independent agriculture, so that evidence might be afforded that
they could use their liberty to good purpose, and become useful
citizens. The Browns were always active in promoting such
apprenticeship to freedom.

Two scenes reveal the temper of this united house. The first is
at Franklin, where in the Congregational Church there are revival
services being conducted, in which the Episcopalians and
Methodists are uniting with their neighbours under the guidance
of a fervent evangelist. The folk are greatly wrought upon, and
are looking for an outpouring of divine grace. Among the large
assemblies are many coloured folk, some free and some runaway
slaves. The darkies are directed by judicious deacons to seats
reserved for them near the door, where they will not vex the eyes
of the worshipping whites. John Brown has swift argument within
him as in his boyish days: 'Has God--their Father and ours--set
any line betwixt His children? Is He a respecter of persons?
And, if not, can we expect reasonably an outpouring of His grace
while in this ungracious manner we are thwarting Him? We shall
bar the blessing we seek.' Rising to his feet, he denounces the
distinction in God's House, then, turning to his own family, who
were accustomed to obey him, and whom he knew agreed with him, he
bade them rise and take the seats near the door while the negroes
came and took theirs near the front. Nothing loth, both parties
did as they were told, to the confusion of the pious community.
Next day pastor and deacons waited upon the refractory member--
John Brown--to 'labour with him,' as the old church chronicle has
it, upon his grave indecorum. But they found themselves
belaboured with passages from Old Testament and New, and sundry
stout doctrines of the Christian faith, till they retired