Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-03-09


Il is truly lamentsbe to think that
number OF those who profess TO ENJOY
the mind of the benevolent Say iour--on
whose understandings the rays of divine
revelation have shed theii heavenly IN
iluence--who, after being furnished with
an account Of the procedure OF the good
Samaritan relative 10 the man who had
fallen among thieves and robbers, are
commanded to go and do likewise; but
instead of administering comfort to their
max ed and wounded neighhors, are more
cruel Than the unfcellng Priest and Lee
vlte, who, passing one on the right and
the other on the left, were not moved at
the sight OF tho man wrapped IN blood
and gore; bat Ike the thieves and rob-
bers themselves, strip the poor Africans
| OF every privilege ina is dear end sa-
cred, and wound them in the most tender
place, the minds and wounded spirit,
says the wise man, who can bear. Sur
prising indeed, that professors of the ho-
Is religion of Jesus, should aid IN Great
ipg a market for the souls and bodies OF
their fellow men. II is still more shock
ing to think that number who profess
10 be ministers of the gospel, (whose
/, " it is 10 draw a line OF distinction be-
cen the clean and uncean) should aid
this foul work OF darkness; and while
EMPLOYING their talents and influence in
liking a stain on he character OF our
state, which the roll of ages will not wipe
auav, refer 10 the holy scriptures for the
justification OF their unholy conduct.
Ministers OF the Gospel and profess
sors of religion, 10 whom these remarks
are applicable, think not 10 excuse your
selves any longer, from the conduct OF
| \ braham, the grant given to the Jews,
| the saying of the centurion, or the ex-
| hor,ations o. St. Paul. This motley garb,
woven by the sophstry OF man, under
| which many have vainly strove to hide,
is now not only worn thread-bare, but IS
90 much taitered to hide your naked
oess any longer. Abraham, we ell agree,
had three hundred and eighteen servants,
born in his house aad bought with his
money. See Gen. xiv. Ia. But these
servants are said to be trained servasts,
and such as were powerful IN war, un-
derstandiDg well thr use OF arms. With
III Sc servants Abrsham subdned the
| eitorious kings, and rescued Lot, his
n phew, when lake captive by ZEN.
Thus il is evident thai these servants
were nothing more th8n Abraham S light
ing forces, OF soldiers. That they were
not properly o. slaves, 10 be bought and
sold, given or beqneathed al pleasure,
rom father to son. IS Clearly discovered;
for when Jacob, the grandson OF Abra-
ham, moved into Egypt, The whole num-
Der OF souls that went wiih HIM were
seventy and although dlfferen, artIoles
OF properly were mentioned in the inyen-
tory OF their possessions, yet not word
vas said about servant, bond-man,
or bond-woman. Do we behold any
similarity between the condition Of Abra-
ham's servants aud our African slaves!
We do not. And if we were to examine
the scriptures from Genesis to REVEAL
| ton, and make ourselves fully acqua int
ed with the different descriptions of SER
| wants who were held TO bondage 10 those
! ages, we would not discover the smallest
,aaiogy. Among all the deaths which
we are furnished with an account of,
both il The old and New Testam en-, We
do nol behold one instance OF the beqaest
Of one single servant and his poslerlty
after him, 10 surviving relations. But
see the slaye-hoder going to die. He
lies on his desth-bed, sensible of his APP
preaching dissolution, (lhe man surely
is in earnest )---he is goirg where kings
and heggars, masters and slaves, havs
equal thrones. He is truly solemn. Lis
ten to bis dying words--he is going t,
make his last will and testament. He COM
| mences 3" In the name Of God, Amen.
| /, Timothy Thoughlless, OF such SITE
and county, being i'll in body but of sound
mind and memory, do make this my last
VIII and Testament, revoking all former
Wills by me made. First, commit
my body to my friends, to be decenily
inferred, and my spirit to God who gave
il. Secondly. bequeath to my dearly
and we'll beloved wife Susan, a negro
woman named Dinah also, breeding
mare, named Bet: and two mich cow,
with all the increase of said wencb, mare
and cows; together With all my house,
bold and kitchen furniture. Thirdly.
| bequeath to my eldest son William,
a Negro man named Tom, husband to
Dinah: also, young bay horse; o.e
yoke Of working steers; one mich COW,
together with one half my farming utcn.
sls. Fourihv. ! beqnea,h to my young
est son Henry, black boy named Dick,
son to said Tom and Dinah: also, a
young sorrel horse, and one mich COW;
together with the other half Of my farn-
ing utensils. Lastly. My desire is that
my black Girl, named Lid. daughter to