, he led us as by
a spider web!" Richard Anderson saw Duke William Anderson and loved
him. He saw in the young man high traits of character, and in his rare
gifts auguries of a splendid career. He saw the danger he lived in,
the hopeless condition of public sentiment, and advised him to accept
the pastoral charge of the Baptist church in Buffalo, N. Y., where
also he could educate his children.

Buffalo was an anti-slavery stronghold. The late Gerrit Smith was
chief of the party in that section of New York. By his vast wealth,
his high personal character, his deeply-rooted convictions, his
wide-spread and consistent opposition to slavery, he was the most
conspicuous character in the State, and made many converts to the
anti-slavery cause. Buffalo was the centre of anti-slavery operations.
Many conventions and conferences were held there. It was only
twenty-four miles to the Canadian boundaries, hence it was the last
and most convenient station of the U. G. R. R.

It was now about 1854-1855. The anti-slavery sentiment was a
recognized and felt power in the politics of the Nation. Anderson
appeared in Buffalo just in time to participate in the debates that
were rendering that city important. He took the pastoral charge of the
Baptist church and high standing as a leader. He remained here quite
two years or more, during which time he used the pulpit and the press
as the vehicles of his invectives against slavery. He did not have to
go to men, they went to him. He was a great moral magnet, and
attracted the best men of the city. The white clergy recognized in him
the qualities of a preacher and leader worthy of their admiration and
recognition. The Rev. Charles Dennison and other white brethren
invited him to their pulpits, where he displayed preaching ability
worthy of the intelligent audiences that listened to his eloquent
discourses.

His stay in Buffalo was salutary. By his industry and usefulness he
became widely known and highly respected. And when he accepted a call
from the Groghan Street Baptist Church, of Detroit, Michigan, his
Buffalo friends were conscious that in his departure from them they
sustained a very great loss.

It was now the latter part of 1857. The anti-slavery conflict was at
its zenith. This controversy, as do all moral controversies, had
brought forth many able men; had furnished abundant material for
satire and rhetoric. This era presented a large and brilliant galaxy
of Colored orators. T