Homily

homily: literally, "sermon," but may include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral and spiritual advice

Frederick Douglass wrote the Appendix of his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to clarify his criticisms of the Christianity of the slave owner. Douglass is giving "advice," in a way, to his audience about Christianity. He uses this homily to move the audience to action by condemning the behavior of the "Christians" in the South. His descriptions would have horrified his audience, Caucasian, Northern Christians, and pushed them towards action against slavery and reform in the Southern Church and in the nation.