American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-08-27

TO them But is not their conduct under The sp eer
ngs TO which they are subjected, proof that thew
possess the common feelings of humanity Our in.
tercourse with them, and the authentic reports of
travellers, clearly show that they capable of kind.
ness sensibllity and gratitude that they can make
Improvements in the of agriculture and mechan
les, and that they can adopt wise and just regula
tons for the good order Of society.
1t has also been maintained By some, that we are
justified In forcing the inhabitants OF Africa from
their native soil, to axe them acquainted with the
blessings Of Christianity. To these we would re.
ply-The Divine Founder Of our religion used nm
endeavours to compel his hearers to accept his doc
trine, or to obey his precepts. Even the Jews who
had been the peculiar objects of Almighty pro,ec.
ton who had, through many successive genera.
tons, partaken Of the special OF God, were NOT
TO be forced TO accept the blessings oil The gospel
To them its promises were offered, and when by
that nation they were rejected, the Saviour Of the
world. even when enumerating their sins and trans
gressons, so far from en- ploying any compulsory
power, pronounced this pathetic lamen,aon sOb
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would have
lgathertd thy children together, as hen gath
ereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would
not I He is our Lord and Masters He is the great
Head OF the Christian church his precepls and his
examples are equally obligatory upon all his true
| disciples in all ages aud in all countries five
follow them, IN the meekness and lowliness which
| he taught, under the influence OF his Spirit, we
shall be happy here and happy hereafter but if
bearing his name and calling ourselves his disciples
even though we profess to be teaching his doctrine,
Ill We reject his examples, and violate his precepts
IN the presence oil those who have not like ourselves
been partakers OF the outward knowledge of the
gospel, awful and fearful will be our future con.
dton.
The natiors OF Europe owe indeed heavy debt
to Africa Instead OF improving the opportunity of
their commercial intercourse with that unof1endnn
people. to exempy the excellence Of the Christian
religion by the kindness OF their conduct, and the
purity OF their morals in OF endeayourinp to
convey TO them knowledge of those exalted views
OF that Increase OF temporal happiness, which the
spirit OF Christianity Produces many oil them have
gone forth to plumber and to ravage to spread
ation and terror, to practice injustice and cruelty
IN their most odlous forms; and thus have caused
the name OF Christ 10 be blasphemed among the
Gentiles through them.
We appeal 10 all who have felt that love of their
country which is inherent in our nature who can
appreciate the blessing and cnjoymens of social life;
who can form an estimate of the endearng relation
LOT parents and Children Of brothers and sisters Of
husband and wife. We entreat all to reflect on th.
violation OF these feelings which is now practistd on
the Continent oil Africa to cultivate in their minds
pity for these poor unhappy sufferers ito embrace
every opportunity of advocating their cause among
their neighbours with Christian hrmness and love
and 10 obtain and dlffuse correct information Oh
the nature and extent OF the traffic, BY every means
IN their power, and in such way as becomes the
subjects oil Christian government. The perform
ance OF acts oikndness and love TO ohess is permit.
ted by our great Creator, in his unmerited mercy,
TO bring an immediate reward "a reward of such
InIt IpcIC Salt, eLot.
'urther deeds of bepe6cence and humanity. Surely
then an attempt TO rescue our fellow men from the
most cruel and distressing suherngs, is pursuit
worthy OF our unwearied exertons, not only as our
duty but from the satisfaction which it may itself
afford.
We hope that none will be disheartened from do.
ing Their utmost in this good cause, from the thought
that their efforts will be Of little avail No one
knows, let his station be ever SO obscure let his
sphere oil action be limited, what NAV be the
result OF ms persevering attempts in the cause
OF justice and mercy. Great events have often fol-
lowed what appeared TO be but small and unimpor-
lant beginnings And we earnestly entreat those,
whose influence may he more extensive, TO lose no
time, to neglect no opportunity oil pleading cause,
IN which the happiness aud comfort of an ncalcul.
BILE number of our fellow men, are most deeply in.
vnlved.
IL the foregoing should be read by any who are
employed in this cruel traffic, we would suggest 10
these lew reflections. We feel whilst thus at.
tempting to describe the miseres which you are
intlcting, that y0u ais, are our blethreD;-aDd tina,
although We view your actions with indignation and
adherence, you the Objects of our tender pity
AS we are believers in future state of rewards and
punishments, We would warn you in Christian love
otthe awful termination Of that course of wckedness
which you are pursuing. Our Lord our righteous
Judge declared, Blessed are the mercfu, for they
shall obtain neil y,f-what then will become ofhe
unmerciiul and cruel? In the same most excellent
DISCOURSE lie uttered this solemn sentence, Will
what measure We Inete ii shall be measured to you
agan"I What then will be the portion If those