I know of no writer in its pages who wishes to deprive him of
it, or of any comfort he may derive from it. It is for him to place
whatever estimate he can upon it, and for you and me to do the same;
but for neither of us to accept any more of it than we sincerely
believe to be in accordance with reason, truth, and eternal right. How
much of it is true and obligatory, each one can determine only for
himself; for on Protestant ground there is no room for papal
infallibility. All Christendom professes to believe in the inspiration
of the volume, and at the same time all Christendom is by the ears as
to its real teachings. Surely you would not have me disloyal to my
conscience. How do you prove that you are not trammeled by educational
or traditional notions as to the entire sanctity of the book? Indeed,
it seems to me very evident that you are not free in spirit, in view
of the apprehension and sorrow you feel because you find your
conceptions of the Bible controverted in the 'Liberator,' else why
such disquietude of mind? 'Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel
just.'"
In answer to this Mrs. Stowe writes:--
I did not reply to your letter immediately, because I did not wish to
speak on so important a subject unadvisedly, or without proper thought
and reflection. The greater the interest involved in a truth the more
careful, self-distrustful, and patient should be the inquiry.
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