Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-07

The reason for regarding this rule is then given.
knowing that ofthe Lord ye shall receive the re-
ward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord
Christ The reason is grounded entirely on re-
ligious and spiritual considerations; and there is
no alusion TO state laws or the right of slavehold-
ers, Strange oversight in the apostle Thus ends
the code it respects christians held in slavery by
heather masters
There was another class of servants who lived
with christian masters, and had, very likely, been
their slaves before they embraced the gospel
These we're no longer under the yoke, hut were
elevated to an equality with their old masters, and
were recognised as brethren by them. These
were, considering what human nature is in dan
ger Of despising their old masters, and Of treating
with disrespect and unkndness those, who had
once domineered over them. Hence the apostle
says to them, l. Tim. 6: 2, "Let those servants,
who have believing masters, not despise them; be-
cause they are brethren: but rather do them ser
vice, because they are faithful and beloved, par
takers, with their servants) of the benefit; {oi
the gospel,) or it may mean, that the master and
his servants would be mutually benefited by their
wants, who resided with their old masters, or hir-
ed into christian families, were to be governed
They were not to da5pise them; but to serve them
cheerfuy, and with fidelity. The reason why they
should so do is then given The apostle does not
tell the christian servants they must do service to
their christian masters, because they owed them
service, because they were their property, or be-
cause the law of slavery required this service; but
because they and their masters were brethren and
had che common interest This was strange
way to patronize Roman slavery. Pity Paul had
not been better taught by modern Drs., who can
find slavery even in the command, Thou shalt love
Thy neighbor as myself!
Tue last chapter Of the slave code respects chris
tians, who retained their old servants, or slaves
in their families as domestcs or assistants, OF
+ hired servants. These were christians. For lei
it he remembered, that no prudent christian could
keep in his family heather servant, who, upon
any offence given, might lodge with the magistrate
an information against him, and have him spoiled
: Of his goods, cast into prison. What does Pan
say unto these christian masters, whose servants
were no longer under the yoke. " Masters, give
unto your servants that which is just and equal,
knowing that We also have master in heaven
Col. 4: l. Or as the rule is stated Eph. 6: o.
+" And We masters, do the same things unto them
lorbearin2 threatnings; knowing that your master
is in heaven, neither is there respect of person.
with him." This seems so much like DR.. Fuller
, relation founded in justice and love, that Isuspec
+ it is really the same thing but then it is nethe
! Roman Slavery, nor anything like it. This tn,
p DR.. had wit enough to know, and honesty enough
c to declare. When prosluYery ministers attemp
S to hatch Roman or Southern Slavery, out of sucl
$ texts, must admit either their ignorance or thci
/, dupcity.
, If christian masters, according to the apostolic
o rule, gave their servants, what was just and equal
T. did they not do as well by them as Farmers
= in New England do by their laborers they employ
e and could there be any more slavery in the on
d case than in the other? are hired men in New En-
: gland slaves, Or those who employ them slave
II holders! When will men give up their prosaye
= ry faith, and cease to charge the apostles wit
l. sanctionng crimes of the blacklist die, even all tn
Il injustice, oppression, cruelty, impurity and blood
o implied in the system of Roman slavery? Whe
will christians, even at the North consult the law
d Of Christ, that they may know what kind of
it kingdom he did set up in the world? C. M. Clay
;; in letter published in the New York Tribune
e says; Should the priesthood succeed in convir
1t cling the world that Slavery is the doctrine Of tn
l. New Testament, then will infdeIity become tn
ID religion of mankind-and not till henm
l. brethren, what does this mean? Does such ma
Or us G. NJ Clay think that large ofthe prizes
hood are aborng to prove that slavery is the do
id trne of the New Testament and thus indirect
lie promoting the cause of iD6delity? And are al
10 of the ministers in New England willing to occ
We py such position before such men-hefore ii
We world? Is it not time for honest men to defl
I'd their position, show their colors and act for Goo
ed 81 would thou vert cold or hot; so then, becau
y, thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, W
ol spUe thee out of my mouth" Rev. s: Is, 16.
i'll iTo be continually