profitable part of the system in those States, at the present
time, is the sale of the annual increase of the slaves.

"In passing from thy premises, we looked in upon the Triennial
Convention of the Baptists of the United States, then in session
in the city of Baltimore, where I found slave-holding ministers
of high rank in the church, urging successfully the exclusion
from the Missionary Board of that Society, of all those who, in
principle and practice, were known to be decided abolitionists;
and the results of their efforts satisfied me that the darkest
picture of slavery is not to be found in the jail of the
slave-trader, but rather in a convocation of professed ministers
of the Gospel of Christ, expelling from the Board of a Society
formed to enlighten the heathen of other nations, all who
consistently labor for the overthrow of a system which denies a
knowledge of the Holy Scriptures to near three millions of
heathen at home!

"But allow me, in a spirit, as I trust, of Christian kindness,
to entreat thee not to seek excuses for thy own course in the
evil conduct of others. Thou hast already reached the middle
period of life--the future is uncertain. By thy hopes of peace
here and hereafter, let me urge thee to abandon this occupation.
It is not necessary to argue its intrinsic wickedness, for thou
knowest it already. I would therefore beseech thee to listen to
that voice which, I am persuaded, sometimes urges thee to 'put
away the evil of thy doings,' to 'do justice and love mercy,'
and thus cease to draw upon thyself the curse which fell upon
those merchants of Tyre, who 'traded in the persons of men.'
That these warnings of conscience may not longer be neglected on