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102 Dr. McKinney is an important element in the society of Brooklyn, as well as a strong supporter of the best interests of her fellow-citizens in all that pertains to their well-being and happiness. She is broad, liberal and decided, yet kind, unassuming and gentle.

When the rumor of war had wrought this country into anxious excitement; when the men of the North had been called upon to take up arms on the one side, and when the men of the South were being trained to keep time with drum and fife on the other side, the slave-holder, no doubt, had some fears as to the results of the proposed bloody conflict.

But there was another class of beings who also predicted the results; the slave saw fully as far into the future of this war as did his master. By the eye of faith he knew the days of a wonderful change would soon come.

As strange as it may seem, thousands of bond-men and bond-women assembled together at the dead hour of night, when patrol and master were victims to sleep, and prayed with full confidence for this war to result in the breaking of their shackles. Their belief that this long-prayed-for day would come was as strong as if God had, in an audible voice, promised it to them.