"
"Why?" said I.
"Simply because," said she, "the New Testament would have sanctioned the
practice of running off slaves."
"Why, then," said I, "does it not now equally countenance the 'running'
of slaves back to their masters?"
"Please answer that for me, husband," said Mrs. North.
He smiled, and rose to put some coal on the fire. We waited for his
words.
"Well," said he, "I do not know but it is all right, provided the master
be in each case a Philemon."
"That is a good word," said I. "You show that the Bible has an
ascendency in your mind. You will be safe in following the Bible
wherever it leads you, even into slave-holding, if it goes so far. But I
must now question you a little. You may answer me or not, as you please.
"One day a black man appears at your door, and says, 'I have just
escaped from the South. I was owned by Rev. Professor A.B. of New
Orleans. I preferred liberty to slavery, and here I am.' Would you
shelter him, and encourage his remaining here, and, if necessary, send
him to Canada?"
"What would you have me do?" said he.
"Take him in," said I, "if you please, and give him some breakfast. You
would not object to this.
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