H. Williams, Jr., to Frederick Douglass, February 13, 1855
For Frederick Douglass' Paper
"HANG OUT YOUR BANNERS UPON THE OUTWARD WALLS-THE CRY IS, STILL THEY COME."
------
Friend Douglass:—I feel joyful to find the cause of anti-slaveryism moving onward and upward, both in Church and State, politically and religiously. Now societies are being organized, wemight say monthy, on pure and decided principles, against slavery. An association was organized in the fall of 1854 in Ohio, called the "Western Regular Baptist Anti Slavery Association," on the following platform: "This association shall be composed of regular Baptist churches, who are seperated in their communion and fellowship from SLAVEHOLDERS, and from those who are in fellowship with them."—This looks like an advancement, and an encouraging progress. Would that such decided principles could be found in all the churches. May the time speedily come when every church and denomination in all Christendom. Will awaken to their duty, and is upon their garments, by their silence and support of the "sum of all villanies;" for if slavery was not fostered in the church, it would soon die and find its untimely grave. Not only are new organizations springing up, but newborn anti slavery ADVOCATES, men and women, colored and white, are coming foward upon the platform of liberty and equality; and theory is, still they come. In the midst of such, we have all reasons to believe that the oar of liberty is moving onward in spite of the efforts of her enemies, and truly a great change has taken place in her behalf. She is shielded with truth, and it will prevail; therefore, let us be encouraged and let our prayers go up to the God of freedom and the friend of the oppressed, to increase the good cause, and send forth more laborers, for we need more valiant-hearted warriors to farther speed the cause.
Yours, in behalf of down-trodden humanity,
H. WILLAMS, JR.
CINCINNATI, O., Feb 13, '55
