Print
Word
PDF
|
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Appendix
Douglass writes an appendix to address the issue of religion. In the narrative, he makes several negative references to religion, but he does not want people to misunderstand his position. Douglass makes a distinction between Christianity proper and the Christianity of the slaveholders. He finds them incompatible; one is good, right, and pure, the other corrupt, evil, and hypocritical. Douglass provides many examples of the hypocrisies practiced by "pious" slaveholders. He compares them to the Pharisees of the bible. Douglass ends the appendix with a poem written by a northern Methodist preacher, titled A Parody. Douglass concludes,
"Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds-faithfully relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my humble efforts-and solemnly pledging my self anew to the sacred cause,-I subscribe myself, FREDERICK DOUGLASS." Appendix, pg. 159
