Scriptures,
and to offer prayer. He read the fifteenth chapter of Revelation. Never
can I forget the impression which one of the verses in that chapter made
upon me, in connection with some of the thoughts awakened by our
conversation about the sovereignty of God as displayed in his dark and
awful dispensations towards races, nations, and men: 'And the seven
angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure
and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.'
'Those who are in any way associated with the administration of God's
great judgments towards their fellow-men,' said he, 'have need of
special purity; and their honor should be like the untarnished gold.'

"This pastor told me, during the repast, that one day, returning
suddenly from his study in the church just after breakfast, to the house
of one of the gentlemen present, with whom he lived, and who was one of
the wealthiest men in the South, and passing through the parlor to get a
book, he found the room darkened, and the lady of the house kneeling in
prayer with her servants. He of course withdrew at once, but he learned
afterward from one of the 'slaves,' that it was the lady's daily custom.
He often thought of that incident when reading Northern religious
newspapers and noticing their lamentations over 'slave-holding
professors.'"

* * * * *

So much for my Southern visit.

Mrs. North said that in our next conversation she would suggest that we
consider the relation of Christianity to Slavery. I told her that I had
some night thoughts on that subject, which I would with pleasure
submit, at another time.

As the rain continued, Mr. North and I resorted to the wood-pile in the
shed for exercise, till dinner-time, Mrs. North following us to the
door, and charging us not to converse upon this subject till she should
be present.

CHAPTER IX.

DISCUSSION IN PHILEMON'S CHURCH AT THE RETURN OF ONESIMUS.

"My equal will he be again
Down in that cold, oblivious gloom,
Where all the prostrate ranks of men
Crowd without fellowship,--the tomb."

JAMES MONTGOMERY.

"I will now relate to you," said I, as we resumed our conversation, "the
thoughts which came to me one night as I lay awake meditating on this
subject. I wrote them down the next day.

"The subject in our conversation which suggested them was, The relation
of Christianity to slavery.

*