I deeply sympathize, who are only deterred from more
active exertion by their reluctance to give dissatisfaction to
those whom they respect. The sorrow which I feel, under the
consideration that, in parting with many of you, we never
probably shall meet again in mutability, is softened by the
persuasion, that the difficulties by which you are surrounded
are lessening, and that some who are now opposing you, will, ere
long, join you in efforts, which shall remove from the minds,
both of abolitionists and slave-holders, the belief so generally
entertained, that the Society of Friends in this country are not
earnestly engaged for the _total and immediate_ abolition of
slavery. No one regrets more than myself that any friends to the
cause of abolition should connect other topics with it, which,
however suitable to be discussed on their own merits, must
necessarily interfere with this simple and momentous object. You
are aware of some of the circumstances which may have led to the
state of feeling, with many in our society, which we so much
deplore. And it is my fervent desire that none of you, in any
steps you may consider it your duty to take, may afford just
cause of uneasiness, by any compromise of Christian principle,
any improper harshness of language, or by the introduction of
any subject not strictly belonging to the anti-slavery cause.
Your situation is one of peculiar difficulty and delicacy. Both
from a regard to your own religious society and the suffering
slave, you have need to exercise great watchfulness, and to
cultivate feelings of brotherly love and that 'charity which
suffereth long, and is kind.' The beautiful example of John
Woolman, in this respect, is worthy of your imitation. His
labors were, for years, far less encouraged by the leading
influences of society than your own at the present time; yet we
find, in reading his invaluable journal, no traces of bitterness
or uncharitable feeling.

"Finally, dear friends of all classes,--In thus freely
addressing you, I have written, not only with a strong
attachment to our religious society, but, I trust, under a
feeling of a degree of that love, which is not confined to
geographical boundaries, or affected by color or by clime. The
prayer of my heart is, that each of you may be willing to be
made instrumen