To the child complaining of his parents we have said, [10] “Love and honor thy parents, and yield obedience to them in all that is right; but you have the rights of con- science, as we all have, and must follow God in all your ways.” When yielding to constant solicitations of husband or [15] wife to give, to one or the other, advice concerning diffi- culties and the best way to overcome them, we have done this to the best of our ability,—and always with the pur- pose to restore harmony and prevent dishonor. In such cases we have said, “Take no counsel of a mortal, even [20] though it be your best friend; but be guided by God alone;” meaning by this, Be not estranged from each other by anything that is said to you, but seek in divine Love the remedy for all human discord. Yet, notwithstanding one’s good intentions, in some [25] way or at some step in one’s efforts to help another, as a general rule, one will be blamed for all that is not right: but this must not deter us from doing our duty, whatever else may appear, and at whatever cost. [Page 237.] Reformers The olden opinion that hell is fire and brimstone, has yielded somewhat to the metaphysical fact that suffering is a thing of mortal mind instead of body: so, in place of material flames and odor, mental anguish is generally [5] accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few individuals serve God (or try to) from fear; but remove that fear, and the worst of human passions belch forth their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth [10] gives them such a cup of gall that conscience strikes home; then they are brought to realize how impossible it is to sin and not suffer. All the different phases of error in human nature the reformer must encounter and help to eradicate. [15] This period is not essentially one of conscience: few feel and live now as when this nation began, and our forefathers’ prayers blended with the murmuring winds of their forest home. This is a period of doubt, inquiry, speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous [20] good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out its own destruction; and reform does and must push on the growth of mankind. Honor to faithful merit is delayed, and always has been; but it is sure to follow. The very streets through [25] which Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of the dead hero who did the hard work, the immortal work, of loosing the fetters of one form of human slavery. I remember, when a girl, and he visited my father, how a childish fear clustered round his coming. I had heard [30] [Page 238.] the awful story that “he helped ‘niggers’ kill the white [1] folks!” Even the loving children are sometimes made to believe a lie, and to hate reformers. It is pleasant, now, to contrast with that childhood’s wrong the reverence of my riper years for all who dare to be true, honest to [5] their convictions, and strong of purpose.