Philadelphia, 1st mo. 2d, 1852.
Frederick Douglass:—Respected Friend: I enclose two dollars to pay for thy paper the present year.
We are passing through a dark day, but let us have faith in the progress of truth, whenever we keep our shoulders to the wheel, praying for the blessing of the Great Ruler of the universe. Do not fail to rouse the indifferent, stir up the lukewarm, and contend earnestly, yet in a spirit of love, and charity, with opposers, but enter as little as possible, into disputes with abolitionists about measures. This, I believe, is wasting our strength and positively injuring the cause of humanity and emancipation. Let us fearlessly pursue the course which we conscientiously believe is right, advocating our views, principles, and measures, to the best of our ability, and disregarding, as much as possible, the reproaches, jealousies, and injustice of abolitionists, as well as of the enemies of the slave. We may labor to convince our friends, not less than our opponents, of their inconsistencies, and failure to carry their avowed principles into practice; but we should avoid making personal attacks, and "live down" those made upon us. I am glad thou hast, to a great extent, treated with merited disregard, the unjust reflections thrown upon thy course of latter time, and that thou mayest continue to do so, and have a due care of thy health, which seems to be frequently interrupted, is the wish of thy friend truly
SAMUEL RHOADS.