frequently and as fervently. With how much
pleasure did you and I listen to your "Jamie," one time when we were
taking an evening stroll past his cabin, and overheard his family
prayer. With what simplicity and earnestness did he pour out his soul to
God for the salvation of his "dear children." And do you not remember,
too, how with equal importunity he prayed God to "bless dear kind Massa
and Missus, and dere precious children, and also Massa's friend, and dat
all may meet to praise Jesus togedder in heaven," and how we found it
difficult to speak for a minute or two, and how the big tear-drops stood
in our eyes, and we couldn't help it?

You told me there were a great many "Jamies" at the South, and I have no
doubt of it; they love their little ones as well, and who so competent
to train them up for Christ? Who will presume to step in between these
parents and their children and say, this family altar shall be broken
down, and those who have bowed around it shall be separated, to meet no
more till they meet at the judgment? Who will peril his own soul by
taking those children away from such an influence, and for a pecuniary
consideration cast them upon the wide world with none to instruct them,
and none to care or pray for them, except their heart-broken parents
whom they have left behind? I would not do it, neither would you, for
the wealth of the world; and yet, is it not often done? In speaking of
this subject, one of the most eminent southern divines[H] uses the
following language: "Slavery, as it exists among us, sets up between
parents and their children an authority higher than the impulse of
nature and the laws of God; breaks up the authority of the father over
his own offspring, and at pleasure separates the mother at a returnless
distance from her child, thus outraging all decency and justice." I
shall refer to the sentiments of this brother again.

I remain as ever,

Affectionately yours, etc.

LETTER VII.

THE CROWNING EVIL OF SLAVERY.--PRECIOUSNESS OF THE BIBLE.--OUR
CHART AND COMPASS ON LIFE'S VOYAGE INDISPENSABLE.--ORAL
INSTRUCTIONS INSUFFICIENT.--DANGERS.--SHIPWRECK ALMOST
INEVITABLE.--WITHHELD FROM THE SLAVE.--SHUTS MULTITUDES OUT OF
HEAVEN.--AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.--TESTIMONY OF GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.--OF SYNOD OF KENTUCKY.--OF DR. BRECKENRIDGE.

MY DEAR BROTHER,--There is one feature of slavery, fourthly, which gives
me more pain by far than any other, and I may say more than all others