here were Frederick Douglass--confessedly the
historic Negro of America,--Charles L. Remond, Charles L. Reason,
William Wells Brown, Henry Highland Garnett, Martin R. Delany, James
W. C. Pennington, Robert Purvis, Phillip A. Bell, Charles B. Ray,
George T. Downing, George B. Vashon, William C. Nell, Samuel A. Neale,
William Whipper, Ebenezer D. Bassett, William Howard Day, William
Still, Jermain W. Loguen, Leonard A. Grimes, John Sella Martin, and
many others. Duke William Anderson belonged to the same school of
orators.

The church at Detroit had been under the pastoral charge of the Rev.
William Troy, who had accepted the pulpit of the Baptist church in
Windsor, Canada West, and started to England to solicit funds to
complete a beautiful edifice already in process of erection. At this
time John Sella Martin had obtained considerable notoriety as an
orator. He had canvassed the Western States in the interest of the
anti-slavery cause, and was now residing in Detroit. He was baptized
and ordained by Brethren Anderson and Troy, and took charge of the
church at Buffalo.

Detroit lies in a salubrious atmosphere, upon Detroit River, not far
from Lake Erie; and at this time was not lacking in a high social and
moral atmosphere. The field was the most congenial he had yet labored
in. He found an excellent church-membership, an intelligent and
progressive people. He was heartily welcomed and highly appreciated.
He entered into the work with zeal, and imparted an enthusiasm to the
people. He developed new elements of strength in the church. He
attracted a large, cultivated audience, and held them to the last day
he remained in the city. His audience was not exclusively Colored:
some of the best white families were regular attendants upon his
preaching; and they contributed liberally to his support. Detroit had
never seen the peer of Duke William Anderson in the pulpit. He did not
simply attract large congregations on the Sabbath, but had a warm
place in the affections of all classes, and a personal moral
influence, which added much to the spirituality of the church. In
every church, thus far, he had been blessed with a revival of
religion, and souls had been added as "seals to his ministry." Detroit
was no exception to the rule. Under his leadership, through his
preaching and pastoral visitations the church was aroused, and the
result a revival. Many were added to the church.

It was now the spring of 1858. John Brown, the