sentiments, but I did feel it my duty to bear a decided testimony against an institution which I believe altogether contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; for it was a system which nourished the worst passions of the human heart, a system which sanctioned the daily trampling under foot of the feelings of our fellow creatures.  ‘But,’ said one, ‘it is exceedingly imprudent in you to speak as you do.’  I replied I was not speaking before servants, I was speaking only to owners, whom I wished to know my sentiments; this wrong had long enough been covered up, and I was not afraid or ashamed to have any one know my sentiments—­they were drawn from the Bible.  I also took occasion to speak very plainly to sister Mary about the bad feeling she had towards negroes, and told her, though she wished to get rid of them, and would be glad to see them shipped, as she called it, that this wish did not spring from pure Christian benevolence.  My heart was very heavy after this conversation.”

“3d Mo. 31st.  Yesterday was a day of suffering.  My soul was exceedingly sorrowful, and out of the depths of it, I cried unto the Lord that He would make a way for me to escape from this land of slavery.  Is there any suffering so great as that of seeing the rights and feelings of our fellow creatures trodden under foot, without being able to rescue them from bondage?  How clear it is to my mind that slaves can be controlled only by one of two principles,—­fear or love.  As to moral restraint, they know nothing of it, for they are not taught to act from principle.  I feel as though I had nothing to do in this thing, but by my manner to bear a decided testimony against such an abuse of power.  The suffering of mind through which I have passed has necessarily rendered me silent and solemn.  The language seems to be, ’It behooves thee to suffer these things,’ and this morning I think I saw very plainly that this was a part of the preparation for the awful work of the ministry.”

“4th Mo. 4th.  Does not this no less positive than comprehensive law under the Gospel dispensation entirely exclude slavery:  ’Do unto others as you would he done by?’ After arguing for some time, one evening, with an individual, I proposed the question:  ’Would’st thou be willing to be a slave thyself?’ He eagerly answered ‘No!’ ‘Then,’ said I, ’thou hast no right to enslave the negro, for the Master expressly says:  “Do unto others as thou wouldst they should do unto thee."’ Again I put the query:  ’Suppose thou wast obliged to free thy slaves, or take their place, which wouldst thou do?’ Of course he said he would free them.  ‘But why,’ I asked, ’if thou really believest what thou contendest for, namely, that their situation is as good as thine?’ But these questions were too close, and he did not know what to say.”