By dint of some industry and much persuasion, I succeeded in inducing the Abolitionists in New York to join our little band in Boston, in calling a national convention at Philadelphia.

We met, and such a body of men, for zeal, firmness, integrity, benevolence, and moral greatness, the world has rarely seen in a single assembly.
Inscribed upon a declaration which it was my exalted privilege to write, their names can perish only with the knowledge of the history of our times.

A National Anti-Slavery Society was formed, which astonished the country by its novelty, and awed it by its boldness.

In five months its first annual meeting was held in the identical city in which, only seven antecedent months, Abolitionists were in peril of their lives.

In ability, interest, and solemnity it took precedence of all the great religious celebrations which took place at the same time.