LETTER FROM J. W. LEWIS.

SOUTH HARDWICK, Vt., Feb. 2, 1855.

MY DEAR DOUGLASS:—I left St. Albans on the 25th ult., to make a tour into old Caledonia County. I don't know of but two families of colored people living in the Co.; and so far as I can learn, they are intelligent and respectable people, giving a very favorable impression on the mind of the community; and still the want of familiar acquaintance with the colored people gives the whites a mean idea about them. It is the hardest thing in the world to make them believe there is not a natural inferiority [on] the part of the colored man. The force of Education is strong, and the power of habit backing it up is stronger still; still, in no section of the country is light breaking in more gloriously, than in north-eastern Vermont.

On the 26th, 27th and 28th ult., the Whelock Conference of the Free Will Baptist Churches met in the town of Whelock.—There was an immense gathering of people from all parts of the Counties of Caledonia and Orleans which met in this holy Convocation; and it is gratifying to know that in this body of ministers and delegates, no pro-slavery proscription could be brought to bear on a man on account of his color. Over this body Rev. Jonathan Woodman, one of the oldest liberty voters in the State, presided. And with such men as Rev. R. D. Richardson, Alpheus D. Smith, Jasper Flanders, and others of a kindred spirit, Christianity would be practical in its ecclesiastical operation. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the good people needed light. Pre-conceived notions of the white man's superiority, and the black man's inferiority, were uppermost in the mind when the claims of universal brotherhood came up for their consideration.

On Saturday evening, by invitation, I gave a discourse of two hours on the progress of Christian Reform in its aim to redeem the human race from the power of intemperance and slavery, and other kindred wicked institutions. On Sabbath afternoon, to an immense audience, I preached a sermon on the Atonement of Christ for lost man. My aim was to urge upon the mind and conscience of the people, God's holy, impartial and universal benevolence to mankind, without regard to nation; that that Christianity is false and degrading that lacks of humanity to alleviate the suffering of all human beings, irrespective of color or nationality. Before the close of that meeting, I do not believe there was a heart in the crowd that did not beat in sympathy for the poor slave. The spirit of prejudice gave way to a feeling of brotherly friendship.

After the meeting, I rode seven miles to North Danville, the shire town of the County, and spoke to an interesting congregation. This is the spot where the first anti-slavery County Convention was held in 1840. The principle of anti-slavery has rooted deep in many hearts there. On Monday evening, Jan. 29th, I found myself at Sutton, twenty miles from Danville. Here I spoke to a large audience, though it was stormy. Tuesday, the 30th, I rode to Lyndon and spoke in the evening; the congregation was large, notwithstanding the Know Nothings held a large meeting in the hall on the opposite side of the street. Many in our meeting seemed to feel that there is more to be feared from Catholicism, so long as slavery is allowed to weaken the moral energy of the Protestant church. The people in all this region are getting hold of the right idea on this subject.

On Wednesday, the 31st, I went to Whelock Hollow, and spoke to a good congregation in the evening. A visit to that part of the country was deeply more interesting to me, from the fact that the people manifested a great degree of eagerness to hear on the subject of slavery in every meeting, and would manifest dissatisfaction if one meeting passed off without something being said on the subject. On Wednesday evening I felt much exhausted, in body, by speaking so much from week to week; and as so much had been said on Freedom during the sitting of the Conference in the place, I concluded to give a short religious discourse, so as to favor myself a little. The minister of the place said to me that the congregation would be dissatisfied unless they had an out-and-out anti-slavery discourse. He then informed the people that I intended to preach on a religious subject, but would comply with their wishes. Judge Cree moved that the discourse be anti-slavery. This rather surprised me, as the Hon. Judge is an old line Democrat. But, as exhausted as I was, pity to the slave as my brother, and love to the great enterprise of reform, did not leave me at liberty to consult personal convenience; and on the unanimous vote of the audience on Judge Cree's motion, I spoke two hours on the condition of the country, and the progress of the anti-slavery cause.

Feb. 1st, I left that part of the country, and through the deep snow, facing a stern cold north-wester, I crossed over a high range of the Green Mountains, and came down into the beautiful valley of the Lamaille River, in the town of Greensboro.—I felt truly happy amidst fatigue, from the fact that our labor is not in vain in the Lord; that in due time we shall "reap if we faint not." It was pleasant to reflect that among the mountain homes there are spirits congenial with our own, laboring to promote the interest of the same great brotherhood, and that these mountain homes would be a welcome depot to the weary passenger on the Underground Rail Road.—A stranger, visiting any of these homes, can feel a sort of I-am-perfectly-at-home spirit; and a welcome to him is always cordial. He need not feel cramped by any of the refined etiquette of refined society. This spirit would encircle the heart of a fugitive, as well as the most gifted citizen of the State—for there are but few fathers or sons but would feel proud to be a conductor on the Underground Rail Road. My prayer still is, God bless you in the work!

Yours, as ever,

JOHN W. LEWIS.