Letter from Rowland Johnson, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1838 [June] 5th

Rowland Johnson writes to William Lloyd Garrison asking if "the course pursued by some of the faithful labours [sic], in the vineyard of freedom, is consistent with the perfection and example of the Blessed Master when personally upon earth." Johnson states that "if we come up to the example of Christ (which I believe possible) .. a mantle of love will shield us." He suggests that the abolition cause "would meet with less opposition .. if there was a little more Christian forbearance, love and Charity exercised towards those who are the transgressors of God's holy laws." He says that while he "agree[s] with Brother [Henry Clarke] Wright almost entirely in peace principles" he doesn't think that those ideas are consistent "with the war of words" aimed at his opponents. Johnson advocates a "mild and gentle course consistent with the principles of non-resistance" to win over their enemies. Before ending the letter, he asks Garrison how abolitionists can "rebuke their brethren in the South and call them manstealers, &c, while they partake of the produce of unrequited labour?"
Courtesy of Boston Public Library