do to you, do ye also to them likewise.’  If we believe these declarations, and I hope none doubt their authority, I should think reasoning unnecessary to convince us that to oppress and enslave our fellow men cannot be pleasing to Him, who is just and equal in all his ways.

“My concern for the welfare of my fellow men is not confined to color, or circumscribed by geographical lines.  I can never see human suffering without feeling compassion, and I would always gladly alleviate it, if I had it in my power.  I remember that we are all, without distinction of color or locality, children of the same Universal Parent, who delights to see the human family dwell together in peace and harmony.  I am strongly inclined to the opinion that the proceedings of that portion of the inhabitants of the North who are called abolitionists, would not produce so much agitation and excitement at the South, if the people there felt entirely satisfied that slavery was justifiable in the sight of infinite purity and justice.  An eminent minister of the Gospel, about the middle of the seventeenth century, often urged upon the attention of people this emphatic injunction:  ‘Mind the light!’ ’All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light; for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.’  Now, if this light, or spirit of truth, ’a manifestation of which is given to every man to profit withal,’ should be found testifying in your consciences against injustice and oppression, regard its admonitions!  It will let none remain at ease in their sins.  It will justify for well doing; but to those who rebel against it, and disregard its reproofs, it will become the ’worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched.’

“I am aware that complaints are often made, because obstacles are thrown in the way of Southerners reclaiming their fugitive slaves.  But bring the matter home to yourselves.  Suppose a white man resided among you, who, for a series of years, had conducted with sobriety, industry, and probity, and had given frequent evidence of the kindness of his heart, by a disposition to oblige whenever opportunity offered; suppose he had a wife and children dependent upon him, and supported them comfortably and respectably; could you see that man dragged from his bed, and from the bosom of his family, in the dead time of night, manacled, and hurried away into a distant part of the country, where his family could never see him again, and where they knew he must linger out a miserable existence, more intolerable than death, amid the horrors of slavery?  I ask whether you could witness all this, without the most poignant grief?  This is no picture of the fancy.  It is a sober reality.  The only difference is, the men thus treated are black.  But in my view, this does not diminish the horrors of such cruel deeds.  Can it be expected then, that the citizens of this state, or indeed of any other, would witness all this, without instituting