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Show THE MONTHLY OFFERING. shall be able to learn what instrumentalities are already in motion. I don't doubt we shall find that there is a society in operation, and it will be best, if there is, for us to aid it. v;r e might associate ourselves together for that pur· pose, in this place; for we know by the eil'ect of all our other associatior.s, that many hands make hght work. Ten persons together can effect more than ten tu:nes the amount that one person can. We can help to pn~t and circulate publications and sustain agents, as we ~o In ?ther benevolent operations. Indeed, it seems as If a httle light only, were wanting, to stir up the whole nation abo~t it. This one paper has awakened me, never to sleep agmn on this subject, I trust." The friend fell in with her views, and arm in arm, they took their way to pursue what they had ever found the efficient course to promote the various objects of benevolence they had at heart, viz: to take measures for securing the co-operation of others. Their ~rst call ~va~ upon the family of their pastor. He was himself Wilhm, and readily entered into conversation with them. .He feared, he said, that they were hardly aware of the delicacy of the subject, or the difficulties that surrounded it. Situated as the ministry and the church were at the South, .he had no doubt that the agitation of it, must be necessanly followed by division, and every ill that ought to be most deprecated. He knew, perhaps, more than some others, respecting the character of those by whom the movemen.t had been commenced. They were harsh and denunciatory, and abusive of good men. He could not but hope that Mrs. James would refrain fromjdentifying herself with them, though he was as anxious as any one could be f?r the abolition of slavery. He should advise, however, wail· ing till such a time as the subject could be introduced without giving offence. This could not be done while the instrumentalities he alluded to were in existence, as they caused all efforts to be suspected. Indeed, it was no wonder that the South, and the North, too, should close the;r ears against men who strove to deprive of influence, some A TALE OF ENDEAVOR. 59 of the be;t Christians in-the land, who were unfortunately involved in slaveholding. "Best Christians! Slave.holding! unfortunately!" exclaimed Mrs. James, with a hasty touch of indignation and sympathy with the suffering nnd the wronged; "why surely it ought to be made an object to deprive of his influence, forthwith, the man who in the nineteenth century, in Christian and republican America, uses it to gild the systam of slavery. Every jot of character and influence he has, prolongs the existence of slavery." Her pastor could no: forgive her for having a truer moral sense than himself, and never after heard the subject adverted to without shame, and pain, and opposition. Her next call was upon the deacon of another church, who was one of her neighbors. He was no advocate for slavery, he said, but he always had observed something in ladies which unfitted tl.em for the consideration of such subjects as this. They were apt to be carried away with one idea, and to in:roduce it, as it were, butt end foremost. These subjects ought to be managed on the principle of the wedge. "Just as he chose," Mrs. James replied; "she would leave it entirely to him how they should begin." He thought when they should begin, was the more difficult question, as the time was now so occupied. Almost every evening in the week was devoted to some benevolent operation. They must not leave these things undone. "No, nor the other, either," was the reply. "True," responded the de3con, "but we have a very interesting revival of religion in our society, and we ought tb be exceedingly careful how we grieve away the Spirit, by introducing any matters which would give rise to difference of opinion: "The Spirit, like a peaceful do,•e, Flies from the scenes of noise and strife." you know the hymn, my dear madam." Again Mrs. James lost the power to suppress her thoughts. "Religion, indeed! What sort of a revival of it, |