ministry. 
 
 It is now necessary for me to go back a little, and 
 give some account of the condition of the Church in 
 Philadelphia, at the time that I officiated there. 
 
 At the time of the Cholera in Philadelphia, I was 
 there. The disease was very violent and contagious, 
 but I was in the midst of it I went into the sick 
 house which was provided by the Corporation for 
 the poor and friendless sufferers. This place was 
 vocal with the groans of the sick and dying. I 
 prayed and sang with these afflicted persons, and 
 
THE CHOLERA. 31 
 
 administered to their several wants. I also went 
 out upon the Commons, where the poor were encamp- 
 ed to prevent the spread of the disorder, and re- 
 ceived no harm from my attentions to the sick. I 
 was not afraid of the Cholera, for I knew that the 
 Lord was all-sufficient everywhere, and under all 
 circumstances. 
 
 The good effect of laboring with these people at 
 such a time was soon apparent ; for by this means 
 a Church sprang up for the gathering in of the lost 
 sheep of the house of Israel. As a result of those 
 labors, there still remain marry members in good 
 standing. Some of them became preachers. But 
 the time came when I must leave them all. Before 
 I left Philadelphia, I warned the Churches, particu- 
 larly Bethel Church. The members of this Church 
 first commenced their worship in a blacksmith's shop. 
 At that time, they were humble and pious. After 
 a while, they built a good, plain, brick church ; but 
 afterwards they began to grow proud, and wanted 
 a more fine and showy edifice in which to worship 
 the Most High. A public meeting w 7 as called to 
 consult upon the subject. I attended this meeting, 
 and as they had not the money for building, and 
 the church they had would last yet a long time, 1 
 recommended to them that they should postpone 
 
32 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 the work for the present, and not commence it until 
 they were better prepared. They would not listen 
 to me, but went on in their own way. 
 
 They finally declared their intention of holding a 
 Fair in the old church, and then pulling it down to 
 make way for the new one, which they would build 
 on the same site with the money that had been 
 raised by the Fair. So they went on with the Fair 
 in the church for many days, during which time 
 there was much strife and contention among them. 
 As soon as the Fair was over, they commenced pulling 
 down the old church. With sorrow, I add, that a 
 part of it gave way and fell upon several innocent 
 persons, who were killed. One misfortune after 
 another followed. Among other things, the gas pipes 
 burst ; and then came a great law-suit, which cost 
 more money and time, and occasioned more idleness, 
 than ten Fairs were worth. Finally, it ended in the 
 division of the Church. Many of the old members, 
 who had toiled many years and spent all their living 
 to build up the society, were cast out, and in this 
 way divided from their parents, children, and friends. 
 Something more may be said of this hereafter, but I 
 will here observe, that sinful acts like those will be 
 decided upon in the great day of final account. 
 * I left them all, and tock the Lord for my portion, 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 33 
 
 and him only. Before I departed from Philadelphia, 
 I addressed the following circular to the Church. 
 
 CIRCULAR. 
 
 " To the true Ministers of the Gospel of Christ, to 
 the Clergymen of every denomination, and to all 
 those who undertake to govern and rule the Church 
 of God : to all Itinerant Ministers, and more parti" 
 cularly such as belong to the Bethel connection : 
 knowing that these last are not so mature as some 
 others, and for that cause are more liable to be led 
 astray, and taken captive by the gods of this world, 
 becoming worshippers of idols. By such means, the 
 Church grows barren and unfruitful, and the mem- 
 bers become lukewarm and contentious, causing the 
 true members to mourn, while the Church, instead 
 of being a blessing and a comfort, brings forth wrath 
 and malice, and the fruits of bitterness. 
 
 But if the members of the Church would keep the 
 commandments, and live according to the Gospel, 
 the world would not be in such a dark and wretched 
 state as it is at this time ; for the blessed Saviour 
 said, ' Ye are the light of the world ; ye are a city 
 set upon a hill.' Therefore, you ought to attend 
 only to spiritual things, and not to suffer anything 
 to approach the holy place of worship like sin, or 
 
34 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 anything that would cause contention amongst the 
 members, except the board and body fully consent 
 to their introduction among you. But to force such 
 things upon the members, whether or not, is unlaw- 
 ful, and cannot be approved either by saint or by 
 sinner. 
 
 About eighteen months since, the ministers, trus- 
 tees, and members proposed to take down and rebuild 
 Bethel Church, at which period the society was free 
 from debt, and owned property worth from $25,000 
 to $50,000; they having begun from nothing be- 
 tween forty and -fifty years since, under the direction 
 of Rev. Richard Allen. At that time, they trusted 
 in the promises of a merciful God, and the good feel- 
 ings of the humane citizens who aided them with 
 means, and granted them a charter and a discipline 
 that we might do justice to each other and all man- 
 kind, at the same time that we honored and worship- 
 ped the God of glory in spirit and in truth, under 
 our own vine and fig-tree, with none to make us 
 afraid : for the wholesome law of the land would 
 protect us while we acted the part of Christians. 
 Now, we must have a new church, which is very 
 right ; but let us have it in peace and harmony, and 
 let us not leave the good old way. But I am sorry 
 to say that we have left that path, and have gone 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 35 
 
 rather astray. It is a shame that, in this day of 
 light, we should have given occasion for any to say 
 that we are going after the gods of this world. In 
 so doing, we have even trampled upon the whole- 
 some laws of the land granted by the honorable 
 Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Herein, you will understand that a charge is made 
 against all those among us who are entrusted with 
 authority, whether temporal or spiritual, because 
 they have neither considered nor cared for the feel- 
 ings of their brethren and sisters, fellow-members of 
 the Church ; and have been scarcely careful enough 
 of their own word, for they promised one thing and 
 did another. For their unlawful acts, there was a 
 charge entered against these men who hold authority 
 over the Church ; and it was placed in the hands of 
 Bishop Brown, by E. Mann and J. W. Stokes. After 
 the Bishop had held the charge a few days, he re- 1 
 ported to the Board that he would call in three itin- 
 erant ministers and try the case. Instead of doing 
 as he had reported, he called the Board together and 
 exonerated them from the charge, without examining 
 witnesses on the strength of the Church. So they 
 voted themselves innocent of the charge, and went 
 on as before, judging and condemning others. There- 
 fore, I ask you, God-fearing men, and those belong- 
 
36 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 ing to the Itinerancy, whether these things are right 
 — whether they are according to discipline and to 
 the charter which is granted unto us. I think not. 
 Therefore, according to discipline, I entered a charge 
 against several persons, which remains still untried, 
 and those persons are continued in their several sta- 
 tions as before. It was published in the Church 
 that Quarterly Conference would take place on July 
 6th, 1841. Accordingly the members met, and in- 
 stead of doing the business of the Conference, they 
 spent the whole evening in striving to exonerate the 
 Elders, Eev. Richard Williams, and the Trustees. 
 This they did by mob and gag law ; and so they 
 proceeded till the time for adjournment. The above 
 meeting was entirely illegal, and contrary to good 
 order : because the same men who committed the 
 offences which caused disorder, sat as judges to try 
 the case. 
 
 I ask you if this can be right. If this is according 
 to rule, there is a great deal wanted to put the 
 Church in order — a new Church, a new government, 
 new hearts, and new rules. Therefore, let old things 
 be done away, and all things become new. 
 
 The principal cause of this trouble in the Church 
 is, that the Trustees and Elders suffered a fair to be 
 held on that consecrated and sacred ground, in a 
 
THE LOOKIXG-GLASS. 
 
 37 
 
 Marriage and Settlement of the Rev. D. H. Peterson. 
 
 " The £rst noble gift unto man. So let us ever remember the vo"W, 
 and keep the covenant forever in view." 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 39 
 
 place where the first bud and branch of spiritual li- 
 berty sprang forth and produced fruit that was healthy 
 and sweet to the taste of the poor, despised race, 
 and to all the human family — a place of deposite for 
 the dust of our ancestors. On that holy spot are the 
 remains of the Right. Rev. Richard Allen, the 
 founder and promoter of that sacred institution, and 
 the father of her faithful members. 
 
 Many of the members of the Church were very 
 much opposed to the scheme of holding a fair upon 
 that spot, and the Trustees and Elders promised that 
 it should not be held there. But, a few days after- 
 ward, Rev. Walter Proctor announced from the pul- 
 pit that a fair would be held in Bethel ; and it was 
 again proclaimed by D. Ware, shortly after its first 
 promulgation. Notwithstanding these proceedings, 
 a great number of the members were still opposed 
 to holding the fair in the church : but it was held, 
 after Sabbath evening preaching, between 5 and 12 
 o'clock. The Bishop, the Elders, and Trustees, all 
 state that they knew nothing about it, and lay the 
 whole blame upon the carpenter, while he sap that 
 they asked him to let those women have the church 
 for a fair. 
 
 As the first evening meeting on Sixth street was a 
 breach in every point of view, and as one had existed 
 
40 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 for many mouths, a legal charge was made by D. 
 H. Peterson at that time, against the following per- 
 sons, and others since deceased, and placed at the 
 V*bernacle in Wagner's Alley : 
 
 Kev. W. Proctor, A. Brown, 
 
 V. Neal, A. Crippen, 
 
 T. Gibbs, A. Till, 
 
 J. Lesby, J. Eddey, 
 
 B. Johnson, H. Dickenson, 
 
 M. Young. 
 We tr-ust that all persons who say they love and 
 fear the Lord, and endeavor to keep his command- 
 ments, will not suffer anything like this fair to be 
 carried into their holy places of worship, though 
 they may gain ten thousand dollars by it ; for what 
 is the whole world to them, if they lose their own 
 souls ? The great evil of the thing is, that we show 
 more love for this world than we have for the Lord, 
 and thus we lose the power which the Lord confers 
 upon us to rule his people, remaining in ignorance 
 and darkness, by reason of our disobedience. 
 
 While they were endeavoring to settle the afore- 
 mentioned cases, the Rev. Bishop stated that he had 
 a charge in his pocket, handed him by a respectable 
 member named Benjamin Wilson, against the Trus- 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 41 
 
 tees, for misdemeanor and violation of the Constitu- 
 tion. 
 
 If matters cannot be conducted better than thej 
 are at present, we had better call a General Conven- 
 tion, and see if there cannot be some improvements 
 made in the spiritual government of the Church : 
 for, while three or four thousand souls are looking 
 for instruction, there is only confusion and strife 
 among us by reason of bad management. The old 
 and sorrowing members must not be forgotten. They 
 should be aided and preferred in all things, because 
 they have borne the heat and burthen of the day ; 
 and let the man of God attend to godly things and 
 have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark - 
 ness. 
 
 Therefore, I do sincerely trust and hope that those 
 matters will be taken up in a proper time, either 
 before or at the General Conference, and sifted to 
 the bottom, so that holy things shall be no more 
 trampled under unhallowed feet, and that the bless- 
 ing of God may flow through the whole world, and 
 his grace may be received by all men. 
 
 In the year of our Lord 1842, a circumstance 
 somewhat similar to that which has been mentioned 
 occurred in New-Jersey, in which Butler and the 
 4* 
 
42 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 Author were involved. The case was givei. to the 
 Bishop, who called three official men to his side and 
 settled it without trouble. Liberty of conscience 
 was granted, and worship was allowed to be per- 
 formed at any convenient time and place. It was 
 signed as follows : 
 
 Rev. W. Proctor, 
 
 Rev. D. Ware, 
 
 Rev. Jeremiah Durham, 
 
 Right Rev. Morris Brown. 
 
 This is the third General Epistle of Peter- 
 son, in defence of the Church of God, written with 
 good feeling towards his brethren, without respect 
 of persons, in his official capacity, in full standing, 
 and in the performance of all his duties, (as is well 
 known,) both spiritual and temporal. 
 
 I am truly, your friend and brother in the Lord, 
 D. H. Peterson. 
 
 In the year of our Lord 1841, August 28th. 
 
 P. S. — A reformation in our spiritual government 
 is very loudly called for, and must be effected ere 
 long. At the time of our ignorance God winked. 
 At the commencement of this religious establish- 
 ment, there was but little learning, poor judgment, 
 and few people. It was nearly half a century ago, 
 when money had to be obtained, though there was 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 43 
 
 much darkness in the land, and enemies were nume- 
 rous : though, even then, the Church had some 
 friends. They concluded to elect nine trustees, and 
 to unite them with the Bishop or Elders in charge, 
 the trustees to be subject to the Bishop or Elders, 
 particularly in spiritual matters. That was well 
 enough at that time : but now see how different 
 things are. We want fine churches, and have them 
 we must, at all hazards ; also large congregations 
 and a plenty of learning. 
 
 3Sow, I ask you, if those nine trustees are elected 
 for nine years to do justice to the people in all things, 
 and they often do wrong, and if, when a charge is 
 entered, he that is placed at their head will not pro- 
 ceed against them, but the discipline, the constitu- 
 tion, itinerant principles, and the resolutions of the 
 Conference are all forgotten, and those nine men 
 and their head will do as they please with the means, 
 and manage the affairs of two thousand people with- 
 out regard to justice or right, and there is no remedy 
 for all this — if, I say, such be the condition of things 
 among us, must there not be something done in 
 order to insure the prosperity of the Church ? 
 
 Again, the Scriptures say, " Wherever the Spirit 
 of the Lord is, there is liberty :" but there is no 
 liberty here ; for, if a man expresses his opinion 
 
44 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 freely, they take away his liberty, whether he speaks 
 rightly or wrongly. The ministers are not permitted 
 to preach at times and places, according to their own 
 sense of duty and propriety. If their liberties must 
 be taken away in this manner, I pray that the Lord 
 will, in his mercy, use some means to enlighten the 
 human family so that they may be able to discern 
 good from bad, and may be led to choose that good 
 part which cannot be taken from them. 
 
 To one of the nine Trustees the opportunity has 
 been afforded of becoming a joint-heir with the 
 Church, the greater part of an estate having been 
 willed to him, and but a small part of it to the 
 Church. It is said that the testator was insane at 
 the time he disposed of his property in that manner. 
 It will be but light and honorable in the Church to 
 disclaim all right or title to the property, as the owner 
 of it left a widow and several helpless children with- 
 out any support. It is the duty of the Church to 
 make known, through the medium of the public 
 press, that they have neither part nor lot in this 
 unreasonable matter. 
 
 Again — the man who is appointed to stand at 
 the head of the Church government should possess 
 a strong mind, a sound judgment, a good knowledge 
 and understanding of the Scriptures of Truth, and 
 
CIRCULAR ADDRESS. 45 
 
 the Gospel of Christ : he should also love and adhere 
 to the discipline, and the Lord wouli then direct his 
 way and preserve him in the right path through life : 
 and if we walk by the rule of the Gospel, he will 
 save us in the eternal world. 
 
 Old age is honorable, and should be respected at 
 all times and upon all occasions : but there is a fitness 
 to be observed in the administration of public affairs ; 
 and when a man is far advanced in life, he is gene- 
 rally incompetent to govern a great body of men. 
 Therefore, there is a change required in this respect 
 Then it will be made known to us all, that nothing 
 of a temporal nature should be suffered to be intro- 
 duced among the followers of the blessed Lord and 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ, without first consulting the 
 oracles of God, and getting the consent of the Board 
 and body. Even after obtaining their consent, there 
 may be sin in doing such things. It is, therefore, 
 good for us all to confess our faults, for we have 
 been unguarded in this matter, and repent and pray 
 that the Lord will pardon and forgive us our folly, 
 and repair the breach that this evil has made in the 
 wall, and bring us all into the bonds of love, and 
 keep us forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord and 
 Saviour. — Amen. I may write again, God willing. 
 I will endeavor to show those who have turned their 
 
46 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 soats in this matter, and how unstable some men are 
 in all their ways. There are many other important 
 points which I shall endeavor to lay before you for 
 the good of the rising generation and mankind at 
 large. D. H. P." 
 
 Being now clear of the Church in Philadelphia, I 
 prepared to go forth into the great vineyard, and 
 labor in the bonds of the everlasting Gospel. The 
 following certificates were given me by my clerical 
 brethren, that I might be known to those whom I 
 visited : 
 
 "Philadelphia, Jan. 2, 1849. 
 " This certifies that the bearer, Rev. Daniel H. Pe- 
 terson, is an acceptable member of the A. F. M. E. 
 Church, a member of Conference, and a preacher of 
 the Gospel. John Cornish, 
 
 Pastor, <fcc, Bethel Church." 
 
 " Philadelphia, Jan. 24, 1849. 
 " This will certify that we have known Rev. D. H. 
 Peterson a number of years. "We have ever found 
 him to be an honest man, whose word is to be de- 
 pended upon. He is a full member of the Christian 
 Church, of good standing, &c. He is an official man ; 
 
CERTIFICATES. 47 
 
 therefore, we recommend him to all, and sincerely 
 trust that the Christian community and good citi- 
 zens will receive him, and give him the right hand 
 of fellowship, and in his mission, aid him with such 
 things as he may stand in need of. Such is the 
 duty of Christians in all cases. Therefore he has 
 our sincere prayers and good wishes, that he may 
 be useful in all sects and denominations. Such is 
 his desire : to promote the Kingdom of the Most 
 High God, and to benefit the world of mankind. 
 " We subscribe our names most respectfully : 
 Rev. John Cornish, 
 
 Pastor of Bethel Church. 
 Rev. Stephen Gloucester, 
 
 Pastor Presbyterian Church. 
 Rev. George Galbraith, 
 
 Pastor Wesleyan Church. 
 Rev. Daniel Scott, 
 
 Baptist Church." 
 
 With these certificates I went forth, and since 
 that time I have endeavored to proclaim liberty and 
 free salvation in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, to a dying people throughout a great 
 part of the United States of America, this great Re- 
 public, the garden-spot of the world, which is lighted 
 
48 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 up with the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesui 
 Christ. I, therefore, do trust and pray that through 
 this great light, all the e\dl, and sins and oppressions, 
 may be plainly seen and purged away, that she and 
 her inhabitants maj r be blessed for evermore. 
 
ADDRESS ON BONDAGE. 49 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Author addresses his brethren in bondage. A door is open 
 for the relief of the people of color. Bethel Church of Phila- 
 delphia is reproved for her folly and pride. A great blunder 
 at the Conference in Buffalo. Oppression and persecution. 
 Church in Sixth street, Philadelphia, and her minister. No 
 facilities in the United States for educated colored men. Sla- 
 very of the Africans was permitted on account of their rebel- 
 lion and idolatry. Brilliant prospects for the colored man in 
 Liberia. The Author exhorts his colored brethren to reflect 
 seriously, and choose that good part which will not be taken. 
 from them. 
 
 I would commence this chapter with some re- 
 marks about my colored brethren who are under the 
 yoke of bondage. Let me address you one word of 
 consolation. At the time that your ancestors were' 
 brought from Africa, the rights of man were but 
 little understood ; while Africa itself was a land of 
 darkness, where the people made merchandise of 
 each other, and entirely neglected the true worship 
 of the Almighty God. You were brought hither 
 5 
 
50 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 by a nation who are now said to be your best friends, 
 but they left you here in bondage. The land from 
 whence you came is still in darkness, while here you 
 are daily gaining light and religion ; and although 
 you may have suffered, and may suffer still more, 
 yet it will all redound to the glory and honor of the 
 Lord ; and, in the fulness of time, we may be the 
 •instruments in the hand of the Lord for redeeming 
 that very land from the darkness of ignorance and 
 superstition, and planting the banner of the Cross in 
 that wilderness of thorns from which our forefathers 
 were taken. 
 
 The great evils which we have suffered came upon 
 us, our forefathers, and our nation, on account of our 
 disobedience, rebellion, and neglect of God. Dear 
 brethren, the remedy for these evils is righteousness 
 and truth. Be willing and obedient, and you shall 
 eat the fat of the land. "Wait patiently upon the 
 Lord, and he -will briDg about all things in the ful- 
 ness of time ; and when we are qualified, we shall 
 return to that country out of which our fathers came, 
 and light it up with the pure flame of the Gospel, so 
 that all our afflicted people may be restored to their 
 liberty, land, and nation, and the Lord's name be 
 praised and glorified for ever. 
 
 It is said that the number of colored people who 
 
DOOR OF DELIVERANCE. 51 
 
 are bound is three millions, while the free are about 
 one-third of that amount. In this you can plainly 
 discern the wonderful agency of the Lord, for at 
 one time they were all bound. Since then, many 
 have been released from bondage, and are now nomi- 
 nally free : but there is not an actually free colored 
 person in the United States, for they are not citizens. 
 Every intelligent person knows this to be a fact. It ia 
 for this cause that there are now so many wise and good 
 men, wealthy men also, together with a great num- 
 ber of honorable and benevolent ladies, standing up 
 in our behalf and pleading our humble cause. They 
 have even opened for us a door of deliverance, so 
 that we may enjoy all the rights and privileges of 
 men, both religious and civil — so that we may serve 
 and worship the Lord under our own vine and fig- 
 tree, where none can make us afraid. It is wonder- 
 ful to see what pains and care those kind* people 
 have taken for our comfort and happiness. Observe 
 the great provision that is made for us both on land 
 and sea. No steamer or vessel of any kind could 
 have treated their passengers better than those were 
 treated who sailed in the barque Isla de Cuba, A. 
 Miller, master, and Mr. Hatch, chief mate. There 
 was every attention paid to all the passengers, and 
 nothing which could be necessary to their comfort 
 
52 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 and convenience was denied them, that I can assure 
 you. 
 
 I will now address a few words to that portion of 
 the colored population which is called free, to the 
 colored Churches at large, &c. 
 
 My dear brethren, I have zeal and love for all 
 mankind, but particularly for you, my afflicted breth- 
 ren, bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. I am 
 sorry to say, that I know many of us are misled by 
 wrong instruction, by not taking the counsel which 
 the Saviour gave his disciples — that is, to come and 
 see for yourselves. But, brethren, you see what 
 your condition is in the United States of America : 
 you know that you cannot obtain your citizenship. 
 You are greatly in the minority : the best of you are 
 deprived of their rights and privileges, and so you 
 must continue to be, as long as slavery continues ; 
 ff or we are all bound, in part, by the same cord, the 
 laws and customs of the country recognizing us as 
 an inferior people. 
 
 It becomes us, then, as rational beings, to examine 
 these things. I feel myself bound, and I trust that 
 every intelligent man and woman is bound, to leave 
 no stone unturned for the bettering of the condition 
 of the colored population at large, in a peaceable, 
 quiet, and religious manner, to the glory and honor 
 
SUFFERINGS OF THE ISRAELITES. 53 
 
 of the Lord, and the peace of all mankind. Remem- 
 ber, that the people of God suffered four hundred 
 years in Egypt, and in the fulness of time the Lord 
 sent them Moses as a deliverer : but that work was 
 not accomplished in one day. It required a long 
 time and much labor to accomplish it. The suffer- 
 ings of the Israelites in Egypt, were much greater 
 than ours in this country. Their children were put 
 to death by oppression, and they lost the covenant 
 of their forefathers which they made with the Lord, 
 But Moses was an instrument in the hands of the 
 Lord, in leading the people out of bondage. Those 
 people were among the heathens, but we are in the 
 midst of Christians : their taskmasters made no pro- 
 vision for improving the condition of the sufferers, 
 but there is good provision made for us by the true 
 friends of the colored race, comprising many com- 
 forts and conveniences. You are now invited to 
 come and embrace the offer, lest the time may arrive 
 when this great door shall be shut, so that you can- 
 not enter in and enjoy the blessings which are now 
 held out for your acceptance. Therefore, come, now 
 or never. 
 
 There is another advantage which you have over 
 the Hebrews. The rulers of Egypt did not aid them 
 in their religious worship by providing churches or 
 5* 
 
54 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 any other conveniences : but the Christian commu- 
 nity of these United States has ever been, and still 
 is, very kind and benevolent towards us in all cases. 
 They have ever aided us very kindly in obtaining 
 places of worship for the religious instruction of our 
 unfortunate people. New- York, New-Jersey, and 
 Pennsylvania, have ever been willing and ready to 
 aid us in obtaining places of worship and all other 
 good institutions. So you see that we are greatly 
 blessed in those important particulars. We have 
 now Churches and Free Schools in every county and 
 city, village and neighborhood. 
 
 It is therefore manifest, that there is no lack on 
 the part of the religious community, though there 
 is no inconsiderable neglect upon ours. We are 
 greatly indebted to all the States East of New- York 
 for their kind treatment, and for the aid which they 
 have so cheerfully extended to us in all our humble 
 enterprises. They have done much for us in a great 
 variety of ways. 
 
 But what is the state of those Churches of ours 
 that have been so much favored? How do they 
 prosper now ? They are alj fast asleep. They are 
 sheep scattered in the wilderness without a shepherd, 
 t»r like men upon a raft drifting about on the sea 
 without captain, pilot, chart, or compass. They are 
 
OUR SENSE OF DUTIES. 55 
 
 carried every way but the right way. They have 
 suffered shipwreck by reason of sin and self-interest 
 on the part of their spiritual rulers. Ministers of 
 my colored brethren, it is needful that all of you 
 should wake up : otherwise, your captains and shep- 
 herds, crews, cargoes, and passengers, will all be 
 swallowed up in the great maelstrom of perdition. 
 
 Therefore we call your serious attention to a great 
 work. Thou that sleepest, awake, for the night is 
 far spent, and the day is at hand. Watch and be 
 sober, as we have never yet been free men and women 
 in this country. Now the time has come when we 
 all have an opportunity to embrace our freedom, 
 both moral and religious, military and civil — houses 
 and lands all free ! What more can we ask, or 
 what more can be done for us at this time ? It is 
 now high time for us to go to work in the right way 
 and help ourselves, and then we shall find help in 
 the time of need. Now let us make this contract — 
 if you awake first, please wake me to a sense of my 
 duties, and I will arise and go to work ; but if I awake 
 first, I will wake you up, and you must go to work 
 for yourself, and for your Church and people — in fact, 
 for all the human family. This is th^ duty of all 
 ministers of the Gospel. Brethren, wiiat have we 
 been doing, and where are the fruits of our labor ? 
 
56 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 I fear they are but very few. What is the cause of 
 this ? We have departed from the first principles 
 of the Gospel. Then, let us stop short, retrace our 
 steps, and do our first works, and the Lord will bless 
 us : he will bless you and yours for ever. 
 
 I am now speaking more particularly to my Pres- 
 byterian and Baptist brethren. With both denomi- 
 nations I am well acquainted, with you and your 
 Churches, both white and colored. You are all kind 
 and friendly, and do give all Christians the right 
 hand of fellowship. I have ever found Christian fel- 
 lowship with you ; indeed, more so than with many 
 others who make much louder professions. There- 
 fore, I say unto you, be faithful, and consider the 
 good of all mankind. I have found the ministers 
 and members of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 kind and benevolent in almost all cases : also, the 
 Universalist ministers and societies are kind and 
 benevolent people : also, the Friends — their kindness 
 is seasoned with humanity and friendliness. 
 
 Put, I am now about to speak to my colored 
 brethren of the Methodist order. I want you to 
 hear me. Wake up, Zion, from your slumbers, shake 
 the dust from your souls, put on the beautiful gar- 
 ment of salvation, and shine in the brightness of 
 renewed hope, for the light is come and the glory of 
 
THE CHURCH DIVIDED. 5 7 
 
 the Lord is iisen. Let all darkness flee away like 
 the shades of night at the rising of the sun. We 
 have been too long in obscurity already ; we have 
 stumbled one over another; we have stood in our 
 own light. We are carelessly drifting down with 
 the tide* of prejudice which has set against our best 
 friends : we have wrongly and ignorantly advised 
 our people to continue in the same course ; and what 
 is the result of all these things ? Bad — bad — bad 
 enough ! In the first place, it has introduced enmity 
 into your Churches, and old members have been dis- 
 regarded and cast out, until at length the Church is 
 divided. " A house divided against itself, it cannot 
 stand." It must fall, and become desolate. 
 
 Had we been deeply engaged in sending the Gos- 
 pel to the heathen and to our afflicted brethren in 
 Africa and elsewhere, you would not have had all 
 those confusions and troubles which now disgrace 
 your Churches. While these evils remain in your 
 Churches, religion and the Son of God are gone out 
 of them, and all your labors and offerings are vanity 
 and vexation of spirit. Therefore, look well to those 
 things, and consider your own salvation and that of 
 all those under your charge. 
 
 Let us not rest in idly persuading people to that 
 course which we know nothing about; but let us 
 
58 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 instruct them to love and serve the Lord. But let 
 them be their own judges in other matters, for they 
 know what is best for themselves. As ministers, let 
 as faithfully do that which is appointed for us to d<! 
 in the Gospel, and it will go well w T ith us in time as 
 well as in eternity. 
 
 I now speak to your backsliding sister and her 
 ministers, namely. Bethel and all her branches. Her 
 acts have been like those of Zion, but rather worse 
 in many cases, which I shall endeavor to show here- 
 after, with the blessing of the Lord. I thought once 
 that you were true-hearted and faithful followers of 
 the meek and lowly Lamb, and good Christians. I 
 therefore joined in faith with you : I travelled a long 
 time with you : I was well pleased with the Church 
 government at the time. They were poor and hum- 
 ble : I believe that the blessing of the Lord wa9 
 wuth them : I held prayer-meeting with them : I 
 led their classes and exhorted them : I preached for 
 them, and remained with them a number of years, 
 until the second administration ended. After that 
 they grew fat, like the heifer at grass, kicked up their 
 heels and bellowed, waxed proud and self-willed. I 
 therefore left them. With credit, I was there a 
 long time. But I thank the Lord that there wa? 
 never a charge brought against me. Yet I was en 
 
BETHEL M. E. CHURCH REPROVED. 59 
 
 vied and deprived of my legal rights. I saw their 
 backsliding and ignominy, and fully I told them 
 thereof to their faces. 
 
 What I foretold them came to pass-. I, therefore, 
 cleared my skirts of their blood. I now speak more 
 plainly to them than before. Dear brethren and 
 sisters of the Bethel M. E. Church in Philadelphia, 
 the mother of all the branches, your Church com- 
 menced under the superintendence of Rev. Richard 
 Allen. Since 1816, it had increased very conside- 
 rably, and they did well until after the election of 
 Rev. Paul Quin of New- York, but formerly of Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 After his installation, there was great dissatisfac- 
 tion with respect to the neglect of the discipline and 
 other rules of the Church. It ended in a heavy law- 
 suit and a split in the Church — a malicious division. 
 The Church has never since been settled, and yet 
 they wanted to extend their borders and their power. 
 They petitioned for two more Bishops, and the pe- 
 tition was granted. Therefore they appointed a Mr. 
 Willis Nazua, formerly from Virginia, and Daniel A. 
 Payne, from Charleston, S. C. Thus they have three 
 bishops : the two last were elected in 1853. Now 
 they have then* desire ; but there is a great deal to 
 do. Those three bishops must be supported, their 
 
60 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 hohtd, lodging, and travelling expenses paid by their 
 poor societies and classes. 
 
 The question may arise, Why do they want three 
 bishops ? I answer, Why does the ape attempt to 
 imitate the human family ? It is because he lacks 
 understanding, and does not perceive that Nature 
 has never bestowed upon him the proper faculties 
 for doing the works or performing the part of a 
 human being. They aspire to stand on a level with 
 the white brethren of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 and will have three bishops because the white Meth- 
 odists are ruled by three bishops. If they had re- 
 flected a moment, they would have seen the absurdity 
 of the proceeding. There is as much difference be- 
 tween the two societies, as there is between the Hud- 
 son River and the great Atlantic Ocean. The wealth 
 of the other Church and her members, the intelligence 
 and literary talent of her ministers, their extensive 
 fields of labor among all nations, and the mighty 
 influence which they wield, have opened a passage 
 to all the benefits and blessings of the world, while 
 the power of the Gospel which they preach has 
 opened Heaven and all its glories to thousands whom 
 they have persuaded to live righteously and godly 
 in this present world. But our backsliding and re- 
 bellious sister, Bethel Church of Philadelphia, the 
 
BRILLIANT PROSPECTS IN LIBERIA. 61 
 
 mother of all the branches, has revolted twice al- 
 ready ; then was guilty of oppression, and violated 
 the discipline of the Church and rules of government 
 from motives of malice and revenge ; and even, with 
 three bishops at her head, made a most stupid mis- 
 take and blunder in Conference at Buffalo, N. Y., in 
 the year 1853, of which I may speak hereafter. 
 
 I thank the Lord that I left you, with my own 
 skirts untarnished by your blood. Nothing could 
 induce me to be a bishop among you. I thank the 
 Lord that I am a free man in our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, and I am an humble Elder in the 
 Church of God, on board of the barque Isla de Cuba, 
 with a two-fold mission for Monrovia, Liberia, Wes- 
 tern Africa ; firstly, to bear the Gospel to my breth- 
 ren and see how. they do, and secondly, to see and 
 hold an interview with the head of that Government, 
 touching the condition of those who are there, and 
 the prospect for those who are about to go to that 
 quarter of the globe. I go also to see what good 
 results from cultivating the minds, as well as the 
 lands, of the heathen. I believe that great treasures 
 are embedded in those lands, and that only under- 
 standing and enterprise are wanting to bring them 
 to light. It remains for us to go forth, sons and 
 daughters of Ethiopia, embrace our privileges, obtain 
 6 
 
62 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 the lands, dwell thereon, and become a great nation. 
 Then the heathen will be turned from their idols, 
 and join the true worship : then Ethiopia' will stretch 
 her hands unto God, and the islands shall be filled 
 with his glory. Thus shall we be a blessing to all 
 people, and all people will be a blessing to us, and 
 the Lord will prosper us in all things. 
 
 To return to our backsliding sister and her rulers : 
 Dear brethren, I hope that you will examine your- 
 selves well in the Gospel glass, and see if you are 
 what you ought to be, if you are doing what you 
 ought to do, that is, to preach the Gospel faithfully 
 to all, walk humbly, do unto others as you would 
 have them do unto you, not spending your time in 
 giving unwholesome advice to the people and to the 
 members of your Church, but suffering the people to 
 judge for themselves in temporal matters. I have 
 said that those three bishops of yours must be sup- 
 ported. It is true that they should be, if they were 
 the right kind of men. But they spend too much 
 of their time in giving bad advice to the people, and 
 raising evil reports against a humane, benevolent, 
 and Christian institution, making them believe that 
 good is evil, and that light is darkness. Such teach- 
 ings are abominable. Look in the glass and see 
 yourselves, all in the dark as you are. It is better 
 
ON GIVING ADVICE. 63 
 
 for you to retract — to cease to do evil, and learn to 
 do well. The question comes up — why do you give 
 the people such advice? It is easy to give the 
 answer — it is because you must keep them together 
 that they may maintain you and the ordinary minis- 
 ters. You would keep them up like sheep, that you 
 may catch them easily, and shear off their fleece for 
 your own benefit. You will not let them go to 
 Africa, or anywhere else, lest you lose the support 
 which you derive from them while they remain with 
 you. What is the condition, and what are the cir- 
 cumstances of those from whom these Bishops re- 
 ceive their support ? They are, generally, very poor 
 people, with little employment, and paying heavy 
 rents, with large families to maintain, which is enough 
 to sink them to the earth, without the super-added 
 weight of three bishops, two of whom are of no more 
 necessity to that little society than a pair of double 
 spectacles to a blind man. 
 
 How do the old and sickly members fare ? Badly 
 enough ! After having served the Church, aided in 
 paying the ministers for some fifteen or twenty years, 
 and having labored thus for the support of the Gos- 
 pel all through their best days, they have found no 
 help in their old age from either ministers or lay 
 members. It is a shame to tell these infirm and 
 
64 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 faithful brethren that they must go to the Poor- 
 House, at the very time that they ought to be taken 
 care of by the Church. But they are cast off when 
 they should be provided for, and are permitted to 
 pine away and die among those who are called " sin- 
 ners" and " the ungodly." It is a shame that this 
 should be the case in any Christian Church ; and 
 therefore it would be well for those gentlemen who 
 have charge of institutions for the poor, io look well 
 to the matter when they are applied to for the pur- 
 pose of giving admission to an individual, and dis- 
 cover whether he belongs to a Church or not. 
 
 Dear brethren, and rulers of the backsliding sister 
 and her branches, let us pray for this Church ; for 
 the Lord will hear prayer. Oh ! backsliding sister ! 
 why will you die ? Return, repent, and do thy first 
 works, and the Lord will have mercy and abundantly 
 pardon you and receive you, " and you shall be my 
 sons and daughters, and I will be a father unto you," 
 saith the Lord of Hosts. Dear brethren, we will go 
 back to Buffalo for a few moments, for in wise coun- 
 sel there is safety, but in ignorance, there is great 
 danger. 
 
 You remember that in Conference, in New- York, 
 a yeai since, there was an application made for an 
 
THE CONFERENCE AT BUFFALO. 65 
 
 individual to receive orders and join the travelling 
 connection ; but Messrs. R. R., J. P., L. E. C. and 
 others, rose and said "we don't know you," &c. 
 At that time Bishop Cnin was in the chair, and 
 was weak enough to give way to those unreasonable 
 men. He was silent upon that important occasion, 
 and thus the matter ended. So the applicant went 
 about his business, and thought no more of the affair ; 
 but, at their Conference in Buffalo, they wickedly 
 called this mau in question, although he had no seat 
 there, nor voice, nor business. Neither was there 
 any charge against him, nor any notice given hi in. 
 He knew nothing of the matter ; yet they took up 
 the case and acted upon it. After that, they pub- 
 lished him to the world, through their minutes, as 
 an offender. The innocent man knew nothing of the 
 case for some time, until passing through Borden - 
 town, N. J., he met with one of their ministers, (a 
 Mr. Catto,) who informed him that he had been tried 
 at the Buffalo Conference, and that he could not 
 admit him to his pulpit, because Bishop Xazua had 
 charged him not to allow the man any privilege in 
 his Church, as he was an offender. But Mr. Catto 
 advised the man to see to the matter, and if his per- 
 secutors had acted as related above, to bring them 
 6* 
 
6Q THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 to an account for their unlawful dealings ; for they 
 were contrary to the Church discipline, and the laws 
 of this country. 
 
 I next call your attention to the Sabbath schools. 
 At the Conference, they came to a resolve that no 
 white person should teach in the schools : they would 
 have none but colored teachers. The other proceed- 
 ing which I have related, shows how well qualified 
 they are to teach their pupils. Mr. Robertson stated 
 that the great blunder in the Buffalo Conference was 
 caused by the advice given by the Bishop, the Rev. 
 Wm. P. Quin : but I think him a man of better 
 judgment than to advise such proceedings. 
 
 There were several ladies and gentlemen — very 
 kind friends of the colored people — who had been 
 laboring a number of years to impart instruction to 
 colored children. They had become much attached 
 to the children, and the children had also become 
 much attached to them. When it was told them 
 that Conference had decided to reject white teachers, 
 they withdrew from the schools. The consequence 
 was, that both parents and children became very 
 much dissatisfied, and left the Church ; for nothing 
 reigned there but tumult and confusion, instead of 
 peace and harmony. 
 
 These calamities arise from putting men at the 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 61 
 
 Rev. D. H. Peterson in the Pulpit. 
 
 " All power is given nnto me in heaven and in earth ; go ye, there- 
 fore, and teach all nations." j 
 "And, lo ! 1 am with you alway, eyen unto the end of the world." 
 
THE CHURCH IN SIXTH STREET. 69 
 
 head of the Church who are no more fitted for the 
 ion than is a child three years old to act as cap- 
 tain of a ship in a storm upon a lee shore. 
 
 Among others who assisted the colored people, 
 were Dr. R. F. Hibbard and ladies, Dr. Worrel and 
 ladies, and that benevolent lady, Mrs. Few, of Ninth 
 street. She came in person, and aided the Church, 
 and gave good advice in relation to the management 
 of the school in Sixth street. It is by ignorance and 
 oppression, that the Church in Second street became 
 divided. It is a branch of Bethel, the backsliding 
 sister. 
 
 The Church in Sixth street bids fair to become a 
 very useful and beneficial institution. It contributes 
 greatly towards the moral and religious improvement 
 of the colored population. Their minister, Rev. L. 
 Tehnon, the founder and pastor of that Church, is 
 an active, capable man. That Church is established 
 on better principles than any colored Church in the 
 States — on free, republican principles. Tier pastor 
 has done, and is doing, all that he can for the im- 
 provement of the rising generation ; and if he con- 
 tinues to be faithful, he will be a blessing to the 
 people, and a blessing to himself. If he foil, it will 
 be otherwise. I therefore recommend humiliation, 
 fai'h, and fervent prayer to himself and congrega- 
 
70 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 tion, and to all others, that it may be well "with them 
 in time and in eternity. 
 
 I believe that the Rev. L. Telmon is a man cf too 
 much sound judgment to teach the people folly, and 
 to prejudice them against their best friends. He 
 will permit the people to act for themselves in tem- 
 poral matters, and to go where they please. If an y 
 of them wish to go to Canada, let them go ; if an} 
 want to go to Hayti, let them go. They should be 
 at liberty to go where they please ; but there is no 
 better place than Liberia for the sons and daughters 
 of Ethiopia. Therefore, I say, let us embrace the 
 opportunity while we can, and pray that the blessing 
 of the Lord may go with us and keep us for ever. 
 
 What I have done and am still doing, is, and has 
 been, without fee or reward, and solely for the welfare 
 of my afflicted nation : for I have now seen for my- 
 self, and amJbound to make a true report in all things. 
 I say, let no men speak evil of things that they know 
 nothing about. If they do, it is the blind leading 
 the blind. 
 
 The person that was so badly treated by the Con 
 ference at Buffalo without having committed any 
 offence, was the man whom they knew to be engaged 
 in looking into these matters. He was concerned 
 for the welfare of his brethren in Africa, in America, 
 
ADVANTAGES OF EDUCATION. 71 
 
 and elsewhere. Therefore they conspired together 
 to kill and destroy his influence. They are wicked 
 men : they are such men as those who opposed Moses 
 in Egypt ; they shall proceed so far and no farther, 
 for the Lord is over all, blessed for evermore. 
 
 Dear brethren, I now propose to consider a mo- 
 ment the school instruction of our people in the 
 United States — their Infant Schools, Sabbath- Schools, 
 Free and Pay Schools, Seminaries, Academies, and 
 Colleges. Some of our afflicted people have been 
 assisted in all those places, and have been admitted 
 to all the advantages thereof. Now, what have they 
 gained by all these advantages ? Very little, indeed. 
 But why is this ? It is because the laws, customs, 
 and usages are such as to impede their improvement. 
 The United States are a wise, wealthy, and proud 
 nation, and will not be coerced into anything which 
 does not suit their pleasure. Notwithstanding this, 
 if we take them right, there are no better people in 
 the world. They are kind, humane, and benovolent 
 to all those whom they deem worthy of their atten- 
 tion. But, dear brethren, I want you to consider at 
 Jiis time, that this nation was not the cause of our 
 forefathers being plunged into bondage. It was the 
 British nation, who, in an age of darkness, made 
 slaves of the colored people ; and although we aro 
 
72 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 multiplied to millions and Lave grown up under the 
 laws and customs of this country, yet three-fourths 
 of us are in bondage; and are we so very weak as 
 to imagine that a wise nation like this will take those 
 who are free and place them upon an equality with 
 themselves, while so great a majority of our afflicted 
 people are in bondage under them ? 
 
 Dear brethren, know ye not that every colored 
 person, of whatever shade, so that he have African 
 blood in his veins, is ruled and governed under the 
 same law and viewed in the same light ? Therefore 
 we need not look to the right or to the left — neither 
 to brother John, uncle Tom, nor to sister Nancy, for 
 our deliverance ; but let us look to the blessed Lord, 
 and be faithful in all things, take the good advice of 
 our best friends, be willing and obedient, and we 
 shall enjoy the good of the land. 
 
 Dear brethren, I want you to examine yourselves 
 well in the glass, and consider all things well, and 
 thus you will discover what is good for you in time 
 and in eternity. Let us think of Africa for a few mo- 
 ments. Know you not that, in the beginning, the 
 blessed Lord gave this great quarter of the earth to 
 our nation, and bade us keep the Law and live ? But 
 our progenitors were rebellious and disobedient, and 
 refused to serve the true and living God. They wor 
 
WANT OF FACILITIES. V3 
 
 shipped other gods, and wasted their substance upon 
 idols. Therefore they were left to follow the desire 
 of their own wicked hearts ; and finally, they were 
 suffered to be carried away captive, like the rebellious 
 Israelites, barefoot, naked, and in fetters. They 
 were borne to a strange land, and left among a 
 people whom they knew not. But what is the re- 
 sult ? Solomon says, " There is a time to all things." 
 In the fulness of time, the Lord will bring everything 
 to bear in its right place. It is of no use for man 
 to hurry and push things of this weighty nature. 
 We can do nothing without hel*> from the Lord. 
 
 The reason that our brethren who have had the 
 advantages of the high schools do not arrive at emi- 
 nence, has already been given. Although they may 
 have received all the knowledge required for prefer- 
 ment, they have no facilities for bringing their accom- 
 plishments into exercise in real life. They go forth, 
 looking for employment ; they wander through many 
 places seeking for business and finding none. They 
 knock at many doors for admittance — the porter 
 looks out, sees the complexion of the applicant, and 
 bids him go farther and fare worse. He wanders 
 away dejected and forlorn, and perhaps plunges into 
 vice, and, lamenting the time which he has squan- 
 dered in procuring an education which seems to be 
 7 
 
74 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 so useless to him for all practical purposes, lie joins 
 with the ignorant and profane in some low pursuit 
 which his superior education has rendered unsuitable 
 for him. 
 
 But he hears a white citizen knock at those doors. 
 They fly open as of themselves, and a cheerful voice 
 says, " Walk in, brother, and view the beauties of 
 the place, the wealth, honor, peace, and happiness 
 th&t bloom perennially in the field before you. Par- 
 take with us of those blessings, from which the col- 
 ored applicant is shut out." 
 
 You know that these are facts. Also, many of 
 the hotels will not admit you. The street convey- 
 ances close the door against you. We labor under 
 many disadvantages : and do you not, dear brethren, 
 see plainly, that the hand of the Lord is in this great 
 matter ? In by-gone times, we were carried away 
 naked from the father-land, but are now going back 
 with the arts and sciences, with the Bible in our 
 hands, to plant religion and civilization. 
 
 The blessed Lord has raised up great and good 
 men who have opened this door, more effectually than 
 any other door which can be opened in this country, 
 ot in any other part of the world. For there is no 
 part of the known world to which you can go, in 
 which you will not be subjected to, disadvantages, 
 
BRILLIANT PROSPECTS IN LIBERIA, 75 
 
 with the sole exception of Liberia, in Africa. There 
 the laws are liberal, and all men fare alike nnder the 
 flag of that young republic, and encouraged by that 
 great nation, the United States of America. This 
 greatest republic in the known world is bound to 
 protect and raise up that young nation to a level 
 with herself, if we, as a people, will take counsel and 
 seek the right way. By obedience to the truth, we 
 shall then eat the good of the land. In that country 
 is a field large enough for the employment of all 
 your talents in every way and shape, either moral, 
 religious, civil or military. There no doors will be 
 shut against you, but all is as free as the air of heaven. 
 Therefore, go forth without delay, and claim your 
 rights as freemen and freewomen, and you will have 
 great cause to rejoice. But nothing like vice should 
 be carried into that country. Violins and other tri- 
 fling kinds of music should be left behind, — they 
 only gender idleness and folly : but let us keep the 
 fear of the Lord before us, and in a few years we 
 shall be a great nation, respected by the rest of 
 mankind. The fruits and productions of Africa will 
 be carried throughout the world ; her ships will visit 
 all nations, and her flag will wave in every sea. 
 
76 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Good treatment on board the Isla de Cuba. Departure for 
 Liberia. Worship on board every Sabbath. Much sea-sick- 
 ness. Kind attentions of Capt. Miller. Warm weather on the 
 Coast of Africa. Unsuccessful attempts to take a turtle. Se- 
 rious accident to the mate, Mr. Hatch. They catch a shark, 
 and cook him for dinner. Description of Cape Mount. A 
 beautiful fish. Visit from a little bird. Visits from the na- 
 tives on the Coast. Arrival at Monrovia. Mr. Cauldwell 
 goes on shpre. 
 
 On board of the Isla de Cuba we had passengers 
 of all ages, from infancy to the most advanced sta- 
 ges of life. Some were eighty and even ninety 
 years of age. They were all well treated by Capt. 
 Miller, Mr. Hatch, the mate, and the crew. You 
 can see that all things are made easy and convenient 
 for us. It is only for us to be ready and willing. 
 
 By aid and >good counsel of ministers of the Gos- 
 pel, and all good men who possess sound minds, 
 and desire the welfare of the colored people, more 
 good can be done in one year than has ever been 
 done by them before, in pointing out the right way 
 
THE BARQUE ISLA DE CUBA. 77 
 
 for our relief. There is great power vested in the 
 administration of the Gospel ; and if the ministers 
 were all of one mind, they could carry every thing 
 before them. They have been too much divided, 
 but I pray that the time may arrive when they will 
 all see eye to eye. 
 
 I will now observe that I was very agreeably dis- 
 appointed with regard to the treatment of the emi- 
 grants on board the Isla de Cuba. When I went 
 on board of the barque, I saw the passengers coming 
 from all quarters, from the North, the South, the 
 East, and the West. Some came without any cloth- 
 ing except what they had on, and also without bed- 
 ding. The ship was about to sail, when the Rev. 
 J. B. Penny came on board to see the state of the 
 passengers. He found some in a very uncomfort- 
 able condition, owing to the fact that they had neg- 
 lected to bring their goods with them. There was a 
 Mr. Jacklin, from Franklin County, N". Y., with his 
 wife and two sons, who were destitute of any com- 
 forts at all. The ship lay a mile in the stream, but 
 Mr. Penny returned to the city, and although the 
 wind was very high and the water rough, he came 
 off to the barque again, and brought with him new 
 beds and clothing k for the destitute emigrants, 
 amounting in price to nearly one hundred dollars. 
 
78 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 He came off to us in a small boat, at the risk of his 
 life. He made sure that every one was comfortable, 
 then gave them the right hand of friendship, and 
 bade them adieu. 
 
 We sailed the next day with prosperous gales, 
 Nov. 10th, 1853. Capt. Miller, Mr. Hatch, and all 
 the crew, were very kind to us. "We wanted no- 
 thing, and we all fared alike. It was the begin- 
 ning of better days. The steerage passengers had 
 more than an abundance of everything. I am fully 
 persuaded that there was no deception about the mat- 
 ter. The truth has come out at last, and if the 
 truth shall make you free, then will you be free 
 indeed. 
 
 Capt. Miller is a first rate officer on board ship, 
 a perfect gentleman, and a Christian. He spares no 
 pains to insure the safety of the ship and the com- 
 fort of his passengers and crew, attending faithfully 
 to the cleanliness of his vessel, above and below. 
 Mr. Hatch is also a first' rate man, and both of them 
 from the State of Maine. I never heard the Captain 
 speak a harsh word from the time that we left the 
 dock at New- York till we arrived at our port of des- 
 tination. All things were conducted as peacefully 
 as they could have been managed in any family. 
 Therefore, I feel very thankful for the blessing of the 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 79 
 
 Rev. D. H. Peterson embarking for Western Africa on board the 
 barque Isla de Cuba, Capt. Miller. 
 
DEPARTURE FOR LIBERIA. 81 
 
 Lord, which has preserved me from childhood up to 
 the present time. 
 
 I will say in this place, that those who gc to Li- 
 beria should be careful to take with them such medi- 
 cines as are calculated to keep the bowels free. That 
 will add much to their health when they reach port, 
 and as going to sea produces costiveness, this caution 
 should be remembered. Some were quite sea-sick, 
 and I aided Capt. Miller in his attendance upon 
 them. They all recovered and became fully restored 
 to health, and we went on our way rejoicing. 
 
 I thank the Lord that I was able to fulfil all my 
 duties while on board the barque, that is, to preach 
 once on the Sabbath, hold prayers every morning 
 and evening, and say grace at every meal. 
 
 I kept the following account of the passage : — 
 
 Nov. 7th, 1853. I went on board the barque 
 Isla de Cuba, Capt. Miller, bound to Monrovia, Li- 
 beria, Africa, and lying at New- York. 
 
 8th. A steamboat came alongside, and towed us 
 down the river, where we came to an anchor. The 
 Captain went ashore for the ship's papers. 
 
 9th. The Captain returned to the ship at 10 
 o'clock A. M. Rev. Mr. Penny, the agent, soon after 
 came on board with bedding and clothing for the 
 poor strangers who had come from afar, and were 
 
82 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 bound to Liberia. Mr. Penny paid great resiect to 
 all the passengers, both male and female, and bade 
 us all good-bye in a very friendly manner. He 
 then went ashore. Capt. Miller weighed anchor at 
 4 P. M. and we went down the Bay. We had on 
 board fifty -six passengers — first mate, Mr. Hatch, se- 
 cond mate, Mr. James Magill, with steward, cook, and 
 ship's company. For all, there were good accommo- 
 dations. We came to an anchor on the same eve- 
 ning at 6 o'clock, near the light-house wmich stands 
 on the Highlands, Sandy Hook. Some of the steer- 
 age passengers were quite sea-sick. 
 
 10th. In the morning, we left the anchorage and 
 went to sea, with a fair wind and bright sunshine. 
 All in good spirits upon leaving the High lands of 
 New-Jersey upon the starboard, and that of New- 
 York on the larboard quarter. Same morning we 
 met a pilot boat, No. 1, going to New- York. 
 
 11th. At 10 o'clock, we made the Gulf Stream. 
 Rough sea, and passengers very sick. Ship is get- 
 ting on very well. 
 
 12th. Very rough. All sick. Some glass broken 
 by the motion of the vessel. 
 
 1 3 th . Sabbath. Strong gales from the South-East. 
 All sick. 
 
 14th. The same. Steward sick, with a pain in 
 
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE. 83 
 
 his side and head. Ship driven by contrary winds 
 in the Gulf Stream for three days. Capt. Miller and 
 chief mate are quiet and skilful men. They do all 
 they can for the good of the ship's crew and passen- 
 gers. The Captain stated that he had not experi- 
 enced worse weather for fifteen years. 
 
 1 5th. We caught a fair breeze and steady. Made 
 good headway. The passengers are getting better, 
 but the steward continues sick with a pain in his 
 Bide and head. The captain paid every medical 
 attention to him, and to all others. 
 
 16th. Steward a little better, but still very sick. 
 A pleasant day. In the evening the wind rose. 
 Heavy sea. Weather over-cast. We sprung a leak, 
 but pumped out dry. Mr. Cauldwell was sitting 
 near me conversing, when there came a heavy sea 
 which threw him against the vessel's side and hurt 
 his head very much. Rough sea, and all sick. I 
 have eaten no meat for nine days. 
 
 17th. Very rough. They have removed a sick 
 woman up in the cabin with Mrs. Gibbons. There 
 were some spars carried away during the night. I 
 thank the Lord that I was comfortable and without 
 fear. I endeavored to put my trust in the Lord. 
 
 18th. Very stormy. Many sick. Cook very 
 sick. We passed three vessels — a ship, a brig, and 
 
84 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 a barque. I thank the Lord that we have had sing- 
 ing, and praying, and grace before meat, all the pas- 
 sage, the same as we have on shore. 
 
 19th. A ship passed us in the morning early, 
 probably bound to JSTew-York. We passed a large 
 school of porpoises and flying-fish. It has been 
 blowing a gale all day. The steward is better. 
 
 20th. Sabbath."" A beautiful day. Prayer morn- 
 ing and evening. I preached in the afternoon from 
 Jonah, chap. h\, verse 11. "We were' then about 
 one thousand miles from New- York. We saw a 
 ship bound to America. I have seen on board what 
 I have prayed for, the worship of the blessed Lord 
 at sea as well as on dry land. 
 
 21st. A fine morning. A perfect calm, and the 
 sea as smooth as the river Delaware. All well. 
 
 22nd. A fine day. Very pleasant ; neither too 
 warm nor too cold. Light breezes, favorable. The 
 blessings and glory of the Lord seemed to be with 
 the ship, officers, crew, and passengers. Behold the 
 rising sun, the clear sky, the flying clouds over our 
 heads, and we riding on the bosom of the great 
 ocean. There behold the wisdom and the wonder- 
 ful works of Almighty God. Passengers young and 
 old came on deck to get the fresh air, and to dry 
 their clothing and bedding, all in high spirits. With 
 
J0URNA1 OF THE VOYAGE. 85 
 
 respect to the fare on board the Tsla de Cuba, we 
 had at all three meals, the best beef and pork, fatted 
 fowls, desserts, cheese, butter, pickles, hard biscuits, 
 fresh baker's bread, and hot rolls, with other good 
 and palatable food. There was no respect of per- 
 sons, the captain and his mate treating all persons 
 according to their behaviour without regard to wealth 
 or station. Captain Miller is a noble officer, and so 
 is his mate, Mr. Hatch. The cabin passengers are 
 Mrs. Gibbons, from Camden, N. J., Mr. Caldwell, of 
 New-York, Mr. Augustus "Washington, wife, and two 
 small children, from Hartford, Mr. Truman, from 
 Western Pennsylvania, and myself. Rev. Mr. Wil- 
 liams, with his wife, family, and his company of 30 
 or 40, occupied the steerage, and performed their 
 religious duties in the most orderly manner. Six 
 o'clock P. M., fair wind and all well. 
 
 23d. A very fine day ; clear and calm ; wind at 
 South-East, not fair ; but, thank the Lord, we are 
 all tolerably well at this time. 
 
 24th. We have been at sea 16 days. Fine wea- 
 ther. Thank the Lord, we are all well. A flying- 
 fish was found on board this morning. The Captain 
 requested that good order should be preserved in 
 the cabin, that the men might get their regular 
 rest ; for there were some that wanted to play the 
 8 
 
86 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 fiddle, with other vain amusements. I am very glad 
 that the captain spoke against such proceedings. 
 There were two fiddles. Augustus Washington 
 from Hartford had one, and a man named Kelly, 
 from the West, had the other. It was not well to 
 take them on board. 
 
 25th. A fair wind and very stormy. Many were 
 sea- sick. We saw a ship ahead early this morning. 
 Some of our forward rigging was carried away during 
 the night. Very rough. 
 
 26th. Stormy and rough. Thank the Lord we 
 are all well. It is very singular that among all our 
 passengers there are not more than four or five dark 
 persons. 
 
 27th. Sabbath. The blessed Lord has thus far 
 preserved us all in safety, and I pray that he will 
 keep us all forever. The colored people in general 
 seek too much after the world for their own good. 
 If they had as much zeal for the Gospel as they 
 have for the world, they would become a great people 
 in Africa, but if they carry vice and a love of trifling 
 amusements with them, it will be a curse both to 
 themselves and the natives. I trust that all will 
 take heed to these things, for I saw the evil effect of 
 such folly on board the ship, as well as in that coun- 
 try. We held meeting to-day in the cabin, with the 
 
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE. 87 
 
 full consent of Capt. Miller. Kev. Samuel Williams 
 preached, and I closed with a few remarks. A brisk, 
 fair wind all day: 6 o'clock, P. M. I thank the 
 Lord we are well. John, chap, iii., v. 2. 
 
 28th. We have been 20 days at sea. The stew- 
 ard has fully recovered his health. The captain 
 paid great attention to him ; and had him bled. Thank 
 the Lord we are now all well. We are more than 
 two thousand miles from New- York, getting on very 
 well. We are more than half way to Africa. The 
 Lord has helped us. This is a fine morning, and 
 the wind is fair. We have seen two rainbows at 
 sea. We saw a school of porpoises this afternoon. 
 I said that we might look out for a squall. In 48 
 hours it came, and lasted two hours. Then all was 
 calm again. Thank the Lord. 
 
 29th. Fair wind. We saw a ship under way. 
 Thank the Lord we are all well. 
 
 30th. All well, the Lord be praised forever. Since 
 seven, A. M., the wind has been fresh through the 
 day and evening. 
 
 December 1st. The wind is very high, but it is 
 fair. A fine day. The sea is rough. Mr. Augustus 
 Washington, from Hartford, broke his looking-glass 
 in his state-room last nio-ht. 
 
 2d. We are 24 days at sea. Fine weather and 
 
88 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 wind fair. Thank the Lord, we are all very well at 
 this time, and going forward at a good rate. We 
 have been much favored on this voyage. We saw 
 the new moon at sea, this evening, for the first time. 
 It appeared to be about three nights old, and it 
 showed three moons distinctly, as though you looked 
 through a silk handkerchief. We rejoiced to see it. 
 
 3d. Fine weather and fair wind. We saw a ship 
 in the forenoon. I thank the Lord, we are all w r ell 
 at this time. 
 
 4th. Sabbath. Fine weather and a fair wind. I 
 preached on board at 2 o'clock P. M., on the after- 
 deck, the captain, cuew, and all the officers present. 
 I spoke from Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, chap, 
 xi., v. 24. " By faith, Moses, when he was come to 
 years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's 
 daughter." We had a good time ; all was peace 
 and unity, and everything was done in order like a 
 family singing and praising the Lord all through 
 the Sabbath. 
 
 5th. Fair wind, but light. Fine summer weather. 
 Thank the Lord we are all well and peaceable. 
 
 6th. Fine weather, all well. Very light wind and 
 slow sailing. It was reported that the land was seen 
 this afternoon, the Cape de Verd Islands. 
 
 7th. We are 29 days out. Fine weather and fair 
 
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE. 89 
 
 wind, but very light. I thank the Lord we are all 
 well. The mate was very angry with one of the 
 crew this evening. 
 
 8th. Fine weather and fair wind. We are within 
 a few days' sail of the coast of Africa. 
 
 9th. Fine weather. The wind is fair, but light. 
 
 10th. Fair wind, but light. We are getting along 
 very well, We are on the coast of Africa. The sea 
 is very calm. 
 
 11th. Sabbath. Very warm weather. The sea 
 is perfectly calm. Porpoises and other fish are play- 
 ing around us and showing themselves like the flocks 
 and herds of the field, or the cattle upon a thousand 
 hills, as though they knew this day was the Sabbath. 
 We saw a very beautiful fish indeed. I never saw 
 anything greener in my life. Its fins and tail ap- 
 peared to be tipped with gold. The whole ship's 
 company ran to see it. It continued with the ship 
 some time, and then vanished from our sight. As 
 we arrive on the coast of Africa, more than a thou- 
 sand miles from Liberia, the sea is as smooth and 
 calm as the Delaware or the Hudson River, very 
 suitable for steamboats and light craft of every 
 description. We had preaching this afternoon. 
 Rev. Samuel Williams spoke from John We had 
 8* 
 
90 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 a prayer-meeting in the evening, singing altogether 
 on deck. It was a good time. 
 
 12th. At four in the morning, we were visited by 
 a violent storm, and the ship was in great danger. 
 Both captain and mate were on the look-out. The 
 ship was under full sail when the gale came suddenly 
 upon her. All hands were called, steward, cooks, and 
 all, and it was as much as they could do to stow the 
 light sails and get the top-sails under reef before the 
 worst came. Some of the sails were torn from the 
 yards and carried away, the captain, mate, and crew 
 doing all they could to save the ship. Knowing 
 that the Lord possesses all power, and that we are 
 in his hand, we made it a matter of prayer, and 
 implored the Divine Throne of Grace that He would 
 save us from the stormy winds and raging seas, and 
 from all other dangers, and save us forever both in 
 time and in eternity. This storm was attended with 
 thunder and lightning, and many of the passengers 
 were much alarmed. I thank the Lord I was per- 
 fectly calm and without fear. The Lord is all in all. 
 The storm continued till noon. The wind changed, 
 and we had it fair all the afternoon. A little bird 
 came on board and alighted on the rigging. They 
 caught it. Thank the Lord we are all here, and are 
 doing well. 
 
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE. 91 
 
 13th. We are 35 days at sea. It is a fine morn- 
 ing and very warm and calm. We let the little bird 
 go at liberty this morning. We saw some sharks, 
 jind also a sea-turtle. We lowered a boat and went 
 after the turtle, but could not find it. Afterwards 
 we saw a shark. The captain harpooned him in the 
 head, and we took him on board. He was skinned 
 and dressed, and we had him for dinner. He made 
 dry meat. 
 
 14th. Fine weather. A perfect calm and very 
 warm. We are near Liberia, but we have no wind. 
 We threw the lead, and found that we had sixty 
 fathoms water. We caught two or three small fish ; 
 But they were of a kind that I never saw before. 
 The little bird that we caught and set at liberty, 
 continues with the ship. It has come on board and 
 died. Before it died, a drab-colored bird came and 
 sat on the rigging;, and after awhile it went away. 
 Mr. Augustus Washington kept the little one in his 
 basket at night, and let it out in the morning. 
 
 15 th. The weather is very warm. A perfect calm 
 in the African sea. This morning an accident hap- 
 pened : Mr. Hatch fell from the quarter deck, a dis- 
 tance of nearly fourteen feet. He was very much 
 hurt. It aroused all the passengers. The second 
 mate thought that his leg was broken ; but the Cap- 
 
92 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 tain found upon examination that such was not the 
 case. He was taken into the Captain's apartment 
 and made as comfortable as possible. He was bled, 
 rubbed, &c. 
 
 16 th. Very warm and calm. Scarcely any wind. 
 Thank the Lord, the mate is much better. We saw 
 another sea-turtle. The Captain went after it in a 
 boat, but it sank beneath the water on his approach. 
 The Captain went a third time to take a turtle, but 
 it escaped him. One day's fair wind would bring 
 us to land. We caught some small fish that they 
 call the sea eel. 
 
 17 th. We are thirty-nine days out. Very warm 
 and calm. We are in sight of land at this time. 
 We called a public meeting this afternoon to return 
 thanks to the Captain and Crew for their kind treat- 
 ment of us during the passage, and also to express 
 our gratitude towards our friends in America. We 
 had a good time together, the Captain being present. 
 
 18th. Sabbath. We arrived off Cape Mount, 
 forty miles from Liberia. A beautiful scene indeed, 
 A small boat came off to the ship from the shore 
 containing two natives who were perfectly naked. 
 We spoke with them as they came alongside. One 
 of them spoke the French language. Both of them 
 were fine-looking men. They were the first human 
 
ARRIVAL AT MONROVIA. 93 
 
 beings that we had seen or spoken with, except those 
 on board, for the space of forty days. Cape Mount 
 stands right on the sea-board, is covered with trees 
 and abounding with fruit, grass, and other vegeta- 
 tion. Belno is a beautiful sandy beach. It was a 
 lovely Sabbath morning indeed, and long to be re- 
 membered. The chief mate, Mr. Hatch, who has 
 been unwell, came to the breakfast table this morning 
 for the first time. A boat load of natives came off 
 to us. They were all naked, but quite a sensible 
 people. I thank the Lord that we came to an 
 anchor at half past nine o'clock P. M. after forty 
 days passage, all safe and sound. Mr. Caldwell 
 went on shore the same evening. 
 
 19th. On board of the Isla de Cuba, Capt, Miller, 
 mates Messrs. Hatch and Magill, now lying in the 
 harbor of Monrovia, Liberia, Africa. I thank the 
 Lord that we are all well. This morning I intend 
 going on shore early in the day. 
 
94 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Ihe Author goes on shore. Kind reception. Visits the Presi- 
 dent, Judge, and other distinguished persons. Beauty of the 
 country. Description of the town, the soil, and the inhabit- 
 ants. Good opportunities in Liberia for emigrants. Me- 
 chanics, farmers and schoolmasters wanted in Liberia. Those 
 who lay the foundations of this great nation should be moral, 
 industrious, economical, and religious persons. With the aid 
 of friends in the United States, the cause of colored emigration 
 to Liberia cannot fail to prosper. 
 
 During the morning we went on shore at the 
 port, and were received with much joy, and in a very 
 friendly manner, by all the people. 
 
 I called upon his excellency the President, both 
 at his office and at his dwelling. I found him very 
 competent and much of a gentleman. He has a 
 good library. I was offered a home at many respec- 
 table houses, but I preferred a more private residence, 
 as I had much writing to do. I put up at the house 
 of Rev. Henry Teague, an aid to the President. He 
 has a very fine family. I called upon the Judge and 
 
MONROVIA. 95 
 
 Dr. Robeits; also upon Mr. James Magill, and a 
 number of merchants and others. 
 
 The President's lady is a very fine looking woman, 
 and so is Mrs. Dr. Roberts. There is no better 
 society to be found in any part of the world. I am 
 very much pleased with it, and with the appearance 
 of things here. The President and his lady are 
 strict members of the Church. 
 
 The whole view from this spot is beautiful ; and 
 upon summing up, and taking into consideration the 
 country, sea-board, rivers, mountains, vales and 
 plains, I must say that I never saw a more attractive 
 place. Monrovia is perfectly healthy, and contains, 
 at this time, three large stone Churches, an Academy, 
 and High School, and all other conveniences required 
 by a large town. There are four ministers. 
 
 The people all look well, and have fine cattle, pigs, 
 and goats. In fact, this place looks more like the 
 Garden of Eden, than any place that I have ever 
 seen or read about. 
 
 There are a number of vessels in the harbor, Ame- 
 rican, English and Spanish, both war vessels and 
 merchantmen, with captains and officers of all kinds. 
 I am now writing in a very pleasant room with six 
 windows, airy, cool, and well carpeted, with a hand- 
 some mirror, and other furniture of the best des- 
 
96 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 cription. The people are all very kind and respect 
 able. 
 
 Tlie port is on elevated ground, commanding a 
 full view of the sea, the three rivers, Montserrado, 
 Junk, and St. Paul's. 
 
 I am very sorry to say that many false things 
 have been said about this place, and the people who 
 inhabit it : and even in the colored Churches of the 
 United States, currency has been given to slanderous 
 falsehoods of the most glaring description. Thus 
 they talk of things about which they know nothing, 
 instead of preaching the pure Gospel of Christ. I 
 can assure the reader, that the people in Liberia look 
 as respectable as the best of the colored people in 
 the United States, while they enjoy five times as 
 much liberty, as ladies and gentlemen in the posses- 
 sion of all the comforts of life, and this in a nation 
 of their own. 
 
 The Legislative body is now in session. Respec- 
 table citizens from every county are doing the bu- 
 siness of Government ; and it is delightful to behold. 
 Ladies and gentlemen from the United States men- 
 of-war came to see those colored men making laws 
 for their young republic, and it is truly wonderful to 
 see how well they get on. 
 
 There are several wealthy merchants here. Messrs. 
 
RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. 97 
 
 Payne and Yeats, J. B. and Uriah Magill, D. B. 
 "Warren, and Mr. A. Johns, J. M. Bobcrts, and Mr. 
 Boy. 
 
 If a number of our enterprising citizens of the 
 United States were to turn their attention to this 
 country for a few years, with their modern arts and 
 sciences, and means, they would make a fortune in 
 a few years from minerals and the natural produc- 
 tions of the earth. Not only that, but they would, 
 also, so improve the country that it would be the 
 beauty and desire of the whole world. We want 
 silversmiths and mechanics of all kinds. They would 
 find a great deal to do here. The people of the 
 Eastern and Western States are known to be a peace- 
 ful and thriving people, of great enterprise and in- 
 telligence. Those are the people that we want here 
 to light up this great quarter of the world with reli- 
 gion, the arts and sciences. Agriculture would also 
 thrive well here, and is much needed. The water, 
 both in the wells and springs, is good. It is very 
 pure and sweet. I find the weather no warmer here 
 than in the United States during the summer. 
 
 Money seems to be plenty, but provisions are 
 scarce. We want more men on the land, so that 
 the earth may bring forth of its abundance. 
 
 Judge Benedick, who is a very worthy man, is 
 < 9 
 
98 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 quite wealthy, and has a beautiful coffee plantation, 
 with numerous flocks and herds. There is here 
 room for plenty of blacksmiths, shoemakers, tailors, 
 carpenters, cabinet-makers and bakers, who could 
 make a noble living in this country. A butcher 
 would do well, as he could get his cattle of the na- 
 tives extremely low, and supply the shipping. That 
 business would pay well. 
 
 A man came out from Indiana, in the last ship, to 
 get land for the free colored people of that State. 
 He is a minister, Rev. Mr. McKay. He preached 
 on Sabbath morning, Christmas day. A great many 
 are coming out at this time, and the most of them 
 are well pleased with the country. The most of 
 those who came out some three or four years since 
 have become wealthy. Among these is Rev. Dr. 
 John Moore, from Baltimore, a worthy man, who is 
 not only useful in the Church, but also as a physician. 
 He has two stores, and is also a farmer. A man 
 named Murray, who came here a short time since 
 with $16, is now worth $1,600. He trades with the 
 natives. 
 
 Two men went from Charleston, S. C, with the 
 intention of going to Liberia, but the people of the 
 Northern States advised them not to go. That was 
 a great error. If Mr. Payne and Mr. Catto had gone 
 
LIBERIA. 99 
 
 forth according to their covenant, they would have 
 been doubly useful in the Church, and would, by 
 this time, have been men of wealth and eminence. 
 But they are just as they were, and no better, like 
 many others who would rather remain half free and 
 half slave, in a country that they cannot travel with- 
 out being stopped and examined as though they 
 were thieves and robbers. 
 
 I have visited Liberia without fee or reward, or 
 any salary, or any promise of remuneration, trusting 
 only in the promises of my blessed Lord, for the 
 benefit of my beloved and afflicted brethren, and the 
 promotion of the Gospel. I thank the Lord that I 
 was obedient unto the heavenly calling, for it is of 
 great value to me, and a blessing to my fellow-men. 
 I have seen the wonderful works of the Lord both 
 by land and sea, and I can say of a truth unto all 
 mankind, serve the Lord, and it will go well with 
 you forever. If half the time and money that has 
 been spent to oppose this noble enterprise, had been 
 expended to favor and to aid it, one half of Africa 
 might have been civilized by this time, the Gospel 
 preached in the midst thereof, and missions and 
 Sabbath-schools dotting its hills and valleys. The 
 great amount of time spent in contention on the 
 floor of Congress and elsewhere, in relation to this 
 
100 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 subject, is a clear loss. There is no other way than 
 this by which the colored people can obtain their 
 deljverance and return to their own land — no other 
 way by which they can arrive at self-government. 
 
 Since I have visited Africa, I can say of a truth 
 that that noble institution is the most important and 
 beneficial philanthropic movement in the United 
 States of America. It has done, and is still doing, 
 more for the benefit of the colored people than any- 
 thing else which has been attempted for that object. 
 
 It does not appear to me to be anything like wis- 
 dom for men to condemn matters they know nothing 
 about. Let thern first see and examine, and they 
 may then be able to judge in part ; but the judgment 
 of ignorant men is worse than nothing. But it is 
 too late now to oppose this good and noble work. 
 It is going forward. I believe that the Lord is in it, 
 and it will go on, and I trust that the blessed Son 
 will prosper it in all cases. Monrovia stands upon 
 a hill — upon rocks, and a vast bed of iron ore. 
 
 There is another thing which would be of great 
 benefit to this settlement. Let men of science, both 
 white and colored, go out to Liberia to instruct the 
 youths of both sexes— to make them acquainted with 
 all useful knowledge, which has been denied to us 
 in by-gone days, by reason of prejudice and slavery. 
 
WANT OF FARMERS AND MECHANICS. 101 
 
 But, thanks be to the Lord, these evils exist not in 
 this country. 
 
 We want no drunkards in our land, nor fiddlers, 
 nor dancers, nor gamblers, nor idlers of any kind. 
 But we want good men and good women ; upright, 
 honest, sober, industrious, moral and religious per- 
 sons, economical in their habits and setting good 
 examples to those who come after. These are the 
 kind of people that we want for laying the founda- 
 tion of a great nation, like unto that which is now 
 about to be laid in Western Africa. By the blessing 
 of the Lord, and the aid of our good friends in the 
 United States of America, we bid fair to become one 
 of the greatest nations upon the earth. 
 
 I say that we want farmers, which are the bone 
 and sinew of a country, and mark out the only path 
 which leads to prosperity, wealth and plenty. The 
 earth is pregnant with all kinds of mineral and vege- 
 table productions. All we need is the ways and 
 means, and proper instruction, to enable us to come 
 at them. We are looking to our good friends in 
 America to aid and assist us in all those important 
 enterprises. If they aid us, we shall do well. 
 
 9* 
 
102 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Author visits several places in the vicinity of Monrovia. 
 He speaks a number of times in the Churches. He sails for 
 Sierra Leone. On the passage Mr. Caldwell is very sick, and 
 the Steward tries to get possession of his property. The Au- 
 thor opposes this nefarious attempt. They arrive in Sierra 
 Leone. The Author finishes his business and sails for Gambia. 
 Arrival in Gambia. Mahometans ; Idolators ; treatment of 
 criminals under the British rule. The Author prefers the' 
 United States Government. He sails in the Isla de Cuba for 
 the United States. Storms at sea. The Author trusts in the 
 Lord. Two men concealed on board. The Gulf Stream. 
 Arrival at New- York. 
 
 On Thursday evening, Dec. 22, 1853, I preached 
 in Monrovia, from the 133d Psalm, "Behold, how 
 good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
 together in unity." The meeting was well attended. 
 The President is a member of the Methodist Church ; 
 and all the distinguished men are members of some 
 Church. I have an appointment again on Sabbath 
 evening, the Lord be pleased. 
 
HEROISM OF A WOMAN. 103 
 
 Liberia would never have been the home of the 
 immigrants, had it not been for a woman. When 
 the first settlers were preparing themselves resting- 
 places, the natives came upon them with hostile 
 intent. One woman only remained in her house, 
 the other inhabitants having fled. She fired upon 
 the natives until she had succeeded in killing quite 
 a number of them. The survivors fled. The name 
 of the woman was Mrs. Newport ; and she secured 
 a new port for the colored people. The natives never 
 returned. 
 
 On Sabbath, Christmas-day, a man from Indiana 
 spoke in the Church, from Isaiah, 53d chapter. I 
 spoke in the afternoon to a very full house. All the 
 first families were present, the President and his 
 family, the Vice-President, Secretaries, Merchants, 
 (fee. I spoke from Matt., chap, ii., v. 1 0. 
 
 On Thursday, 29th, I spoke at Millsburg. I went 
 from Monrovia with a number of men to examine 
 the land. We went up St. Paul's river. We trav- 
 elled through the woods, thickets, and brambles. 
 We spent the most of the day in this great wood. 
 We did not see so much as a frog or any other ani- 
 mal. In the evening, we returned to Caleb. ell, and 
 spent a very agreeable evening with Mv. Richardson. 
 We finished our business, and or. Saturday came 
 
104 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 back to Monrovia. I stopped with Squire Moore, aa 
 Mrs. Teague was sick and her house shut up. 
 
 Rev. Mr. McKay spoke on Sabbath afternoon, and 
 I spoke in the evening. Rev. Mr. Burns spoke in 
 the morning. 
 
 On January 2d, 1854, President Roberts and 
 Vice-President Benson were both installed in office. 
 The utmost decorum was observed. The hall was 
 crowded ; all the first people of the place were pre- 
 sent, officers of the Navy, ladies, &c. 
 
 On the 6th, Mr. Caldwell and myself took a walk 
 to the Government Farm, a very thriving spot, and 
 extremely pleasant. 
 
 I closed the meeting on Sabbath forenoon, and 
 spent the day very agreeably with brethren and 
 sisters. But I do not say that everybody is good in 
 Liberia, for there are some disorderly persons here 
 as well as in other countries. 
 
 President Roberts and family attend meeting 
 every Sabbath, and sit directly in front of the altar. 
 Both himself and lady are very mild and pleasant 
 people, hospitable and attentive to strangers. 
 
 On Friday, 10th January, we all dined with Judge 
 Benson, now Vice-President. On the 13th, all the 
 ministers went to Conference, down to Sino, and the 
 Senators all werA home. On the 14th, we had a 
 
. d ^ .l,j 
 
DEPARTURE E0R SIERRA LEONE. 107 
 
 severe thunderstorm, and another on the 16th of 
 the month. On Sabbath, I spoke at the Baptist 
 Church at 3 P. M. There was a full house, and we 
 had a very good time. I closed meeting in the 
 evening, at the Mission M. E. Church. 
 
 David Moore, Esq., at whose house I put up, is a 
 judge, and stands high in the community. He is 
 also quite wealthy. He owns much land, which is 
 well cultivated, also flocks and h^rds, such as cattle, 
 sheep, goats, and hogs. They come every evening 
 and lie down before his door in a grove of orange 
 and coffee trees, which are breaking down under 
 their burden of ripe fruit. This man was once a 
 slave, but is now a government officer in this young 
 and growing Republic. Mr. Moore is a tanner, a 
 shoemaker, a soap-maker, a farmer, and a justice of 
 the peace. He is quite dark in his complexion. 
 
 On the 18th of January, I went on board the 
 English steamer Hope, from Plymouth, bound to 
 Sierra Leone. She is a mail boat. The company 
 have four boats on the line. One is called Faith, 
 another Hope, and another Charity. When I first 
 went on board, I did not know that the time of sail- 
 ing would be delayed till nine o'clock at night. After 
 enjoying a good supper, with the company and a 
 number of passengers, all very respectable persons, 
 
108 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 we set sail for Sierra Leona. It is about 240 miles 
 from Monrovia. From Sierra Leone to Gambia is 
 about 412 miles. 
 
 We bad a very pleasant passage. Tbe sea was 
 as smooth as tbe Hudson River. Tbe fare on board 
 was excellent. I never found a better table on board 
 of any boat ; all fared alike, without distinction. 
 During the passage Mr. Caldwell was very sick, and 
 Dr. Paterson placed him under the charge of the 
 steward of the forward cabin. A spoonful of brandy 
 was ordered to be given him every quarter of an 
 hour, which was done for twenty-four hours or more, 
 so that the poor man was permitted to rest in quiet 
 but a little while at a time ; I spoke against such 
 proceedings, and they were very angry with me, and 
 said that I had no business to interfere, as the doctor 
 gave the patient up to the steward's charge. The 
 steward's aim was to get the man's effects into his 
 possession. He had a good watch and clothing; 
 and therefore, the steward made the sick man believe 
 that he was his best friend. He would not leave 
 him for a moment ; he hugged him and kissed him, 
 and declared that although he was a white man and 
 Mr. Caldwell was a colored man, yet he would never 
 leave him or forsake him. He drew up writings for 
 Mr. Caldwell to sign, in which all the effects of the 
 
ARRIVES AT GAMBIA. 109 
 
 patient were made over him. He urged Mr. Cald- 
 well to sign these writings, while in his weak and 
 dying state. 
 
 I opposed all this strongly, but I had no power, 
 for it was a British vessel and British officers, bound 
 to one of their own ports. As I was only one, and 
 they were many, I left the whole matter in the 
 hands of the blessed Lord. He pleaded my cause, 
 and fought my battles, and overthrew all their wick- 
 ed designs. He kept the man alive until we got 
 into port. 
 
 While we were at sea, I told them that if they 
 took any improper steps, I would report them to the 
 American Consul. They did not care much for 
 that ; but the blessed Lord is high over all, and 
 blessed for evermore. Therefore, I recommend to 
 all mankind that they serve Him in spirit and in 
 truth. 
 
 After I had settled my affairs in Sierra Leone, I 
 went on board the steamer Hope, bound to Gambia, 
 on the coast of Africa. We had a pleasant passage, 
 no distinction was made in the treatment of passen- 
 gers. 
 
 When we arrived at Gambia, I visited the Churches,, 
 schools, markets, and public buildings, and took note 
 10 
 
110 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 of tho manners and habits of the people. Many of 
 the inhabitants are Mahometans. Others wore 
 charms about their persons and are loaded with 
 idols. They may be seen sitting or lying in the 
 sand, in large gangs, worshipping their false gods. 
 They wear long robes and sandals, but are half 
 naked. There are more than a hundred tongues or 
 languages among them, so that the one part do not 
 •understand the rest. 
 
 Criminals are put in prison, and formed into chain 
 gangs. These are chained two together, and on the 
 back of their jackets is the word CONVICT. They 
 wear red caps. They are made to work in the 
 streets, and every three months they are flogged on 
 the back. Such is the rule under the English Gov 
 ernment : but in Liberia there is no such barbarity 
 practised. 
 
 Jan'y. 31st. The United States ship-of-war Con- 
 stellation, Com. Mayo, arrived at this port and fired 
 a salute, which was answered by the fort at Gambia. 
 
 The barque Isla de Cuba, now lying in this port, 
 will sail in a few days for New- York, United States. 
 Capt. Forsyth is going passenger in the Isla de Cuba, 
 Capt. Miller. 
 
 I remained in the town of Gambia nine days, and 
 spent three days on board the ship. 
 

 ENGLISH FREEDOM. Ill 
 
 3d. All hands on board. Mr. Forsyth and lady 
 came on board at 12 o'clock. On the evening of 
 Thursday, Mr. Forsyth spent the time very agreeably 
 with some of his friends over champaigne. They 
 then bade adieu and parted. The pilot came on 
 board at half past three on Friday morning. His 
 name is Pompey Gay. He makes about £260 a 
 year, and out of that he receives £60 for his own 
 use. He is a colored man. The colored people do 
 all the out-of-door work here, but the sixty pounds 
 for himself/ Such is the boast of English freedom. 
 Give me the Government of the United States for- 
 ever, in preference to such liberty. Take away 
 slavery, and nothing like the U. S. Government was 
 ever known. I have learned that by travelling 
 abroad, and making use of my eyes and ears. 
 
 The author conceives that, at this rate, those who 
 are called free in England give to their employers a 
 much larger portion of the proceeds of their toil, 
 than the American planter receives from those col- 
 ored men in his service who are called slaves. And 
 the gains of this colored pilot are in about the same 
 ratio as those of other " free" colored men who are 
 subjects of the Crown. 
 
 Feb. 4th. At sea. All well. We left the Capes 
 on the forenoon of 3d inst. In a short time, we 
 
112 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 caught a favorable breeze, stiff and strong, and we 
 made good headway. 
 
 5th. Sabbath. We have been at sea three days. 
 Fine weather and fair wind. All well. 
 
 6th. Thank the ,Lord we are well. The wind is 
 fair, with occasional calm. 
 
 7th. Thank the Lord we are tolerable. Good 
 weather ; light wind, but fair. 
 
 8th. Fine weather and fair wind. Thank the 
 Lord, we are all tolerably well. 
 
 9th. Fine weather and fair wind. - All well. 
 
 10th. All well. Fine weather and fair wind. - 
 
 11th. Fair wind and weather. All well at this 
 time. 
 
 12th. Ten days out. This day is the Sabbath. 
 Fine weather. Thank the Lord, we are all well. 
 
 13th. Fine weather; all well. We saw a ship 
 to-day, to leeward. The seamen are all busily 
 engaged in cleaning and painting the ship. Oapt. 
 Miller is a very particular man. 
 
 14th. All well. A little breeze. 
 
 loth. All well. Light breeze. In the afternoon 
 a good breeze sprung up and we got on finely. 
 
 16th. All well. We had a fine rain shower this 
 morning. In the afternoon we had quite a gale ; 
 but we are in the hands of the Lord. He is our 
 

 JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE HOMEWARD. 113 
 
 only help in the time of trouble. When we left 
 Gambia, Africa, there were two Frenchmen stowed 
 away in the hold of the ship, and after we got to 
 sea, they came up and showed themselves to the 
 captain. When the captain heard their story, he 
 put them in charge of the mate, to work their passage 
 to the United States. 
 
 l*7th. All well. A fair breeze. We are getting 
 on very well, thank the Lord. 
 
 18th. Fine weather and a good breeze. The mate 
 found a live scorpion on board. They killed it. 
 We saw several whales ; they were quite large ones. 
 
 19th. Sabbath. It is a little stormy, but we are 
 getting on veiy well. 
 
 20th. Light, fair breeze ; getting on very well. 
 
 21st. Fair wind, but light; getting on very well. 
 We are thankful that we are all well. 
 
 2 2d. Fair wind, but light. All well. 
 
 23d. Fair, but light breeze. 
 
 24th. We have a fair wind from the East, with 
 rain. In the afternoon it blew a perfect gale, and 
 rained very hard. All hands were called, cook and 
 steward. At about 4 P. M. the storm ceased. The 
 clouds broke away, and the sun shone again, thanks 
 be to the Lord. Before the gale came on, we were 
 10* 
 
114 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 in that part of the sea where the winds are variable, 
 between the coast of Africa and the West Indies. 
 There was a calm for some days ; the wind shifting 
 all around the compass in a few hours. The. gale 
 earned us swiftly over that part of the ocean ; until 
 we caught the American breeze, which is sweet and 
 cool. There is a great deal of grass afloat in the 
 sea for thousands of miles. It looks pretty, and is 
 called the gulf weed. It grows in or near the Gulf 
 Stream. We see many birds flying on this coast, of 
 different kinds. 
 
 25th. A severe gale from the East for more than 
 24 hours. We are thankful that the wind is favor- 
 able. We have seen three ships since we left Gam- 
 bia. 
 
 26th. Sabbath. We are 24 days out. The wind 
 is high and the sea rough. We are near the 
 Bahama Islands, getting on very well. 
 
 27th. We have a good fair wind, and are getting 
 on very well. We are near the Gulf Stream. 
 
 28th. The wind is high and not fair. The sea is 
 rough, and the weather getting cold. We saw 
 one schooner to-day, the fourth vessel we have seen 
 since we left Gambia, Africa. 
 
 March 1st. We are in the Gulf Stream. It is 
 
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE HOMEWARD. 115 
 
 quiet and calm. We saw two ships to-day going 
 out. This evening, we saw the new moon. 
 
 2d. We are getting on siowly. Quite calm. Saw 
 this morning a fore-top-sail schooner, supposed to 
 be bound to New- York. She kept company with 
 us all day. We came to the Gulf in the night. It 
 was veiy rough indeed. 
 
 3d. The sea is very rough. Wind high : we are 
 thankful it is favorable. We have shipped several 
 very heavy seas this morning. It is said that we 
 are about 400 miles from New- York. The blessed 
 Lord has ever been, and still is, our only defence 
 and help in the time of need ; therefore, we will 
 do the best we can, and trust Him in all cases. I 
 thank the Lord, we have got through the Gulf. This 
 afternoon it 4 is four weeks since we left Africa. We 
 are now on the coast of America. 
 
 4th. It is said that the Gulf Stream is 70 miles 
 in width. It is very boisterous and rough indeed. 
 We had to take in and reef sails. We crossed near 
 Norfolk, Va., and are now steering up the coasts of 
 Maryland, Delaware and Jersey. The wind is not 
 fair. A steamer going South, passed us last evening. 
 
 5th Sabbath. Very windy, stormy and cold. 
 We saw the Jersey shore. All well. 
 
116 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 6th. We came inside the Hook, and entered the 
 waters of New- York with the wind ahead. Arrived 
 at the Quarantine ground during the night. 
 
 7th. This morning, we were visited by the Quar- 
 antine officers, and after that, we all came up to tho 
 my of New- York. Thus ends our passage. 
 
CONVERSATION WITH A BRITISH OFFICER. 117 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Author relates part of a conversation with an English 
 officer. Some description of Gambia and its inhabitants. 
 Necessity of cultivation. The minds of the natives must be 
 cultivated as well as the land. Fine opportunities in Africa 
 for steamboats, and enterprising men generally. Cape Mount. 
 No newspaper in Liberia. An excellent opening for Frede- 
 rick Douglass. Address to the rulers of Liberia. The ne- 
 cessity of treating the natives well and respecting their rights. 
 Duties of parents and teachers. The young should be in- 
 structed. Mr. Home in Monrovia. Mrs. Ann Wilkins. 
 Mr. Phillips, a colored teacher. 
 
 In the last chapter, I gave an account of my pas- 
 sage from Gambia to New- York. I thought myself 
 fortunate in finding the barque Isla de Cuba, Capt. 
 Miller, at Gambia, and also in securing the same 
 state-room aud berth that I had occupied in the out- 
 ward passage. 
 
 While on my passage in the British Mail Steamer 
 Hope, I conversed freely with one of the chief officers, 
 who informed me that their company were fitting 
 out a strong line of steamers in England, for the 
 
mm 
 
 118 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 coasts of Africa and America, and also to explore 
 the river Niger. They intend to leave no stone un- 
 turned in their African researches. He said that 
 Africa would be the land of a great nation. He 
 spoke in favor of Liberia. I told him that her Gov- 
 ernment was better than any that I had seen, except 
 that of the United States. 
 
 The town of Gambia looks well as you approach 
 it in front from the sea, but the most of the people 
 seem to be wild and uncultivated. The greater part 
 are the blackest persons that I ever saw. Among 
 them are some Portuguese, but they are all under 
 the English Government. But all are free in the 
 Republic of Liberia. That seems to be the most 
 desirable part of Africa. It was very cold in Gambia 
 in the morning ; I walked through the markets and 
 saw the people lying about in the sand like pigs, 
 half naked, both heathen and Mahometans, loaded 
 down with charms and idols, going about shaving 
 each other's heads, and cutting up a hundred pranks 
 which you never saw nor heard of. We see many 
 new things in this country, but the power of the Lord 
 is here as well as elsewhere. 
 
 It is very interesting, and also very solemnizing, 
 to visit the Protestant Episcopal Church in Gambia ; 
 to see the various nations, with their varied manners, 
 
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 119 
 
 dress, features, and complexion. This last is of 
 every shade, from the white to the most intensely 
 black. Some of the congregation are dressed in the 
 most fashionable style of the day — many of them 
 with turbans as high as a sugar-loaf, and of the same 
 form, composed of handkerchiefs of different colors ; 
 while the greater part are barefooted and half-naked. 
 But they are all seeking the same thing, and in this 
 they understand each other. They seem to be all 
 in unity ; they all come to Church to hear the Gos- 
 pel preached, and to hear of the wonderful works of 
 the Lord. 
 
 I visited the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Gam- 
 bia, Rev. Mr. Meddows, pastor. He preached from 
 the 33d Psalm. I saw a great many natives there, 
 dressed in all forms and fashions, nearly all of them 
 barefooted. There were six or eight very respectable 
 looking white persons present. There were more 
 than three hundred school children present, who 
 performed the singing. They practise every day 
 under their worthy teacher, Mr. Boaza, a colored 
 gentleman of high standing in that community. 
 The organ and the player are just behind the chil- ■ 
 dren, who are instructed in all the arts of civilization. 
 They are put to all kinds of trades, learning of ship- 
 carpenters, smiths, tailors, &c. 
 
120 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 I attended a meeting in which I heard a colored 
 man preach and pray in the native tongue. He is 
 one of the natives, and having experienced religion, 
 and learned to read the Bible, was considered 
 capable of explaining it to the natives in their own 
 language. 
 
 I trust that all good people of all nations will be 
 roused up to the great work of civilizing the human 
 family, and spreading the Gospel throughout the 
 whole world, so that peace and tranquillity may 
 prevail in every part of the earth, and the triumph- 
 ant songs of redeemed spirits be heard in every 
 green valley and upon every hill- top. Then will 
 the nations learn war no more, and all tears will be 
 wiped from the eyes of the mourners in Zion. 
 
 The only way to redeem Africa is to settle it as 
 soon as possible. Take hold of the land, cultivate it, 
 and in employing the natives, cultivate their minds 
 at the same time that the land is rendered fruitful. 
 Set good examples before them, and treat them well. 
 In that way, we should soon gain both themselves 
 and the land, and should all become one people in 
 manners, habits, and religion. Then we should all 
 become full citizens, and enjoy all the privileges of 
 other nations. 
 
 The minds of the natives and the land are just 
 
NECESSITY OF CULTIVATION. 121 
 
 alike while uncultivated. The lands want ploughing 
 up and sowing down with grain, and the differen 
 kinds of herd grass, and it is necessary to cross the 
 breed of their flocks and herds. 
 
 The minds of the natives must be broken up with 
 the ploughshare of the Gospel, and the seeds of grace, 
 love, and unitj^ must be planted in their minds, and 
 they will bring forth much fruit to the glory of God, 
 and be a blessing to the human family. I see that 
 the Law and Gospel must work together in unity for 
 the improvement of this country ; and when brought 
 to bear upon it, they will carry everything before 
 them. Darkness and heathen principles will flee 
 away, and wisdom and light must follow. There- 
 fore, we have nothing to fear if we live according to 
 the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; 
 for it will then go well with us in time and in eter- 
 nity. If the Lord is for us, he is more than all that 
 are against us : therefore will I ever trust Him in 
 all things. 
 
 I saw that a number of the natives had joined the 
 Church in Monrovia, and had become good mem- 
 bers; and still more of them are coming in. They 
 are very much pleased with our people, and always 
 ready to serve them. Therefore we ought to treat 
 them well in all things, for the lands were in their 
 11 
 
122 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 possession until those days when a more enlightened 
 people came among them. They want more minis- 
 ters in Liberia, for the harvest is great and the labor- 
 ers are few. Therefore pray that more laborers may 
 be sent forth into the vineyard. 
 
 I am about to join the mission, myself, if the Lord 
 be pleased, and permit me so to do ; for I always 
 endeavor to obey the dictates of 'the Good Spirit, 
 knowing that in doing so, I am sure to do right. 
 
 When I went up Saint Paul's River, I spent about 
 eight days at the Mission House, with Mrs. Wilkins, 
 a white lady, in the town of Millsburgh. I preached 
 there in the evening. Saint Paul's is a fine river 
 for steamboating ; and if some of the New- York 
 go-ahead citizens were to put a steamboat upon its 
 waters, they would soon become rich men. If a 
 steamboat ran between New- York and Africa, there 
 would be an immense trade carried on of great 
 value to the two nations. Besides, there are about 
 two thousand miles of distance on the African coast 
 where the sea is as calm as the Hudson or Delaware 
 ^ver, so that a good steamer could run along the 
 toast without the least danger. 
 
 The flag of this young republic is one star and 
 deven sirijies. We trust that many stars will be 
 added, until all this quarter of the globe will be 
 
WANT OF STEAMBOATS. 123 
 
 brought fully under the Law and the Gospel. If so, 
 this will be the garden spot of the world. In Li- 
 beria, three parts of the day are very pleasant, a 
 fresh breeze blowing in from the sea. The nights 
 and days are always equal, twelve hours each. The 
 fruit and coffee trees are bending with their luscious 
 burdens, which, with many other valuable articles 
 ready for market, are held at disadvantage for want 
 of more speedy means of conveyance. 
 
 There are a great many very respectable colored 
 people in Liberia. If I must speak the truth, they 
 seem to be better informed than those who are in the 
 United States. The Church and the Sabbath-School 
 are conducted as orderly as among us, and I think 
 are doing more good, in every respect, than ours. 
 
 I hope that the good citizens of the United States 
 will put steamboats between New- York and Africa 
 very soon, and upon the waters along the coast, 
 wherever emigrants may be settled from any part 
 of the world. The boats would all pay well : there- 
 fore, gentlemen, you have nothing to fear. Go 
 a-head, and you will be successful, and will do much 
 towards building up this young Republic. 
 
 I say of a truth, that if the colored people neglect 
 to embrace or refus-e this noble opportunity now 
 offered to them, and let it fall and come to nothing, 
 
i24 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 they will never rise above their present condition. 
 They will be doomed to slavery forever. But I 
 have a better opinion of my colored brethren in the 
 United States. I trust that all of them will see and 
 know that it is upon this noble enterprise of settling 
 Liberia, that the salvation of the whole colored popu- 
 lation depends. It depends upon our own actions 
 and efforts to do our duty, and to secure our rights 
 and liberties in Monrovia, Liberia — a land that has 
 been kept and preserved for us for thousands of 
 years : and now the time is fulfilled, and the friends 
 of the colored race have opened a door for us that 
 we might enter in and enjoy our rights and privileges 
 without money and without price. In a few years, 
 the independence of Liberia will be acknowledged 
 by all nations. 
 
 I think that Cape Mount is a rich and beautiful 
 part of Africa, and when cultivated and the inhabit- 
 ants civilized, will be a very desirable place of resi- 
 dence. A great deal of wealth is yet to be obtained 
 from that elevated portion of Africa. In fact, it is a 
 pleasant country throughout ; all things are plenty, 
 the leaves are all green, the sufferings of slavery are 
 nowhere to be seen, all men enjoying their rights 
 and liberties under their own vine and fig-tree, with 
 none to make them afraid. 
 
CIVILIZATION OF AFRICA. 125 
 
 All those who are not friends to the settlement of 
 Liberia, are no friends to the African race, nor to 
 themselves or their country. A great many people 
 are prejudiced by stupid reports founded upon ig- 
 norance and idle conjecture. But the colored man 
 who is wise, will do like the Queen of Sheba ; he 
 will go and judge for himself, and then he will say 
 that this work is of the Lord. He has prospered 
 our labors thus far, and with his help, we are bound 
 to go on in this noble enterprise, for the benefit of 
 the African nation, who are as precious in the eyes 
 of the Lord as any other nation upon the face of the 
 earth. What a blessing it is that the people of the 
 United States have laid a foundation for us sure and 
 steadfast ! We trust, therefore, that every wise man 
 will see eye to eye on this subject, and lay aside all 
 opposition. Let every one join in this noble work, 
 and all the sons of Africa will soon be free, and reli- 
 gion and civilization will spread over that great 
 quarter of the earth, to the glory and honor of the 
 blessed Son, and the happiness of the human family, 
 and to the praise and prosperity of the United States, 
 which the Lord has made the instrument for bring- 
 ing about this great deliverance for the sons and 
 daughters of Africa. It may be the means of civili- 
 zing the whole world of mankind, and also fulfilling 
 11* 
 
126 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 the Scriptures of Truth, which say that the Gospel 
 of the Kingdom shall be preached unto all the world 
 for a witness, and then shall the end come. Oh ! 
 that this great republic may be the agent in fully 
 accomplishing this great and glorious work, so that 
 an everlasting blessing of peace and happiness may 
 rest upon this land and nation ! 
 
 There is no newspaper published in any of the 
 places which I visited on the coast of Africa. I 
 think that if such men as Mr. Frederick Douglass 
 would give their time, attention, and talent to Libe- 
 ria, they would do more good in one year, than they 
 can in a whole life-time in the United States. They 
 would make five times as much money, and impart 
 instruction and civilization to our heathen brethren. 
 There we may do a great deal of good without 
 opposition or confusion ; for many things which we 
 are endeavoring to do in the United States, are like 
 pouring water upon a goose's back ; it has but little 
 or no effect. Therefore such labors are of no value 
 at all. We hope that all persons who wish the 
 colored man well, will give their aid and attention 
 to this noble work, so that light and the Gospel may 
 soon spread over that dark and benighted land of 
 oui forefathers in Africa. 
 
 1 must confess, that at one time I was blinded, 
 
GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA. 1 2*7 
 
 like many of you, to these important matters which 
 regard the welfare of the colored population : but I 
 now see plainly what must and will be done, for 
 their general good and elevation ; and I thank the 
 Lord that the work is commenced, and, with his 
 blessing, will go on. 
 
 Now let me make a few remarks to the humane 
 rulers of this new Republic : Gentlemen, I have had 
 the pleasure and honor of visiting your well-founded 
 government, with which I am very much pleased 
 indeed, and I am under a thousand obligations both 
 to the chief officers of State and Church, for their 
 Christian fellowship, and kind, gentlemanly treat- 
 ment while I was among you. I had never before 
 seen freedom and liberty existing among our people, 
 until I saw it in Monrovia, Liberia, Africa, under 
 the administration of his excellency President J. J. 
 Roberts, and his wise counsel, in the year of our 
 Lord 1854. There is nothing to be compared with 
 this on the face of the earth for the colored nation, 
 nor ever has been since the days of Noah. If we 
 neglect this great opportunity, we shall be undone 
 forever, in a temporal point of view. Now, to the 
 rulers of this republic : forasmuch as the Lord has 
 blessed you, and has lifted you up above your fellow- 
 men, and has set you up on high — whether in Church 
 
128 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 or State — it is for you to take heed to yourselves. 
 In all your doings, remember the commandments 
 of the Lord. Do not oppress the poor, the father- 
 less, the widow, nor the stranger. Do unto all men 
 as you would like to have them do unto you. Con- 
 sider well the natives of that great quarter of the 
 earth. It has been theirs for nearly four thousand 
 years. They, truly, were the sole proprietors : but 
 we see that sin and idolatry have brought them to 
 their present, low, degraded position. Now, all they 
 want is good government, good rulers, good instruc- 
 tions, and good treatment. If they have these, they 
 will all be brought in, and we will become a great 
 nation, for the good of all mankind, and to the glory 
 and honor of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ, 
 
 Therefore, let us be very careful how we deal with 
 those natives, lest we bring upon ourselves a reproach 
 and incur the displeasure of the blessed Lord, and 
 be finally driven out of that land in a more degraded 
 condition than the present natives are at this time. 
 And now, as the Lord has placed wise and good 
 men at the head of the government in Liberia, we 
 pray that there may be always good men to fill 
 the important offices of State. If not, let the same 
 remain in office who have been faithful in the fulfil- 
 
THE DUTT OF MANKIND. 129 
 
 ment of their duties from the commencement of the 
 Republic up to the present time. Bad men make 
 bad governments : good men make good govern- 
 ments. 
 
 In conclusion, I must say that it is the duty of all 
 persons to seek the peace and happiness of their 
 families, neighbors, Churches, States and nations. 
 The way to obtain these blessings is to commence 
 early : the heads of every family to give early instruc- 
 tion to their children ; teach them to love and fear 
 the Lord ; teach them to love and obey their parents ; 
 teach them to love themselves and respect their 
 neighbors ; teach them to conduct kindly towards all 
 mankind; teach them to love the ministers of the 
 Gospel and the Church of Christ; teach them to 
 respect and obey magistrates, principal men, and 
 those who are in power ; teach them to love their 
 books, and the use and benefit of learning. 
 
 If you, as fathers and mothers, will carry out these 
 duties, I can assure you that you will have happy 
 families, good neighbors, Christian Churches, peace- 
 able nations ; and the blessing of the Lord will rest 
 upon you and yours forever. 
 
 If you desire that your children should be respec- 
 table, give them trades, and all the learning that 
 you possibly can. Let them understand reading and 
 
130 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 writing well. Give them a full knowledge of arith- 
 metic, grammar, geography, navigation, and men- 
 suration ; and let them learn every other useful 
 science and art that they possibly can. It will do 
 them good, and be a blessing to themselves and 
 others. 
 
 I pray that the rulers of nations, ministers of 
 Churches, heads of families, and all those who have 
 charge of the rising generation, will please consider 
 these important matters well ; and if they are fully 
 carried out, in a few r years you will have a heaven 
 upon the earth ; and what a noble blessing it will 
 be to that young and flourishing Republic, Liberia, 
 in Western Africa, and to the colored population 
 throughout the world ! 
 
 There is the Rev. Mr. Home, in Monrovia, a real 
 Christian and gentleman, who has done, and is doing 
 all the good he can, by preaching to colored people 
 in Liberia. He is chief teacher in the academy also. 
 He is a white brother, faithful and worthy. I hope 
 that the good people of the States will not let him 
 suffer. There is Mrs. Ann Wilkins also, who, as 
 well as Mr. Home, has been there a long time, and 
 both have done a great deal of good. They must 
 be cared for. Mrs. Wilkins intends shortly to return 
 home ; and Mr. C. A. Pitman and Miss Sarah M, 
 
THE REV. BAMUEI "WILLIAMS. 131 
 
 Reynolds, both colored persons, will remain as teach- 
 ers. Mr. Phillips, a colored brother, teaches on the 
 lower floor, and is a worthy man also. 
 
 Let every soul in every station 
 Join their assistance, who can tell 
 
 But God may turn and bless this nation, — 
 Let no contention among them dwell. 
 
 May the blessed Lord ever bless the labors of his 
 faithful servants in all places. 
 
 Before concluding, the Author would draw the 
 attention of the reader to the case of the Rev. Samuel 
 "Williams, of whom mention is made at page 85, as 
 being one worthy of notice. 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Williams, an Elder, and one of 
 the most respectable inhabitants of Johnstown, in 
 Western Pennsylvania, some time since, visited Li- 
 beria with his son, 16 years of age, who was very 
 sick ; and after remaining there a year, returned to 
 the United States with his son, entirely recovered, 
 m good health, and greatly improved in growth and 
 appearance. His mother was so rejoiced on seeing 
 her child fully restored to health, he having been 
 sickly from infancy, that she determined at once to 
 remove to Liberia, Western Africa, and there to 
 
132 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 dwell, with the blessing of the Lord. The Rev. Mr. 
 Williams took all his family with him, young and 
 old, including his respectable and venerable mother, 
 nearly ninety years of age, and was accompanied by 
 jaore than thirty of the most respectable colored 
 persons in the State of Pennsylvania. They em- 
 barked in the good bark Isla de Cuba, at the same 
 time as the Author of this work, and arrived there 
 safe, and in good health. The Author visited them 
 previous to his departure, and found them very com- 
 fortable and pleasantly situated, and well pleased 
 with the country — the old lady sitting on the porch 
 apparently as happy as the Queen of Shebah. They 
 testified to their preference for that young and flou- 
 rishing Republic of the Single Star and eleven stripes. 
 May the Lord prosper it forever ! 
 
 The Hon. J. J. Roberts, at present President of 
 the Republic of Liberia, Africa, stands higher, in a 
 national point of view, than any colored person in 
 the United States, or in any other portion of the 
 known civilized world. 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 133 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 I thank the Lord that he has raised up many 
 kind friends to the colored people, who are willing 
 to aid them in obtaining a resting place, so that 
 they shall no more be driven about the earth, with- 
 out a home and without a country, mere hewers of 
 wood and drawers of water for those who are more 
 favored by the laws and customs of those countries 
 in which they live. 
 
 There are many such good friends to us in the 
 United States, and particularly in New- York and 
 New-Jersey, ladies and gentlemen of high standing, 
 of wealth and intelligence, and of most exemplary 
 lives and the most exalted piety, who have devoted 
 their time and their talents to our benefit, in ordei 
 that they may provide a home and a country foi 
 my afflicted nation. Among these are the following 
 names, which I give in this place, in order that my 
 12 
 
134 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 colored brethren and sisters may know upon whom 
 they may depend : 
 
 Hon. Anson G. Phelps, the distinguished Christian 
 and Philanthropist. 
 
 A. G. Phelps, Jr. Esq., the Rising Star of the Em- 
 pire City. 
 
 Hon. J. A. Westervelt, Mayor of New-York. 
 
 E. Canning, Esq. 
 
 Robert Lewis, Esq., No. 209 Fulton street. 
 
 O. B. Porter, Esq. 
 
 E. Harrison, Esq., who promises to aid the Author 
 
 R. Bowler, Esq. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Wakely, Forsyth street. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Pinney, Bible House. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Jessop, Second street. 
 
 Robert P. Cune, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Peet, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Kelso. 
 
 Mrs. Few. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Cox, Brooklyn. 
 
 Rev. E. Johnson. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Whitaker, M. E. Church. 
 
 W. C. Barker, Esq. 
 
 David S. Holmes, Esq. 
 
 Mrs. Pierrepont. 
 
 T. Price, Esq. 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 135 
 
 J. Beebe, Esq. 
 H. L. Williams. 
 
 D. Galliway, Esq., Grand street. 
 Messrs Phillips & Hadley. 
 Mrs. Eliza Doughty. 
 
 Mr. Marven, Water street. 
 
 Joseph Hegerman, Esq. 
 
 S. Knowlton, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Ward, Greene street. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Bond, Greenwich street. 
 
 Dr. W. W. Hall, Ewen Place. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Benning, East Twenty-Eighth street 
 
 Rev. M. Bell, Brooklyn. 
 
 E. Spencer, Esq. 
 John B. Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Hon. D. S. Manners, Mayor of Jersey City. 
 
 B. B. Grinnell, Esq. 
 
 G. W. Cassidy, Esq. 
 
 J. J. H. Beck, Esq. 
 
 A. G. Mason, Esq. 
 
 Joseph Kissam, Esq. 
 
 Henry Demarest, Esq. 
 
 John D. Jones, Esq. 
 
 S. Davidson, Esq. 
 
 M. Daniels, Esq. 
 
 David Taylor, Esq. 
 
136 THE LOOKING-GLASS 
 
 A. A. Dean, Esq. 
 George Peters, Esq. 
 W. E. Whiting, Esq. 
 Dr. S. P. Townsend. 
 Stephen Willets. 
 J. W. Knapp, Esq. 
 
 Dr. N. A. G 
 
 Dr. D. E. C 
 
 Wm. Janeway, Esq. 
 R. Minturn, Esq. 
 J. Chandler, Esq. 
 R. H. Hopkins, Esq. 
 H. M. Schieffelin, Esq. 
 Mrs. A. G. Phelps. 
 
 AT ROME AND UTICA. 
 
 Hon. Seth Roberts, Judge. 
 
 Hon. E. Huntington and Brother. 
 
 C. Cornstock, Esq., Editor. 
 
 Messrs. A. S. Sanford & Co., Editors. 
 
 P. Ainsworth, Esq. 
 
 Hon. Judge P. Gridley. 
 
 N. H. Dering, Esq. 
 
 0. B. Mattison, Esq. 
 
 H. Green, Esq. 
 
 Dr. G. W. Pope. 
 
 S. W. Moody. 
 
 H. Rogers. 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 137 
 
 Mrs. Blanchard, 61 State street, Brooklyn. 
 
 Mrs. Jacobs, 11 Henry street, 
 
 Dr. Jackson, Albany. 
 
 Mrs. Delavan. 
 
 Mrs. Bosely. 
 
 Mrs. Bradford, (of the Boudinot Family,) Burling- 
 ton, N. J. 
 With many other kind, liberal, and humane friends 
 whom we shall mention in a second edition. 
 
 The Author is fully satisfied that nothing can ele- 
 vate the colored population to an equality with the 
 rest of mankind, but the full and free enjoyment, in 
 a national point of view, of civil and religious rights, 
 in addition to a system of universal education. 
 
 The benevolent ladies of the United States are 
 the main-spring, movers, and sustainers of the Chris- 
 tian Churches, and all humane and benevolent in- 
 stitutions. 
 
 Although I am happy to see there are many kind 
 noble-hearted and liberal citizens in the city of New- 
 York, both gentlemen and ladies, there is a large 
 number said to be our best friends, who are some- 
 what left-handed and very close, only aiding one 
 way, let the distress of others be as it will. This is 
 not according to the Gospel of our Lord and Savioui 
 Jesus Christ. 
 12* 
 
138 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 I do truly and sincerely thank those benevolent 
 ladies and gentlemen of New- York and New-Jersey, 
 to whom we are so much indebted, and pray that 
 all the blessings of this life and that which is to 
 come, may forever surround them — in this world, 
 health, prosperity and happiness, and in the next, 
 life everlasting. 
 
 Owing to the want of time, and the desire of the 
 people to see this report of my visit to Liberia, the 
 Author has made but little mention of his labors in 
 this country, subsequently to leaving Bethel Church 
 of Philadelphia. In a second edition, he will endea- 
 vor to be more full on that point. It may not be 
 amiss, however, to append a few certificates delivered 
 me by friends in Rome, State of New- York : 
 
 ( CERTIFICATES. ) 
 
 " Rev. D. H. Peterson has faithfully finished his 
 services in behalf of the colored Church at Rome, 
 Oneida County, New- York, which Church is now 
 free from all embarrassments. He has for a long 
 time been laboring to instruct and improve his breth- 
 ren spiritually and temporally, but he is led fully 
 to believe that their prospects here are not very 
 Therefore, many of his best friends, 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 139 
 
 both white and colored, have advised him to go to 
 Liberia in Africa, and see if the prospects are not 
 better in that young Republic, where his brethren 
 can become full citizens at once, and freeholders, 
 and enjoy all the comforts and privileges of the 
 country both in Church and State, — where all may 
 become a happy and religious people, and, if faith- 
 ful among themselves, may eventually be the instru- 
 ments in the hands of the Lord to restore that dark 
 and great quarter of the Earth to civilization, toge- 
 ther with the light of the Gospel and its pure teach- 
 ings, that will bring an everlasting blessing upon all 
 who are now, and have been, instrumental in carry- 
 ing out this great and noble work. He is now 
 ready to comply with the advice of his friends and 
 brethren, as soon as practicable. We, therefore, 
 cheerfully recommend him, and sincerely hope he 
 will meet with favor and aid from all, more espe- 
 cially the Christian community ai large." 
 
 "TO ALL WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN! 
 
 We, colored citizens of Rome, State of New- 
 York, do hereby certify, that the Rev. D. H. Peter- 
 son has, for the last three years, been employed in 
 erecting a Church at Rome, which he has fully 
 
140 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 accomplished. We now have a comfortable, neat 
 house of worship, all paid for, and balance over. 
 We found him faithful, and perfectly honest in his 
 undertaking. We, therefore, cheerfully recommend 
 him to all. THOMAS JOHNSON, 
 
 SAMUEL DEBOIS, 
 WM. JOHNSON, 
 STEPHEN THOMPSON, 
 GEORGE GILBERT, 
 HIRAM GILBERT, 
 MARGARET GILBERT. 
 Rome, Nov. 30th, 1852." 
 
 " The bearer, Rev. Daniel H. Peterson, has been 
 an agent in the ministry for the colored people, in 
 Western New- York, two or three years past, in col- 
 lecting funds to build Churches. He has been a 
 faithful agent, and I believe him to be a worthy man 
 and a Christian. Anything you can do for him will 
 be thankfully received, and bestowed upon a deserv- 
 ing person. JAMES ERWIN, 
 
 Pastor M. E. Church, Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y." 
 
 " I am acquainted with the Rev. Daniel H. Pe- 
 terson, and fully concur with the above recom- 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 141 
 
 mendation and statement of the Rev. James Erwin, 
 in relation to the bearer. 
 
 SETH B. ROBERTS, 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 Rome, Nov. 22, 1852." 
 
 The following is a true copy of a letter received 
 by the Rev. D. H. Peterson, from His Excellency 
 J. J. Roberts, President of the Republic of Li- 
 beria, in Western Africa, written in Monrovia, the 
 Capital of Liberia. The author has preserved the 
 original. 
 
 " Government House, 
 Monrovia, Jarfy \±th, 1854. 
 TJiis is to certify that the Rev. D. H. Peterson, 
 from the city of Nexo- York, United States of North 
 America, has visited Liberia for the purpose of ma- 
 king observations respecting the condition, d'c. of this 
 country, for the information of his colored friends in 
 the United States. During his visit, though short, 
 the Rev. Gentleman, I believ-e, has been indefatigable 
 in his efforts to obtain correct information on all 
 
142 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 subjects of interest connected with this Government, 
 And I am happy to find that he is well pleased, and 
 expressed himself highly gratified with the country, 
 and the prospects of the people. 
 
 J. J. ROBERTS:* 
 
 "January 17th, 1854. 
 I have had the pleasure of an introduction to th& 
 Rev. D. H. Peterson, from New- York, in the U. S. 
 of North America. He is now on a visit to this 
 country. I have met him in company, at different 
 times and places. I have had the pleasure of hear- 
 ing him speak in the Churches in public, and on 
 private occasions. He came to this country on a 
 mission to the Government and Churches. I am 
 happy to say, that he appears to be highly pleased 
 with the country, Government and Church, and what- 
 ever came under his observation in Liberia and the 
 adjacent settlements, and will, no doubt, give a cor- 
 rect and satisfactory report upon his return to the 
 United States of America. Our prayers are for his 
 protection on land and by sea, and his safe return to 
 his family, and the people, and the nation from whom 
 he came, and that the blessings of the Almighty may 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 143 
 
 attend his mission and all those who are interested 
 in the welfare of those people. 
 
 Rev. JAMES W. HORNE, 
 Principal of the Academy, Monrovia, Capital of the 
 Republic of Liberia." 
 
144 THE LOQKING-GLASi. 
 
 Extract from the Jersey City Sentinel and Advert 
 tiser, of March 11, 1854. 
 
 Missionary Intelligence from Africa. — The 
 barque Isla de Cuba, Capt. A. Miller, 29 days from 
 Gambia, West Coast of Africa, has just arrived at 
 New- York. Among the passengers we notice the 
 following : Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Lacy, missionaries at 
 Lagos ; Mr. and Mrs. A. Forsyth, of Gambia ; and 
 Rev. D. H. Peterson, a very intelligent and useful 
 colored clergyman. 
 
 It will be recollected that Mr. Peterson, (who pub- 
 lishes a card in another column,) visited this city last 
 fall, to solicit aid in a very laudable undertaking. 
 He left New-York in November last, for Liberia, 
 aided by gentlemen and ladies here, and in other 
 parts of the country, interested in the welfare of the 
 African population in the United States, to examine 
 and report upon the condition and prospects of the 
 new Republic. Mr. Peterson arrived at Monrovia 
 the last of November, and spent upwards of two 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 145 
 
 months in the country. The Legislature of the 
 Republic was in session at the time, and Mr. Peter- 
 son was consequently enabled to gather from Repre- 
 sentatives of the more remote districts, ample infor- 
 mation pertaining to the condition of their constit- 
 uents. In Monrovia he was treated with great hos- 
 pitality, having been entertained by the chief func- 
 tionaries of the Government, and by the principal 
 citizens. He enjoyed uninterrupted health, and 
 reported that to have been common to the inhabit- 
 ants generally at the period of his visit. 
 
 The capital and country presented every indication 
 of prosperity. A general sentiment of contentment 
 pervaded the population. Industry was everywhere 
 pursued, and thrift and comfort followed in its train. 
 Mr. Peterson preferred the aspect of the Republic, 
 in those respects, to that of the British settlements. 
 Liberty, equality, and self-government, exhibit in 
 Liberia their benignant influence. 
 
 Mr. Peterson went from Monrovia in the English 
 mail steamer Hope, to Gambia, touching at Sierra 
 Leone. Among his fellow-passengers was Mr. Abm. 
 Caldwell, of New- York, who visited Liberia as an 
 agent of a New- York Agricultural Association, part 
 of whom have already emigrated to the Republic. 
 Mr. C. was unwell on leaving Monrovia, and in the 
 13 
 
146 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 progress of the voyage his illness increased so as to 
 endanger his life. An attempt on the part of one 
 of the stewards of the ship to induce the dying man 
 to bequeath to him his effects was foiled by the 
 interference of Mr. Peterson, who rebuked the mer- 
 cenary spirit of the interloper, and succeeded in pre- 
 serving for the wife and children of the emigrant, his 
 watch and clothing. Mr. Caldwell survived till the 
 steamer reached Sierra Leone ; he was landed about 
 3 P. M. and died at about eight the same evening^ 
 while under the care of a competent physician and 
 nurse. His remains were interred the next afternoon 
 in the Queen's burying-yard, with every appropriate 
 demonstration of respect. Mr. Jones, the Episcopal 
 clergyman of the place, reading the funeral service. 
 Mr. P. having expended all the money contributed 
 to pay the cost of his tour, solicits contributions for 
 his support, while engaged in completing the object 
 of his mission. 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS 147 
 
 Testimonial of the Passengers on board the 
 Isla de Cuba. 
 
 Barque Isla de Cuba, 
 Approaching the Port of Monrovia, W. A. 
 December 17, 1853. 
 At a meeting of the passengers held to express 
 their feelings in regard to the excellent qualities and 
 conveniences of the barque, and their high apprecia- 
 tion of her officers, the Rev. D. H. Peterson was 
 called to the chair, and A. Washington and William 
 Nesbitt appointed Secretaries. After prayer, by 
 Rev. Samuel Williams, and thanksgiving to God for 
 his mercy and kind protection in guiding us safely 
 over the boisterous seas and through violent storms, 
 and permitting us to gaze over the sunny hills and 
 verdant vales of our long-desired and adopted land, 
 a brief, eloquent, and appropriate address was deli- 
 vered by Mr. Alfred Truman. After this, the Com- 
 mittee reported the following resolutions, which were 
 unanimously adopted : 
 
148 THE LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 Resolved, That we hereby return our thanks to 
 Capt. Austin Miller, master of the barque Isla de 
 Cuba, and Messrs. H. K. Hatch and McGill, first 
 and second mates, whose kind attention and gentle- 
 manly conduct towards us during our passage, both 
 in sickness and in health, have secured for them a 
 grateful place in our memory, and whose prompt 
 attention and skill in guiding their barque safely 
 through perilous storms, have convinced us that they 
 are able and efficient officers. 
 
 Resolved, That duty and justice to ourselves and 
 our friends in America, compel us to express our 
 thanks to the American philanthropists, and record 
 the fact that, so far as we have yet seen, they have 
 freely done all for us that they have promised, and 
 that we see nothing that tends to deprive us, in the 
 least, of our free agency, and they, in this, as well 
 as in former cases, have spared no pains in assisting 
 the emigrants in their preparation, and in fitting 
 out this expedition with an abundance of the best 
 provisions that the markets afford, and in many acts 
 of kindness, at their own expense and labor. 
 
 Resolved, That we recommend to our friends in 
 the North who may wish at any time to emigrate to 
 Africa, to secure their passage from the port of New- 
 York, both for convenience and comfort, and the 
 
THE LOOKING-GLASS. 149 
 
 greater facilities for obtaining everything necessary 
 for the passage and for trade. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee present copies of 
 these resolutions to the Captain of the Isla de Cuba, 
 and to the Editors of those papers which are friendly 
 to the emancipation of the colored population. 
 
 Rev. D. H. PETERSON, 
 Chairman. 
 A. WASHINGTON, 
 WM. NESBITT, 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 ABRAM CALDWELL. 
 
 JNO. H. M. HARRIS. 
 
 JOSEPH P. BROOKS. 
 
 THOMAS LILLASON. 
 
 EDMUND BROWN. 
 
 A. JOHN. 
 
 DARIUS JACKLIN. 
 
 SYLVANUS JACKLIN. 
 
 Rev. SAMUEL WILLIAMS. 
 
 13* 
 
150 THE LOOKING-GLASS, 
 
 CHURCH COLLECTIONS. 
 
 On Sabbath-days the Collections made in many 
 of the Churches in the United States are very 
 badly managed. Much better plans might be adopt- 
 ed than are now in use in many of the Churches, 
 both in cities and villages. Preaching three times 
 a day, a call is made at the end of each sermon for 
 money, &c, which destroys the good effect of the 
 instruction just received by the congregation. Ar- 
 rangements should be made with the members, and 
 others who favor Church governments, to appoint 
 one day in the week or month, and then pay in 
 whatever amount they may be able for the support 
 of the Church, &c, and thereby let the Sabbath be 
 wholly set apart for Spiritual services. 
 
 The Author, in making the suggestion, earnestly 
 prays that the above principles may be adopted in 
 all Christian Churches. 
 
J&2T Any communications for the Author may 
 be left with Dr. R. F. Hibbard, No. 93 John street ; 
 or with Mrs. Hardy, at No. 35 Wall street, (Mr. 
 Furniss' office, No. 27, in the rear.)