Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-10-13
Freedmen'S Aid Commission

On Wednesday evening an immense meeting of tho
public spirited citizens of Philadelphia was held in
the Academy of Music in that city for the purpose
of inauguratlng Freedmen's Aid Commission"
Speeches were made by Bishops Simpson and Nell
vaine. Henry Ward Beecher, and w. Lloyd Garrison
We give the substance of the address of Bishop Nell
vaine.
Friends and Brothers, those who surround me in
the cause of this insttutiOnl beg leave to welcome
to this great audience and present the occasion of the
great and unspeakable undertaking which has brought
all together. 1t is not my object is it expected of
me- that make you anything like speech. Having
another meeting to attend after this. only permitting
me to stay away 50 long as cannot avoid being alb
sent my whole object in now addressing youis simply
to make most earnest, ardent, afectionate express
sion OF my interest in this great work.
God has wonderfully blessed our land. Clouds and
darkness have been round about it; Judgment and
mercy are the habitations of Gods eternity. That
Judgment and mercy have descended upon US. min
gled up together; but mercy transcribed. But |
know not anything in which God has displayed his
goodness and mercy in-this land more than in the
midst of the red sea Of blood and suffering out of
which we have been brought. Now that have
escaped from all evils know what in mercy that
God has given to us next TO the establishing of the
the Government over the States that have been dis
owning i'll say next to it, Gods great mercy is in
having broken up the bonds Of the oppressor (Ap-
plause.)
am utterly amazed at looking at the hand of God
IN mall al tlns. ! look away back and remember the
provisions 9f the Constitution in regard to slavery
Not that | have intended to speak or insnuate the
slightest thought derogatory to that instrument |
consider one Of the wonders of the age in which it
was fashioned. But, nevertheless, remembering
what provisions had to be surmounted before ever
finger could touch slavery, remembering how it was
intact. and we could not get around it, for it stood
before Us impossible to be moved out of the way.
have never vet seen any way by which we could
have, escaped that difficulty, and thrown off that
awful burden and that dreadful curse, except in the
way, the wonderful way, that God opened and pro
ylded The way, the very way, which was taken to
do the opposite to rvet the chains, and fasten more
perfectly the bars of bondage. The war which was
intended for all this, was the key and the hammer
which smGte off the chain. And God allowed this
attempt to throw off our laws, to give our Govern
know what It was In this wonderful di!pensoon pe Of
Gods providence, by leading the attempted destrue
lion Of law to throw aside every chain, to make
every house OF bondage empty, every captive free,
are led now to acknowl ledse the goodness of God
Now that we see what has been brought about by
Gods mercy, what is the best tribute that can come
from the whole country unto God, the Father of all
mcrcies? It must be something; not merely voice,
not mercly a breath. not merely sound gaining
i9ldncss by means OF numbers. 1t must be some
thing tangible material active, g0g throughout the
country and taking hold of the real necessities Of the
freedmen. 1t must be something that, besides reiiey
ing the present work. shall raise the minds and hearts,
and elevate them up to right conception Of the d
hcues and the right meeting OF the responsibilities
for whichithey- are intended.
Therefore, comprehend the cause of this society
aS rightly undertaken. universally supported wisely
administered. IN Christian way for Christian ends
not merely for intellectual elevation but for spiritual
cerotiou not merely to making GOOD subjects, but
good soldiers anu servants of Jesus Christi not mere
ly to prepare this people to enjoy the blessings of
freedom. 10 which they have been brought but espc
cialiy taking them by the hand and eleya'ing them
to the law of the Lord Jesus Christ SO that is the
lot appropriated TO this country.
That is the way to bring our tribute :. present to
God for his mercies. Nothing short of that will an
Swer now that his people have been made free. They
have been taken by thc hand of Gods providence
as II were, led mp and pat into our hands. God has
said to us: Take these people and bring them up
out of their present intellectual infancy bring them
up forever, and will lead them To bless You. Ifyuu
do not take them by the hand Gods judgment will
rise upon the land If you do not take hold of them
and educate them prov. .ae for them, see that they
are well fitted for the enjoyment that God has pre-
pared you will merit His wrath. In the proportion
in which this is done God will pay us our wages in
his blessing upon our land. God will that do
not lose our reward, and that will be in making
merciiul people, and allowing 20 forward in the
great work afforded us of benovoiente and love-
That is the greatest blessing national prosperity is
nothing to be compared to that. The great blessing
God will give us will be to make love his works
more and more.