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Show 92 TilE MONTHLY OFFERIN(i. South, always able, when so ur.ited, to link with. itself a party at the North, would rule the country as bef?re." "I cannot but exoress a(7ain regret at the WJlhngness of the ~bolitiqnists to rely ;n and_ pursu~ politi~al power. Their strenath has always law 1n the s1mphc1ty of the!f relirrious tru~t in their confidence in christian truth. Formecly, the hope sometimes ~ro~sed ITIJ: mi~d, that, by enlarginrr their views and punfymg theu spmt, they would gradu~lly become a religious community, founded on the re9oguition of God as the ,common, equ_al Fathe~ of ~11 mankincj., on the recognition of Jesus Chn.st as. hav1_ng hved and qied to unite to himself and to bapt1ze \Vlth h1s spirit every human soul, and Ol). the recognition of the brotherhood of all the members of God's human fam1lv. There are signs that Christians are tending, _however slo_wly, toward a 'chuxch, in which these great 1deas of Chnst1amty will be realized; in which a spiritual reverence for God, and for· the human soul, will take place of the customary homage paid to outward distinctions; and in which. our present n~now sects wm be swallowed up. I t~?u~ht, that I saw in the principles with which the abohtwn1~ts s\arted, a struggling of the human mind toward this chnstian union. It is truly a disappointment to see so many of their number becoming a political party, an association almost always corrupting, and most justly suspected o~ account of the sacrifices· of twtb., and honor, and moral Independence, which. it extorts even from well-disposed men. Their proper work is to act 6n a!! parties, to support each as far as it shall be true to human rights, to gather laborers for' the good cause from all bodi es, civil and religious, and to hold forth this cause as a universal interest, and not as the property or stepping stone of a narrow associatio~. I know that it is said, that nothing but this pollllc~l action can J>Ut down slavery. Then slavery must conunue; and if we faithfully do our part as Christians, we are not responsible for its continuance. We are not to feel, as if we were bound to put it down by any and every means. Let us then work against all wrong, but with a calm, sol· POETRY. 93 emn earnestness, not with vehemence and tumult. Let us work with deep reverence and filial trust toward God, and not in the proud impetuosity of our own wills. Happy the day, when such laborer$ shall be gathered by an inward attraction into one church or brotherhood, whose badge, creed, spirit, shal~ be Universal Love." A Fact. A lady who had been informed that the children of slaves receive religious in!tructicn, was unc)eceived by the answer of a little bright-eyed slave girl to a single question. " My dear, can you tell me what you wete made for? " "Yes, missey ;-made to selL" No oral instruction that the child had ever recei1•ed, (though it might have enjoyed the privilege of family prayer at the great house, catechetical instr uction, and throo sermons n week,) could countervail this terrible in - struction of facts. M. W. C. Testimony of a Dying Witness. It is a gentle eve, the pale pure..m.oon, Looks o'er the sweep of waters, as they lie Stretched out, beneath her meek and lovely E~oye. It is a grateful hour, even to- the sick; The balmy flowers that wreathe yon window low, Are not more sweet, than to the languid soul This grateful stillness, this refreshing calm. Turn thy faint head, my brother! said a maid, Kneeling beside the couch of wasting pain; Oh! turn and see how full of heaven is earth, In this most blessed night-such, oh beloved ! Such be the hour when thou art called away, To the far mansion of thy heavenly rest.-- |