The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-15

When the first eolored man was stolen from
Africa aud brought 10 America" said be, " that
oak tres was growing there! When the Dec
iarslti0n ~ Independence declared all men
equal, and the white folk were freed from
ENGLAND by he Revolutionary Wah, God let the
oak still grow and the chain sill al3d the Diaek
TO the white mans
"Nhen the old Confederation was made tie
oak gr0w d on and the p0' slave was stih kept
IN bondage
When The Constitution prepared liberty for
the white man and put Iuture limit to the
African siave-trale. God still let the oak grow
or, aud The African saFe-tiaoe continued TO
prosper.
Sat the oak cannot stand forever, and no
more could the tree oi slavery.
"G6d vas watching them both. It was the
same G0d that raised up Moses and that freed
the Israelites Ia the fuilness of time. And the
sane God was watching yOnder oak upon the
hll-top. and he watched the p0 slave IN the
South
Then BE appeared to rouse himself with the
stimuus of . new conception.
Look at that tree s3id be. pointing has
long arm aud finger toward It, AL eyes were
turned Toward The oak " Look al j! How it
lifts its proad head like sn old giant! But
tel you" raising has voice gradually higher,)
81 tell you lhat God can send out oi that little
black cloud = tbnnder-c,ap that wi1 dash it to
stoms,7
There was vivid fash-a crashing top
and q 1ea. Of roaring thunder, anG the upper
iinIbs of tbe old oak came shattered and torn
10 the g1o8nd There were sBrieks from Uhe
women but the preacher was GZed as a statue
lie did not withdraw his arm, but kept his up
ward pointed finger up0n the ruined oak
Then as the echo died away ii the distant
hills and his audience became quiet, be With
drew ais arm and, dropping has voice, said n a
tone that thrilled his hearers:
r1.. "A loo r =r,-.7
shattered tic hoary oak Of slavery Give glory
90 the God oi lightning, who strikes when the
hour comes
loud cries of Glory 70 Cot" went mp from
the c9l0red people, and Tire preacher announced
3 wei known emancipation hvmn. IN which
the whole congregation joined TIL the grand
OlG river hits re-ech0od with praises.
Gomez said Mr. Langdon I wish 70
carry away with me the impression he has
given me Let us return"
Aud without waiting the conclusion Of the
discourse the gentlemen returned 10 Nona5el
discussing the black orators eloquenee5 and
el0gneuce Ia general IS they Went.
III. Ia8gdous sister had had very differ
ent experience from his, Ia the preaching OF
the wllte minister. She had heard a remark
aAle discourse upon the words: Therefore
hath be mercy on whom he VIII have mercy,
and whom be viii he hsrleneih."
Tie subject Of the discourse was Pa1ls jUsti-
fcafi8n OF the doctrine of election" and II
LASTED nearly two hours Mrs Nancy Water
bury was delighted. and Mrs. Jane Waterbury
was nlysiiied and ast0nished; and when asked
ii she did nor think the discourse an unan-
EWers5ie argument. she replied that perhaps il
was lur that she preferred doctrine in which
Sod infinite mercy did not require such la
bored defense.
Then the little Calvinist smiled with com
pia ency which was hsppily incapable of doubt
Rs 10 her creed OF herself
Al the dinaer-table member of the house
hold. not met before by the Mis-iss.Tp was
lntr6auccd 10 them. Professor Adams--8fr.
Lanedon" said Mrs. Waterbury, and this
lady is another Mrs. Waterbury, Professor"
The newcomer bowed politely, took seat
al table like one at home. and Mr. Waterbury
said; on were not st church to-day, sus-
pecr, to the geBtlenfan as this is your first
appearance to-day. Have you just got home@
q reached town but ten minutes since, but
was al church-Or at meeting, at leass-at
the c0,0red Baptist on the river, and ! heard
and saw tie most wonderful things.
Air. Waterbury and Mr. Langdon looked sig
8ifcantly al each other.
"And wbat was thatg" inquired sIr Water
bury. disposed 10 hear the professors account
Of The black preacher and the thUBder-clap
from nearly el0udless sky. But the professor
was quick Of perception. and saw al once that
rs questlonef had either been present or had
heard OF the wonderful coincidence.
"Whv were sou therez ! WAS SO engaged
in the discourse aud tie thunder-clap that
did not observe voa.
Ala that WAS my own condition, said Mr.
Waterbury. Mr Largdon and were ceTgsiBly =
there. But As ] s-e that the is3ies are all Gu
1iOsity 70 hear whaf happened, iet ne beg that
you wii state tie facts in your Own way
Mr. adams face was al sgiow Ia 4 moment
81 TIE Thought Of what Bad happened, aud he
gave a most impassi0ned account Of the black
preachers disc urse and the climax of ligbt-
ning in the old oak. w,th AZ elOquence equal
- ti.ai Of the preacher, though wholly Bn-
like t.
The dinner was untasfsE: The servant wait
ed il slrprisn, with her happy. black mouth
hall open and al seemed really 70 have for
F0tt.n for what purpose they we're seated, un-
I'll the hostess broke the spoil by saying pleas
antlg. Ring down the curtain and let us
have dinner now
The laagh which followed restored forgot
Zen Appetite, and the dinuer proceeded.
Ana while that j. progressing, let us have a
look AZ lr. Adams.
Ienn Adams was tail. Of good figure and
proportions. blue eyes. fair complexion and
s0f, LIGHT brown hair. and had enc 0f thoss
Eympa betic yoices winch ALWAYS arrest stten.
ton. las health au3 constitution were OF the
best, and his bemBerausent responded to ths
eloquent, the musical, and the beautiful Ia al
its phases.
EoF fge years past he had been principal O
the Aonabel Nornai scbepi. and for the estir,
per50d lad made his home al SIR Waterbury 5
where be rad become recognized iBemDer o
the family
Thoash now thirty years old, Mr. Adams
had never married. carea little for felnal,
society. apparently and devoted himself to bi
proisssO and 10 study His room in ths
Water ury house was library and art gallers
combined, lOr be- aa> musician and lover o
the sue arts And from bis window Otter
came strains 81 rIch vocsiization. accompanied
by bis Own harmony from the cottage organ
which he filaEe5 tkr an expert.
BIT. LangGon had been almost rs much sur
pFise3 and delighted 1v Adams account Of Tn,
black preacher be had been on hearing TIA,
preacher himself and on the first opportunif,
after clnner be took occasion 10 say 80 10 M
Waterbury
Aes. said Mr. Waterbury, ia response
Adams j. q remarkable man. and good as he !
able and useful as he Is good
"Ana you say Ice is an artist and mnsicia,
Hs well as q teaeherYI am s1rpris ised ia on
country such men never amount 20 much I
he teiaperSte2
Never drinks glass Of anything that wi
intoxicate."
"And ndusfTi0nsg"
Never il idle. unless his devotion TO al
Gnd music Is idlenessr
Is0es lie write portrvf"
J think not ] never heard that he did 81
= Hls school and his duties there absorb hi
whole heart"
elI ohatf -.