Her fast-increasing enthusiasm alarmed her cautious sister, and drew from her frequent and serious remonstrances.  But that she also travelled rapidly towards the final rending of the bonds which had hitherto held her, we find from a letter to Sarah Douglass, written in the spring of 1835.  Speaking of Jay’s book of Colonization, which had just appeared, she says:—­

“The work is written for the most part in a spirit of Christian candor and benevolence.  There is here and there a touch of satire or sarcasm I would rather should have been spared.  The subject is one of solemn importance to our country, and while I do desire that every righteous means may be employed to give to America a clear and convincing view of the fearful load of guilt that rests upon her for trading in the souls of men, yet I do want the friends of emancipation to take no unhallowed weapons to sever the manacles of the slave.  I rejoice in the hope that all the prominent friends of abolition are peace men.  My sister sends her love to thee.  Her mind is deeply engaged in the cause of immediate, unconditional emancipation.  I believe she does often pray for it.”

In July, 1835, Angelina went to visit a friend in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.  In this quiet retreat she had ample time for reflection, and for the study of abolition.  She could, she says, think of nothing else; and the question continually before her was, “What can I do?  What can I do?” But the more she thought, the more perplexed she became.  The certainty that any independent action, whatever, would not only offend her Society, but grieve her sister, stood in the way of reaching any conclusion, and kept her in a state of unrest which plainly showed itself in her letters to Sarah.

Doubtless she did consider Sarah’s advice, for she still looked up to her with filial regard, but before she could do more than consider it, an event occurred which made the turning point in her career, and emancipated her forever from the restrictions to which she had so unwillingly assented.

The difficulty which abolitionists found in holding meetings in Boston, to be addressed by George Thompson, of England, brought out in July an Appeal to the citizens of Boston from Mr. Garrison.  This reached Angelina’s hands, and so touched her feelings, so aroused all her anti-slavery enthusiasm, that she could no longer keep quiet.  She must give expression to her sympathy with the great cause.  She wrote to the author—­a brave thing for her to do—­but we doubt if she could have refrained even if she could have fully realized the storm of reproach which the act brought down upon her.  On account of its length, I cannot copy this letter entire, but a few extracts will give an idea of its general tone and spirit.  It is dated Philadelphia, 8th Month 30th, 1835, and begins thus:—­

“Respected Friend:  It seems as if I was compelled at this time to address thee, notwithstanding all my reasonings against intruding on thy valuable time, and the uselessness of so insignificant a person as myself offering thee the sentiments of sympathy at this alarming crisis.