The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
For the National Era.
THE FREEMANS DREAM: A PARABLE.
BY HARRIET EEEcHER STOWE.

- BY HARRIET EEEcHER sIowE.---
1t seemed to him that it was fair summer even.
ing, and he was walking calmly up and down hi'
estate, watching the ripening grain and listening
to the distant voices of his children as they played
by his door, and the song of his wife as she rock
ed her babe to rest, and the soul Of the man grew
soft within him, and he gave God thanks with q
full heart.
But now there came towards him in the twi-
light a poor black man, worn and wasted, his
clothes rent and ravel-soied, and his step crouch
ing and fearful. He was one that had dwelt in
darkness, and as one that had been long dead ;
and behind him stood, fearfully, thin and trem-
bling woman. with a wailing babe at her bosom.
and frightened child clinging to her skirts; and
the man held out his hand wistfully, and begged
for food and shelter If only for night, for the
pursuer was behind him. and his soul failed him
for fear.
The man was not hard, and his heart misgave
him when he looked on the failing eye and toll
worn face-when he saw the worn and trembling
hands stretched forth but then be bethought
him of human laws, and he feared to befriend
him, and be hardened his heart, and set bis face
as a flint, and babe him pass on and trouble him
not
And it was SO that after he passed on, he saw
that the pursuers came up with him, and the
man and the woman could not escape, because
they were weary and footsore, and there was no
more strength in them. And the man heard their
screams. and saw them bound and taken by them
that would not show mercy.
And after these things the man dreamed, and
il seemed to him that the sky grew dark, and the
earth rocked to and fro, and the heavens flashed
with strange light and distant rush, as OF wings,
was heard, and suddenly, in mid heavens, appear
| ed the sign Of the Son of Man, with his mighty
angels Upward, with countless myriads, dizried
] and astounded, he seemed to be borne from the
! earth towards the great white throne and Him
| that sat thereon, before whose face the heavens
and the earth fed away.
Onward. resstless impulse impelled him TO-
wards the bar Of the mighty Judge, and before
| him, as il written In fire, rose in q moment al
the thoughts and words and deeds Of his past life
| and As il he had been the only son of earth Il
be Judged, he felt himself standing alone and
trembling before that all searching Presence
| Then an awful voice pierced his soul saying
"Depart from me ye accursed for was an hun
gered, and ye gave me no meat; was thirsty
| and We gave me no drink was stranger, and
| We took me not in.n And, terrified and subdued
Il
mediately rose before him these poor fugitive
slaves, whom he had spurned from his door and
| the Judge made answer" lnasmuch rs ye did
| IL not TO one of the least of these my brethren
We did IL not to mel And with that, terrified and
afrighted, the man awoke
OF late. there have seemed TO be many In THU
nation who seem TO think that there s no standard
Of right and wrong higher than an act Of Con
gress, or an Interpretation of the United States
| Constitution. Il is humliating TO think tina
there should be in the church Of Christ men and
ministers who should need to be reminded tina
the laws of their Master are above human law
which come in conflict with them; and tina
though heaven and earth pass away, His wore
shall not pass away.
Are not the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger
the naked. the prisoner, and every form OF bleed
ing. suffering humanity, as much under the pro
lection Of Christ In the person Of the black a
the white-of the bond rs the free2 Has he no
sciemnly told us, and once for all, thst ever
needy human being 10 His brother, and that neg
lect Of his wants Is neglect Of Himselfl
Shall any doubt IL he moy help the toil-worn, es
Gaping fugitive, sick In heart, weary in limb, hun
cry and keartsors--lst him rather ask, shall b
dare refuse him helpl To him, too, shall come
dread hour, when . lonely fugitive from life
shore, In unknown lands, he must beg for shelte
and help. The only Saviour In that hour 10 Hin
who has said, "Inasmuch AZ - did II not TO tn
least Of these my brethren, ys did IL not TO nee |!
GRowTn oS WKsTERN CITIES. - Chicago In
qusdrupled her population dncs 1910, having .
this time population Of $4,000 The increase o
| Milwaukee has boon even more rapid, havinI
crown from 900 In 1870 TO 26 OOO