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old man. But as friends of peace, as well as believers in the Sermon on the Mount, we dare not lend any countenance to such attempts as that at Harper's Ferry.
I hope, in our admiration of the noble traits of John Brown's character, we shall be careful how we encourage a repetition of his rash and ill-judged movement.
Thou and I believe in “a more excellent way.”
I have just been looking at one of the pikes sent here by a friend in Baltimore.
It is not a Christian weapon; it looks too much like murder.
God is now putting our non-resistance principles to a severe test.
I hope we shall not give the lie to our lifelong professions.
I quite agree with thee that we must judge of Brown by his standards; but at the same time we must be true to our settled convictions, and to the duty we owe to humanity.
Thou wilt see how difficult it is for me to write as thou request.
My heart is too heavy and sorrowful.
I cannot write now, and can only wait, with fervent prayer that the cause we love may receive no detriment.
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