Reply of Mrs. Child.
Wayland [Mass.], December 17, 1859.
Prolonged absence from home has prevented my answering your letter so soon as I intended.
I have no disposition to retort upon you the “twofold damnation” to which you consign me. On the contrary, I sincerely wish you well, both in this world and the next.
If the anathema proved a safety valve to your own boiling spirit, it did some good to you, while it fell harmless upon me. Fortunately for all of us, the Heavenly Father rules his universe by laws, which the passions or the prejudices of mortals have no power to change.
As for John Brown, his reputation may be safely trusted to the impartial pen of history; and his motives will be righteously judged by him who knoweth the secrets of all hearts.
Men, however great they may be, are of small consequence in comparison with principles; and the principle for which John Brown died is the question at issue between us.
You refer me to the Bible, from which you quote the favorite text of slave-holders:--Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 1 Peter II. 18.Abolitionists also have favorite texts, to some of which I would call your attention:--
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them. Heb. XIII. 3.
Hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee. Be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler. Isa. XVI. 3, 4.
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which
