Society, with zeal and with success; for hundreds of schools have been founded by them, thousands of children have been instructed, churches and chapels have been called into existence, and teachers and ministers have been supplied. These have been the direct and the indirect results of this Society's efforts. But what is remarkable is, that while the wide and merciful blessings of this Society have been falling "like gentle dew from heaven" upon the objects of its benevolence, its work has been silently done; its operations have been carried on quietly and unostentatiously; so much so, indeed, that thousands of intelligent persons do not know of even the existence of the Ladies' Negro Emancipation Society. But however much like gentle woman it may be that these generous Christian ladies should thus, at once, "silent and unseen," exert themselves, it can be so no longer. Events have occurred which drive them before the public, and which require them to make most earnest appeals for aid. Formerly they were aided by grants from Government and from the Colonial Legislatures, and they received considerable contributions from the emancipated blacks themselves. But now the sad wreck of pecuniary resources, the blight of bankruptcy which has fallen upon the West India proprietors, has completely cut off these sources of aid and assistance. The planters and the Local Government can no longer help them; the Home Government lias withdrawn its grants. And though I must say, as my firm belief and conviction—a conviction founded on a careful study of reports and documents—that amid the general wreck the black
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hope for africa.
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