But the heathen in our own land have on us much stronger
claims, and our obligations to put forth efforts in their behalf are
more imperious.

Slavery is a great evil and sin, which affects not only individuals, but
our country; and, both as Christians and patriots, we ought to be
sensibly alive to every thing that affects our common weal. You who live
at the South, it may be, have more responsibility in this matter than we
at the North; but none of us can say, "because I am not personally
implicated in inflicting wrongs upon the slave, therefore I have nothing
to do for their removal." Should this become the universal sentiment of
the church, Satan's kingdom in our world would never come to an end, and
wickedness would prevail forever. The spirit of Christianity, although
preeminently mild, gentle, patient, and long-suffering, is nevertheless,
in an important sense, aggressive. It has ever claimed the right of
interesting itself in the welfare of every human creature--to exert its
influence to check the progress of sin in every form--to attack error in
principle and in practice--to "loose the bands of wickedness,"--"undo
heavy burdens,"--"break every yoke,"--"deliver the poor and needy,"--and
to "remember them that are in bonds as bound with them." This, by some,
may be called officiousness, but we cannot help it; it is a part of the
Christian's legitimate business to volunteer his influence and his
services (in every proper way) in opposing wrong, and to stand up and
plead the cause of those who suffer it the world over. He cannot refrain
from doing so, without proving himself false to his Master and his
Master's cause.

Admitting, then, that all Christians have some kind of responsibility
and duty devolving on them, a most important question comes up. Thirdly,
what shall they do? There are certainly some things which it is
perfectly evident we should not do,--though we should rebuke this and
every sin, we should not give vent to our hatred of the system in
ebullitions of wrath, invective, and abuse toward slaveholders. Thus did
not Christ nor his apostles. This is not in accordance with the
Christian spirit, and could be productive only of evil.

Neither should we endeavor to exert an influence over the slaves to make
them restive and disobedient; none but an enemy to the true interests,
both of the slave and his country, would do that, unless under some
hallucination.

Neither should we interfere politically wit