time efforts have been made to promote its extinction in America, and there can be no doubt that in the events which are now transpiring in that country, it has received a blow from which it never will recover.[1] With its abolition there, it will perish upon the shores of Africa. The system of serfdom in Russia has also been abandoned, and nearly thirty millions of peopie have by a peaceful revolution been raised to the level of freemen.[2] They are astonishing their former masters by their industry and intelligence, and are showing to the world that they appreciate their emancipation by establishing schools for the education of their children. This spread of liberty among bondsmen was scarcely dreamt of fifty years ago, and now the very name of slavery awakens indignation and begets abhorrence. The realization of this love of freedom proves that a Divine influence is present in the world, for "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."[3]
The formation of peace societies, also, is not to be overlooked. Their object is to settle national disputes by means of arbitration; thus they belong to a high political morality. They appeal to reason and Christianity, and
- ↑ Since the above sentence was written, America has abolished slavery, though at the cost of an immense amount of blood and treasure.
- ↑ "March the 5th, 1861, was a memorable day in Russia. On that day was read the proclamation of liberty, which tore asunder from twenty-three millions the bonds of ages, and 'let the oppressed co free.' From the steps of the high altar in Isaac's Church, Petersburgh, before assembled thousands was this decree of liberty read by the priests. The reading lasted half an hour, while not a rustle, nor a cough, nor a moving of a boot-heel even on the marble pavement of the church broke the silence. The decree concluded with the words, 'Sign thyself, O Christian native, with the sign of the cross; and, together with us, call for the blessing of God upon thy free labour.'"—Anti-Slavery Reporter, March 1st, 1864.
- ↑ 2 Cor iii. 17.
