might demand to know what is that law or power, which, at
different times, disposes the minds of men to this or that particular
object--now for peace, and now for war--now for free{365} dom, and now
for slavery; but this profound question I leave to the abolitionists of
the superior class to answer. The speculations which must precede
such answer, would afford, perhaps, about the same satisfaction as the
learned theories which have rained down upon the world, from time to
time, as to the origin of evil. I shall, therefore, avoid water in which
I cannot swim, and deal with anti-slavery as a fact, like any other fact
in the history of mankind, capable of being described and understood,
both as to its internal forces, and its external phases and relations.

[After an eloquent, a full, and highly interesting exposition of the
nature, character, and history of the anti-slavery movement, from the
insertion of which want of space precludes us, he concluded in the
following happy manner.]

Present organizations may perish, but the cause will go on. That cause
has a life, distinct and independent of the organizations patched up
from time to time to carry it forward. Looked at, apart from the bones
and sinews and body, it is a thing immortal. It is the very essence of
justice, liberty, and love. The moral life of human society, it cannot
die while conscience, honor, and humanity remain. If but one be filled
with it, the cause lives. Its incarnation in any one individual man,
leaves the whole world a priesthood, occupying the highest moral
eminence even that of disinterested benevolence. Whoso has ascended his
height, and has the grace to stand there, has the world at his feet, and
is the world's teacher, as of divine right. He may set in judgment on
the age, upon the civilization of the age, and upon the religion of the
age; for he has a test, a sure and certain test, by which to try all
institutions, and to measure all men. I say, he may do this, but this
is not the chief business for which he is qualified. The great work to
which he is called is not that of judgment. Like the Prince of Peace, he
may say, if I judge, I judge righteous judgment; still mainly, like him,
he may say, this is not his work. The man who has thoroughly embraced
the principles of justice, love, and liberty, like the true preacher of
Christianity, is less anxious to reproach the world of its sins, than
to win it to repentance. His great work on earth is