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rowed with you under the grievous burden of slavery, and when the gall-
ing chain of the oppressor was broken, we rejoiced that the hour of your
deliverance was at hand. We are with you in sympathy amid your many —
persecutions, and honor you, “that when reviled, you revile not again :”
your patience and meekness have taught us and strengthened us. We
trust that the dawn of freedom will be followed by a day of greater
knowledge, liberty and happiness than you have yet known.

We know that you still suffer from the ignorance and prejudice which
surround you; we want to encourage you not to faint nor lose heart, but
to continue to do the best you can, trusting that God, who is all-powerful,
and who has hitherto been your hope and comfort, will still be your sup-
port, and make way for you where there often appears no way. Let your
prayers still ascend to this most gracious Father, and strive to render
yourselves each day more worthy of His divine blessing.

We have sent our dearly-beloved and faithful teachers among you, to
aid you in the education of yourselves and your children, and, by their
good example and advice, to be your helpers. The valuable books we.
have sent, we hope, are instructive messengers; but we want you not to
forget to love the sky, the trees, the flowers, all of nature’s gifts, for they
are a great open book, easily read, and tell of a good and great Creator,
your Father and our Father. We earnestly desire to see you comfortable,
and fitted for the duties and enjoyments of life, and hope you will do all
in your power to profit by the instruction of your teachers. They have
left pleasant homes, and the society of their nearest and best friends, to
go among you, to lift the veil of ignorance from your minds, and open the
door of knowledge to your understandings. Do all that you can to make
their labors easy and agreeable; carry bright faces; ‘wear the smile of
good humor, it attracts; give the « good magning,:’ it costs nothing, and
may make some heart glad.

Gather your families around you; make pleasant homes for yourselves
and your children; be clean and tidy in your persons and your houses,
for «cleanliness”’ (we are told) «is next to godliness,” and will give you the
respect of all.

Endeavor to save some portion of your weekly earnings, if it be only a
trifle, that in time you may be the possessors of homes of your own.
Avoid every temptation that besets you in the journey of life. Take the
blessed Jesus for your example: He was tempted, yet He yielded not.
In the strength that gave Him the victory, you may trust; for it has
never failed to help the weakest of His followers.

We warn you against the baneful influence of the intoxicating cup.
Touch not, taste not; for, if you suffer yourselves to be enslaved by so
dangerous an enemy, there will soon be an end to all comfort and happi-
ness. If any among you are living as husband and wife, without having
had your marriage properly legalized, we beseech you, as Christian men
and women, not to neglect this sacred obligation, but, for your own and