ristian women, on the subject of slavery, upon
reading their letter, she handed it to her sister Sarah, saying,
"I feel this to be God's call. I can not decline it." A long
conversation followed, the details of which I received from Sarah
not long after; and, as they present vividly the marked
characteristics of both sisters, I give in substance such as I
can recall.

S.--But you know that you are constitutionally retiring,
self-distrustful, easily embarrassed. You have a morbid shrinking
from whatever would make you conspicuous.

A.--Yes, you have drawn me to the life. I confess that I have all
that, and yet at times I have nothing of it. I know that I am
diffident about assuming responsibilities; but when I feel that
anything is mine to do, no matter what, then I have no fear.

S.--You are going among strangers, you wear strange garments,
speak in a strange language, will be in circumstances wholly
novel, and about a work that you never attempted, and most of
those who will listen to you have prejudices against
Abolitionists, and also against a woman's speaking to any
audience. Now in all there embarrassing circumstances, and in
your lack of self-confidence when you come to face an
unsympathizing audience, does not it seem likely that you will
find it impossible to speak to edification, and thus will be
forced to give it up altogether?

A.--Yes, it seems presumptuous for me to undertake it; but yet I
can not refuse to do it. The conviction is a part of me. I can
not absolve myself from it. The responsibility is thrust upon me.
I can not thrust it off.

S.--I know you will not and can not. My only desire is for you
deliberately to look at all things just as they are, and give
each its due weight. If, after that, your conviction is
unchanged, with my whole heart I'll help you to carry it out.
There is but one thing more that I think of. If you were to go
upon this mission without the sanction of the "Meeting for
Sufferings," it would be regarded as disorderly, a violation of
the established usage of the Society, and they would probably
feel compelled to disown you. [This was prior to the disownment
that followed the marriage].

A.--As my mind is made up absolutely to go, I can not ask their
leave to go. For their fidelit