for religion; it is better for political integrity; it is better for industry; it is better for money—­if you will have that ground motive—­that you should educate the black man, and, by education, make him a citizen.  They who refuse education to the black man would turn the South into a vast poorhouse, and labor into a pendulum, incessantly vibrating between poverty and indolence.  From this pulpit of broken stone we speak forth our earnest greeting to all our land.  We offer to the President of these United States our solemn congratulations that God has sustained his life and health under the unparalleled burdens and sufferings of four bloody years, and permitted him to behold this auspicious consummation of that national unity for which he has waited with so much patience and fortitude, and for which he has labored with such disinterested wisdom.  To the members of the government associated with him in the administration of perilous affairs in critical times; to the senators and representatives of the United States, who have eagerly fashioned the instruments by which the popular will might express and enforce itself, we tender our grateful thanks.  To the officers and men of the army and navy, who have so faithfully, skillfully, and gloriously upheld their country’s authority, by suffering, labor, and sublime courage, we offer a heart-tribute beyond the compass of words.  Upon those true and faithful citizens, men and women, who have borne up with unflinching hope in the darkest hour, and covered the land with their labor of love and charity, we invoke the divinest blessing of him whom they have so truly imitated.  But chiefly to thee, God of our fathers, we render thanksgiving and praise for that wondrous Providence that has brought forth from such a harvest of war the seed of so much liberty and peace!  We invoke peace upon the North.  Peace be to the West!  Peace be upon the South!  In the name of God we lift up our banner, and dedicate it to peace, union, and liberty, now and for evermore!  Amen.

EFFECT OF THE DEATH OF LINCOLN (Delivered in Brooklyn, April 16th. 1865)

Again a great leader of the people has passed through toil, sorrow, battle, and war, and come near to the promised land of peace, into which he might not pass over.  Who shall recount our martyr’s sufferings for this people?  Since the November of 1860, his horizon has been black with storms.  By day and by night, he trod a way of danger and darkness.  On his shoulders rested a government dearer to him than his own life.  At its integrity millions of men were striking at home.  Upon this government foreign eyes lowered.  It stood like a lone island in a sea full of storms, and every tide and wave seemed eager to devour it.  Upon thousands of hearts great sorrows and anxieties have rested, but not on one such, and in such measure, as upon that simple, truthful, noble soul, our faithful and sainted Lincoln.