vii

We might extend the comparison. Is moral courage superior to physical? Are spiritual weapons better than carnal? Are the victories of truth more glorious than those of brute force? Is it nobler to espouse the cause of the poor and needy, the manacled and the dumb, whose bodies and souls are bartered for gold, than to aid those who labor only under slight disabilities? Is it more godlike to urge the patient endurance of wrong, and forgiveness of enemies, than to stir up the oppressed to deeds of vengeance? Is it more honorable to bear the cross of Christ, amid the jeers and asaults of an evil world, than to incur the hazard and toil of war? Is pure disinterestedness more clearly manifested in advocating the rights of those who can make no returns of gratitude, than in associating with those who are able to offer every demonstration of attachment? In all these aspects, was the merciful enterprise of George Thompson incomparably superior to the warlike co-operation of Lafayette. So will all time and all eternity-so do God and his word decide.

From the days of Martin Luther to the present time, we may look in vain for a loftier specimen of enlightened zeal for God, and tender sympathy for bleeding humanity-for higher evidence of christian devotion, undaunted heroism, stern integrity, and self-denying conduct-than was presented in the case of our English brother. Like Paul, he was in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, [men-stealers, the most guilty and ferocious of all robbers,] in perils by the heathen, [christian advocates and apologists of slavery, the most blame worthy of all the heathen,] in perils in the city, in perils among false brethren, [those who profess to be followers of Christ, and yet excited the mob against him for his labors of love,] in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often.' Like Paul, too, he could sincerely say, 'I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.':

The mission of George Thompson to this country has furnished a splendid precedent to a righteous foreign interference' with national sins, and formed a glorious era in the history of the Anti-Slavery cause. As a philanthropist and Christian, he could not come to us unauthorised, or with unpardonable intrusion,-though a foreigner, according to the caste of this world: but, in addition to the all-sufficient license, nay the imperative command, which God gives to all who are followers of his dear Son, to assail cruelty and oppression, and all existing abominations, at all times and in all places, at home and abroad, in this and in every other country, -Mr. Thompson visited America expressly at the invitation and as the Agent of the New-England Anti-Slavery Society, and under the countenance of the British and Foreign Society for the Abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade throughout the world. The Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, in the course of a glowing panegyric upon Mr. Thompson, bestowed at a public

viii

meeting in Glasgow, August, 1836, said- The most decided and flattering proof that can be given of satisfaction with an agent whom we have employed in one work, is to set him to another. We did so. He had done his duty so nobly in the home department of the great cause he had at heart, that, when we had achieved our object in the disenthralment of the slaves in our own dependencies, and we looked abroad upon the world for other fields of philanthropic effort, we naturally and unanimously turned our eyes to him, believing that he who had done so well at home, would do equally well abroad... When we looked to America, and resolved on a mission of benevolence to that land, all eyes simultaneously looked to George Thompson, as the man of all others most eminently fitted for the charge of the important and difficult task. We sent him to America. He went with the best wishes of the benevolent, and the fervent prayers of the pious. He remained in the faithful, laborious and perilous execution of the commission entrusted to him, as long as it could be done without the actual sacrifice of life-till it would have been the hardihood of insanity to have persisted longer. He returned. We hailed his arrival. We privately and publicly testified our approbation of the course he had pursued. He has risen in my estimation, both as to personal character, and as to official ability and trustworthiness; and never stood higher in my regard, than he does at the present moment.'

The following are additional testimonials to the eminent services and exalted character of Mr. Thompson. At a public meeting in Glasgow, January 25th, 1836, on motion of Rev. William Anderson, it was

Resolved, That this meeting, with unmingled delight, welcomes the return of Mr. THOMPSON from America-seizes this early opportunity to express its high admiration of the blameless propriety, distinguished talent, and noble self-devotion, with which he has prosecuted the great object of his mission to the United States, in the face of national prejudice, interested denunciations, and lawless violence--and feels devoutly grateful to that God who, amidst all such opposition, has crowned his labors with signal success, and through many perils, brought him again safely to these shores."

At the Second Annual Meeting of the Glasgow Emancipation Society, held on the evening of 1st March,-Rev. Dr. WARDLAW in the chair, -it was unanimously

Resolved, That this Society, in compliance with the invitation of many philanthropists in America, and in connection with other Societies in this country, having deputed Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON as their Agent to the United States, to co-operate with the friends of the abolition of Slavery there, in their efforts to awaken their countrymen to a sense of their duty towards more than two millions of their brethren held by them in cruel bondage, express their cordial approval, and high admiration of the power, intrepidity, and devotion, with which, in the face of formidable opposition, unsparing abuse, and great personal hazards, Mr. THOMPSON was enabled, by the grace of God, to pursue, and in a good measure to accomplish the great object of his very arduous mission."

ix

At a public meeting in Edinburgh:

Resolved, After what has been now and formerly stated by Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON, we are fully persuaded that he has in spirit, procedure, and success, exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the Emancipation Society-that by his firmness and prudence, zeal and perseverance in advocating the cause of the bondmen in the United States, he has amply redeemed every pledge given by him to the friends of human freedom, by whom he was deputed-that, amidst obloquy, peril, and physical violence, he continued to persevere, until, by the verdict of transatlantic friends, the best judges in this matter, his remaining longer would, without promoting the cause, have compromised his own safety. We acknowledge the good hand of Providence that has been around him, bid him cordial welcome (to his native shore, renew our expressions of confidence in him as a talented advocate of the liberties of man, and trust that a suitable field may soon be opened for the renewal of his exertions.'

On Thursday, the 18th August, a meeting was held in Exeter Hall, London,-RICHARD PECK, Esq. late High Sheriff of the city of London and the county of Middlesex, in the chair,—at which, after an eloquent address from Mr. THOMPSON, the following resolution was carried by acclamation, the meeting standing up:

Resolved, That this meeting hail with delight, the safe return of their distinguished countryman to his native land, and respectfully offer him their warm and grateful acknowledgments for his philanthropic and self-denying labors in the United States of America, in behalf of their suffering and oppressed fellow-men.'

The following comments upon the return of Mr. Thompson to England were published in the Liberator immediately after his departure :—

He has gone! The paragon of modern eloquence—the benefactor of two nations-the universal philanthropist-the servant of God, and the friend of all mankind-is no longer in our midst! Abandoning the field of his well-deserved and ever increasing popularity-bidding adieu to his native shores, and to a vast multitude of as dear and estimable friends as one man ever possessed—he committed himself, with his family, to the perils of the deep, and fearlessly ventured, in the cause of the bound and bleeding slave, to encounter the still greater perils which he was conscious awaited him upon these shores. It was no ordinary sacrifice of ease, preferment, safety, interest and popularity, that he made, when he resolved to plead the heaven-originated cause of universal emancipation in a land of republican despots and christian kidnappers. He exchanged his ease for rigorous hardship; he coveted abasement more than preferment; for safety he substituted peril; he sacrificed his interest for the pleasure of doing good; and he consented to leave his popularity among good men at home, that he might be honored with the abuse and proscription of wicked men abroad. His departure from England was viewed with regret and admiration by a nobleand philanthropic people. They would have gladly retained him in

X

their midst, had they not been convinced that Providence had a great work for him to perform in this hemisphere: they did not love themselves less, but they loved the perishing slaves more. Wherever he went to bid them farewell, they rushed in crowds to hang upon the melting accents of his lips, and to pay him the respect of grateful hearts. Testimonials of their love were profusely showered upon him from John o' Groat to the Land's End. Never, perhaps, did man break through stronger ties to make himself an exile, and a by-word and gazing-stock among the plunderers and oppressors of the human race. A physical Lafayette had come to these shores on a bloody errand of patriotism—and the applause of a belligerous world resounded like the voice of many waters, till the ethereal concave became tremulous with emotion. A moral Lafayette came hither on a mission of peaceful liberty and holy love, and the hosts of heaven rejoiced and gave glory to God. Both excited the fear and hatred of tyrants: the former was dreaded for his rank and influence-the latter for his christian courage and spiritual might. The former came equipped with carnal weapons, to sunder the chains of political oppression by the arm of violence the latter came with the whole armor of God, having his loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness, and his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and taking the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, to effect a two-fold emancipation, both of the body and the soul. The former slaughtered opposing forces, to vindicate the rights of man: the latter toiled unceasingly to maintain the honor of God in the peaceful deliverance of the captive, through conviction of sin and the spirit of repentance. The former aimed to establish a better human government than the world had ever witnessed the latter sought to enforce upon all men the perfect government of God.

:

He has gone! And with him will go the prayers and blessings, the gratitude and love, the respect and admiration, of all those who cherish an innate and holy hatred of oppression, and who hold no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Around the hearts of thousands in this coun

try, his memory is entwined with the ties of a deathless affection for they have known him, and can testify of his extraordinary worth. What a rich freight of gratitude would accompany him, more to be desired than the treasures of royal argosies, from millions who yet pine in slavery, if they could understand how much he has suffered and hazarded to unlose their fetters! But their emancipated descendants will not forget the debt!

He has gone! But not in vain did he come hither. By his presence, and the power of his victorious eloquence, and the resistless energy of his movements, he has shaken the land from side to side. In one year he has accomplished the labor of many. At the mention of his name, republican tyrants stand aghast, and their knees smite violently against each other.