Year: 1863

: Millions dwelling in our very midst have Eev
o Ter heard its joyous sound, and yet they hav
b differed from us men and women only in col
e or. Thank God this will be so no more


The old bell has already begun to ring Ggail
as at the first on that eventful day whose ami
versary we still commemorate, and even while
speak the breeze is bearing on its wings tC
many a weary heart crushed slave thousand:


of miles away its inspiring sound. The chains


begin to weaken, the shackels will soon fall


of. From the Executive Mansion in Wash


ington have gone forth words which have


thrilled the nation with joy, words which will


make the name of Abraham Lincoln fragrant
with the gratitude of a noble people and i'm


while mortal the world shall last. The slave


shall be free;" these are noble words, and all


the people giveresponse with loud and hearty


amen! Yes, yes, when God in his own way


and time but using US as an instrument in its


accomplishment shall bring this war to a close,


the prophecy inscribed on the old independ-


ence bell will have its full and complete fulfill


ment, and that and every bell will proclaim


liberty throughout all the land, and unto all


the inhabitants thereof, and the black as well


as the white shall rejoice in that freedom which


is every mans right, though it is one which


tyrants hate and despots would destroy.


As for myself, am hopeful amid all the
disasters which involve us. 1t seems to me as
if we were on mighty sea in fearful storm,
the sky above US black and threatening, and
the waves lashing the ship in their fury. The
Captain knows not what to do and the Pilot
is all at fault, for the sea is so heavy and the
winds so strong and the darkness so great, that
the one knows not how to command or the O.
ther to guide, and the ship goes rushing on as
if to certain destruction. But yet, though
conscious of our danger, do not despair, for
behind those black clouds which press down
in their heavy masses as if to overwhelm US,
know the sun is still shining, and 1 can at
least hope that these clouds will disappear and |
serenity return.


So amid the convulsions which surround and |
would engulf US as a nation, in the midst Of
this rayIess night in which our ship of State is
weathering the gale which rebellion has blown |
upon US, though there is scarce ray of light |
save the glcam of the leaping lightning, and
the wind blows fercely, and the ship rocks to
and fro, and every heart is filled with dismay,
yet feel confident our ship will outride the
storm, for above these tuniults and commo-
tiOns l see our God, and in him our hope
Above all these storms and convulsions he is
there shining like the sun in all its glory
clear, calm and unmoved, as if there were no
troubles here upon earth. He knows the end
from the beginning, no darkness is so great
that his eye cannot pierce it, no storm so 1erce
that his power cannot quiet it. He holds the
winds in his hand, and has only to speak to
the raging sea the words, "Peace, be still" and
there will be calm. That word will be spo-
ken, for the cause is his, and he would sooner
see the heavens fall than have justice perish.


Do not despond then, my brethren; do cot {
lespond then, my countrymen; trust in God
and be cheerful The dawn of our redemp-
lion draweth nigh. In every hour of despon-
dency commune with your own soul as did the
Psalmist, "Why art thou cast down. o, my
soul, and why art thou disquieted within me
Hope thou in God, for 1 shall yet praise him
for the help of his countenance."