April 30.—This morning Mr. Thomas preached a very fine sermon from the text, “Thy will be done.” It fell upon our saddened ears with a mournful cadence, as if warning us to prepare for some calamity soon to come, and telling us that, no matter what befell us, we must bow in meekness to “Him who doeth all things well.” “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth: that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
In the evening, Miss K., Mr. Moore, and myself went to the Baptist Church, and heard an excellent sermon. The text was, “And a man shall be a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” A very earnest prayer was offered up in behalf of our fugitive president, in which I know every one joined heartily. I did not know he was a fugitive, but the truth is gradually dawning on us that we are really subjugated, and our beloved president is fleeing from—what? Not justice, for he has committed no crime. I knew we had peace—how, I did not understand; but certainly thought we were independent. This is a severe ordeal; may God in his mercy give us comfort through it.
