He was filled with strong anti-slavery sentiment when he saw the slave owner beating a slave his own age when he was little. Brown later wrote that the beatings transformed him into "a most determined abolitionist" and led him to "declare an eternal war" against slavery. (Earle, p.4) When Brown heard about the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy at a prayer meeting in Hudson, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to the eradication of slavery. Other abolitionists are content to pray and form groups. Brown's "radical ideas on racial equality" distinguished him from traditional abolitionists. (Earle, p.8) Brown shocks other abolitionists when he invites African Americans to sit with him in the family pew. Additionally, Brown believes he could speak for the African American (slave). He claims to “know what was good for blacks better than blacks themselves.” (Earle, p.10) Consequently, Brown began releasing small groups in Missouri and helping them escape to Canada. Later, a larger plan was created