From a Southern Baptist Freeman

September 6, 1844

“I do not believe slavery to be a sin, and believing it to be sanctioned by the word of God, I feel assured that at the last great day I shall stand justified as far as the ownership of slaves is concerned…. I express the firm conviction that slavery never would have been abolished in the North, if the people had not believed it to be for their interest in a pecuniary point of view. This is believed by the learned of our land as well as by one, who though humble, is proud to sign himself ,  A SOUTHERN BAPTIST FREEMAN.”