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Alone have I stood between the laws of my country and my God and been a single-handed defender of the Divine code, in defiance of the human code.

I have dared to be thus true to Jesus, even while in the absolute power of legalized despotism, and that too, when I felt this despotic power in full force to crush me beneath its iron foot. I knew this despotic power could destroy all my earthly joys -- hopes -- rights -- privileges -- interests -- my papers -- my witnesses and my natural life! And I knew too, full well, that the Superintendent could be protected by the laws of our government in so doing!

I knew too, that he had power to destroy himself -- but I knew it was as certain as the decrees of God, that he could not destroy me, or the mind which dictated these papers.

Therefore in my spiritual might I have moved forward with a dauntless, inflexible purpose, that Christ's cause should not suffer here, for want of one faithful advocate -- one loyal witness in defense of truth and righteousness.

The bloodless but terribly painful conflict has ended! The strong man, armed with all the burnished armory of the American statutes, could not defend himself against a stronger than he -- personified in the form of a legally insane female pauper!

Again -- My position on the string-piece illustrates another point. I have been alone in my position to never again return to my husband. The advocates of my so doing have argued that the laws placed me there -- that no place of refuge from his legal claims upon me could be found, outside of this asylum -- that here, amongst maniacs as my almost sole companions, I must linger out a most hopeless, wretched existence, deluded from all communication with my children, or any other earthly friends, except through the strictest censorship -- that my active habits of body and mind would here be so restricted and limited, that the inevitable consequence must ultimately be loss of both health and spirits, however elastic at present -- and therefore it was wholly a suicidal act on my part, to refuse to go to my husband, as the only alternative allowed me by individual or legal favor.

I have felt the full force of this logic, Oh, how keenly! Still, a higher logic has prevailed over my decisions. A simple "Thus saith the Lord," has forbidden it. My conscience dictated, with unquestioning distinctness, it is morally wrong for you to trust yourself again in the legal, absolutely despotic power of one, who has proved himself to be, to me, a most unrelenting persecutor. Self-defense forbids it. It is for me to obey conscience. It is for God to work out the consequences or results of obedience.

Helpless and alone, I have thus moved my frail bark on the tempestuous sea of human destiny -- with God alone for my pilot. My frail bark has not yet foundered, even amidst the dashing breakers of cruelly disappointed hopes, of insults heaped on abuses; by the cold and chilling gusts of ridicule, scorn, derision, contumely and contempt.

No, all, all combined, have not overmatched the skill of my faithful Pilot, who has moved my frail bark safely through them all, to a haven of rest. Thanks! thanks! to Thee, alone, my Pilot, for thy superior skill and restraining power. Peacefully I now lie in this haven of rest, trustfully waiting my Captain's orders for the next voyage.

Again -- I was alone in protesting against my illegal imprisonment. Scarcely a single individual has given me the shadow of approval of this stand -- but, instead, I have been sneered at, ridiculed, and my "tyrant conscience "has been reproached as being an usurper! But after more than nine-teen long months of unsympathizing imprisonment Miss Martha Mills, my intelligent and strong-minded attendant, within a few days, assured me that "she should have done just so herself under similar circumstances."

Oh, how grateful is such a response from a human tongue, to one whose love of approbation is so very large as my own. It is this love of approbation which has led me to suffer so cheerfully the loss of all things to secure the approval of my final Judge at last. And when I plainly saw that I must either sacrifice his approbation or that of perverted humanity; I unhesitatingly chose to lose the latter -- for I esteem it no great honor to be popular amongst perverted men and women!

Again -- I seemed to be alone upon the connecting link between the natural and spiritual worlds. The bridge connecting; them is nearly completed. But who dares to step out beyond the limits of popular opinion and sentiment, and let himself be cut loose from all things tangible, to gain the hidden treasures of knowledge laid up in God's vast storehouse ready for distribution to any applicant? Who dares to stand alone in his opinion, and face a frowning world?

Again, how strikingly has my subsequent experience developed the fact that the "empty office chairs" -- the laws -- have been the chief obstacle in the way of my deliverance. These "empty chairs," or in other words, the "dead letters "on the Statute Books, were the most potent influences used in perpetuating injustice to me and my children. The popular influence of public sentiment stood ready and anxious to help me. But alas! the "empty office chairs" filled the stream below me, so that no boats could be sent to my rescue.