“I see that they are,” said Mr. North.

“Do you believe that God is a spirit infinite, eternal, unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth?”

“I do,” said he.

“You believe this notwithstanding the apostasy, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the flood, and the extirpation of the Canaanites.”

“I do,” said he, “so long as I receive the Bible as the Word of God.”

“I think,” said Mrs. North, “that the loss of the ‘Central America’ with her four hundred passengers, tries my faith in God full as much as a heathen’s having his ear bored to spend his days with his wife and children among God’s covenant people.”

“Then you do not worship the Goddess of Liberty, Mrs. North,” said I.—­“’Art thou called being a servant?  Care not for it.  But if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.’”

“That,” said she, “seems to express my idea about bondage and freedom.  Of course it is not, theoretically, a blessing to be a slave.  It may be, practically, to some.  But what strikes me oftentimes is the utter inability of an abolitionist to say to a slave, under any circumstances, ‘Care not for it.’  His doctrine, rather, is, ’Art thou called being a servant?  If thou hast a Sharpe’s rifle, or a John Brown’s pike, use it rather.’  Or, ’Art thou called being a servant?  If thou canst run for Canada, use it rather.’  Paul had not an abolitionist mind, that is very clear.  But,” she continued, “do relieve my husband and enlighten me also, by giving us your views about the Old Testament slavery, which I presume you can do without seeming to arraign the character of God.”

I replied, “This is a sinful race, and we are treated as such.  Slavery is one of God’s chastisements.  Instead of destroying every wicked nation by war, pestilence, or famine, he grants some of them a reprieve, and commutes their punishment from death to bondage.  Those whom he allowed to be slaves to his people Israel were highly favored; they enjoyed a blessing which came to them disguised by the sable cloud of servitude; but in their endless happiness many of them will bless God for the bondage which joined them to the nation of Israel.

“I look upon our slaves as being here by a special design of Providence, for some great purpose, to be disclosed at the right time.  Unless I take this view of it, I am embarrassed and greatly troubled; ‘perplexed, but not in despair.’  The great design of Providence in no wise abates the sin of those who brought the slaves here, nor does it warrant us in getting more of them.  While this is true, I cannot resist the thought that God has a controversy with this black race which is not yet finished.  I believe that God withholds from them a spirit and temper suited for freedom till he shall have finished his marvellous designs.  His destiny with the Jew, as a nation, to the present day, is another illustration of his mysterious providence with regard to a people.