OLD ANTI-SLAVERY DAYS.

THE MEETING IN TOWN HALL, DANVERS.

[REPORTED FOR THE DANVERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY EDWARD NOBLE, AND OTHERS.]

BY MR.

One of the most remarkable meetings, commemorative of old anti-slavery days, ever held in this state or country, took place in the Town Hall in Danvers on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 26, 1893, under the auspices of the Danvers Historical Society. The gathering was a notable one from many points of view. It brought together veteran abolitionists of both sexes, who, on account of their extreme age, could never expect to come together again for a like purpose; it gave an opportunity, not only for a number of bright speeches from men and women who were engaged in the great movement aiming at the freeing of the the slave, but also for the exchange of personal recollections by actors in the stormy scenes that led up to emancipation; it focussed the interest and sympathies of abolitionist workers who, though unavoidably absent, could send letters of good cheer and congratulation to those who were present; and it did the excellent service for the young people, of whom many were seen in the audience, of refreshing their knowledge of a vital episode of the nation's history, and of inspiring them with a new enthusiasm for a great movement in the interest of human rights and universal brotherhood. The proceedings, which lasted from 1 to 6.30 P. M., were also made memorable by the sweet singing of the Hutchinson family, the members of which, led by Mr. John W. Hutchinson, sang a number of emancipation melodies and songs. of liberty.

The people began to gather in the morning, and were brought into Danvers by various horse car, electric and steam railroad lines. Besides visitors from Danvers proper, friends came from Salem, Lynn, Boston, Amesbury, Newburyport, and other parts of Massachusetts or New England. On reaching Danvers they were entertained at lunch, served at noon in the rooms of the Danvers Historical Society, in the National Bank building. At 1 o'clock P. M., the commemorative meeting was opened in the Town Hall, the stage of which had been appropriately decorated for the occasion. Along the front of the platform were arranged a rich profusion of flowers and potted plants, and fine portraits of John G. Whittier, William Lloyd Garrison, Charles Sumner, and Rev. Samuel J. May, of Syracuse, N. Y., while the wall at the rear was handsomely adorned with the stars and stripes and other patriotic emblems or devices.

Rev. Alfred P. Putnam, D. D., President of the Danvers Historical Society, occupied the chair, surrounded by prominent abolitionists who were to take active part in the proceedings of the afternoon and by other well-known friends of the anti-slavery movement. The main audience included a large number of men and women from far and near who had long been devoted to the great work of emancipation, and many distinguished citizens besides, of Essex County and neighboring districts.

The opening exercises were somewhat delayed from various causes, chiefly to allow a photographic view to be taken of the group upon the platform by Mr. William T. Clark, of the Soule Photograph Company.

At about two o'clock President Putnam rose and said: Gathering under such circumstances, friends, it is meet that we should give thanks to God for the great victory of Freedom which we have come together to commemorate, and should invoke his blessing upon this scene. I call upon Rev. William H. Fish, of Dedham, a well known veteran in the cause, to offer prayer.

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PRAYER BY REV. WILLIAM H. FISH.

Oh Thou, who art the unseen and infinite One, we rejoice that Thou art yet always present with us to bless us and guide us in our prosperities and our adversities, in life and death, as we need. Now we come to Thee, thanking Thee, Holy Father, for

this bright and beautiful day. We thank Thee for the multitude that have assembled here at the call of this Society, drawn together as we trust by a moral and spiritual attraction. We thank Thee especially for the great and glorious cause, here represented and commemorated. We thank Thee for the great awakening power that it was in its day, for the work that it did, in thine own spirit, and for the many good things that have grown out of it for the welfare of man and woman. Father, we thank Thee for the noble leaders, baptized into the spirit of Christ, who inaugurated this movement and led it on so earnestly and so prosperously. We build monuments to them more durable than marble or brass in our heart of hearts, and so may it be with all this nation. Though so many of them have gone from us, and vanished out of our sight, we are sure they are not dead. We cannot make them dead by any thought of ours. They believed that they should live on forevermore, and we hold them not only in our grateful memory and our deep and reverent affection. but as living and ministering spirits with us here today. We bless Thee for the reformers of that earlier time who are still in the flesh and are with us now, and who were so faithful in all their walks and ways. And we bless Thee for their children, and their children's children, so many of whom have had the spirit of their fathers and their mothers in their hearts. And we bless Thee, too, for those who consecrated to the service of the slave their gift of song and thus did so much to inspire the people with the love of liberty. And now we commend ourselves to Thee, praying that we who are nearing the eternal world, soon to pass away, may devote ourselves unto the end to whatever is promotive of the welfare of others. May we believe in Thee, because we find Thee in our deeper soul; and being united with Thee as children to a father, aud having a calm and sweet confidence in Thee when we come to the close of this mortal life, may each one of us be able to say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. he leadeth me beside the still waters. and though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." And then may we be admitted to a glad and endless reunion with all the dear ones who shall have gone before us, to receive the positions and fulfill the duties which thou wilt assign to us, and so partake of a happiness which eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor heart of man conceived of. And unto Thee the all good and perfect One, in the spirit of Thy son Jesus Christ, we will offer thanksgiving and praise through all our days and in worlds unknown. Amen."

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PRESIDENT PUTNAM :-We will now hear a song from the