Mr. Thompson rose,
and delivered his valedictory, in accordance with the resolution which he
offered, — in substance, giving thanks to God for his blessings on the
Convention, and for the auspicious signs of the times. He discoursed most
feelingly and happily on the joyful, yet solemn circumstances in which he had
been placed during its session, and presumed he expressed the minds of all his
beloved associates. He dwelt on the striking evidences of harmony and love so
richly enjoyed, — the moral strength and character of the members, — their
entire unanimity of feeling and action of the great principles of abolition,
and upon every other point of christian and philanthropic action: though
composed of numerous sects often discordant and jarring in their interests and
localities, they would not probably suspect, till they returned to their homes,
that they had been among sectarians.
He enlarged upon
the immutability of the principles upon which they stood, the unflinching
resolution with which they were sustained, nothing daunted by the terrors of
public opinion, — yea, working in the might and under the banner of
Omnipotence, to change its more than Ethiopean hue, and drawing over its
energies to the aid of humanity and religion.
He held up
slaveholding in all its aspects as a sin,— God-dishonoring,
soul-destroying sin; which must be immediately and forever
abandoned,—that immediate emancipation was the only system combining vitality
and energy, — while all others were as changeable as the chameleon, and no one
could find their principles.
He spoke of the
holy influence which God had thrown around them during their meetings, felt
himself on holy ground, and hoped that all would profit by the unspeakable
privileges of this solemn convocation. He rejoiced to find responsive chords in
the hearts of the noble company of fathers and brethren with whom he had been
permitted to take sweet counsel, and co-operate with them in behalf of the
oppressed, down-trodden Slave.
He truly thanked
God for this auspicious era,—that his warmest expectations had been more than
realized, and he felt conscious that he expressed the inmost feelings of his
beloved associates who had been favored with this interesting season. He hoped
they would all carry home those holy emotions which the spirit of God had so
bountifully awakened in their hearts, and never lose sight of the lofty and
thrilling claims of humanity and justice, nor cease to strive for the weal, or
feel for the woes of man. He emphasised on the importance and worth of prayer,
the spirit of which was manifest in the Convention, and felt assured he who had
prayed most, had the most whole-souled benevolence, and loved the slave with
greater ardor.
He trusted there
would be no leaders in the cause, for God was their leader — He who went about
doing good, their pattern: — the Bible, the chart of their principles, the
ground work of their hopes: Faith and Prayer, the moral lever by which the
superstructure of despotism will be overthrown, and the image of God
disenthralled from the fetters of physical and mental bondage. The Day Spring
from on high hath visited the moral world, bespeaking the opening dawn; soon to
usher in the brightness of perfect day. The light hath touched the mountain
tops, the sun looks out upon, the dispersing gloom; soon will it have reached its
meridian radiance, and pour upon the long-benighted, — brightening, transformed
world, the full blaze of Millennial glory.
SOURCE: Isaac
Knapp, Publisher, Letters and Addresses by G. Thompson [on American
Negro Slavery] During His Mission in the United States, From Oct. 1st, 1834, to
Nov. 27, 1835, p. 75-6; The Liberator, Boston Massachusetts,
Saturday, June 6, 1835, 1835, p. 2
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