Most of the native Africans that were transported to this country,
were not only the lowest grade of barbarians, but they were the
servants of barbarians. Here, in the United States, they have enjoyed
to a considerable extent, the advantages of civilization, and so far
as religious instruction is concerned; there is not, I suppose, four
millions of human beings on earth, of what are called the lower
classes of society, white or black, who have had superior religious
advantages. I have remarked, however, at the close of chapter 11, that
in consequence of their ignorance; religious instruction had failed to
produce that decided, thorough and permanent influence, which
otherwise it might have done. But I think it probable that there are
not four millions of ignorant illiterate human beings living, on whom
the doctrines of Christianity have exerted as salutary an influence;
nor can there be found a body of ministers of the gospel in the world,
who have made so great sacrifices to Christianize the "lowly," as Mrs.
Stowe chooses to denominate them. The devotion of the Southern clergy
to the best interests of the poor African, is worthy of all praise.
Men without a tithe of their piety may calumniate and reproach them;
but there is one who seeth not as man seeth, who has taken cognizance
of their sacrifices and "labors of love." Ah! my friends, you may
deceive yourselves, and deceive one another, but of one thing you may
rest assured--you cannot deceive your God. Nor are you as successful
in deceiving your fellow creatures, as some of you probably imagine.
Some of us understand you.


SECTION VI.

Is it the duty of American slaveholders to liberate their slaves? I