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E. E. to Frederick Douglass, May, 1849

1

Avon, N. Y., May, 1849.
Frederick Douglass:ー
There is one instance in the Divine writings which beautifully illustrates the sin of indulging in prejudice towards color. I know not but that the fact has been harped upon ever since the Abolition movement, but I have never heard it mentioned. Moses, the Divine law-giverーthe man possessed of more humility than all the world besideーhad married an Ethiopian woman. His exalted mind looked not to the external, but the heartーto the spirit that dwelt within. Gentleness and silent, unobtrusive virtue won his admiration, rather than the blazonry of wealth, or the pomp and ceremony accompanying the daughters of the princes of Israel. Aaron, the high priestーthe man of eloquenceーreproached him; and Miriam, the sweet singer, the poetess and prophetess, rebelled against him for choosing one of another race. Her high gifts, and the adulation she had received, had only been so many sources of vanity and pride. The voice of God came to the three, calling them unto the tabernacle of the congregation. These were the words of inspiration, as the cloud rested in the door of the tabernacle, and Miriam and Aaron were called out:ー"If there be a prophet among you, I, the Lord, wilt make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream: my servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house; with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently and not in dark speeches, and the similitude of the Lord shall be behold; wherefore, then, were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses.ーAnd the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed; and the cloud departed from off the tabernacle, and behold Miriam became leprous, white as snow."
Thus emphatically did the Lord manifest his indignation of pride, and his abhorrence of their conduct. The harpistーshe who could charm a nation by her genius, and could thrill the multitude with the harp and timbrelーwas a leper. The soft, rich color of the brow had changed to an unearthly whiteness; its livid, death-like hue, terrible to behold.ーGladly would she have worn the sable brow of her she had scorned; but she was now polluted, soul and body. The living agony of her high-wrought mind was too deep for utterance. With the laurels of fame on her brow, the spells of poetry in her heart, she must go forth, and hear the thrilling cry of the multitudeー"Room for the leper, room!"
It was not till the voice of her brother had gone up in mighty supplication, that there was hope for her. He whom she had so deeply injured, prayed for her deliverance; in dust and ashes did she repent. And when the time of her exile from the camp had passed, and forgiveness had been extended towards her and her brother Aaron, how perishable must have seemed the emoluments of wealth, the honor that the world could bestow, beside the forgiveness of a righteous God.
E. E.

Creator

E. E.

Date

1849-05

Description

E. E. to Frederick Douglass. PLIr: NS, 22 June 1849. Cites Bible to condemn racial prejudice.

Publisher

This document was calendared in the published volume and has not been published in full before.

Collection

North Star

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Unpublished

Source

North Star