I had already the spirit of the movement, and only needed to understand its principles and measures.

These I got from the _Liberator_, and from those who believed in that paper.

My acquaintance with the movement increased my hope for the ultimate freedom of my race, and I united with it from a sense of delight, as well as duty.{277} Every week the _Liberator_ came, and every week I made myself master of its contents.

All the anti-slavery meetings held in New Bedford I promptly attended, my heart burning at every true utterance against the slave system, and every rebuke of its friends and supporters.

Thus passed the first three years of my residence in New Bedford.