Pollution- introduction of harmful/negative substances into the environment
Esther says “I fell in the horrible Pit (as before) viz. carnal Pollution with the Negro man belonging to that house.” This implies that any children born of a negro man and servant woman are not only worthless/trash, but harmful.
Peace
Ministers and Christians keep marveling at Esther’s peaceful state of mind, but they also keep trying to break it. Mr. Wise questions her faith and on the way to her death bed, one minister keeps using the word “terrible.” It seems that they are testing her peace in Christ, but it also seems that they dislike it in some way because someone so lowly as Esther should not become a “favorite” in Heaven. Although they are trying to ensure her salvation, it also seems that, at times, they ARE trying to “clip and load” her wings of “soaring faith”.
Wages- regular payment
Death is described by Rogers as “the certain wages of sin.” In each narrative small sins such as skipping Sabbath are emphasized as integral parts and predecessors to big sins like murder; Esther’s story is no exception. The word “death” is repeated constantly in capital letters. She warns people not to go out at night, especially not Sabbath nights. Death become the inevitable Godly punishment for sin.