"Difficult? I think no subject can be clearer. If we were right in our war for liberty, we are wrong in making slaves or keeping them." "Oh, I did not mean," said Mrs. Scudder, "that it was difficult to understand the subject; the _right_ of the matter is clear, but what to _do_ is the thing." "I shall preach about it," said the Doctor; "my mind has run upon it some time. I shall show to the house of Judah their sin in this matter." "I fear there will be great offence given," said Mrs. Scudder. "There's Simeon Brown, one of our largest supporters,--he is in the trade." "Ah, yes,--but he will come out of it,--of course he will,--he is all right, all clear. I was delighted with the clearness of his views the other night, and thought then of bringing them to bear on this point,--only, as others were present, I deferred it. But I can show him that it follows logically from his principles; I am confident of that." "I think you'll be disappointed in him, Doctor;--I think he'll be angry, and get up a commotion, and leave the church." "Madam," said the Doctor, "do you suppose that a man who would be willing even to give up his eternal salvation for the greatest good of the universe could hesitate about a few paltry thousands that perish in the using?" "He may feel willing to give up his soul," said Mrs. Scudder, naïvely, "but I don't think he'll give up his ships,--that's quite another matter,--he won't see it to be his duty." "Then, Ma'am, he'll be a hypocrite, a gross hypocrite, if he won't," said the Doctor. "It is not Christian charity to think it of him. I shall call upon him this morning and tell him my intentions." "But, Doctor," exclaimed Mrs. Scudder, with a start, "pray, think a little more of it. You know a great many things depend on him. Why! he has subscribed for twenty copies of your 'System of Theology.' I hope you'll remember that." "And why should I remember that?" said the Doctor,--hastily turning round, suddenly enkindled, his blue eyes flashing out of their usual misty calm,--"what has my 'System of Theology' to do with the matter?" "Why," said Mrs. Scudder, "it's of more importance to get right views of the gospel before the world than anything else, is it not?--and if, by any imprudence in treating influential people, this should be prevented, more harm than good would be done." "Madam," said the Doctor, "I'd sooner my system should be sunk in the sea than it should be a millstone round my neck to keep me from my duty. Let God take care of my theology; I must do my duty."