Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-07
THE FREE MAN
For The Freeman.
The Church and SIayery.~NO 6.
BY REV. KGAH BAILEY. I


ties did extrpae at once from among christians
the Roman system of slavery; but slavery itself
softened, and so entirely changed by christianity,
that the relation between the parties was one of
justice and lore, they did not attack, bur permitted
both by precept and their conduct Here it must
be proper to enquire what that relation was which
subssted between masters and servants, and which
christianity did not destroy. 1t is admitted, that
it was not Roman slavery. 1t is stated that the
relation was one Justice and lore. And It's evil
dent, that whatever it was, it was the creature
Of Roman laws The slave system was supported
by state law; but this relation Of Justice and love
grew out of christian principles and had nothing
to do with state law The old slave system had
been extirpated from among christians, (not from
the state and new relation established founded
on the principles Of justice and love. This rela-
zion was clearly established by Christ ".4H things,
whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,
do ye even so unto them Hereby shall all men
knOw that ye are my disciples, IT ye love one an
another" 1t was exemplifed at the first organi-
zation of the church, when all things were com
mon among the disciples. And il was uniformly
incucated by the apostles. "Let love be without
dissimulation, abhor that which is evil cleave to
that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to
another. Not slothiu in business, teryent in
spirit, serving the Lord, distributing to the necss
tiles of saints, given to hospitality. Mind not high
things, but condescend to men Of low estate Re-
compence to man evil for evil; provide things
honest in the sight of all men. In love serve one
another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even this thou shalt love thy neighbor as tbyseh"
Paul, Clearly beloved, bcsccch YOU 10 abstain
from heshly usts, which war against the soul, Be
We holy in all manner of conversations; be ye all Of
one mind, having compassion one ofanoher, love
as brethren, be pti(ul, be corteous." Peter "Speak
not evil, one of another, brethren; grudge not one
against another; be not many masters, knowing
that we shall receive the greater condemnation; if
ye fulfil the royal law according to the scriptures,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyselt We do
we'll: but fye have respect to persons, ye commit
sin" James "Beloved let us love one another;
he that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is
love, and this commandment have we from him,
that he who oyeth Cod love his brother also"
John. Here then we find the RELATION which
all into one body; whether they were rich or poor,
learned or ignorant, Jew or Gentle, masters or
servants, they were knit together in love, were all
one in Christ Jesus. The law of love superceed
ed the Roman slave law. The laws of Christ were
en,hroned above the laws ofC0esar. The disciples
of Christ were disposed to obey rulers mall thing
lawful but they knew that they must obey God
rather than man; that they must render unto God
the things that are Gods, while they rendered tC
Caesar, the things that are Caesars. The Ro
man slave system founded in violence and iDjus
tce was extrpated from among christians, and thu
law Of love was established in their hearts, an,
formed the mutual relation, which subsised be
tween them If this was the relation, founded il
justice and love- which Dr.. Fuller says the apos
ties did not destroy, we fully accede to his decla
ration. And if he, or the Southern church, viii
SO soften down and change southern slavery, as It
make it correspond with the great law of love,
shalt not contend with them. And should the goo
DR.. be disposed to baptzc this relation, and call i
slavery, may doubt the propriety of the same
but give us the thing, at the south and at lh
north too, he may then call it what he peases.
must be remembered, that this neD relation found
ed in Justice and love,Is NOT ROMAN SLAVERY, am
can have no fellowship with such a system Of in
justice and cruelty, wherever located, at rome q
in the southern churches.
1t wouI seem as enough enough had been sal
e 10 convince che understanding Of any REASONABLE
man. mat the system of Roman slavery had n
r,ountenance from Christ Or his apostes but W
49, 4Lo rDle If slo ii
flaws, and thus sanctioned the slave system; an
we must look at this code; perhaps it was designe
80 regulate DR.. FulIer's new system Of SLAYER
founded in Justice and love, and consequently n
designed to support the Roman system. | W
name the texts, which are supposed to make |
the slave code: Ephe. SIS, s; Col, 1922, "a and
Tim. 6:I, 8; Tit. 90, 10; | PIT. 2:l9,91. The
texts have much the same bearing, and were d
signed to show how christians held in slavery
heather masters should conduct towards them, al
how christian masters and servants should car
out the relation which was founded in justice al
love. AS that portion Of the code, found in Cole
SLAMS and Timothy, may be considered fair saI
pie of the whoe,we will select them for consider
ton. And here it must be remembered that the
late che conduct of christians IN their different 5
nations These christians were many of the
held as slaves by heather masters under Rom
law, and it was natural question how they shot
treat their masters as it was how christian wiz
should treat their unbeieving husbands. L
question is answered, | Tim. GIL. 'Let as ma
servants as are under the yoke (of Roman la
count their own masters, (who are hea.hen d
pots) worthy of all honor" This was the n
by which they we're to regulate their conduct
wards their heather masters. And then the n
son is stated; chat the name of God and his d
trine bo not bIasphemod;" (by those heathea m
ters.) In Colossians $780, the direction given
more explicit; but substantially the same, IS
watts obey in all (reasonabe) things your maste
according to the flesh, (whether they be christie