way did he serve the people, but private matters were often brought to him for adjustment,—his natural grasp of the legal points of the subject enabling him to reach the solution of many a seemingly entangled situation.
He lived to see his race enjoying the blessings of that freedom to which he had consecrated his best days, and passed to the blessed fulfillment of a better world, on Sunday morning, August 15, 1886.
A general idea of The Colored American, which was Mr. Ray's greatest work for the race, issued, as it was, a half a century ago, in the interests of the Afro-American, under the editorial management of one of the race, will be obtained through the following extracts, embodying the plan and scope of the paper, and showing the rank it held among the leading journals of that time. It cannot fail of proper interest. They are taken from "In Memoriam," compiled by the family of the late Rev. Chas. B. Ray, March 7, 1840.
"Terms of the paper:
The Colored American is published weekly by Charles B. Ray, at No. 9 Spruce Street, New York, at two dollars per annum, in advance, excepting where a local agent will be responsible to collect the balance, when one-half may be received in advance.
No subscription received for a less term than six months.
No paper will be considered discontinued until arrearages are paid, except at the discretion of the publisher.
Four copies will be sent to one address for six dollars,—i. e. a person wishing the paper, by obtaining three subscribers, with the money in full, shall have his own paper.
Local agents shall be allowed one-fourth, in all cases, on all money raised from subscribers.
Traveling agents shall be allowed one-third on all new subscribers, and one-fourth for collecting from old ones.
Postmasters, and all ministers of the gospel, friendly to our
