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Show 122 NARRATIVE OF \rould have us to live. 0 how pleasant it is to see the matter in so clear a. light !" 1' And now/' s..1.icl Albert, "I wish to know how it is you a little while ago called you1·self an Abolition. ist. Did you really mean what yotl said in its full import?'' "Yes I did," replied Mary. "That argument made by Mr. Gracelius was so exactly similar to the mode of interpreting the Scriptures in behalf of slavery, that I at once saw if it were good for slavery, it was just as good in defence of piracy ; and that I must give up the Bible under such a mode of intcrpreta· tion, or admit that piracy itself is sanctioned by the Bible. I could not give up my precious Bible, for I have felt so much of its hallowed influences upon my soul, that I could not think of parting from it. I lwvc, like yourself, spent this voyage studying it with great care, and whatever may be the criticisms of the learned upon words, I am cettain that the whole "J>i rit of Christianity, as developed before ami since Cbrist, ut:erly condemns any and every system, or practice, or principle \vhich does not recognize all men as brethren. And I also perceive that many t1iugs have h.!cn \\TC~tcd frl'm tl!cir original meaning ALllERT AND MARY. 123 to subservc tbe purposes of oppression and tyranny. I now so read that good book, that I discriminate be· tween the erroneous ideas and rractices of the Jews and the divine law-between historical facts and tra· ditional infercnces-bet,,·een man's misconceptions and the true principles of religion. I now can and do sec from the Bible itself that slavery i; all wrong; and being so, I am obliged to be au Abolitionist; for I know that no Christian ought to continue the practice of what is wrong in itself on any consideration. But, Albert, Low was it that you who did not believe in the Uible, became an Abolitionist ?" " Why, Mary, the truth is, I did not believe in tbe Bible, because, being an Abolitionist, professed Christians and ministers justructe<.l me that the Bible sanctioned slavery, and that it required obedience to cnrthly masters and rulers, even although their commands and laws be contrary to the divine Jaw. This was 80 contrary to my sense of natural right, that I said to myself I cannot honor the true God by sub· JJJitting to tho :mthority of the Bible; and therefore lt was I took an utter aversion to the Bible. hly respect for my parents prevented me from telling them w ben they would urge me to read the Bible, |