erstitious reverence. The object of the
change was that he might move to Quincy, Ill., where he might give his
children a thorough education. He secured a scholarship in Knox
College for his eldest son, Luther Morgan Anderson, and permission for
him to attend. He put his son George W., and daughter, Elizabeth
Anderson, to study in the Missionary Institute near Quincy. He now
gave his time to farming, preaching, missionary service, and
underground railroad work. His son, George W., says, concerning
Missionary Institute: "At Missionary Institute the atmosphere was more
mild, but such was the continued pressure by the slave-holding border
of Mo., offering large rewards for the heads of the Institution, as
well for those who were known to be connected with the underground
railroad, that the Institution after having done much good went
down."

The years of his residence at Quincy were full of public excitement,
peril, and strife. He was a spirited, progressive, and representative
man. This was the time of the Illinois Prohibition Law, making it a
criminal offence to aid or encourage a runaway slave. The slavery
question was being sharply discussed in all quarters, and began to
color and modify the politics of the day. Anderson was a sharp, ready,
and formidable debater, and was the most prominent Colored man in that
section of the country. He was gifted in the use of good English, had
an easy flow of language, was master of the most galling satire, quick
in repartee, prompt to see a weak point and use it to the best
advantage. He was a pungent and racy writer, and for a number of years
contributed many able articles to the "Quincy Whig." He never spared
slavery. In the pulpit, in the public prints, and in private, he
fought manfully against the nefarious traffic in human flesh.

Dangerous as was the position he took he felt himself on the side of
truth, humanity, and God, and consequently felt that no harm could
reach him. At this time, to the duties of farmer, pastor, and
contributor he added the severe and perilous duty of a missionary. He
canvassed the State, preaching and lecturing against slavery. Often he
was confronted by a mob who defied him, bantered him, but he always
spoke. He was in every sense the child of nature, endowed with
herculean strength, very tall, with a face beaming with benevolence
and intelligence. He appeared at his best when opposed, and was
enabled by his commanding presence, his phenomenal voi