Year: 1862




at Hilton Head was dedicated to divine
service The pastor is to be black
man named Abram Murchison from Sa-
vannah, cf the Baptist persuasion. The
exercises were conducted by Rev H. n
Hudson, chaplain Of the New York En-
qineer Regiment Gen. Mitchell was
present and made the following ad-
| dress:


''I have been requested to say few
words to you by your teacher, who is a
good man. ANY good man like, re-
gardless Of color Irespect him as much
/ whether he is black or white If he be a
bad man | shall treat him as such, whether
he is white or black. Most Of you know
that I have talked to all my soldiers
since | came here, and now am talking
to you, who are another set Of soldiers,
who have not yet arms in their hands,
but who are under my protection and
| guidance, and in whom | take deep in
terest With your past life ] fully sym
pathize. / know and understand it all.
[ was reared in the midst Of slavery, born
in Kentucky, and know all about it.
While there are many things connected
with it that are pleasant, to which you
will testify, there are vast many other
things which are not pleasant, and |
think that God intends all men shall be
free, because he intends tnat all men
shall serve him with their whole heart.
/ think this is true. ! am not certain.
[ don't know But in any condition we.
can all love and serve God. That priv
ilege cannot be taken away | care not
how savage and wicked the master may
be, he cannot prevent you from praying
in the midst Of the night, and God hears
and answers the prayer Of all, slave or
free.


But it seems to me that there is new
time coming for you colored people;
better day is dawning for you oppressed
and down -trodden blacks. | don't know
that this is true, but hope that the
door is being opened for your deliver
ance. And now, how deeply you should
ponder these words. If now you are
unwilling to help yourselves nobody will
be willing to help you, You must trust
yourselves to the guidance Of those who
have had better opportunities, and have
acquired superior wisdom, if you would
be carried through this crisis successfully.
And | believe the good God will bless
your efforts, and lift you up to higher
level than you have yet occupied, SO that
you and your children Juay become ed
ucated and industrious citizens. Yon
must organize yourselves into families.
Husbands must love their wives and
children, clinging to them and feeling
that their highest object in life, next to
serving the good God, is to do all they
can for their families, working for them
continually.


Good colored friends, you have a great
work to do, and you are in position OF
responsibility. The whole North, all
the people in the free states, are looking
at you and the experiment now tried in
your behalf with the deepest interest
This experiments is to give you freedom,
position, home and your own families
wives, property, your own soil. You
shall till and cultivate your own crops; j;
you shall gather and sell the products of
your industry for your own benefit you
shall own your own savings and you
shall be able to feel that God is prosper
ing you from day to day and from year
to year, and raising you to higher level
Of goodness, religion and nobler life


Supposing you fail down here; that
will be az. end of the whole matter, 1t
is like attaching cable to a stranded
vessel, and all the strength that can be
mustered is put upon this rope to haul
her off. If this only rope breaks the
vessel is lost. God help you all and
help us all to help you. Ii you are idle,
vicious, indolent and negligent you Will
fail and your las hope is gone; if you
are not faithful you rivet eternally the
fetters upon those who to-day are fastened
down by fetters and suffer by the driver 5
road. You have in your hands the res
cuing of those sufferers over whose sor-
rows YOU mourn continually IF you fail
what dreadful responsibility it will be
when you come to die to feel that the
only great opportunity you had for ser
wing Yourselves and your oppressed race
was allowed to slip.


And you, women, you must be careful
of your children. You must teach them
to be industrious, cleanly, obedient and
dutiful at all times. You must keep
your homes neat and tidy, working all
day if necessary to have themin the best
possible condition, always thinking and
contriving to make them cleaner and
more comfortable. When your husband
comes home from the labors and fatigues
of the day always have something good
and nice fer his supper, and speak kindly
to him, for these little acts OF love and
j attention will bring you happiness and
JOY.