Abby’s heart was full of the thought of the slave market when, six months later, John Brown put his belief into action and attempted to bring about the forcible liberation of the slaves, acting as he thought and said “ by the authority of God Almighty.” Death by hanging was his reward. He left the jail at Charlestown and met his fate “ with a radiant countenance and the step of a conqueror.”
At the hour appointed for the execution, December 2d, 1859, thousands of Northern hearts were with him, and in Dr. Cheever’s church, New York, prayers were offered.
Abby writes to her sister-in-law, Eliza Woolsey Howland:
8 Brevoort Place, Dec. 5, 1859.
My dear Eliza: I went round to Dr. Cheever’s lecture room for half an hour. I found it crowded with men and women –as many of one as the other–hard-featured men, rugged faces, thoughtful faces, some few Chadband faces; plain, quiet women; none that looked like gay, idle, trifling people. I entered just as some one suggested five minutes of silent prayer, which I have no doubt every soul of us made the most of, and then Dr. Cheever, who had the chair, gave out that hymn, “Oh, glorious hour! Oh, blest abode! I shall be near and like my God,” etc. Mr. Brace made a fervent prayer for John Brown. Then a Methodist brother made a few remarks–said “it did him good to cry Amen. It proved you to be on the right side and that you were not afraid to make it known, and it didn’t need a polished education to help you do that much for truth.” Then they sang, “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” everybody singing with a will, and, indeed, throughout the meeting there was much feeling–some sobs and many hearty Amens.
The public feverish excitement constantly increased and carried our family along in its stream.