All
this tended to add to my burden. I did not sleep much that night. The
next morning, before day, I went carefully over what I intended to say.
I also kneeled down and asked God's blessing upon my effort. Right
here, perhaps, I ought to add that I make it a rule never to go before
an audience, on any occasion, without asking the blessing of God upon
what I want to say. . . .
Early in the morning a committee called to escort me to my place in the
procession which was to march to the Exposition grounds.
The procession was about three hours in reaching the Exposition
grounds, and during all of this time the sun was shining down upon us
disagreeably hot. When we reached the grounds, the heat, together with
my nervous anxiety, made me feel as if I were about ready to collapse,
and to feel that my address was not going to be a success. When I
entered the audience-room, I found it packed with humanity from bottom
to top, and there were thousands outside who could not get in.
The room was very large, and well suited to public speaking. When I
entered the room, there were vigorous cheers from the coloured portion
of the audience, and faint cheers from some of the white people.
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