al standard. It was not his object to simply improve and
help himself; he was far from such selfishness. The basis of his
reformatory and benevolent operations was as broad as humanity and as
solid as granite. He never entered a community without the deep
feeling that it should be made better, and never lived in one except
his warm heart and willing hand went forth to minister to and
sympathize with all who were in need.

He felt keenly the bitter prejudice which pervaded the community from
which he had just moved, and was sensible of the weakness of the few
free Colored citizens who lived in that portion of the State. Wood
River was a healthy place to live; and the land was cheap and rich. He
was not shut up to any selfish motives, but was planning for the good
of his people. He knew that "in union there is strength," and if he
could get a number of families to move on Wood River he could form a
settlement, and thus bring the people together in religion and
politics, in feeling and sentiment.

This plan was no idle dream. In due time he gave notice, and offered
inducements, to the people to come. And they came from every section;
and in a few years it had grown to be a large and prosperous
settlement.

Duke William Anderson was the central figure in this community. His
colossal form, his clear mind, and excellent judgment, placed him at
the head of educational and religious matters. He was parson,
schoolmaster, and justice. All questions of theology were submitted to
his judgment, from which there was no appeal. All social and political
feuds were placed before him, and his advice would heal the severest
schisms and restore the most perfect harmony.

He now threw his great soul into the work of organization. He was
filled with a grand idea. He felt that the purity and intelligence of
the community depended upon their knowledge of the Bible and the
preaching of the Gospel. It was a grand idea, though he had to work
upon a small scale. It was this idea that made the Israelites
victorious; and Anderson was determined to impress upon this community
this primal truth. He knew that in knowledge only is there safety, and
in science alone can certainty be found. Before this idea every thing
must bow, and around it were to cluster, not only the hopes of that
little community, but the prayers of four million bondmen. He was
confident that in God he would triumph, and in Him was his trust.

The work was begun in the family