"it was not you that sent me hither, but God," he did not mean that they had not acted brutally toward him; but only that, in all the dark deeds of men, there is a higher, mightier, more masterful hand than theirs, although unseen;—distracting their evil counsels, and directing them to goodly issues. God, although not the author of sin, is, nevertheless, the omnipotent and gracious disposer of it. Let us bless God for that master hand of His, which checks, and rules, and guides the policies and histories of men! "Alleluia! for the Lord God, omnipotent reigneth."
And here we may see, in two special points, how God shows himself Sovereign and Governor in this world, amid the sore vicissitudes and the bitter trials of men. For first, we have disclosed herein the workings of that great law of God, that is, the call to suffering and endurance, to the end of greatness and noble duty, in any race or people whom He has elected to greatness, and might, and future empire. For without doubt, the black man, in the lands of his thraldom, has been in the school of suffering; yea, tried in the fiery furnace, that being tried, he might secure therefrom the strength, the character, and the ability which might fit him for a civilizer and a teacher. Not for death, as the Indian, not for destruction, as the Sandwich islander, has the Negro been placed in juxtaposition with the Caucasian; but rather that he might seize upon civilization; that he might obtain hardiment of soul; that lie might develop those singular vital forces, both of the living spirit and the hardy frame, in which I claim the Negro is unrivalled; and thus, himself, be enabled
