more explicitly on this point, because I have ascertained with
much concern, that there is an influential portion of the
Society, including, I have no doubt, some sincere abolitionists,
who have been so fearful that the testimonies of the Society
might suffer by any union with others, that they have not only
avoided such a co-operation themselves, but have dissuaded those
of their brethren, who have believed it incumbent upon them to
act otherwise; and in one 'Yearly Meeting,' at least, I have too
much reason to fear they have tacitly, if not actively
sanctioned the omission of the names of Friends on meeting
appointments,--however consistent in their conduct, and
concerned for the welfare of the society--simply because they
have felt it their duty to act with persons of other
denominations in promoting the abolition of slavery; thus, in
appearance at least, throwing the whole weight and influence of
the society, in its collective capacity, against a movement,
which, although doubtless partaking of the imperfections
attendant upon all human instrumentality, has already aroused
the whole country to a sense of the wrongs of the slave, and
secured to the nominally free colored citizens, in many of the
States, rights of which they have been so long and so unjustly
deprived.

"Though I can hardly expect that any thing from one entertaining
my view of the subject, can have much weight with those Friends,
who, with a full understanding of the heavy responsibility they
were assuming, have discountenanced anti-slavery exertions, and
the use of our meeting houses, even by consistent members, for
the purpose of giving information on the subject:[A] yet, as it
has occasioned me no small degree of anxiety, both in reference
to the anti-slavery cause, and the Society of Friends itself, I
believe I cannot return to my native land with peace of mind,
without earnestly and affectionately pressing upon such Friends,
the great importance of a careful examination of the ground
which they have taken. Our unwearied adversary is sometimes
permitted to lead us into the most fearful errors, when he
assumes the appearance of an angel of light. And is there not
great danger, in encouraging the young and inexperienced to
suppose that the maintenance of any of our testimonies may be
neglected, e