blaspheme the name of Jesus by giving it to their Company, were the
false Scribes and Pharisees, whom the Saviour cursed!--Yes! glory to the
descendants of my family, who have been the last martyrs offered up by
the accomplices of all slavery and all despotism, the pitiless enemies
of those who wish to think, and not to suffer in silence--of those that
would feign enjoy, as children of heaven, the gifts which the Creator
has bestowed upon all the human family. Yes, the day approaches--the end
of the reign of our modern Pharisees--the false priests, who lend their
sacrilegious aid to the merciless selfishness of the strong against the
weak, by daring to maintain in the face of the exhaustless treasures
of the creation, that God has made man for tears, and sorrow, and
suffering--the false priests, who are the agents of all oppression, and
would bow to the earth, in brutish and hopeless humiliation, the brow of
every creature. No, no! let man lift his head proudly! God made him to
be noble and intelligent free and happy."

"Oh, my brother! your words also are prophetic. Yes, yes! the dawn of
that bright day approaches, even as the dawn of the natural day which,
by the mercy of God, will be our last on earth."

"The last, my sister; for a strange weakness creeps over me, all matter
seems dissolving in me, and my soul aspires to mount to heaven."

"Mine eyes are growing dim, brother; I can scarcely see that light in
the east, which lately appeared so red."

"Sister! it is through a confused vapor that I now see the valley--the
lake--the woods. My strength fails me."

"Blessed be God, brother! the moment of eternal rest is at hand."

"Yes, it comes, my sister! the sweetness of the everlasting sleep takes
possession of my senses."

"Oh, happiness! I am dying--"

"These eyes are closing, sister!"

"We are then forgiven!"

"Forgiven!"

"Oh, my brother! may this Divine redemption extend to all those who
suffer upon the earth!"

"Die in peace, my sister! The great day has dawned--the sun is
rising--behold!"

"Blessed be God!"

"Blessed be God!"

And at the moment when those two voices ceased forever, the sun rose
radiant and dazzling, and deluged the valley with its beams.

To M. C--P--.

To you, my friend, I dedicated this book. To inscribe it with your name,
was to assume an engagement that, in the absence of talent, it should
be at least conscientious, sincere, and of a salutary influence, however
limited