The North Star (Rochester)/1848/01/14/Lecturing Agents
For the North Star.
LECTURING AGENTS.
The toils and trials of those who go forth through the length and breadth of this misnamed land of freedom to do strong battle with the foul fiend, slavery, that, like the sorcerers of olden time, has thrown a spell over the people, are, I fear, known and duly appreciated by but few. It is no slight thing to lay aside the many pleasures of home, and assume a life almost like that of the nomadic Tartar; become a constant traveler from place to place, and face, by day and by night, the fierce blasts of the wintry tempests, or toil on, beneath the burning sun of mid-summer, toward some distant point, that must be reached by a fixed time. These are, however, only physical trials: a strong frame and a stout heart will bid them defiance, although they will, in time, do their work, even on the man of iron constitution.
But, do ever abolitionists think of the life of constant warfare which the anti-slavery lecturer leads? He must be armed, not with the cumbrous and glittering panolpy of the soldier in carnal warfare, but with weapons which it wearies the stoutest champion always to bear. The sword of truth must be ever ready, and, like the knight of old, when entering a conflict from which there could be no retreat, and in which powerful foes were long to be struggled with, its scabbard may well be thrown aside as useless. The shield of faith must he carried; the breast-plate of righteousness must be buckled on; and, though he may be shod, like an olden apostle, with the preparation of the gospel of peace, it is not until the foe has been smitten to the very heart, and lies prostrate at his feet, that he can dearly discern, in the glittering sandals, emblems of the fact, that sin must be vanquished ere true peace can be gained.
Perplexities and discouragements are on every side: the craft of the priest; the wiles of the politician; and the sophistry and art of the pretended patriot, must be met and refuted. And last, though not least, the coldness and sullen, or active opposition which often drives him, after a long and wearisome effort, from the closed doors of the church, or the impassable portals of the popular hall, to some inconvenient and unfrequented corner, in which to plead the gospel of freedom to a few who may be led, from idle curiosity, or love to the cause, to come together. Not that such a life has no compensation; for, if such were my purpose, I might tell of the communings with the noble ones of earth; the blessings of the poor and needy; and the strong faith that God and right must triumph. But the great object of writing these few words is, to call to the mind of every anti-slavery man and woman, in city, town, or country, the fact, that when the lecturer crosses their path, or comes beneath their roof, they can do much, very much, to make his way easy, and inspire him with cheerful courage, by giving him a cordial welcome, expressing their earnest and warm sympathy, and especially by showing their faith by works, and making every effort to open the doors of the most frequented public places, and extending notice which will insure a good audience. I write not thus because I deem abolitionists deficient in warmth or hospitality: far from it; for my own heart has often been cheered by the homelike welcome and active aid of lovers of out great cause; but simply to stir up "the pure mind by way of remembrance," so that they may do all in their power to strengthen the hearts of those whose place is ever in the front of battle. G. B. S.