LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30239

Society of Friends on Slavery and Abolition

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:350.00 USD Estimated At:700.00 - 900.00 USD
Society of Friends on Slavery and Abolition
<B>(Slavery and Abolition) Broadside, </B></I>"<I>Minute on Slavery"</B></I> issued by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers). An unusually direct and powerful statement on slavery, reading, in part: "<I>...This meeting has been renewedly introduced into feelings of tender sympathy with our brethren, the descendants of the African race, in the numbers and complicated wrongs which are inflicted upon them, in many parts of our favoured, but guilty land. And whilst we wish affectionately to caution our members against the excitement of an unsanctified and intemperate zeal, or joining in associations founded, or conducted upon principles which may hazard the faithful maintenance of our religious testimonies, we earnestly entreat them to cherish and dwell under those feelings of Christian love and compassion, towards this afflicted class of our fellow-men...</B></I>" The meeting was mindful to also remind their brethren that they should guard against racial prejudice as well: "<I>We also desire that the attention of Friends may be particularly directed toward those people of colour who reside among us, and are nominally free. This class of our fellow-men are the objects of a cruel prejudice, which there is reason to fear is rather increasing among us, and they are subjected to numerous disabilities which are very unfavorable to their moral and religious improvement...</B></I>" The Society of Friends, despite admonishments to fellow Friends not to join organizations which promoted radical action, proved to be a significant component in the abolitionist movement by setting a strong and principled example which other groups emulated. This is an important and rather scarce broadside. We are aware of only three institutional examples in the collections of: Haverford College (Moses Brown Papers); Sidwell Friends School Library; and the New York Public Library. Usual folds, else very good condition. <I>Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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