first Thursday night in
January after it. I saw a great feeling and called again; and
there came twenty-two. The brethren and sisters decided to hold
meeting the next night, and there came thirty-two who were
converted. Now, at this date, Monday night, 20th, there came
forward 'ninety-seven'; and there were over a hundred on their
knees praying. Twenty-two found peace in believing last night.

"We are all well. Pray for us. Write soon.

"Yours ever,
"D. W. ANDERSON."

He was taken sick on the 7th of February, 1873, and after a painful
illness of eleven days, he fell asleep on the 17th of February, full
of years and honors, and was gathered to the fathers. On the Monday
evening, just before he died, he told his wife, daughter, and a small
company of friends who surrounded his death-bed: "It's all well," and
then, at 7:30 P.M., quietly "fell on sleep."

The news of his death cast gloom into thousands of hearts, and evoked
eulogies and letters of condolence never before bestowed upon a Negro.
His death was to the members of his church in the nature of a personal
bereavement. The various interests to which he had loaned the
enlightening influence of his judgment and the beneficence of his
presence mourned his loss, and expressed their grief in appropriate
resolutions. His life and character formed a fitting theme for the
leading pulpits; and the Baptist denomination, the Negro race, and the
nation sincerely mourned the loss of a great preacher, an able leader,
and a pure patriot.

At the request of many people of both races and political parties, his
body was placed in state in the church for twenty-four hours, and
thousands of people, rich and poor, black and white, sorrowfully gazed
upon the face of the illustrious dead. The funeral services were held
on the 20th of February, and his obsequies were the largest Washington
had ever seen, except those of the late Abraham Lincoln. The church
was crowded to suffocation, and the streets for many squares were
filled with solemn mourners. Thus a great man had fallen. The officers
of the Freedman's Bank passed the following resolutions, which were
forwarded with the accompanying letter from the president:

"OFFICE OF THE FREEDMAN'S SAVINGS AND TRUST }
COMPANY, WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 20th, 1873. }

"At a meeting of th