w. It
was in 1839, when they were living at Franklin, Ohio, that he called
them around him, and on bended knee declared the secret mission with
which, he believed, High Heaven had charged him--to labour by word or
sword, by any means opportunity might offer, for the overthrow of
slavery, which he believed to be the very citadel of evil in America.
'Swear, children, swear,' said he; and from that little group in the
log house there went up an appeal for a blessing upon their oath--an
oath which they could truly protest was likely to bring nought to them
but peril, disaster, and, perchance, death, but which they were well
assured must bring glory to Eternal God. And so their oath was
registered in heaven.

For many years it was only in indirect ways they could promote their
end. Early they gave themselves to help the tentative endeavours that
were often on foot to educate those slaves who did make good their
escape, and especially to train them to independent agriculture, so
that evidence might be afforded that they could use their liberty to
good purpose, and become useful citizens. The Browns were always
active in promoting such apprenticeship to freedom.

Two scenes reveal the temper of this united house. The first is at
Franklin, where in the Congregational Church there are revival services
being conducted, in which the Episcopalians and Methodists are uniting
with their neighbours under the guidance of a fervent evangelist. The
folk are greatly wrought upon, and are looking for an outpouring of
divine grace. Among the large assemblies are many coloured folk, some
free and some runaway slaves. The darkies are directed by judicious
deacons to seats reserved for them near the door, where they will not
vex the eyes of the worshipping whites. John Brown has swift argument
within him as in his boyish days: 'Has God--their Father and ours--set
any line betwixt His children? Is He a respecter of persons? And, if
not, can we expect reasonably an outpouring of His grace while in this
ungracious manner we are thwarting Him? We shall bar the blessing we
seek.' Rising to his feet, he denounces the distinction in God's
House, then, turning to his own family, who were accustomed to obey
him, and whom he knew agreed with him, he bade them rise and take the
seats near the door while the negroes came and took theirs near the
front. Nothing loth, both parties did as they were told, to the
confusion of the pious communit