I had been filled with distress that day by reading, in Northern papers, the doings and speeches at excited meetings called to sympathize with servile insurrection.

In this prayer-meeting the slaves rose one after another, went in front, and repeated each a hymn, then resumed their seats, while some one, moved by the sentiments of the hymn, would lead in prayer.

A white gentleman presided, according to custom, and I was the only other white person present.

Going to that meeting with the impressions upon my heart of the terrible excitements which you were witnessing at home, and saying to myself, "O my soul, thou hast heard the sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war!" you cannot imagine what my feelings were when the largest negro that I ever saw rose and stood before the desk, and repeated the following hymn by Rev.Charles Wesley.

The first lines, you may well suppose, startled me, and made me think that the insurrection had reached even here.
"Equip me for the war, And teach my hands to fight; My simple, upright heart prepare, And guide my words aright.
"Control my every thought, My whole of sin remove; Let all my works in thee be wrought, Let all be wrought in love.
"Oh, arm me with the mind, Meek Lamb! that was in thee; And let my knowing zeal be join'd With perfect charity.
"With calm and temper'd mind Let me enforce thy call; And vindicate thy gracious will, Which offers life to all.
"Oh, may I love like thee, In all thy footsteps tread; Thou hatest all iniquity, But nothing thou hast made.
"Oh, may I learn the art, With meekness to reprove; To hate the sin with all my heart, But still the sinner love." You must read this hymn to "Isaiah," and tell him about the prayer-meeting.