o His name; yet by
these afflictions we may know that we are beloved of God, for whom he
loveth He chasteneth. We are too well schooled in affliction to be
dismayed, and they who are responsible for this rioting may just as well
try to stop the river in its flow as to try to triumph permanently over
a people who by affliction have waxed so strong in faith. We are as firm
as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved. You, all of you, deem it expedient
that I go away; so to-night, by the help of the Lord, I shall try to get
away from this place. I may see you again, I cannot tell; if not, there
are twelve gates to the City, and, with God's help, we'll meet up there.
Let us have a few moments of silent prayer." Every knee was bended on
that terrible night; but so emotional is the colored American that
silence in a meeting of this kind is maintained with difficulty. A
silence of two minutes elapsed--followed by sobs and groans painful to
listen to. Then a voice tremulous with emotion floated over the
assemblage--a woman's voice:

"Father in heaven, we have evidence that thou didst hear thy children's
cry in days past and gone, and we believe that Thou wilt hear us now.
(Yes, Lord.) Thou didst hear the Hebrew children. (Yes.) Thou didst
deliver Daniel. (Yes.) Thou didst hear Africa's groans, and didst break
her chains. (Yes, Lord.) Oh Jesus, Master, hear us to-night. (Do,
Jesus.) We cannot tell, Lord, why we are buffeted, beaten, murdered and
driven from our homes, and made to seek refuge among strangers; but Thou
knowest. Perhaps in our prosperity we have forgotten to give Thee the
glory, blessed Lord, and these demons that have flocked to Wilmington
from all quarters may be the scourgers that Thou art using to bring us
closer to Thee. Hear, O Lord, the groans and cries of the widows and
orphans of the slaughtered ones; men who gave up their lives in the
feeble efforts to defend their homes and firesides. (Do, Lord.) Bless
Brother Silkirk and his little family (Amen), who are about to start
upon a perilous journey. The way is beset by demons thirsting for his
blood. (Lord, help.) But he's in Thy hands, and Thou canst save him and
save us from further persecution, if it be Thy will. Amen!"

Rev. Silkirk was visibly moved by this earnest and pathetic plea. He
thanked the petitioner and the entire church for their solicitude. He
was dissuaded from attempting to take his wife and little ones with him
on his perilous journey, and they