among the charities of England; and therefore, as a son of Africa, deeply interested in the welfare of a race which, of all others, may be called the "suffering race," anxious that the precious things of Jesus may be known of them for comfort and for consolation, I venture to ask you this evening most generous contributions to this important Society, and a zealous, affectionate interest in Africa and the Negro race. If an English Christian grieves at the remembrance of wrongs inflicted upon Africa;—if his deepest sensibilities are affected at the darkness and the sin which still prevails through all her borders;—if he anxiously desires the spread of the Gospel through all her quarters;—if he wishes to see her sons, in every part of the earth, stand up erect, blessed with the liberty wherewith the Gospel makes men free; then, I say, that by participating in the labors, and sharing the burdens of this Society, he is privileged, in the Divine providence, to realize, to a measurable degree, all his desires. For thereby he can be giving to the children of Africa the best compensation, even the Gospel; and be turning back the stream of misery into a tide of blessing; and joining in with God in directing most marvellous purposes, and proclaiming abroad, through those who—by birth and color, by the sympathy of suffering, by common hopes and aspirations—seem pointed out as the fittest agents, the marvels of that grace, and the wondrous efficacy of that blood, and the power of that name which is above every name—even of Him "who is above all, and through all, and in you all." "To whom," &c.
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