Then our ancestors performed a great work--the work allotted them by God, civilizing and elevating an inferior race in the scale of intelligence and comfort. That this race may continue to improve, and finally be the means of carrying the gospel into their native Africa, should be the prayer of every earnest Christian. Never again will the negro race find a people so kind and true to them as the Southerners have been. For, said a gentleman the other day, who lives in New York, "In the Northern cities white labor is preferred, and the negroes are to be found on the outskirts, poor, wretched and friendless." There is much in our lives not intended for us to comprehend or explain; but believing that nothing happens by chance, and that our forefathers have done their duty in the "place it had pleased God to call them," let us cherish their memory, and remember that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. For He who rules each wondrous star, And marks the feeble sparrow's fall Controls the destiny of man, And guides events however small. Man's place of birth; his home; his friends, Are planned and fixed by God alone-- "Life's lot is cast"--e'en death He sends For some wise purpose of His own. FOOTNOTES: [1] Rev. G. W. Leyburn. [2] John Randolph, of Roanoke. [3] John Preston, afterwards Governor of Virginia. [4] On the route to "Rustic" was a small village called "Liberty," approaching which, and hearing the name, "English Louis" swore he would not pass through any such "---- little Republican town," and turning his horses travelled many miles out of his way to avoid it. [5] From this vicinity went nine ministers, who were eminent in their several churches; two Episcopal Bishops, one Methodist Bishop, three distinguished Presbyterian and three Baptist divines of talent and fame. [6] General Scott. [7] Harpers Ferry. [8] Here was seen the Mount Vernon silver, which had descended to Mrs. General Washington's great-grandson, General Custis Lee, and which was miraculously preserved during the war, having been concealed in different places--and once was buried near Lexington in a barn, which was occupied by the enemy several days. * * * * * * Transcriber's note: Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including inconsistent hyphenation. The following is a list of changes made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one. Page 12: small servants, who speedily gat them into their clean aprons, small servants, who speedily got them into their clean aprons, Page 16: Every inch of mahogony was waxed and rubbed to the highest state Every inch of mahogany was waxed and rubbed to the highest state Page 20: and which always looked so pretty on the mahogony. and which always looked so pretty on the mahogany. Page 29: