4. Be pre-eminent in your consideration and regard for the rights and wrongs of labour in your own circle, even the rudest and humblest. An abolitionist who hires his linen made up at the lowest market rate, and pays his wash-woman in proportion, will do little good to the anti-slavery or any other philanthropic cause. The man of liberal culture and generous heart who unostentatiously tries to elevate the most depressed to his own level, is doing a good work against slavery, however unconsciously.
5. Have faith, with a divine patience; man is privileged to labour for a good cause, but the glory of its success must redound to his Maker. Next to a great defeat, the most fatal event for slavery would be a great triumph. Doubtless, the bolts are now forging in some celestial armoury destined to strike the shackles from the limbs of the bond-man, and cleanse the land from the foulest and blackest iniquity ever organised and legalised in the Christian world. The shout of deliverance may come when it is least expected,—nay, the very means employed to render its coming impossible, will probably secure and hasten it. For that and every other needed reform, let the humane and hopeful strive, not despairing in the densest midnight, and realising that the darkest hour is often that preceding the dawn. Let them, squandering no opportunity, and sacrificing no principle,
“Learn to labour, and to wait.”
THE GREAT EMANCIPATION.
Beautiful and happy will this world be, when slavery and every other form of oppression shall have ceased. But this change can be produced only by the religion of Jesus Christ. Reliance on any other power to overthrow slavery, or restore to order and happiness this sin-crazed and sin-ruined world, will be vain.
Peterboro’, Sept. 22, 1852.
ODE
Sung at the celebration of the First Anniversary of the kidnapping, at Boston, of Thomas Sims, a fugitive slave:—the kidnapping done under the forms of law, and by its officers, 12 June, 1851. The deed celebrated at the Melodeon, Boston, 12 June, 1852.