Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
244 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
mortal prison-house, somewhat shattered in its
walls by seventy-seven years' occupancy, where
we all wait the emancipation act of our great
Captain, of Him who has broken through the
bars of death, and brought life and immortality
to light in the gospel. The summons came as
came the horsemen and chariots of Israel to
Elijah, straight from the excellent glory, and
before we could say, " My father," the splendid
retinue of heaven had returned with their delivered
guest, leaving only dust and ashes.
It was natural for Mr. Douglass to come back
here to the bosom of the Methodist church.
Here he sat in that draped pew, as said Professor
Shedd, after resigning his chair, " Getting ready
to die," saying to his old mother church that all
the past was forgiven, repeating in his heart the
words of Ruth to her mother, Naomi: " Thy
people shall be my people and thy God my
God," hiding himself anew, as he used to sing in
his Anacostia home, in the " Cleft of the Rock "
that was smitten on Calvary. She long ago had
made him a preacher before he became an orator.
This was the expectation and prayer of Uncle
Lawson, while he was yet a slave. So that here,
again, like a vessel that had made many a rough
voyage, but now comes back to final anchorage,
Mr. Douglass each Lord's day sat with his dearly
cherished companion in this sanctuary of God.