Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-02-07

visivc things on the subject Of slavery.
But there is another class and a very
Interesting class, who seem to be most
tender Christians; these are either savchold-
ers or may become so, yet are at a painful
stand, respecting their duty TO their SER
wants. Who seem to show every desirable
degree of Willingness to perform even the
most difficult duties to their servants, yet are
not fully assured what that du.y is. If there
were but one such person within the scope
of our knowledge, the church (which is
the ground and pillar Of the truth" should
endeavor 10 relieve the difficulties of such
person and" guide him into all truth"
Why is it, brethren, that the church cannot
come nearer to one sentiment on this point
than they do Surely the Sacred Scriptures
deal largely on this very point. We fear
that some leavcn which has wrought an
unhallowed influence, has somehow intro
duccd itself into the bosom Of the church
on this question. Although ''tEc Priests
lips should keep knowledge, and they should
receive the law at his mouth. because he is
the messenger of the Lord of Hos:s," vet
somehow on this question we IRE as dumb
dogs that cannot bark" or if we DO bark,
it is sound of distraction rather than a
"cerlain sound," such as should arouse the
church 10 her duty.
This question seems rs modern Gollah
TO talk about, and fright, and defy the ar
mics of the living God and as Israel did
every one ofus seem TO flee at his approach.
BUTT mus, be met, discussed and settled.
No man can tell us where slavery will end.
From present prospects it seems destined to
continue an Indefinite period in the Church.
We must, then, as oversecrs of the Holy
Ghost, do as the Apostles did, charge the
master with his duty, and the servant with
his duty, and in the exercise Of a needtul
discipline make the Church privileges OF
the parties respectively TO- turn upon the
prompt discharge Of the mutual duties OF
their station. The master and servant
must dweH together in the christian Church;
and Cooperate with each otherin the proper
discharge of their duties. For we have be-
fore US abundant evidence that nothing is
gained,b but much lost, both spiritual & tenn
poral things by forcing the master & servant
to separate for conscience sake. Our breth.
rem of the Reformed Presbyterian, and AS
sociate Churches, have tried this experiment
TO no purpose. The consequence to their
Church has been, that good portion OF
their former ground has been deserted, the
members Of their communion have been
forccdto dwell rithout ordinances, altogether,
or make general emigration; which to
themselves, their country and the Church of
God was in very many cases exceedingly
hurtful. and nothing I'VE deem III could have
reconciled the mass of the people to attempt
these in many cases, disastrous removals,
except silly idea that in fleeing from a
slaveholdiug country, they were authorized
10 view themselves acting like righteous
Lot, whom flying from ySodom and other
devoted cities. But all these disastrous re-
movals, so faras We know, have never result.
ed in the conversion ola single individual,
bond or free, but have, we fear in many
cases produced a self:complacent pharisee.
ism, in the free man, not the most consistent
with the humility ofthe Gospel; and gene
rally have thrown the poor slave upon the
cold charities of an unfeeling world, to wan
der about having the name Of civil freedom,
but in truth a poor degraded object, for
whom 'no man takes care.' So true is this
latter remark, that VIC do not suppose any
iudicious individual will dispute the point,
that there is not among us class of the
human family upon whom VIC make the
Gospel to bear with as little hope of success
as upon the freedman, or manumitted ne
gro. Therefore, Christian brethren, dearly
beloved, with the Holy Scriptures in one
hand and the light of fair experiment in the
other. we dare not say to you under existing
circumstances, separate from your servants
and you will be blessed in your deed"
Those who sit in their studies and dream
of man and duty from mere theory ofbooks,
or those who stand at a point too remote
from the field Of experiment, to enable them
to Judge correctly ofthis matter, may so
speak TO you; butwe, who are in the midst
Of this matter, and who view all the ramiti.
cations Of this truly complicated subject,
dare not thus speak 10 you. There is surely
way by which the master and servant can
dwell together with the appreciation of
Gods word. Now this is still the point to
which We come.
w..