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‘I came to preach the Gospel, which inculcates forgiveness of injuries upon slaves as well as upon other men,’ replied the Quaker.
‘But tell me, if thou canst, how this Gospel can be truly preached, without showing the slaves that they are injured, and thus making a man of thy sentiments feel as if they were encouraged in rebellion.’
This led to a long argument, maintained in the most friendly spirit.
At parting, the slaveholder shook hands with the preacher, and invited him to come again.
His visits were renewed, and six months after, the Virginian emancipated all his slaves.
When preaching in the free states, he earnestly called upon all to abstain from slave-produce, and thus in a measure wash their own hands from participation in a system of abominable wickedness and cruelty.
His zeal on this subject annoyed some of his brethren, but they could not make him amena ble to discipline for it; for these views were in accordance with the earliest and strongest testimonies of the Society of Friends; moreover, it would have been discreditable to acknowledge such a ground of offence.
But the secret dissatisfaction showed itself in a disposition to find fault with him. Charges were brought against his doctrines.
He was accused of denying the authority of Scripture, and the divinity of Christ.
It was a departure from the original basis of the
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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