Sunday, April 23, 2023

A. C., an Ohio Clergyman, to John Brown, November 19, 1859

Cleveland, November 19.

Dear Sir: Though personally an entire stranger, yet as a friend to the righteous cause for which you have shown yourself willing to suffer all things the cause of Human Freedom — I write to request that should you have time to forward, as soon as may be, a written statement of the time and place of your birth, the name of your parents, your church relations, time of marriage and to whom, different places of residence, time of removal to and from Kansas, incidents of trial and triumph, personal and domestic, while there, and any thing you may think would be of interest for the object now about to be named. Then the object of my request is the following: It is my purpose, should it please God that you should be offered up, the Sabbath following the event, to improve from my pulpit the occasion of your execution; that is to say, to preach your funeral sermon. Joining with thousands in the daily earnest prayer that the abundant grace of God may support you, and fellow-sufferers, in this your time of great need, and through his rich mercy in Christ Jesus administer an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom, I subscribe myself

Your unknown but sympathizing friend and brother,
A. C.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 391-2

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