21

We have reason, brethren and friends, to be glad and take courage. It is true, little is doing to effect the abolition of slavery in this country, compared with what is doing in England. But the spirit which is stirring up the people of that island is also at work here, and in a little time it will carry every thing before it. Last year, I felt as if I were fighting single-handed against the great enemy; now I see around me a host of valiant warriors, armed with weapons of an immortal temper, whom nothing can daunt, and who are pledged to the end of the contest. The number is increasing with singular rapidity. The standard which has been lifted up in Boston is attracting the gaze of the nation, and inspiring the drooping hearts of thousands with hope and courage. Soon, with the blessing of Heaven-if we are true to our faith, if we faint not-we shall place it on the last citadel of slavery, where it shall wave resplendently, giving token to an anxious world that the victory is won-that the last link of slavery is broken-that America is indeed the land of the free and the home of the brave-and that the hope of all nations is fulfilled in her rescue.

Towards the accomplishment of this mighty victory you have done much, and may do more. I am encouraged to perceive, not only among yourselves but in other cities, a disposition to form societies, both among men and women, for mutual improvement and assistance. There are more than fifty benevolent and literary associations among the colored inhabitants in Philadelphia-there is also a large number in New-York, Baltimore, and other places. Those which are organized in this city, with whose objects I am acquainted, I highly approve, and I bid them all God-speed. Among them is THE AFRICAN ABOLITION FREEHOLD SOCIETY,' at whose request I appear before you this day. Its design, as expressed in its constitution, is to promote the general welfare of the people of color: its members agree to associate for the purpose of mutual improvement and for benevolent objects. In case of the unavoidable sickness and poverty of any member, it will administer relief to him; and should he not survive, and leave a wife and heirs, and they require assistance, they shall receive it. The funds which accumulate are either deposited in a bank, or expended in the purchase of real estate. I heartily commend it

to all those who have hitherto not joined it, as calculated to cherish habits of industry and prudence, to excite a mutual interest in each other's welfare, to induce the formation of other societies, and to exercise a good influence upon the whole colored population of this city.

It were needless for me, on this occasion, to state, that I feel a deep and growing interest in your welfare and happiness. I have written too much and toiled too long in your behalf,and, may I not add, through a pitiless storm of persecution given too many proofs of my sincerity,-to render such a disclosure of my feelings toward you necessary. You are aware that I have spared no pains to make your union, as a people, complete; to excite a spirit of virtuous emulation and a thirst for intellectual knowledge among yourselves; to raise your drooping hopes, dispel your gloomy fears, promote your best interests, and secure to you all the rights and privileges of men. You know, too, that I am laboring incessantly to increase the number of your white friends, and to make your enemies ashamed of their conduct. And it is not for an occasion, or a day, or a year, that I have enlisted in your cause, but for lifeas long as He in whom I trust shall grant me health and intellect. Put forth your energies, then, and give me your zealous co-operation, to remove that mountain of oppression which is crushing you and your enslaved brethren into the dust.

In closing this address, I cannot refrain from expressing my unfeigned satisfaction in seeing so large an audience of my colored brethren and friends, under circumstances so auspicious, and presenting so much apparent comfort and respectability. O, if those whose prejudices against color are deeply rooted-if the asserters of the natural inferiority of the people of color, would but even casually associate with the victims of their injustice, and be candid enough to give merit its due, they could not long feel and act as they now do. Their prejudices would melt like frost-work before the blazing sun; their unbelief would vanish away, their contempt be turned into admiration, their indifference be roused to benevolent activity, and their dislike give place to friendship. Keeping aloof from your society, ignorant of the progress which you are making in virtue, knowledge and competence, and believing all the aspersions of malice

23

which are cast upon your character, they at length persuade themselves that you are utterly worthless, and nearly akin to the brute creation. Cruel men cruel women! thus hastily and blindly to pass condemnation upon those who deserve your compassion, and are worthy of your respect!

Your object is, to rise above the prejudices of society, and the charges of your enemies-not pre-eminence one over another not the gratification of pride or vanity. Let each esteem another better than himself. Humility is a delightful trait in the human character: it is not a cowardly or servile spirit, but such as becomes even Gabriel himself. To you, above any other people, may be emphatically applied the maxim, United, you stand-divided, you fall.' Let jealousy, and envy, and contempt of each other, have no place in your bosoms. Remember that you are involved in one common reproach; and if you do not get rid of it as a people, you will never wholly escape from it as individuals.

Brethren and friends, be of good cheer-walk steadfastly in the light of the Lord-be sober-on all occasions, return good for evil, and blessing for cursing-remember that you have immortal minds, diligently strive to improve them-watch over your children with tender anxiety, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I know that your gratitude far outruns the measure of my deserts, and that you are willing to do me any service; but I ask and desire no other reward than this-to see you respect yourselves, and lead quiet and peaceable lives. I have a higher aim than merely to restore you to your proper station in society; for the honors, and offices, and emoluments of this life, are as dust in the balance, compared with the durable riches of the gospel. If you are not rich in faith toward God, and have not his approbation, vain is the applause of men, or the wealth of the world. It shall profit you nothing, if you gain the whole world, and lose your own souls. Whatever you may gain or sacrifice here, be sure to win Heaven. It is a cruel deed for your enemies to abridge your happiness and injure your persons in this life; but how unspeakably cruel will you be to your own souls, if you voluntarily seek eternal misery beyond the grave! Of all people, none need the peace, the happiness, the repose, and the

24

equality of Heaven, more than yourselves-none, the consolations and hopes which religion affords, more than yourselves. Finally-be not troubled in view of your enemies they cannot prevail against you. Sing with the Psalmist—' God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.'

As for myself, whatever may be my fate-whether I fall in the spring-time of manhood by the hand of the assassin, or be immured in a Georgia cell, or be permitted to live to a ripe old age-I know that the success of your cause depends nothing upon my existence. I am but as a drop in the ocean, which, if it be separated, cannot be missed.

My own faith is strong-my vision, clear-my consolation, great. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.' Let us confidently hope that the day is at hand, when we shall be enabled to celebrate not merely the abolition of the slave trade by law but in fact, and the liberation of every descendant of Africa wherever one exists in bondage under the whole heavens.