Anthony Benezet; From the Original Memoir (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1859 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. Benezet's efforts against the Slave Trade and Slavery--Establishes a school for coloured people in Philadelphia---Enlarged by donations--Diligent attention to this object--Success attending it--His views respecting Negro capacity --Results of subsequent experience in the West Indies, &c.--General remarks on this subject. With his enlightened and unbounded philanthropy, it was to be expected that the degraded and suffering condition of the negroes would occupy a large share of Benezet's notice and sympathy. About the year 1750, it was observed that his feelings were deeply affected with the iniquity of the slave trade, the unlawfulness of carrying negroes into captivity, and the cruelties exercised by those who purchased and employed them. The impulses of duty then, for the first time, brought him from the retirement of private life before the world, to lift up his voice in behalf of an oppressed and wretched portion of his fellow-beings. Perhaps no man in any age, or in any country, could have been better adapted to the great office of an advocate for the violated rights of a people, than was Anthony Benezet, by his peculiar capacity for being profoundly sensible of their wrongs. And when the astonishing effects of his labours in this work of mercy are reviewed, no doubt can be entertained, that his commission to "plead the cause of the oppressed," proceeded from on High. Among the earliest proofs of his compassion towards the African race, were the exertions he employed for the promotion of their welfare. In Philadelphia, the number of these objects of his regard was considerable, and he adopted the most rational course that could have been devised for their benefit, the establishment of an evening school, which he taught gratuitously himself....