against his rights, should be thankful. The Church might, and did,
attempt to sanctify this greatest of crimes; but that did not change
the character of the cruelty and injustice. It will, no doubt, seem
strange to you that ministers of the Gospel should be found the
defenders of crime. And yet slavery found its ablest defenders in
the pulpit of the South. I am afraid it always will be so, for even
now we see ministers of the Gospel more ready to hang out false
lights to lead their people into darkness, than to give them that
truth and instruction they so much need. But you must not let the
thought of this lessen your respect for the Church. Examine with
great care until you have found out in what true Christianity
consists; and when you have, practice accordingly to the extent of
your ability. Never forget that it was the preaching of popular
errors that cost the nation so much blood and treasure, so much
sorrow and distress. That bishops should put aside their lawn, and
gird on the sword--that they should lead men to war and death,
instead of the baptismal, and all to perpetuate the sorrows of an
oppressed race, is, my son, only another proof that error may gain a
victory over truth in the hearts and feelings of the best of us.






CHAPTER II.

WE GO TO WAR TO SETTLE OUR DIFFERENCES.