Williams, Selwyn, and Patteson fail in Polynesia? Was it failure when
Hoffman and Auer died for Christ in Africa? Have your great-hearted
sons failed who have followed in the footsteps of the saintly Kemper,
and laid with tears and prayers foundations for Christian schools which
are the glory of the West? Has the Gospel failed in Japan, where a
nation is awakening into the life of Christian civilization? Never has
God given His Church more blessed rewards. The century which has passed
is only our school of preparation. The voice of God's Providence says:
"Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward." We have some
problems peculiar to ourselves. Twenty-five years ago four millions of
slaves received American citizenship. The nation owes them a debt of
gratitude. During all the horrors of our civil war they were the
protectors of Southern women and children. Knowing the failure of their
masters would be the guarantee of the freedom, there was not one act
that master or slave might wish to blot. We ought not to forget it, and
God will not. To-day there are eight millions. They are here to stay.
They will not be disfranchised. Through them Africa can be redeemed.
They ought to be our fellow-citizens in the kingdom of God. In a great
crisis of missions the Holy Ghost sent Philip on a long journey to
preach Christ to one man of Ethiopia. The same blessed Spirit of God
calls us in the love of Christ to carry the Gospel in the Church to the
millions of colored citizens of the United States.

Brethren, the time is short. Since our last council nine of our noblest
bishops have died. Since I was consecrated, fifty-four bishops have
entered into the rest if the people of God. It is eventide. A little
more work, a few more toils and prayers, and we who have lived and loved
and worked together shall have a harvest in heaven.