When I was at Richmond, U.S., the coloured people were going to have a meeting. It was the first day of their freedom. I went to the African church, and never before or since heard such bursts of native eloquence. "Mother," said one, "rejoice to-day. Your little child has been sold from you for the last time; your posterity are for ever free. Glory to God in the highest! Young men, you have heard the driver's whip for the last time; you are free to-day! Young maidens, you have been put up on the auction-block for the last time!" They spoke right out, they shouted for joy; their prayers had been answered, it was the gospel to them. In like manner Jesus Christ proclaims liberty to the captives. Some have accepted it; some, like the poor negroes, scarcely believe the good tidings; but it is none the less true. Christ has come to redeem us from the slavery of sin. Now, who will accept of that redemption? There was one coloured woman, a servant in an inn in the Southern States, who could not believe she was free. "Be's I free, or be I not?" she asked of a visitor. Her master told her she was not, her coloured brethren told her she was. For two years she had been free without knowing it. She represents a great many in the Church of God to-day. They can have liberty, and yet they don't know it. 3. Again, Christ is our DELIVERER. The children of Israel were not only saved and redeemed from the bondage of the Egyptians, but they were also _delivered_, that they should not be led back again into bondage. Many are afraid; they think they are not able to hold on, and therefore shrink from making a profession. But Christ is able to keep you from falling; He is able to deliver you in the dark hour of trial and temptation, from every evil device of Satan, and from the snare of the fowler. In Isaiah xlix. 24, we read: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." I will save him; I will deliver him. The children of Israel were _saved_ from the cruel bondage of Egypt, they were led out of the land of Goschen; but still they were not fully _delivered_. The great host of the Egyptians was thundering behind them. It was not till they had passed safely through the Red Sea, which closing behind them, swallowed up the host of the enemy--it was not till then that they were free, that they were delivered.