as
exhibited itself not only in the giving of gifts, not only in the
lavish expenditure of immense sums for the elevation of the degraded
masses; but by its prayers, by its sentiments promptly and fearlessly
expressed against wrong, by its patient endurance, and by its
individual sacrifices made in a field which could promise but little
more to the laborer than the reward of conscience for having served
at a critical period his country and his kind. It is just nineteen
years since the surrender at Appomattox, nineteen short years. But
what events have crowded into that brief period! What stupendous
changes have been wrought within that time in American society,
especially in Southern society!--changes as radical in their nature
as they will be far-reaching in their consequences. It is true that
these changes have not always been accompanied by peace and quiet and
good feeling. This was hardly to be expected. There have been
bloodshed and murders. There have been individual sufferings.
Thousands have perished by violence and privation. But what, after
all, are the sufferings of the thousands compared with the freedom of
the millions, and all the possibilities which that freedom grants?
And whatever may have been the sufferings, it is safe, I think, to
say that they would have been multiplied many times, had it not been
for the tireless energies of the Christian churches.

The victories of peace are more glorious than those of war, it is
said. I believe it; for they are generally more difficult to achieve.
It is easier by far to kill a man than to change his opinions. It is
easier by far to overrun a country than to root out of the hearts of
its inhabitants their long cherished hatreds and prejudices. This
requires time. This requires patience. This requires sacrifice. This
requires forbearance and love. Hence it has ever been the lot of
Christianity to follow in the track of armies, and reconquer that
which was said to be conquered. Caesar with invincible legions may
carry Roman eagles into the very heart of Britain; but the proper
subjugation of that island dates from the time when Pope Gregory the
First sent St. Augustine and forty monks to preach the gospel to
those fierce, wild, uncouth barbarians. And so, when the victorious
army of the North was passing in review before President Johnson in
the streets of Washington, another army vastly inferior in numbers,
imbued with a different spirit, and armed with no other w