New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-25

L
W. +. Forster, and cthers, who joined US
After being presented TO them, We were
invited into the spacious dining-room, where
two tables were very lastly arranged oppo
site each other, and decorated with many
beautiful and fragrant little boquets. At the
first sat Mr.. Gladstone, who, though ill, hon.
ored us with his presence, and friends and q
portion Of the Jubilee Singers, at the other
Mrs. Gladstone, son, daughter, and the re-
mainder of the singers. 1t is not necessary
that should tell you of our conversation or
breakfast-table talk more than it was general
and pleasant. After breakfast we retired to
the parlOr, examined Mr.. Gladstone's curious
and interesting cabinets, pictures, SC. We
spent about one half hour in music and con-
yersation, and left Carlton House with the
benediction Of the Right Hon. Mr.. and Mrs.
Gladstone and the friends we met there
Under the escort of Rev. Newman Hall,
we visited the Houses Of Parliament and a
few other places before returning to our
home. The next day, Wednesday, the 30th
OF July, we went to Wandsworth Common
early in the afternoon to spend an afternoon
and take tea with Rev. Mr.. and Mrs. c.. II
Sturgeon. We were met at the station by
Mr.. Spurgeon, who escorted us to his beaut-
full residence, where we were welcomed by
Mrs. Sturgeon. After being refreshed We
went into the garden and played croquet.
Mr.. Sturgeon was spectator. When we were
through playing we went into the study,
where Mrs. S. was-she being an invalid,
could not accompany us to the garden. We
sang for and talked with Mrs. Spurgeon until
tea time, and went into the dining room and
fed sumptuously. Before leaving for the
church, where we were to sing that night,
Mrs. Sturgeon presented each of the ladies
and Mr.. Sturgeon each of the gentlemen with
Sturgeon; also presented our University Lii
brary with eighteen volumes of his own works.
Our carriages were announced, and we babe
Mrs. Sturgeon farewell, and fastened on to
Metropolitan Tabernacle to meet our engage
ment there. On arriving there we found
thousands Of people eager to get in, and
when the church was filled thousands were
turned off. So that night we sang to six
thousand, the largest pay audience we ever
sung to. We answered as many encores as
we thought prudent, and promised to give
another entertainment on our return to Lon
don. think the net proceeds Of the concert
at Mr.. Surgeons church was f2l4. While
we are enjoying all these blessings in this
strange land, we do not forget to sympathize
with our brethren at home, and We read with
regret the prescription of the Baptist
brethren both in Virginia and Illinois, and
We pray God that they may be kept from
sinking down under the yoke Of prejudice.
We desire no fellowship with men whose
hearts are so blackened with prejudice as to
withhold from their fellow man the truth
which God has given them to preach "to
every nation.' Let us throw open the
doors of our churches :" for all people," and
whatsoever will let them come in and hear of
the good tidngs of salvation. We hold that
our church buildings are the Lords and our
preachers are the messengers Of God, and
they will be judged according to their works.
should not be surprised to hear that some
of those good white Baptist brethren have
improved the l33d Psalm by putting it this
wise:
'.Behold how good and how pleasant it is
for WHITE brethren to dwell together in
UNITY"
But let us not despair, for We need no
assistance from such persons, and by show
ing their hands so plainly we shall know
them and what to expect from them. We
have rights which white men are bound to
respect. but as long as we have to pay white
men to entreat their fellows to respect our
rights they will disrespect them. Therefore,
let our young colored men be awakened to
their duty, and neglect no opportunity which
will make them bold to assert and strong to
vindcate the rights Of their people. And
Is there no zeal or patriotism in the negro
When our parents in the dark days Of bond
age prayed to God Keep me from sinking
down." and from the depths of their hearts
entreated him to " Let my people CO." it was
these sad utterances which went up in behalf
Vi WHolc Hdtion, anu WHICH WcTc dCCtptcu
Of God. He kept them from sinking down
and sent deliverance unto us. When Presi-
dent Lincoln called for colored soldiers, we
FASTENED from our huts and homes gladly to
do battle for our freedom. And the many
battle fields where colored soldiers fell in
defense of their country are witnesses Of the
zeal and patriotism Of the race. We do not
look upon it merely as a personal favor that
Mr.. Gladstone invited us to breakfast with
him, and invited lords and ladies to entertain
us, but rather as a kind acknowledgment of
his appreciation of the effort which the negro
of America is making to rise from the degra-
dation Of slavery to their place among the
civilized nations of the earth. This eucour-
agement from the Premier of England will
outbalance many dscouragements which low
men in America put in our way. / cannot
write this matter up as l feel it, so will
stop.
However, before closing, | will say to
parents, kindle in the bosom of your children
iiame of love to God and their race which
will radate as they grow, aud which cannot
be quenched by ambition. And to the col.
ored youth, strike out boldly and fearlessly
to attain those things which will make YOU