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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

AMERICA AP jlFipjl

The Annual Discourse

DELIVERED AT THE

SEVENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

American Colonization Society.

WSHINGTON, D- C,
JANUARY 15, 1888,

BV

Rev. J. ASPINWALL HODGE, D. D.,
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

Published at the ^.ec^uest of the (Society.

washington city,
Colonization Building, 450 Pennsylvania Avenue.
;S88.

Cb"«0,v,5

DISCOURSE.
Psalms 67 : 4.
"O let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for Thou shalt judge the people
righteously, and govern the nations upon earth."
The sovereignty of God is the only source of confidence and
praise. Fate, chance, the action and reaction of the forces of nature,
the confused struggle of men to accomplish each his own purpose
and the presence and influence of spiritual principalities and powers,
the more they are considered, increase anxiety and despair. "The
Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of the isles be,
glad thereof." He rules and overrules ; nothing can occur amiss ; all
things shall accomplish His gracious purposes.
God's sovereignty is recognized in the accomplishment of salva
tion. The opposition of the devil is in vain. "Against the holy child
Jesus, both Herod arid Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peo
ple of Israel, were gathered together," but could do only "whatsoever
His hand and His co-nsel determined before to be done.'' He, as
the Lord over all, defends His church, and leads her to certain vic
tory and universality, notwithstanding all possible combinations for
her persecution and annihilation. In His daily providence, "He
thinks upon" each, even "the poor and needy." " He causeth all
things to work together lor good to them that love God." He num
bers their hairs, will not permit their feet to slide, answers their
prayers, and enriches them with all temporal and spiritual good. "No
one is able to pluck them out of His hand." All this is taught in the
text, and calls forth songs 01 praise and confidence even in the
darkest hour. Yet special reference is here made to God's sover
eignty over nations. In other passages, He is said to determine their
rise, peculiar characteristics, bounds and powers, for the sake of His
church, for her development, training, enlightenment, reproof, chast
ening, and final increase, until she shall include and bless all nations..
All are embraced in the covenant with Abraham, and shall compose
that innumerable multitude which shall praise Christ, as King of
Kings and Lord of Lords.
Our text, however, like many in the Psalms, presents, not the
God of Providence, but the Sovereign Ruler, who shall govern and
judge the nations upon earth. Whatever may be their religions, true
or false ; their gods, the one living and true, or many imaginary, ma-

terial or devilish ; their forms of government, their ethics, their policy
and purpose, " He that sitteth in the heavens" -is their only law
giver; their sole executive, who proclaims His decrees and enforces
their execution; and He is the only judge who can expound His law
and justify or condemn. In the church in the wilderness and in
Judea, there was a mercy seat, sprinkled with blood by the High
Priest. The kingdom of heaven, established on earth, was "Glory to
God in the highest and good will toward men," a proclamation of
pardon to every creature. And in the new paradise of God, there
will be a rainbow round about the throne, on which is seated the
Lamb that had been slain. But the throne set over nations is of do
minion and of justice. "The Lord reigns." "Thou shalt govern
the nations." " Thou shalt judge the people." His sceptre is "a rod
of iron." " He is clothed with majesty." "With righteousness shall
He judge the world, and the people with equity." For individuals,
both righteous and wicked, there will be a judgment at the last day.
Throughout all their probation God deals with them in mercy, by
His goodness He leads them to repentance, and by affliction He
warns them to seek Him early. But for nations, there is no future
retribution. He governs and judges them now. He often delays the
final and full execution, nevertheless His every act toward nations
is according to equity and justice. " Clouds and darkness are round
about Him," the emblems of His mysterious and portentous majesty
and power. " Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His
throne." Mercy finds no place here. The laws are right and inflexi
ble, and "every transgression and disobedience receives a just recom
pense of reward." " Righteousness,'" not autocratic caprice, nor
changing policies, but conformity to eternal essential right, derived
from the nature and character of God. "The Judge of all the earth
will do right." His law or will, however made known to nations, is
determined by this principle. All His providential ruling and over
ruling, restrainingand permitting, is according to righteousness. "And
judgment," the administration of justice. Might does not ™ake
right to individuals nor to nations. These are not at liberty to form
their own policies at pleasure, to maintain peace, to inaugurate war,
to subjugate others, or to appropriate their territories. — restrained
only by the power of other nations singly or combined. Every act is
either in accordance with or in violation of God's law. He holds
each nation to a strict account, and He gives to each according to its
deeds. " Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His
throne." It may be said that this is at variance with the usual con
ception of God. There is a tendency to unduly magnify the love of
God, and to ignore or deny His righteousness and justice. Yet

5
these are divine attributes as plainly revealed and as essential. In
deed, mercy itself cannot be exercised until God finds a way in which
He can be just and justify the ungodly. Christ must ' fulfill all right
eousness," and suffer the full condemnation for sin, before His gospel
of pardon and peace can be preached. "God is love," of infinite pity,
mercy, and grace, but only in Christ, not out of Christ; in the taber
nacle and at the cross, not at Sinai nor before the white throne.
Nature teaches His eternal power and godhead. Its laws are in
flexible and pitiless in their execution. He who breaks them must
suffer the consequences. Fire will not cease to burn when millions
of moths fly into it. The avalanche does not turn aside because men
build their chalets in its proper path. No account is made of char
acter or motive. The plague slays the self-denying nurses and doc
tors, as well as the thieves who would rob the dead and dying.
In God's dominion over nations are displayed His sovereignty and
righteous justice. Even in human governments we have only legis
lative, judicial, and executive departments, which make, define, and
administer law. It is true that a pardoning power is given to the
executive, but only because State law is defective, and in its applica-
cation the innocent sometimes suffer and tbe guilty receive too heavy
a penalty. But in divine law there is no defect, and there can be no
mistake in its execution. "The judgments of the Lord are true and
righteous altogether." In governors we go not look for nor desire
tenderness or pliability, but we must have wisdom, stability of princi
ples, persistency to do rightly and justly without fear or favor. It is
because the immutable " Lord reigneth, that the earth rejoices and
the multitude ot the isles is glad thereof."
This doctrine is verified in all history. The flood, the doom of
Sodom, the plagues of Egypt, the wandering in the wilderness, the
destruction of the Canaanites, were because the "men had corrupted
t'heir way" and "the cup of their iniquity was full." Balaam, as he
took up his parable, and Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel, as they uttered
woes on the nations, foretold their fates as determined by their re
bellions against God. or by their mutual outrages, regarded as sins,
transgressions of God's law and will. He will bless the nations which
serve Hirn, but the rebellious will He destroy. History can be inter
preted in no other way. If, in modern times, this principle seems not
to be applicable, it is only because the end is not yet.
Bearing in mind the conclusion at which we have arrived, let us
consider one chapter of our national history. We differ from all
other nations in the fact that, while we are, as to origin and perma
nent characteristics, Anglo Saxons, in our veins flows the blood of all
civilized nations. Our vast portals stand wide open, and immi-

gration, unexampled in history, flows into them from all quarters.
We welcome all, except the Chinese, io participation in our vast ter
ritories, our free institutions, wonderful opportunities, all rights and
privileges, in our national life, to complete and perpetual identifica
tion. This is not a Siberia to which criminals are transported, nor
as formally an asylum to which the religiously oppressed and perse
cuted may flee. Nor is it a Mecca or a Jerusalem to which multitudes
and tribes from time to time go up. It is the home of liberty, where
men dwell in unity as one family, whose plenty attracts all men.
They come voluntarily in ever increasing nu-nbers, each to claim the
rich inheritance offered to all. Here nationalities soon blend and be
come one people, as streams from distant mountains flow into one
sea. There are, however, two notable exceptions. There are two races
which had no desire to come into our midst, and cannot depart, who
live among us, and are as isolated from each other and from the Amer
ican people as they were two hundred years ago — the Indian and the
Negro. The Indians, once the untrammelled possessors ot all this
fair land, have been deceived by baubles, pressed from the coast, step
by step, beyond the great river, to the far West, confined within res
ervations until these are desired by others, held under military con
trol, cheated by Government agents, taught unnatural vices, regarded
with contempt, treaties and promises to them broken almost as soon
as made, their remonstrances disregarded, when exasperated by in
tollerable wrongs, their retaliations are visited by new humiliation,
robbery, and decimations. No historian has ventured to recount their
wrongs. No advocate has attempted to itemize their charges and
claims against the nation. No American, through very shame and
fear, dare read such documents. Yet every deed of violence has been
faithfully recorded and laid before infinite justice. When " the Lord
maketh inquisition for blood He remembereth them. He forgetteth
not the cry of the humble." " For the Lord God of recompenses
shall surely requite."
If we gladly turn from these sad pages of our national crimes, it
is only to read another chapter, whose record is still blacker, and
whose threatenings are more imminent. I have no intention to
detail the crimes and horrors of the slave trade; nor the possible or
real wrongs of slavery ; nor to inquire who tempted our nation, or
whether willingly or unwillingly we received and held Africa's stolen
children. We have to do with terrible and undisputed facts. In our
colonial history, and during our national existence, until 1808, we
encouraged and legalized the African slave trade, and winked at its
continuance for many years thereafter. Before 1776 we received over

300,000 Negroes from Africa. When we ceased formally to recognize
the trade, we held 1,190,000 slaves. At the breaking out of the late
civil war, these had increased, by importation and births, to 4,000,000.
And at present there are 8,000,000 Negroes within our borders. It
does not concern us to inquire as to England's guilt in this matter.
We legalized, encouraged, and profited by this criminal traffic, and
have held in involuntary servitude millions of our fellow men. Few,
if any, will attempt to justify the means by which they have been
procured, nor to deny that the sin lies at our door. But they are
here. For 250 years they have been under our laws, civilization,
religious ordinances and personal direction and influence, and what
has been the result ? Their continued isolation is no wrong to them.
It is not the result merely of antagonism, prejudice, or difference of
condition, but of loyalty to race. For reasons, not clearly understood
by us, God has divided men into races, and through all time He has
kept these great families distinct. "He hath made of one blood all
nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." They may
all worship Him, recognize brotherhood, adopt each other's languages
customs, civilization, and occupy together the same territory, but
they must remain distinct. Amalgamation of the three great races
is not God's will, and has never received any mark of His approba
tion. Loyalty to race, which holds them apart, is a divinely implanted
instinct. Often other means have been used to accomplish the same
end. The covenant with Abraham, as understood by his seed, sepa
rated them from the Egyptians, the Canaanites, and the Babylonians.
during centuries of the closest associations, and preserves them to
day, in all the lands whither they are scattered, a distinct people.
Europeans in this land quickly lose their identity, and are merged '
into our American nation. But the African race must and ought to
remain distinct, however they may rise from their present degrada
tion, or demonstrate their ability in every department of life. They
have, as a race, a part to perform in the history of the world, a work
which God has reserved for them, and which He is beginning to
unfold. They must remain ?. separate people.
What has our supervision of 250 years done for this race?
They have received, after a sort, our language. They have learned
methods of toil and unquestioning obedience. But physically they are
not improved. Intellectually there was no advance until the eman
cipation, save in a very few individuals, who bv some means obtained
an education, contrary to our laws; and now there are 73 per cent, of
the Negroes who can neither read nor write. These 73 per cent
know little more than their forefathers when stolen from dark
Africa.. It cannot be said that they are incapable. The severity of

the laws found necessary to hold them in ignorance, their present
thirst for knowledge, the avidity with which they embrace every
opportunity, and the results already attained through very meagre
means, all testify to the contrary. Socially and morally the natives-
of the "dark continent" will compare favorably with them, as to mode
of living, respect to rights of property, truthfulness, the invio
lability of family ties, and as to purity. The vices and crimes usually
associated with the Negroes pre not peculiar to that race. If they
characterize them in this land, it is chiefly because of the peculiar
institution, and methods under which they have been here trained.
They retained much of their African superstitions, and have received
very little of our holy religion. There are notable exceptions, but as
a race these millions are to-day devoid of real Christianity. What
has our nation done for them ? I speak not of charity, though
their condition is pitiable and their needs are great. Their past
sufferings and present degradation do appeal powerfully to every
heart. Nor do I speak of recompense, though their wrongs be many,
aggravated and long continued. It may be well to remember that
we are in their debt, that our present policy is not calculated to
repay past sufferings and labor, and that there are some injuries for
which there can be no compensation. But this is not a case for
personal pity, nor for the adjustment of accounts between parties.
Contrary to God's law, we constituted ourselves proprietors of this
race, and assumed the responsibility of their discipline. And God
holds us to an account for our self-appointed task. What have we-
done for them ? Very little of good, and much of evil.
It may be said, we have emancipated them. But the ceasing
'to do evil, does not undo the evil already done. The freeing of
slaves does not justify the capture, transportation, enforced labor,
and trials of their forefathers through several generations. Eman
cipation was a national act, but it was not from love for the
slaves, nor desire to do them justice. It was a military necessity
and a war measure of the North, and regarded as an outrage and
theft by the South. All persons in this land and in others trem
bled at what might be, and probably would be, the terrible results.
It was made without any preparation of tne slaves, and when it
seemed to.be a proclamation of new privations, sufferings and starva
tion, to a race already burdened with wrongs and an incentive to new
crimes. In a moment 4,000,000 slaves, who had been trained to abso
lute dependence, and provided for, as if helpless children, with each ne
cessity of life, were thrown upon their own resources, without lands-
shelter, food, money, or even clothef. No other race has been called
to meet such a crisis. That crimes innumerable and fearful were

not committed, that famine and pestilence did not consume them, is
to the credit of the despised Negro, who so calmly and successfully
stood the terrible test. Egypt let Israel go free from dire necessity
under the lash of the ten plagues. And we, with as little credit, under
the scourge of war, emancipated the Negroes.
We have enfranchised them, made them full American citizens,
and even eligible, to office. We need not inquire how far this is
merely a legal fiction ; if they be really treated as our fellow citizens;
and if they be permitted to exercise the rights thus granted. It is
notorious that the ballot was placed in their hands, not for their
interests, but to accomplish certain political ends. Nationally it
was a dangerous, a suicidal act, and to this race a grievous injury.
For rights involve responsibilities — to give sovereignty to those
who know nothingof government — to place the ballot in the hands of
those who are absolutely ignorant of the interest of our country, the
principles of parties, the character of candidates, who can not even read
the names of those for whom they vote— to call them to legislate, exe
cute and judge — is not only a folly, almost inconceiva^e in an enlight
ened nation, but also the criminal imposingof duties, theattempt to
perform which, or the neglect of which, would be a sin against the
nation and against God.
We are educating them. The duties of citizenship involve the
claim for education. Adoption gives a child the right to demand
the schooling necessary to qualify him for his new station. These
cannot be divorced. Education is a prime necessity and an indis
putable right. Since the emancipation $20,000,000 have been con
tributed for the education of the freedmen. but what is that among
so many, and in 25 years ? It has brought only a few broken rays into
their Egyptian darkness. And this sum has been given by indivi
duals, by benevolent associations and by the church of God. The
nation has done nothing for this race as such. It may be said that
the several States should attend to the education of their own people-
But emancipation, was a national act, whether right or wrong, and it
impoverished the Southern States, who cannot be required, in
addition to this loss, to educate the Negroes as citizens, to enjoy priv
ileges pledged by the nation, and which these States do not believe
should be granted. Pleas and petitions have been offered in their
behalf. In their extreme poverty they did not ask for lands nor
food, but they have pressed their prayers and demands for educa
tion. And for 25 years our nation has made no more response
than the dumb idols of Africa.
Their case seems well nigh desperate. The Israelites in Egypt
were required to furnish the full tale of bricks, while the necessary

straw was withheld. And these freedmen are burdened with new
responsibilities, to develop their acquired manhood, to rise above
the imposed degradation of centuries, to establish homeT, schools
and churches, to become worthy citizens, and to perform the special
work given to their race ; while almost everything necessary to this
Herculean task is denied them. Their environment also is antago
nistic, as may be better understood than described. Ishmael and
Isaac, though circumcised as fellow heirs of the same covenant, could
not dwell as equals in the same house. Sarah was cruel in her
method, and Hagar was tearful, but Ishmael could attain unto the
blessing promised only by being sent forth. And the seed of the
bond woman here is coming to the conclusion that it cannot work
out its destiny, and obtain its inheritance in the midst of the seed of
the free woman. Notwithstanding all legal fictions, national promises
and moral obligations, these two cannot live together as equals.
There is no such case in all history. An unrighteous antagonism
between the races, an ignoble history, an unjust prejudice, as well as
a growing self-respect, an awakening ambition, and a loyalty to race,
are causing the blacks to turn from a government indifferent, alike to
the claims of divine justice, and to their pleas for security in the
exercise of their rights and for training for their citizenship. They
are bethinking themselves of the land of their fathers, of the con
tinent ^iven by God to their race, and where their destiny is to be
accomplished. This conviction is not at present very general. Nor
could it be expected. Patient endurance of wrong has been highly
developed by slavery. They have not yet given up faith and hope
in the Government. Personally, they have no fatherland, save this
in which they are strangers. As a race they can recall no pleasant
memories of Africa, or of the middle passage over that track, which,
when the sea gives up her dead, will be in greater commotion than
any other portion of the secret keeping deep. They have scarcely
heard of the Colonization Society, or of Liberia, the Christian
Republic of Negroes, whose standing among the Nations is acknowl
edged, whose fascinating history, fertile lands, free institutions, equal
opportunities and unclouded future invite them, where all questions o{
personal development and race loyalty and work are finding easy and
satisfactory solutions. But this knowledge is dawning upon them, and
will produce its effects. Already a new demand is heard. For sev
eral years they have, unprompted by this Society, sent to our
Government pet'tions, yearly increasing in number- and more
numerously signed by colored men, praying to be sent to the land of
their fathers. Let me interpret them. — We Negroes are in distress
Weare burdened with responsibilities which are unendurable in our

present condition. Our American citizenship is. by your indifference
and inaction, a sham. Our personal and race obligations cannot be at
tempted. Our past and present wrongs are crying to God for justice.
The storms of vengeance are gathering. Our presence is endangering
the peace and integrity of your nation. Our natural increase, at the
rate of 500 per day, 182,500 a year, doubling our numbers in 20 years,
is threatening to push you overboard and swamp your Ship of State.
Our surplus of population is more alarming than the increasing sur
plus in your treasury. Already we more than outnumber you in
several States. Even now there is a black belt in your midst which
we are filling, and from which, because of us, you are rapidly and
necessarily departing. With you we cannot form one people, neither
can our races dwell together on an equality. You do not want us
here. You will do nothing for our relief in this land. Send us back
to Africa to do our divinely appointed work. We do not ask for a
general and enforced exodus of our race, but that you send those
who are now willing to go, and whose education and religious char
acter will not endanger but strengthen the Republic of the lone star,
¦which you have founded. Start the emigration by government aid.
And before long our people will leave you to the undisturbed pos
session of this land, and find their own way across the ocean to work
out the redemption of dark Africa. — Many such petitions were present
ed last year. They were referred to appropriate committees which
reported adversely, and nothing further was done. Oh, my country,
in this thou art not like Cyrus, King of Persia! Thou art more
rebellious than Pharoah of Egypt!
Thus far we have been considering the sovereignty of God, as
He makes known His law to nations in the essential principles of
right and wrong. We must, for a few moments, notice His sov
ereignty as revealed in the unfolding of His purposes. The separate
acts of divine providence frequently are utterly inscrutible, and "His
ways past finding out." Considered together, they may often sorely
try the faith of an Abraham or a David. At times it is wise to refrain
from all action "less haply we be found even to fight against God."
But as we look through the ages there is no obscurity. There is
a manifest unity, which is sometimes called the science of history
There is an order in all events, a definite plan gradually unfolded
Nations appear upon the stage, perform their parts and pass off
Some are very transitory. Others, like Israel, are more permanent.
None can doubt God's design in all Jewish history. We know for
what purpose Pharoah and the Egyptians were raised up. Syria
Babylon, Macedonia and Rome, had each its own service to perform
So in more modern times. During the dark ages this continent, for

manifest reasons, was hidden from the world. When the time drew
near, and Catholic nations sought new possessions, they were one
after another turned aside to the Islands, to Mexico and South
America. This land was reserved for Protestant Anglo-Saxons, well
taught in the truth and disciplined by severe persecutions; in order
that civil and religious liberty might here flourish, far removed from
the continued strifes of other nations and from the claims of anti
christ and of the false prophet; that we might demonstrate the theory
of free institutions, and national greatness and prosperity, and become
the missionary of the Gospel to all lands.
God's designs concerning Africa have long been a hidden mys
tery. Situated in the centre of the Eastern hemisphere, within easy
reach of the highestcivilizations of the world, its immense proportions
have been long known, and the details of its outlines have been often
explored. But it has, through all centuries, remained a dark im
penetrable continent. Its territory, resources and inhabitants were
utterly unknown. To all nations and persons God has said, ye shall
not enter here for any purpose. At its portals, disease and death
have kept as strict guard, as the angel with the flaming sword at the
closed gate of Eden. Science, commerce and religion have sailed
round its borders, have touched here and there on its coasts, but
have been unable to overleap the barriers. It has remained the only
inaccessible land on the face of the earth, except the probably bleak
arid useless North Pole. Yet like the Congo, whose waters force
their way for 300 miles into the ocean, there has been a mighty and
perpetual stream of Africa's enslaved children poured into the sea of
nations. Whatever may have been man's guilt in this matter, it has
been permitted, and theretore forms an important part of God's plan
concerning Africa. God meant it for good, when Joseph's brethren
sold him. The captivity in Egypt was to tram a nation, and in
Babylon to wean it from heathenism. And for some purpose, God
has directed this stream to our coast, and has placed these Negroes
under our tutelage. For 225 years, with no interruption, the school
term had continued. When suddenly, without any effort on the part
of the pupils, and against the wishes and efforts of their masters,
there was a change. To the training in the house and in the field
were added new courses. They were admitted to every avocation of
civilized life, to learn all mechanical, commercial and clerical labor.
They were pressed into schools, primary, graded, academic, scientific,
collegiate and professional. Religious teachers flocked to instruct
them in Christianity. They were made citizens, and were called to
take part in making and administrating laws. Already twenty-
five years have teen alotted to this higher education. And where

'3
fore? Can there be a doubt ? If so, it vanishes as we look at Africa.
A sudden change has also there taken place. That continent so
long closed has been thrown open to the gaze of the world. Livingstone
and Stanley, those pioneers of religion and science, have astonished
all with theirglowing reports of its wonderful character and resources.
Men of learning are eager for research, commerce is fluttering to hear
off the rich produce. European nations have combined to form and
maintain a free Congo State in the vast interior, and to secure prose-
perityby series of forts and bv the navigation of its mighty streams.
And the church has arisen with new zeal to evangelizelhe millions of
these newly-discovered tribes. Still, over every portal may be read
the divine decree "Africa is for Africans." "No admittance for
permanent residence, save to the Negro race." "The civilization and
envangelization of this continent must be by h< r own children."
Where are the workmen for this arduous and glorious undertaking ?
In the fields, shops, schools, seminaries and civil offices of America
8,000,000 of them. They have been, unconsciously, undertraining for
250 years for this very service. Where are the means for their trans
portation ? There is an immense baiance due them for past services,
wrongs and sufferings. The nation is perplexed with the increasing
surplus in it coffers. Where shal! they begin the work ? In Liberia,
a Christian Negro Republic, already established in Africa, where
the blacks have demonstrated their ability to govern themselves, to
establish and maintain educational, religious and governmental insti
tutions, to gain the recognition of civilized nations, the respect and
confidence of heathen tribes, and to begin the redemption of Africa.
No student of history can doubt that this is the natural and necessary
course of events, the unfolding of God's plan. This is God's will
and commandment to our nation, as plainly made known as was the
law uttered from Sinai. His purpose cannot be changed. The
designed course of His government of nations cannot be turned
aside. He speaks in words which cannot be misunderstood. "Let
my people go forth, to serve in their own land, in the work which I
appointed them." To hesitate is rebellion. "Thou shalt judge the
people righteously and govern the nations upon earth." "This is
the Lord's doing and marvelous in our eyes."

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