Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-03-02
A Thrilling Scene!

A Conference of the African NJ. H. church.
presided over by Bishops Campbell, Wayman
and Ward, was holding its annual session at
Wilmington, Delaware. Thinking to pay our
respects to this body of earnest men, we we're
entering the humble church where they were
assembled, when we observed in the aisle lust
in the advance Of us, that distinguished fell
low citizens, VIM. Llloyd Garrison. In an
instant buzz of interest went through the
assembly. Preachers and people whispered,
" Mr.. Garrison VIM. Lloyd Garrison 4"
- The black mans friend "The great eman-
cipator." In few moments Mr.. Garrison
was formally introduced by the Bishop, and
was received by the Conference standing.
When order and quiet were restored, Mr.. q
proceeded with a most appropriate and i'm
pressiye address, suggesting, in the course of
his remarks, that thirty years before he had
espoused their cause, and during the long and
terrible anti-slayery conflict had tried to be
faithful to their interests, not because of their
color, but because they were men like him
self, part of the worlds great brotherhood.
He believed that slavery as an institution had
cursed the master as much and even more
than the slave, and hence in his antagonism
to that great evil he had always been iniu.
ence6 by concern for the white as well as
for the colored race. After hearty congrat-
ulations, judicious, counsels, and afiectonate
words, he concluded by saying, And now,
dear brethren, not unto me o no not unto
me not unto US but unto the Lord Jeho-
yah, be all the glory Of your political saliva
tion. | will join with you, and we will to-
gether cast our crowns at the feet of Him
whose gracious providence has so wonderfully
brought you as people out of the house of
bondage" In the midst of deep feeling, Rev.
Mr.. Tanner, a talented young member of
the Conference, suddenly called upon by the
Bishop, rose up and responded in style that
would have been creditable to any living man.
In Auency, appropriateness, correctness and
elegance, .bis speech was not whit behind
that to which we had been listening. As he
concluded, noble-looking negro rose upon
his feet, and struck the chorus
Sound the loud tmbrel DER Egypps dark sea,
Jehovah hath triumphed His people free 90
The multitude took it up and sang it as on.
ly conference of colored preachers and a
congregation of colored people could sing it,
and as only such conference and congrega-
tion could sing it in an hour like that. o
how grandly and gloriously the waves of mel
ody rolled through that humble church -
They seemed to our excited soul to surge
against the walls, shaking the structure to its
very foundations. In the midst Of this elec-
trifying song, the outpouring of grateful low
ing and joyful hearts, the people began to
gather around their noble friend, Mr. Garri.
son-some with smiles, some with tears, some
to shake his hands, some almost to embrace
his limbs, some to crouch at his feet They
were like overjoyed children in the presence
Of an affectionate father. We looked on with
binding tears, and thanked God for this beau
tifal tribute to lifelong fidelity, and that we
were permitted to be ia witness Of so inspiring
and memorable spectacle.