been deserted of God. Surely their history warrants the affirmation that "the angel of His presence saved them;" and now, when all His purposes of trial and of training, of suffering and of sorrow, are well nigh fulfilled, the Almighty easts down all the barriers of restraint: a light seems of a sudden to shine into their dark prison-house, and a divine voice to say unto them, "Arise up quickly; and their chains fall off from their hands;"[1] and a mission appears to be given them, whether in Sierra Leone, or the West Indies, or America, to start up from the ashes, and go forth to their needy kin in heathenism:—"Go stand and speak . . . to the people all the words of this life."[2]
This aspect of the matter, that is, God's training of the people for His own great work in Africa, I have brought before you already in preceding remarks; and in it you can easily see the importance of your black West Indian population with reference to Africa, and likewise the Church's opportunity and duty for the glory of God and the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. You see herein also the great value and importance of this Society for which I am pleading. In aiding the Society, you are not only building up your own possession, but you are also becoming co-workers with God in some of His greatest purposes. In contributing to the funds of this association, you touch, with a gracious saving influence, the needy people of two hemispheres. In joining in the labors of these benevolent ladies, you are evangelizing both the West Indies and Africa.
I repeat, therefore, that this is one of the chief
