James R. Johnson to Frederick Douglass, November 18, 1851

MRS FOSTER AND MISS HOLLY.

FRIEND DOUGLASS:—These two devoted [opponents?] of oppression addressed a large congregation last evening, (Nov. 17) in the "Church of the Messiah" Syracuse. Rev. Samuel May read the second chapter of the [prophecy] of Joel. Your readers are requested to turn to it and carefully examine it. We ought to prayerfully study the following emphatic expressions which are found in that glowing chapter: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in the holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, it is nigh at hand—a day of darkness and of gloominess—a day of clouds and of thick darkness," &c. "Therefore, also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping and mourning and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful and repenteth him of the evil." Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fort, call a solemn assembly. In thee, the people sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts, let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride our of her closet. Let the priest, the minsters of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say: "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach."

After the reading of the Scripture, Mr. May offered prayer. Mrs. Foster spoke in her usual manner except it was pleasing to remark a decided improvement in this respect, viz: that she freely spoke of the assumptions of the slave power, as monstrous [perversions?] of the constitution from its original design as our fathers understood the document. True, she introduced this sort of argument by quotations from the Whig papers from forty-three to forty-five; but as she advanced, her soul seemed to kindle by the power of the truth which she had borrowed, and half unconscious to herself she appeared to almost coincide with the [temper?] of Gerrit Smith's argument on the unconstitutionality of slavery. Some who cast their eye on this may think that the writer rather stretches the matter in his [expressions?] to make out a case to suit his designs. Very well, perhaps some allowance should be made on this score; and yet, to write precisely as I mean, the benevolent heart of our esteemed friend did give tokens of yearning for the rescue of the constitution from the interpretation of the enemies of freedom. There are some of us who can remember this cheering signal of "a good time coming" in the experience of one who has not disappointed our hopes, and may he so succeed in conducting the periodical appropriately bearing his own name, as to far exceed our most sanguine expectations.

Miss Holly's address was one of rare merit. As it appeared to be chiefly committed to manuscript, it will probably find its way to the press. Such a disposal should be made without delay; for we now need broadcast the very truths which are there contained, and which are expressed in the chaste and cogent words which appertain to the construction of the English language.

J. R. Johnson.

SYRACUSE, Nov. 18, 1851.