g, and as usual every seat and
all the available standing room was filled. After the sermon Mr. Beecher
said that he had a matter which he wished to present to the
congregation. No one had the least idea as to what he was going to do,
and the people waited in profound silence. He then said, "Sarah, come up
here." As the audience looked, a little mulatto girl arose in the body
of the church, ran up the pulpit steps and took Mr. Beecher's hand.
Turning to the assembled multitude he said: "This little girl is a
slave, and I have promised her owner $1200, his price for her, or she
will be returned to slavery. Pass the basket."

The ushers found their way through the vast audience. Although the
church seated only a little more than two thousand, there must have
been nearly three thousand present, and soon the collection was made. It
appeared that the sum total was not far from fifteen hundred dollars.
Many gave jewelry, diamonds, watches and chains. Her freedom was
announced amid thunders of applause. This was not the only instance of a
similar nature. Mr. Beecher was frequently condemned for even in form
acknowledging the right of a slave owner to any remuneration for a
slave, but if he thought a thing right to do, he did it without the
least regard to what other people might say.

There was probably no one question at the time about which there were
more intensely opposing opinions, than this one of the return of
slaves. Congress had passed the fugitive slave law, and all lawyers and
students of the Constitution affirmed not merely its legality, but its
justice, at least its technical justice. To a large number, however, the
fact that it was legal made no difference so long as they were convinced
that it was morally wrong. Among these was Mr. Beecher, and he had the
cordial support of the people. One result was the formation all through
the North of a system, known as the Underground Railroad, by which
slaves escaping from the South were helped on their way until they could
reach Canada, when they were free. It was no secret that some of the men
in Plymouth Church knew a good deal about this railroad, and were deeply
interested in helping men, women and girls to escape from bondage.

The first national event in which the church took a definite part, so
far as I remember, was the question as to whether Kansas should be a
free or a slave state. Settlers were rushing in from all parts of the
country, and the North was favou