Providence, Rhode
Island, Nov. 26.
My Dear Sir: Permit
me, an utter stranger to you, to intrude a moment, just that I may say, God
bless you! Be of good cheer. You bore your witness against American Slavery
with voice so loud that all the civilized world now listens, all breathless, to
its every echo. More than this: by that act four million slaves have learned
with such force of impression as never was theirs before, that they have a
right to be free. Washington, and those with him, fought for their own homes
and their own liberties; but you, with broader benevolence, having no freedom
to gain for yourself, took the sword in behalf of a race oppressed infinitely
more than our fathers. I do not say that I think it right to appeal to arms, but
I do say that if the first was right, then by logical necessity, was the
second. It is an axiom in religion that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the
church. Jesus baptized his new faith with his own blood. In all ages truth is
most advanced by those who most suffer for it. Greater love hath no man than
this, that he lay down his life for another. Let these thoughts console you. I
have read your speeches and letters studiously, and from them verily believe
that you have acted from altogether righteous motives. Remember, if you have a
truly honest and prayerful conscience towards God, He will accept your
intentions. I beseech you to read His Word much, and with all the power of your
nature to trust yourself entirely to his infinite care. It may perhaps somewhat
cheer you to know that beyond question the greater part of the Christian world
will approve your intentions. From tens of thousands of hearts prayer is
continually made for you. Posterity will look upon you as the Moses of the
American bondmen. Your name will be a watchword henceforth for Freedom. Coming
ages will put your statue in high places, and build glorious monuments to the
honor of your name. God be with you now, and comfort you, and receive you into
the glorious company of confessors and martyrs above.
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