The Liberator

THE BIBLE AN ABOLITION BOOK.

Dear Brother Garrison:

A short time since, I visited the house of a friend in Boston, who was not an abolitionist. He was, however, a merchant, and an official member in the church. During our interview, the subject of slavery was introduced. He manifested much warmth in dealing out objections to abolitionism—called it incendiary, and calculated to stir up the people, &c. At length, a pause in the conversation ensued, and liberty was asked to read a chapter, which was readily granted. I then read aloud the 22d of Jeremiah. At the close, the gentleman remarked, 'You have picked out an abolition chapter.' Again, when about to retire to our sleeping apartments, the gentleman says, (handing the Bible,) 'You may read a psalm, if you please, but don't go to picking out an abolition one.' The expression occasioned a little merriment. However, the first Psalm opened upon was read, which was the 64th. 'Well,' says the gentleman, 'you have hit on abolitionism again.' In the morning, we assembled again around the family altar; the Bible was handed as before, with the expression, 'Now don't go to picking out an abolition chapter.' Pick or no pick, the 17th of Acts was read by the gentleman himself. This produced much feeling in the circle, which was composed of two merchants, a student at law, and several ladies, (all of whom were professors of religion.) It was remarked-'Well, you make it out that we have an abolition Bible then, don't you?' 'Yes, sir,' was my reply; 'our enemies being judges, we have, blessed be God, an abolition Bible.

Yours,
S. B.
Dorchester, Jan. 1837.