Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

Colver's malice did not cease with the Convention, in which he and Mr. Garrison participated on exactly equal terms, as invited and not as inviters, and as strenuous defenders of the Bible doctrine in regard to the Sabbath —as each interpreted it for himself. The same mail which carried the foregoing letter conveyed two from¹ Colver to members of the London Committee, which, having been shown to Elizabeth Pease, she carefully copied, and sent her transcripts to the person they most nearly concerned. Immediately upon receipt of them, Mr. Garrison printed (with his own emphasizing) the following extracts:

Boston, Nov. 30, 1840.

² ‘Garrison has just headed an infidel Convention, gathered from different States, to call in question the validity of the Sabbath, the church and the ministry. It was quite a gathering, and I went in, with two or three other ministers, and discussed it with them for three days.’

Boston, Dec. 1, 1840.

Wm. L. Garrison's influence is on the wane. He so identifies himself with every infidel fanaticism which floats, as to have lost his hold on the good. He has recently headed a Convention to inveigh against the Sabbath, the church and the ministry. It was affecting (!) to see what a company he had identified himself with—the wildest of the no-marriage Perfectionists (!!), Transcendentalists, and Cape Cod—all in harmonious effort against the Bible as our standard of faith, and especially in denouncing the ministry, etc. I think the anti-slavery cause will ultimately shake itself from that which has been a source of great trouble.

‘J. A. Collins has, a few weeks since, left for England, under suspicious circumstances (!!)—What are his objects, we know not; but we fear, to practise some imposition upon British sympathy for our cause. I hope you will beware of him —he is not entitled to your confidence. Friends here feel deeply on the subject. Will you, if possible, ascertain what are his objects, and give us early notice?’