In truth (though we never could find a solution in the Bible for it), as the traffic in human property increased Mr. Hadger’s riches, so also did it in a corresponding ratio increase his piety.  There is, indeed, a singular connection existing between piety and slavery; but to analyze it properly requires the mind of a philosopher, so strange is the blending.

Brother Hadger takes a sup of ice-water, and commences reading Sister Slocum’s letter, which runs thus:  “New York, May -, 1850.  “Dear brother Hadger: 

“Justice and Mercy is the motto of the cause we have lent our hands and hearts to promote.  Only yesterday we had a gathering of kind spirits at the Mission House in Centre street, where, thank God, all was peace and love.  We had, too, an anxious gathering at the ’Tract Society’s rooms.’  There it was not so much peace and love as could have been desired.  Brother Bight seemed earnest, but said many unwise things; and Brother Scratch let out some very unwise indiscretions which you will find in the reports I send.  There was some excitement, and something said about what we got from the South not being of God’s chosen earnings.  And there was something more let off by our indiscreet Brothers against the getting up of the tracts.  But we had a majority, and voted down our indiscreet Brothers, inasmuch as it was shown to be necessary not to offend our good friends in the South.  Not to give offence to a Brother is good in the sight of the Lord, and this Brother Primrose argued in a most Christian speech of four long hours or more, and which had the effect of convincing every one how necessary it was to free the tracts of everything offensive to your cherished institution.  And though we did not, Brother Hadger, break up in the continuance of that love we were wont to when you were among us, we sustained the principle that seemeth most acceptable to you-we gained the victory over our disaffected Brothers.  And I am desired on behalf of the Society, to thank you for the handsome remittance, hoping you will make it known, through peace and love, to those who kindly contributed toward it.  The Board of ‘Foreign Missions,’ as you will see by the report, also passed a vote of thanks for your favor.  How grateful to think what one will do to enlighten the heathen world, and how many will receive a tract through the medium of the other.

“We are now in want of a few thousand dollars, to get the Rev. Singleton Spyke, a most excellent person, off to Antioch.  Aid us with a mite, Brother Hadger, for his mission is one of God’s own.  The enclosed letter is an appeal to Sister Swiggs, whose yearly mites have gone far, very far, to aid us in the good but mighty work now to be done.  Sister Swiggs will have her reward in heaven for these her good gifts.  How thankful should she be to Him who provides all things, and thus enableth her to bestow liberally.

“And now, Brother, I must say adieu!  May you continue to live in the spirit of Christian love.  And may you never feel the want of these mites bestowed in the cause of the poor heathen.  “Sister Abijah Slocum.”