The olden opinions of a material hell have yielded to the more metaphysical views that suffering is a thing of mortal mind, instead of body; so, in place of fire, remorse, anguish of mind, is accepted as the reward of sin. This change of opinion has wrought a change in the actions of men. There are not a few who are serving God (or think they are) out of fear, but remove that fear and the worst of human passions are ready to belch forth their latent volcanic fires. These individuals never repent, until earth affords them such a cup of gall, that conscience strikes home, and they realize how impossible it is to sin and not suffer. This period of man is not essentially one of conscience; few feel now as when our nation began, and our forefathers' prayer rang through the dim aisles of their forest homes and blent with the winds of primal solitude. This is an age of inquiry, speculative self-interest, and divided interests, but grand in its place, pushing on the centuries.
Honor to faithful merit is delayed, but sure. The very streets through which the noble form of our Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of the dead hero, who did the hard work, and the immortal work, of rending human fetters. I remember when a little girl of his visits at my father's, and what childish fear clustered round his coming. I had heard from my schoolmates of his dreadful character, how he was helping "niggers" to kill the white folks: even the loving children are made to hate reformers. I now contrast that childish wrong with the reverence that riper years have brought for all who dare to be true, honest to their own convictions, and strong of purpose. The reformer has no time to waste in defense of his life's incentive, sacrifice and secret amplitude of love; but what these have achieved for the race, all know. He works on, uncared for except to abuse, and labors for the establishment of health, virtue and Truth. The good done, the love we feel, stimulates labor, and is an ever-present reward. Let one's life answer these questions well, and it hath its own reward: Have we renounced self? are we faithful, are we honest?
