Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-10-20

act; but he commands both to do Justly,
to love mercy; and no one knew better than
he, what Influence this sentiment would pro-
produce. when practically brought into ac.
ton
Here, then, is the example Of the Savior
himself Now let us examine the doings,
the precepts, and the example of his Apos-
Ties, who acted under his authority and fin.
lshed the machinery Of the Gospel revela-
ton, as we find il in the New Testament.
II we commence with 81 Paul, the most
learned, the most Jealous and perhaps the
most useful Of the Apostles, we shall find
him bold and fearless in the discharge of
his missionary operations he appears TO
have travelled over wide extent of country,
and TO have been acquainted with a great va
riety OF customs, habits and persons. He
preached to masters and 10 slaves but no
where do we find him attacking the laws
aud regulations Of domestic societies, nor
proclaiming TO the people that such and such
law was cruel, unjust, or arbitrary he
docs not excite the people by king and
ridiculing their police regulations, or by tel
ling them tina, their magistrates were bad
men. No; allthe persecution and enmity
which he brought on himself was by his
simply preaching repentance and faith in
Christ He was prosecuted BY the Jews,
because he opposed their religion; ot'be-
cause he meddled with their property. or
their civil policy. He preached the same
doctrines which the Savior had before him !;
and in many instances he cnlarges and am
plihes, TO render his doctrine more practical
and Ineligible. Ii would be impossible to
quote or to refer you to all the passages of
his writings, which seem TO have bearing
on this subject; but few shall suffice In
writing to the Romans, where slavery was
then very extensive, Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers, for there is no power
but Of God; the powers that be are ordained
Of God. whatsoever therefore ressteth the
power. resisteth the ordinance OF God
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not on
" Tor wrath, but for conscience sake. For this
cause pay ye tribute" Rom. chap. l3; LIST
Corinthians 8 chap, verses 8, 9 and To-
chap. 3, verse %; ed Corinthians, chap. 8,
verse 2l--chap. 10, verse A !; Eph. chap.
10 the end; and chap. 6;-here Paul speci-
fies, and addresses himself directly to par
ents children, masters and servants. But he
does not say word abou, the legal or lille
he wished to "break up the system" why
did he not say to these Ephesian slavehold-
ers, "set your servants free Immediately; il:
is Gods command? No; on the contrary,
Paul tells them 10 treat servants well---to
forbear threatening. He tells the servants
TO serve faithfully. "wi,h good will, doing
service to the Lord" Again, in his letter to
the Collossians, chap A. he urges upon them
the same sentiments. them TO
give unto their servants that which is Just
and equaln In Thessalonians be teaches
his followers to abstain from all appear
ance Of evil" He tells Timothy. that we
should pray for all men for kings and all
that are in authority, that we may lead quiet
and peaceable lives. Again, "let as many
servants as are under the yoke, count their
own masters worthy Of all honor. that the
name OF God and his doctrine be not bias
phemed" To Titus also, he uses much the
same language,-in all cases teaching hus-
bands, wives, children. servants and masters
10 be sober, kind just honest, obedient, faith
| full and holy But never did he scold any
Of his audience or his correspondents. for
keeping slaves. Finaly,we find him writing
TO Philemon slavcholderin behalf OF Ones
| linus, VINO nnu neTetoioIt run away nun
his master. Paul gives this master much
good advice, and some praise, nor does he
call him "land pirate" "inhuman tyrant," or
"blood-thirsty wretch" in the whole letter.
He condescends to write like gentleman
and christian He says, II beseech thee
for Onesimus, who in times past was unprofii-
able to thee; whom have sent again. He
tells him he "would have retained him." but
as if sensible it would have been improper,
and perhaps have given offence, he says "bul
without Thy mind would do nothing, that
thy benefit should not be as il were of neces-
siiy. but willingly; for perhaps he therefore
departed for season that thou shouldst re-
ccive him again forever mot now as ser.
want, but above servant, brother beloved.
&c. sc.
Now, my dear Sir, how surprisingly
strange il is that ST. Paul should not have
said one word against the institution OF sla-
very, when he knew full well that there were
at that moment large portion of mankind
held in bondagel No, not one world He
was not commissioned 10 remoddle society
as christian; but to reform the heart, as a
preacher of righteousness Alden, S. II.