The reform instituted by the New England Society, in respect of the character of its membership, was quickly adopted by the Massachusetts Society and by several local organizations, all of which set the ball of discord spinning among the brethren at a great rate.

But by this time all the new ideas, Sabbatical, no-government, perfectionist, non-resistance, as well as women's rights, were within the anti-slavery arena, and fencing and fighting for a chance to live, with the old ideas and the old order.
Garrison championed all of the new ideas, and in doing so arrayed against himself all of the special champions of the existing establishments.

In his reduced physical state, the reformer was not equal to the tremendous concussions of this "era of activity," as Emerson named it.

At moments he appeared bewildered amid the loud, fierce clamor of contending ideas, each asserting in turn its moral primacy.

For an instant the vision of the great soul grew dim, the great heart seemed to have lost its bearings.