Page:An Address to the Negroes in the State of New-York - Jupiter Hammon - 1806 edition.pdf/22

 your brethren who are slaves, and do all in your power to prevent their being free. One great reason that is given by some for not freeing us, I understand is, that we should not know how to take care of ourselves, and should take to bad courses. That we should be lazy and idle, and get drunk and steal. Now all those of you, who follow any bad courses, and who do not take care to get an honest living by your labour and industry, are doing more to prevent our being free, than any body else. Let me beg of you then, for the sake of your own good and happiness, in time, and for eternity, and for the sake of your poor brethren, who are still in bondage, “to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and honesty,” and may God bless you, and bring you to his kingdom, for Christ's sake, Amen.