Part 14 (2/2)

Having thus tried to show the best side of slavery that I can conceive of, the reader can exercise his own judgment in deciding whether a man can be a Bible Christian, and yet hold his Christian brethren as property, so that they may be sold at any time in market, as sheep or oxen, to pay his debts.

During my life in slavery I have been sold by professors of religion several times. In 1836 ”Bro.” Albert G. Sibley, of Bedford, Kentucky, sold me for $850 to ”Bro.” John Sibley; and in the same year he sold me to ”Bro.” Wm. Gatewood of Bedford, for $850. In 1839 ”Bro.”

Gatewood sold me to Madison Garrison, a slave trader, of Louisville, Kentucky, with my wife and child--at a depreciated price because I was a runaway. In the same year he sold me with my family to ”Bro.”

Whitfield, in the city of New Orleans, for $1200. In 1841 ”Bro.”

Whitfield sold me from my family to Thomas Wilson and Co., blacklegs.

In the same year they sold me to a ”Bro.” in the Indian Territory. I think he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. F.E. Whitfield was a deacon in regular standing in the Baptist Church. A. Sibley was a Methodist exhorter of the M.E. Church in good standing. J. Sibley was a cla.s.s-leader in the same church; and Wm. Gatewood was also an acceptable member of the same church.

Is this Christianity? Is it honest or right? Is it doing as we would be done by? Is it in accordance with the principles of humanity or justice?

I believe slaveholding to be a sin against G.o.d and man under all circ.u.mstances. I have no sympathy with the person or persons who tolerate and support the system willingly and knowingly, morally, religiously or politically.

Prayerfully and earnestly relying on the power of truth, and the aid of the divine providence, I trust that this little volume will bear some humble part in lighting up the path of freedom and revolutionizing public opinion upon this great subject. And I here pledge myself, G.o.d being my helper, ever to contend for the natural equality of the human family, without regard to color, which is but fading _matter_, while _mind_ makes the man.

NEW YORK CITY, _May 1, 1849_.

HENRY BIBB.

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