l all point
to its abuses, or in other words, to the evils growing out of its
abuses. Every institution, social, civil and religious is subject to
abuse--may be prostituted to the worst of purposes--the institution of
Christianity not excepted. But it does not necessarily follow, because
an institution is subject to abuse--because it is prostituted to vile
purposes, that there is any thing wrong about the institution. The
evil consists in the abuse or improper use, and not in the
institution. Cupidity inhumanity, and the gratification of the animal
passions and propensities, have incited slaveholders to the worst of
crimes. But this does not prove that the holding of slaves is sinful,
_per se_, under all circumstances. I have shown in the last chapter of
this work, (Chap 13,) that men are too often prompted from selfish
motives to attach themselves to churches, and that many of them are
prostituting a Christian profession to the worst of purposes. But this
does not prove that there is anything defective or wrong about the
Christian religion. No, by no means. If clergymen descend from their
sacred vocation to dabble with politics, and a thousand other things
that a minister of Christ should not touch; or to use their
ministerial influence to accomplish the most diabolical purposes, and
thereby bring reproach on the Christian name, and a grievous curse on
the nation--then assuredly, the institution of Christianity is not to
blame for it; for its Author, both by precept and example taught the
contrary. It was but a few days ago, that a skeptic remarked to me,
"that the inconsistent conduct of professors of religion satisfied him
that there was no truth in the Bible; or at all events, that there was
something wrong about it." I must hasten to a close, as I cannot
extend my remarks on this subject.

There now lies before me a paper, containing the following remarks:
"There is, however, one admitted feature in American slavery of a
character so shameful as to justify almost anything that can be said
or imagined of the institution. Men live with their female slaves in a
state of concubinage, beget children, raise them in their families
with a perfect knowledge of their origin, and sell them or leave them
to be sold by others in case of decease or reverses." It is strange
that those who indulge in such opprobrious remarks about southern
slaveholders, do not look after their own white bastards which are
scattered over this enti