country of Europe, than all the blacks that have been exported from Africa, altogether, in two centuries and a half![1] Why is no pity felt for these? Doubtless, simply through ignorance. From the fact of America’s speaking the same language, and of there being constant communication between the two countries, everything that is done there is known: while Russia is comparatively locked up, and invisible to the mental view: yet as is the proportion of forty millions to three millions, so much greater must be the amount of suffering in Russia than in America.
And is not this fact sufficient to show us how narrow are our views of things, how little we know of the real condition of the world, as it appears before God’s All seeing eye, and how little able we are, consequently (when we go beyond our own immediate sphere), to form correct judgments and to direct our efforts aright? Not so with the All-wise Ruler of the world. He looks down upon Russia equally as on America: He hears and sees every lash inflicted on the slave, whether in New Orleans or in Moscow. Yet He is "silent."[2] But though-silent, He is not unobservant or inactive. He does not cry out, when crying out will effect nothing: but in His infinite wisdom, He is silently working to bring about a change and to remove the evil at the soonest possible moment. He is working,[3] but ever wisely, and according to the laws of His own
- ↑ The sum total of these has been estimated at from sixteen to twenty millions.
- ↑ "The gloomiest problem of this mysterious life was constantly before his eyes: souls crushed and ruined, — evil triumphant and God silent."—Uncle Tom’s Cabin, chap.xxxvii.
- ↑ "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." — John v. 17.
