PREFACE.EVENTS of every-day life are constantly occurring, which, if recorded, would make more thrilling histories than many of the volumes which aspire to have no other character than that of romantic interest, produced at the sacrifice, if needs be, of every other quality. In the present volume, a truthful story of Southern life has been conscientiously recorded,—one not unusual in the country of its location, yet most deeply interesting, for the many morals its details naturally suggest. It is the privilege and duty of the living and responsible actors
upon the stage of life to learn from the experience of the past, and
make inferences of what may naturally occur in the future.
If any thing be set down in the pages that follow this imperfect preface which creates surprise in the reader,—develops an unexpected phase in society,—or exhibits an heretofore unfamiliar sentiment,—the question that arises, can these things be true? should be seriously thought over; and then should come the inquiry, what are the extraordinary causes that produce them in the organization of society? What may be the effect of the "Master's House" upon the reader, the author cannot anticipate; his own understanding of the purposes intended is clear, and if he has failed, it has been from a determination on his part to soften his pictures, rather than give them in their true, but unexaggerated colors. It would sometimes seem as if the influence of Christianity was fading from the world, or that its ministers had lost their influence, when its plainest precepts can be violated, without rousing a spirit of condemnation, which, if impotent to entirely prevent, might at least protest against the disregard of the plainest precepts of the moral law. This volume is dedicated to the lovers of mankind,—to those who
desire the highest development,
and would, by having the evils of society exposed, learn where to commence the necessity of reform. There are defects in our social and political systems that are working evils, which, if not checked, and finally eradicated, must accomplish universal ruin. The remedies, if of the right kind, are neither instant in their operation, nor revolutionary in their character; the first advancement, is the admission that reform is needed, and then the manner of its accomplishment will readily suggest itself. |