29

the great and glorious purposes of His providence, shall we then
be satisfied? or should it not arouse us to.greater diligence, and
the consecration of even more of life, talent, property or what-
ever may be claimed from us, in one united, honest, continued
effort for the accomplishment of that which is fraught with the
interests of both time and eternity ?

‘With the freedmen it isa time of oppressive anxiety, in
view of the anticipated withdrawal of both Government and
benevolent support and encouragement, and their cry is, ‘Do
not leave us! Do not withdraw from us the necessary help in
our time of need!’

** And although it was my own intention, on being discharged
from duty as an officer of the Bureau, (the time for its limitation
having expired), to return to my home and enjoy quiet and rest,
yet duty now seems to demand my return at the earliest practi-
cable moment; and I feel it in my heart, God willing, to give myself
up anew to the work. The only trouble is the want of means to
successfully prosecute it; but depending upon the never-failing
resources of God’s treasury, I shall go forth trusting.

“Tam glad to inform you that the assistance rendered me
during the past year, through your kind co-operation, and that
of the other dear friends, has been productive of great good, and
your kindness heartily appreciated by the people under my
charge. Beside the many comforts for the poor, afflicted and
distressed, and the distribution of seeds, from which they were
supplied with vegetables during the past summer and winter,
there was special and substantial encouragement given in the work
of education, and particularly in country places, where our
colored friends would have remained in the darkness of igno-
rance, had you not supplied them with the necessary books and
other means of self-education.

‘Expecting to spend one or two months in Philadelphia,
when I shall have the pleasure of conversing with you more fully
in reference to these matters, I remain,

Very truly. your friend, C. 8. ScHarFrer.”

The question arises, are we willing to abandon this work?
Do we think we have done our whole duty towards these people?
Let all examine seriously the ground of our obligations, and see
to it that what is required is to the best of our ability performed.
Much has been done; vastly more remains yet to be accomplished.
The results so far have been. greater than could have been anti-
cipated. Never, perhaps, in the world’s history, have events so
crowded upon each other. The down-trodden and oppressed are