Godwin, in some of his writings, asks, “What is it that enables a thousand errors to keep their station in the world?  It is cowardice.  It is because the majority of men, who see that things are not altogether right, yet see in so frigid a way, and have so little courage to express their views.  If every man to-day would tell all the truth he knows, three years hence, there would scarcely be a falsehood of any magnitude remaining in the civilized world.”

In the summer of 1844, Friend Hopper met with a Methodist preacher from Mississippi, who came with his family to New-York, to attend a General Conference.  Being introduced as a zealous abolitionist, the conversation immediately turned upon slavery.  One of the preacher’s daughters said, “I could’nt possibly get along without slaves, Mr. Hopper.  Why I never dressed or undressed myself, till I came to the North.  I wanted very much to bring a slave with me.”

“I wish thou hadst,” rejoined Friend Hopper.

“And what would you have done, if you had seen her?” she inquired.

He replied, “I would have told her that she was a free woman while she remained here; but if she went back to the South, she would be liable to be sold, like a pig or a sheep.”

They laughed at this frank avowal, and when he invited them to come to his house with their father, to take tea, they gladly accepted the invitation.  Again the conversation turned toward that subject, which is never forgotten when North and South meet.  In answer to some remark from Friend Hopper, the preacher said, “Do you think I am not a Christian?”

“I certainly do not regard thee as one,” he replied.

“And I suppose you think I cannot get to heaven?” rejoined the slaveholder.

“I will not say that,” replied the Friend.  “To thy own Master thou must stand or fall.  But slavery is a great abomination, and no one who is guilty of it can be a Christian, or Christ-like.  I would not exclude thee from the kingdom of heaven; but if thou dost enter there, it must be because thou art ignorant of the fact that thou art living in sin.”

After a prolonged conversation, mostly on the same topic, the guests rose to depart.  The Methodist said, “Well, Mr. Hopper, I have never been treated better by any man, than I have been by you.  I should be very glad to have you visit us.”

“Ah! and thou wouldst lynch me; or at least, thy friends would,” he replied, smiling.

“Oh no, we would treat you very well,” rejoined the Southerner.  “But how would you talk about slavery if you were there?”

“Just as I do here, to be sure,” answered the Quaker.  “I would advise the slaves to be honest, industrious, and obedient, and never try to run away from a good master, unless they were pretty sure of escaping; because if they were caught, they would fare worse than before.  But if they had a safe opportunity, I should advise them to be off as soon as possible.”  In a more serious