Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-02-16
Religious Belief of Stevens, the Harper's
Ferry Invader.


A correspondent of the lIagerstown (Maryland)
Mail, gives tho subjoincd account Of an interview
had In the Chnrestown JAIL with Stevens one Of
old Browns party ut tho Harpor'a. Ferry raid.
As most persons arc anxious 10 learn the charac-
ter of these men, the sketch will doubtless be pc.
rused with interest snys the correspondent;
Stevcns is a man about Ave feet eight iuches
high. well proportoned and handsomely made.
Ills muscular development is perfect. He has
broad shoulders. with body gradually iapering to
his feet lIe has q fine head. a dirk and some.
what singular eye, high forehead, Of y ready and
emphatic speech II treated kindly, he isalways
rendy to answer any questions you may suggest,
unless tho Same conflict with his secret obliga-
tons. IIe has recovered from his wounds-all
the balls have bcen taken out Of him, excepting
the ono Just below his ear. and tho other In his
neck lle is now quite fat and in good health.
which fact is almost as astonishing Us tho devol-
opmcnt his band made at llarper's Forty.
Without attempting to give oil that passed dur
ing three hours conversation, will conhne my
sell more particularly to that part which develops
his religious views. / nsked him tho following
questions;
Question. Is there God to reward, or devil to
pnnsh crime1
Iaswer. No.
Qoes. What is your guide or stand point Of
mornlsi
Iu. My only. guide is do unto others as you
would they shnuld do unto you.
Qnes Does that from tho Bible2
.inS. IL Is contained in the Bible accept 1t
ns n good saying of tho Bible, as would good
saying in any book but that was said long before
the Bible was written.
OURS. How do You knowf Fl.
las. ! have it additionally.
Qaes Is there chool Of roligionists teach
ing such doctrine?
.ins. No.
Qacs Then how was it kept and handed down.
Ans do not know. have only heard it.
Ones DO you believe in amy punishment for
siny
Ins. lgbelieve when q man does good he reaps
in this lifo and hereafter the comfort of good act
II he does wrong hc will suffer tho penalty As If
l burn my finger, | suffer tho pain.
Ques Yon say you do not believe in u God to
reward, or devil to punish.
fns. Yes.
Qucs Then wbnt do. you think pat this world
in motion Who made itf What was tho first
cause
das. Natural lava always existed. The world
was 30 far IN we know. always in existence, and
kept up by tho spirit Of matter which You call God
but shichli call Nature. and which spirit of ma
ture is progress. Here lost some. part Of his
theory.
Ques. When wo die whero do we Co..
las. To spirit land "a better land, where
we noye know, think and feel, and continually
progress in the scale of perfection.
Ans. Yes; butou DEATH only change in
progress.
Cucs. Are you willing to die?
Ans. am always willing to die on the side Of
liberty.
Ques. Are you willing to live on perfect equali.
| ty. with tho negroes?
: Ans. Yes; they are Ms good as white mon. 10
evsy sense OF the world. | would live on perfect
eanalty with them Whit difference 10 it to mo
whether rose is whto or black.
Ques. DO you think it was your duty to run
tho risk of your life to free the negroes
Ans. l think the duty Of every man to strug-
| gle for them
Ques How came you and Browne whole p
to undertake 80 mad sehemef
1ns You may think it was mad scheme, but
there are thousands who differ with you. And
! you may think will die gnomiDiously, but let
me tell you there are thousands sworn TO do the
same work, and it will bo done as certain as the
sun shines.
Ques. Did you expect aid
Aas. Yes; .bnt we were disappointed2
Ques. You say you do not believe in tho
Bible,
1dns. / do not believe in the Bible.
Ques. Are you spritualist?
Aas. ! believe firmly in spritualism.
Ques. How came Brown and his party to kill
Doyle and his two sonsf
1ns 7'Ie did not do 30. But will tell you
how thatlhappened The pro-slavery men on the
Potawatonle creek gave notice totlo AD0liilonlsts
to leave or they would be killed The Abolitionists
went that night and finished tho business for
| them.
Ques. How is it you are 10 conversant with
| the facts
| Ans. / heard it,
Qncs. How came Brown to steal that stallion
| at Cleveland
1ns lie did not-bnt if he did. he was
! prompted by these motives lie thought, as / do
! all Shareholders are thieves and tyrants. The
master steals their labor and he thought that the
owners money was made by slaves, and therefore
| took him,
| Ques. Then you think it no harm to steal from
u thief?
1ns lie was not stealing: he intended to pay
the negro back by giving his freedom.
| give this conversation without comment. Your
readers cnn Judge for themselves