T. The will is well; but the abuse of the will is ill. Slaves fear the abuse of power over them. The abuse will not be feared, when the reality of wisdom corrects it. It will be corrected, when slaves no longer fear their masters; but so long as they fear, they will be servants.
C. Then, servants are to blame for their fears?
T. I blame no mind, it is not my prerogative to condemn. But I may say, when slaves cease to fear, slavery is at an end. The master can not coerce without fear, nor can he make others do his bidding, when they are disinclined. Fear, then, hath its bonds, and those who generate fears contribute to enslave mind.
C. Does not God make mind fear?
T. Never.
C. But minds fear God.
T. Minds fear what their conditions make them. When ignorance overshadows the soul, so that it can only see a twilight view of nature, the mind is subject to the rule of ignorance. That rule will correspond to the light which shines. The whole reflected upon the vision at once, would induce sight to be dazzled by the flood. Hence, in the organization of mind, as an individual, the wisdom of God is manifest, because what is natural, is adapted to its condition, and what is adapted to its condition, is productive of enjoyment. Hence, what is natural is free, not being prohibited by law, and what is free, is not a monopoly. In nature, there is no law which justifies a monopoly of her gifts. All things in her storehouse, belong to a common family; and each member may enjoy what is needful to enjoyment. I have seen a monopoly of what nature has provided for the good of mind. I have seen churches established upon the assumed right of holding the treasures of this and other spheres in their hands, to dispense or withhold as the policy of worldly wisdom wished for its aggrandizement. I have seen minds, in this sphere, overshadowed with the darkness of such idolatry and injustice; and I have seen them bow down in terror, and work in fear before a God, whom heathens would reject for its supposed cruelty. Now, have you not had fears of this description?
C. I must acknowledge that I have.
T. Would you know the cause?
C. You have laid the cause bare in your remarks.