Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/125

105 became a strong advocate of unconditional emancipation. Besides, religion adds to the value of the Slave. He generally sells better in market after the auctioneer has faithfully represented the praiseworthy qualities of the Slave, which consist in his physical development, his trustworthiness, his obedience and willingness to work, &c.; the purchasers have ceased bidding, he belongs to the highest bidder, if none goes beyond him. The auctioneer adds, "He is a pious Christian fellow." The bidding begins afresh. Why this bidding afresh? Evidently to purchase the Holy Ghost thus represented in the Slave. This is no uncommon thing. A Slaveholder of this class gave his Slave permission to go to church. The minister preached from the following text, "No man can serve two masters; he will either hate the one or love the other, or despise the one and cleave unto the other." The Slave was unable to solve these problems. He returned home quite as ignorant as he went. Monday morning his master inquired if he went to church? He answered in the affirmative. The master wished to know how he liked the preacher, and he answered "Not at all." "Why?" "Because he told two falsehood." "What were they?" "He said, 'No man could serve two masters;' I know I serve you and master John" (his old master and his