When I was at Richmond, U.S., the coloured people were going to have a
meeting. It was the first day of their freedom. I went to the African
church, and never before or since heard such bursts of native
eloquence. "Mother," said one, "rejoice to-day. Your little child has
been sold from you for the last time; your posterity are for ever
free. Glory to God in the highest! Young men, you have heard the
driver's whip for the last time; you are free to-day! Young maidens,
you have been put up on the auction-block for the last time!" They
spoke right out, they shouted for joy; their prayers had been
answered, it was the gospel to them. In like manner Jesus Christ
proclaims liberty to the captives. Some have accepted it; some, like
the poor negroes, scarcely believe the good tidings; but it is none
the less true. Christ has come to redeem us from the slavery of sin.
Now, who will accept of that redemption? There was one coloured woman,
a servant in an inn in the Southern States, who could not believe she
was free. "Be's I free, or be I not?" she asked of a visitor. Her
master told her she was not, her coloured brethren told her she was.
For two years she had been free without knowing it. She represents a
great many in the Church of God to-day. They can have liberty, and yet
they don't know it.