The abolition of the slave trade in 1808 was an occasion for celebration within Boston's black community and others. Jedidiah Morse was a white pastor from Charlestown, who was invited by the black community to take part in their celebration, which included a procession of over two hundred people to the African Meeting House, where this sermon was delivered. The African Society, an organization which had been established in 1796, organized a committee to see to the publication of Rev. Morse's sermon following the event.