The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-11-30

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From the Emancpaor.
Preaching against Slavery.
To The Clergy cfMe country:
DEAR BRETHREN,-Can any minister the Cos
pei in the United States be accounted faithful
without preaching to his own people against the
sins of slavery? In writing on this subject, it is
rather discouraging circumstance that any ofthe
brethren for whose improvement the subject is
discussed, should say: 81 do not expect to gel
any more light on the subject" 1t seems to i'm
ply, either Tat they have all the information that
cdn be had, Or that they are predetermined not 10
receive any more.-ln either case we may well
be excused in just reminding all such, that iftheir
opinions and practices relating to this subject are
not perfectly correct, they are most ineXcusable
either for wlfu ignorance, or for acting against
such perfect knowledge. lfany one of you feel
dsincned to attend further to the subject, BY rea-
son of preconceived opinions, request you just
to review with me for few moments, in this num-
Der, some of the grounds of those opinions as
have often heard them expressed, that if possible,
may gain hearing to what may be hereafter
said in favor of the duty above suggested
l. That the apostles recognize no such rela-
tons. Servant or debtor, is not the name appro-
oppression or slavery. For if so, then we, as
ministers of Christ, are ssves to Him. 1t is true
that we are under his entire control and author-
ty: but as he is perfectly just and kind master
his service is not slavery but perfect liberty But
no sinful man is to be trusted with the absolute
control of fellow man. All servants were not
slaves in the days Of the apostles; and the word
servant has no such meaning. 1t has always been
as common thing in the east of Asia, for men to
make slaves of their wives, as it is now for south
ern men to make slaves Of their servants. There.
fore, we might well say the word ecife in scrip
ture, means slave, as that the word Serrant does
recognizing the marriage relation and regula-
ting its duties, is as much connivance at slavery,
as doing the same with regard TO the relation Of
master and servant. EnsavIng is usurping and
abusing the masters relation and power, which the
scriptures every where forbid. If we say the
apostles winked at the sin of slavery, every time
they exhorted masters and servants to do right
why not say with the same proprety also that they
wnked at all the cruel prosecutions which the
Emperor Nero inflicted on his Christian subjects,
every time they pointed out the duties of their re-
aons? The relation of creditor and debtor is
also spoken Of in the scripture, and the duties of
it regulated. But does this imply an appreciation
of all the cruel laws that then existed in the Ro-
man empire against debtors, such as allowing
creditors to chop up the body of an nsoIvent debt
Or and divide it among them But allowing that
the scripture word servant, always meas slave
then | answer,
Cd. To this argument for ministerial silence on
the subject, that the duties enjoined on the master
required him to put off this relation. Masters
says the apostle, give unto your servants that
which is just and equal If they can do this and
yet retain their slaves, as SUCH thea let us all yield
the point that slavery is right, and say no more
about it. If the servants here spoken of are sup
posed 10 be slaves, aud if the text is supposed to
imply that their masters might give them all their
rights, and yet continue to be savehoders-re-
tanning the same relation as master and slave,
which is said to be recognized and tolerated, Their
let US interpretrra the scripture in the same man.
ner-as, for instance, sinners are commanded TO
repent. Therefore, their relation as rebel-snners
against God is recognized and approved by point
ng out duties for them to perform IN that relation.
And therefore they may repent and yet sustain
he same relation to their Maker, as rebe-sinners.
The same may be said of unbelievers who are
to beeye. The harlot Rahab could
aide the spies by faith and be harlot still and
oublicans and sinners may go into the kingdom Of
Heaven and be publicans and sinners there. How
desperate is the cause that needs to be supported
~ such arguments as this.
Glorious SENIOR.