Julia G[riffiths] Crofts to Frederick Douglass, May 16, 1859

LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

NUMBER LXVI.

HUDDERSFIELD, (Eng.) May 16, 1859.

MY DEAR FRIEND:—Time has flown so rapidly, that I have some difficulty in realizing the fact that six weeks have passed away since our pleasant re-union with the French anti-slavery friends in the Rue de la Chaussie `d Autin.

Pastors Guillaume and Frederic Monod took the lead on this interesting occasion, and were well supported by the excellent Pastor Fisch, and the other ministers present. I could not, for one moment, have doubted the genuine character of the anti-slavery feeling there manifested, nor the sincerity with which promises were made to aid us in our efforts in behalf of the American bondman. Who, that listened to the spirit-stirring address of Frederic Monod—to his stern denunciations of American slavery—to his expressions of tender sympathy for the poor slave—to his solemn declaration that, everywhere, while traveling in the Southern States, he was outspoken on the slavery subject, and failed in his mission there, because he failed NOT to show "the people their transgression," nor to denounce their crying sin—who, I say, that listened to the burning eloquence of Mr. Monod on that occasion, could believe him a recreant to the cause of anti-slavery? NOT I.

It was our privilege, while in Paris, to meet Mr. Monod several times, and to have a good deal of conversation with him on slavery, anti-slavery, the American Track Society, and his "defence" thereof. The strictures on his defence first reached him while we were in Paris; he was feeling highly indignant at being (as he said in a note to me) "unwarrantably misrepresented," and could scarcely speak calmly on the subject. If Mr. Monod had resided a year in the United States, instead of taking a rapid tour of a few months, he would, without doubt, have arrived at a different conclusion, as to the reasons of the timid, cowardly (and as I think, SINFUL) policy of the American Tract Society in suppressing every word of anti-slavery truth, and have arraigned that policy, instead of saying a word in its defence. But, while I differ from him, in looking at the matter from HIS stand-point, I think he has been consistent. He is a leading member of the Paris Track Society; he is, also, a zealous Protestant. Popery and its evils reign dominant on all sides in France; yet Mr.

Monod has always objected strongly to any denunciations of Popery being introduced into the publications of the Paris Tract Society, at the same time that he has, at his own cost, written and published many tracts on the nature of Popery, its evils, and its sins, and sent them forth to do their work. So, he said, he would do, in the States, as regards anti-slavery tracts. He submitted, at the same time, that his view might be a mistaken one, and, doubtless, he had never dreamed of the mischievous use that would be made of his words, North and South, [illegible] that his attachment to the anti-slavery [illegible] could be suspected for an instant from [anything?] uttered by him. Perhaps our noble [friend?] had failed to remember that Silence is a [great?] sin of the American churches—of the [American?] religious societies in general—of the Tract Society in particular. I wish for my part, this Society were scattered to the four winds [illegible] heaven—then ONE hindrance to the freedom [illegible] the poor slave would be out of the way; [illegible] would no longer stand as a stumbling block [illegible] any good, warm-hearted, earnest, hasty [Ch]ristian man to fall over, nor for any infidels [illegible] point to as one of the representatives of th[e] [Ch]ristian religion on the United States!

Our visit to [illegible] was, throughout, on of much interest [and pl]easure; the kindness and attention shown us by many agreeable friends there, will long be remembered; it was with regret that we bade adieu to them, and to their gay, bright, beautiful city, where we left the sun shining, and the trees, in the Champs Elysies and the Tuilleries Gardens, arraying themselves in their exquisitely-wrought mantles of fresh, spring green.

In fourteen hours and a half from the time of our quitting Paris, we were in London!—so much for the power of steam. Sunshine met us in Yorkshire; the leaden skies (so prevalent in our dear, little, foggy island) seemed to have vanished; for a few days, a canopy of blue over-spread Huddersfield, and we had summer weather. This, however, soon changed, and now, for many weeks, we have had the cold, cutting, easterly wind, the dire effects of which have been manifest in illness on all sides, proving the truth of the couplet, that,

"When the wind is in the East. 'Tis neither good for man nor beast."

A fortnight since, we had the pleasure of meeting our Halifax anti-slavery friends at a tea-party in the Vestry of Zion Church. It is very gratifying to know the Society formed there in aid of the slave, little more than two years since, is now large and flourishing; the

interest felt in the cause in Halifax is ever deepening and extending; but with such a vigilant, active and untiring Secretary as we are favored with there, who need be surprized by these cheering results? Our Halifax friends are in earnest, and decidedly lead the way in Yorkshire. The Huddersfield Anti-Slavery Society has suffered considerably from the illness and consequent withdrawal of its acting Secretary; and on account of illness and removal, in other quarters, we have had no meetings of late. This is to be regretted, for sure I am that the more frequently the committees meet, the greater the interest will become in the cause, and the more successful will the results be. "Time is short" with us all—we know not how short—and it behooves those of us that are actuated by Christian motives, to "work while we may," and see to it that "whatever our hand findeth to do, we do it with all our might," remembering that soon to each one of us will that night come "when no man can work."

One of the oldest and truest friends of the slave—a man whose sympathies were ever with the oppressed and the poor, whose ear was never deaf, whose hand was never closed against any tale of distress, and who daily and hourly carried out the Christian precept of doing unto others as he would they should do unto him—a man who was much honored and deeply loved by his friends, and thoroughly respected by his opponents, who labored unceasingly for the good of his fellow creatures the world over—this good, kind, disinterested, much valued Christian philanthropist has been suddenly summoned away from us to meet his reward. While sorrowing kindred and attached friends deeply mourn his loss, the melancholy tidings of his unexpected departure will fall like a mantle of sadness not only on the nation at large, but on people in far distant lands, who have learned to associate the name of JOSEPH STURGE with all that is "true" and "honest," "just" and "pure," "lovely" and of "good report."

23d May.

On reading the account of the funeral of our friend, Mr. Sturge, I was forcibly reminded of the passage of Scripture in the Acts, (viz:) "and devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." The newspapers will have supplied you with all particulars given to the world of the closing moments of this excellent man. It has been to me peculiarly interesting to learn (from one of his near relatives) that he had expressed a preference for a sudden termination. He "walked

with God," while on earth, and though "absent from the body,"

"Far from this world of toil and strife, He's present with the Lord; The labors of his mortal life End in a large reward."

May we strive to live the life of "the righteous," and so shall "our last end be like his."

* * * * * * *

The May number of your Monthly has reached us. I am both shocked and grieved to find that Dr. Cheever's lecture in Rochester was not better attended. Where were the church members? where the ministers? Where are the results of the "Revival," so far as Rochester is concerned? All "sounding brass and tinkling cymbal"—mere hollow mockery! One would have thought that every Christian man and woman would have rallied at once to the side of that noble and indomitable man of God—a man who has stood forth, a second Elijah, (opposed by the four hundred priests of Baal,) and dared to hurl the thunderbolts of God's Word against the crying sin of the land, slavery—a sin which the American church has striven to hide, as "Achan," of old, his the "Babylonish garment," but which Dr. Cheever has dragged into the light of day, showing forth, by the beams of the sun of righteousness, all its native hideousness and deformity.—Alas! for poor Rochester! The absence of the ministers from that lecture of the noble and fearless Cheever shows that there is a grievous absence of sound practical Christianity among them. They are blind leaders of the blind, "paying tithe of mint, annis and cummin, and omitting the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith." Surely, without any breach of Christian charity, the whole denunciations of our Lord, contained in the 23d chapter of Matthew, may be consistently applied to the American church.

The "blessings of many ready to perish" are on Dr. Cheever, for the noble stand he is taking. He may be assured of the warm sympathy of Christian people on this side the Atlantic.—We are a practical people in dear, old England, and judge a good deal of "faith," by the works it brings forth.

The religious meetings held in London this month have passed off even more successfully than usual, I understand—notwithstanding that "wars," and "rumors of wars" are engrossing subjects of conversation at this time, and that the excitement attending a general election has scarcely subsided. Our journals give you full information of all political matters, and I prefer not to enlarge upon them in my scriptures, which are generally written hastily.

I hope to write again ere many weeks have passed away, and craving pardon for somewhat rambling effusion, believe me to remain, now and always,

Your friend sincerely,

JULIA G. CROFTS.