Douglass's Appendix "I see no reason for calling the religion of this land Christianity ... boldest of all frauds"

This morning I finished this little book. I agree with historian David Blight that everyone should read it. It is powerful and an important part of our history. To read the perspective of a slave and to read of his journey and his escape and all the emotions that come with it ... all 20 years before the civil war.

Since I shared some of his thoughts on the religious slaveholders I also wanted to share from his Appendix where he explains:

I find, since reading over the foregoing Narrative, that I have, in several instances, spoken in such a tone and manner, respecting religion, as may possibly lead those unacquainted with my religious views to suppose me an opponent of all religion. To remove the liability of such misapprehension, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation. What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference...I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels.

Douglass goes on at some length illustrating the disparity and immorality of slaveholding christianity --"He who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of the God who made me ... The warm defender of the sacredness of the family relation is the same that scatters whole families ... We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bibles for the poor heathen! all for the glory of God and the good of souls!

I think its important to see that some of the worst deeds in US history were covered with the name Christianity ... that Christianity as a title, church attendance, etc does not save you from gross sin ...

At the end he includes a poem written by nameless northern Methodist preacher which riffs on a popular hymn called heavenly union:

 "Come, saints and sinners, hear me tell
     How pious priests whip Jack and Nell,
     And women buy and children sell,
     And preach all sinners down to hell,
     And sing of heavenly union.

     "They'll bleat and baa, dona like goats,
     Gorge down black sheep, and strain at motes,
     Array their backs in fine black coats,
     Then seize their negroes by their throats,
     And choke, for heavenly union.

     "They'll church you if you sip a dram,
     And damn you if you steal a lamb;
     Yet rob old Tony, Doll, and Sam,
     Of human rights, and bread and ham;
     Kidnapper's heavenly union.

It goes on for many stanzas ...