is that belief in the
Bible that leads the mind and the heart astray from the clear
principles of a sound moral philosophy. Even my good Mary, here, is so
warped by her reverence for the Bible, that she defends the
institution of slavery, which I abhor with all my heart. But, Captain,
although I am not surprised at your belief that the Bible sanctions
piracy, since it is quoted by Christians in support of all sorts of
wickedness, I am surprised that a man of your good sense and keen
moral perception in regard to other matters of life, should not
perceive that slavery, and piracy, and war, and everything of the
sort, are irreconcilable with sound morality."

"I do not know," replied the Captain, "what might be the conclusions
of abstract reasoning upon the subject outside of the Bible, for I
have never thought very profoundly about it. But I feel satisfied so
long as I have the assurance that the revealed Word is on my side."

"But, Captain," said Mary, "I am not willing to allow that the Bible
is on your side. It shocks me to hear you say so."

"Well, Miss St. Clair, I must turn you over to brother Gracelius, who
is well posted up in Bible matters. He will be able to show you that
piracy is a Bible institution."

"Yes, my young sister," said Mr. Gracelius, who had not been
inattentive to the conversation, while he was enjoying an excellent
cup of coffee. "The Scriptures do most certainly sanction the
institution of piracy."

Here Mr. Gracelius took from his pocket a small Bible, and proceeded
to say: "On such a question, I am strongly disposed to pass by all
ethical and metaphysical dissertation, and appeal at once to the only
standard of right and wrong which can prove decisive. It is the
responses of the sacred oracles to which we must after all appeal."

"I could wish, Mr. Gracelius," said Albert, "that you would discuss
this question rather upon the foundation principles of morality, than
by arguments from a volume which sanctions war, slavery, death
penalties, and a host of other evils, by the very confessions of
Christians themselves."

"I perceive," said Mr. Gracelius, "that you, sir, have never yet
learned the true grace of God through regeneration, or you too would
bow submissively to the teachings of the sacred Scriptures, and
acknowledge them as the highest standard of right and morality. I
cannot, therefore, hope to seriously affect your mind by an appeal to
the Bible. But Miss St. Clair, being a C