UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

"
were
"
-then
itsday
a melancholyconsideration, but no
that there is almost no absurdity and no
that has not, at some period
"world'shistory, had the advantage
goodman's virtues in itssupport.
KEY TO UNCLE TOM S CABIN.
lesstrue, pointedout a more arduous conflict. The
injustice
very heart shrinksto think what the faithful
of the Christian must endure who assailsthisinstitution
of some
It is a part of our trialin this imperfect
evil systemsonlysupportedby
life ;
the evil, our moral discipline would be much
less severe than it is,and our course in
attacking error
far plainer.
On the whole,we cannot but think that
there was much Christian wisdom in the
remark, winch we have before quoted,of a
poor old slave-woman, whose whole life had
been darkened by this system, that we must
"
hate the sin,but love the sinner."
The last means for the abolitionof slavery
will ask no man whether he was of this or
We do not ask it. Ourselves weak,irresolute
that party; but he certainly will ask him and worldly, shall we ask you to do
whether he gave his vote in the fear of God, what perhapswe ourselves should not dare?
and for the advancement of the kingdomof But we will beseech Him to speakto you,
righteousness.
who dared and endured more than this for
It is often objected that slavery is a distant
your sake,and who can strengthen you to
sin,with which we have nothing to do. If dare and endure for His. He can raise you
any clergymanwishes to test this fact,let above all temporary and worldlyconsiderations.
him once plainly and faithfully preachupon
He can inspire you with that love to
it. He willprobably then findthat the roots himself which will make you willingto
of the poison-tree have run under the very leave father and mother,and wife and child,
hearth-stone of New Englandfamilies,
yea, to giveup life itself, for his sake. And
that in his very congregation are those in if he ever brings you to that placewhere
complicity with this sin.
you and this world take a final farewell of
It is no child's playto attack an institution
each other,where you make up your mind
which has absorbed into itself so much solemnly to giveall up for his cause, where
of the political power and wealth of this neither lifenor death,nor thingspresent nor
nation,and theywho try it will soon find things to come, can move you from this purpose,
thattheywrestle "not with fleshand blood."
will you know a joywhich is
No armor will do for this warfare but the above all other joy,a peace constant and
"
armor
as the eternal God from whom
of righteousness."
To our brethren in the South God has
255
on its own ground ; but it must be
done. How was it at the North ? There
was a universal effortto put down the discussion
of it here by mob law. Printingpresses
were broken,houses torn down,
propertydestroyedḄrave men, however,
stood firm ; martyr blood Avas shed for the
rightof free opinion and speech; and so the
rightof discussion was established. Nobody
triesthat sort of "
argument now, is
past. In Kentucky,also,theytried to stop
the discussionby similar means. Mob violence
destroyed a printing-press, and threatened
the lives of individuals. But there
is the " Armor of Righteousness on the rightwere brave men there,who feared not violence
hand and on the left."
or threats of death ; and emancipation
By thiswe mean an earnest application is now open for discussionin Kentucky.
of all straight-forward, honorable and justThe fact is. the South must discuss the
measures, for the removal of the system of matter of slavery Ṣhe cannot shut it out,
slaveryẸvery man. in his place, should remonstrate
unless she lays an embarg on the literature
against it. All its sophistical of the whole civilized world. If it be,
arguments should be answered,its biblical indeed,divine and God-appointed, why does
defences unmasked by correct reasoning and she so tremble to have it touched ? If it be
interpretation. Every mother should teach of God,all the freeinquiryin the world cannot
the evil of it to her children. Every clergyman
overthrow it. Discussion must and will
should fully and continually warn his come. It onlyrequires courageous
men to
church againstany complicity with such a lead the way.
sin. It is said that this would be introducing
Brethren in theSouth țhere are many of
politics into the pulpit Ịt is answered, you who are trulyconvinced that slaveryis
that since people will have to give an account a sin,a tremendous wrong; but,if you confess
of their political actions in the day of judgment,
your sentiments, and endeavor to propagate
it seems proper that the minister your opinions,
should instruct them somewhat as to their affliction, and even death,await you. How
political responsibilities. In that day Christ can we ask you, then,to come forward?
you think that persecution,
unchanging
itsprings.