Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-02-01
VOLUME VI. NO. 5.

the progress of Christianity. 1t was lawful for
men to practice idolatry and sorcery and to tear
each other to pieces in the ampitheatres for the
qualification of the spectators and for others to
furnish them with all the requisite convenences
for carrying on these and such like heathenish
practices; but christianity did not allow its con.
Vcrts to abide in these or any such like cangs.
Paul refers exclusively to things which the di.
vine law sanctions. Now it is perfectly obvi-
Gus, that it may be lawful for one to submit to
oppression, when at the same time it is unlawful
for another to bring that oppression upon him.
1t was not morally wrong for one to remain
in state Of servitude neither ought he to re-
gard it as the greatest calamity which might be-
fall him. " Care not for it." His state of servi-
tudem ightjustly be viewed as a calamity; but still
it was far better to submit 10 it patiently, thsnta
use any violent or unustifable means to obtain
his freedom. "But if thou lnayest be madefree
use it rather" Our friend thinks that this i'm.
plies, perhaps, that the condition of the servant
may be very undesirable" but is confident that
" 1t contains no reproof to his master as a ,cong.
docr in holding him." The tacit inference is
that his master was not of course that no master
Is, tcr0ng-doer, in the matter of holding slaves;
no matter who they are, or how they have been
acquired. The Algerine corsair or plundering
Arab has as good right to the benefit of Ethis
reasoning as as any other STAKEHOLDER. But it s
utterly faIlacious. The lesson of patience here
given to thc servant, or slave, plainly means
nothing, one way or the other in regard to the
masters right to hold him. When you read that
command Of our savior, And Eunto him that
smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the
other" and find that there is not a word of re-
proofto the smiter, as acrong-doer," will you
infer that he is not a ,Urong-doer; that he Is au-
thorized by Christ himself to smite you, first on
: one cheek and then on the other? If the rea-
soning of" Edwards" in parallel case, is cor
rect, such mast be your conclusion. And this
passage so far as the main point is concerned, is
fair specimen of all the others which contain
instructions to servants
The other passages cited contain such direc-
tons as these, "Scrvants be obedient to them
that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singIeness of heart,
, as unto Christ not with eye service as men
pIeasers; but as the servants of Christ do
ing the will of God from the heart; with
, good will doing service as to the Lord, and not
to men . Eph. 6; 81. Titus is directed to ex-
hort "scrvants to be obedent unto their own
: masters, and to please them well in all things;
+ not answering again not purlonng; butshow-
! ing all good fidelity )" 6; 8, 10. Peter writes
h in his first epistle, .; Is, Servants be subject
"a to your ssers with all fear; not only 10 the
n good and gentle but also to the froward" A..
n gain, Paul directs, Tim 6 L. 2, Let as many
= servants as under the yoke count their own
r masters worthy Of all honor.-And they that
e have believing masters, let them not despise
. them because they arc brethren; but rather do
t them service because they are faithful and be-
loved, partakers or the benefit" The case of
! Paul's advising Onesimus to 90 back to his old
master Philemon, is also referred to, though not
insisted on. Nor was it expedient to insist on
E it; inasmuch as Philemon was charged to re.
ceivG him not as q servant but as brother below
\ Gt GNcu us uC NOuu IeCGlNG llC dpOSIl6 uUlSeH.
Now what do all these passages show They
show that the apostles labored to quiet the minds
of servants, of Christian servants especially, and
t to pursuade them to bear with patience the hard
ships incident to their condition in life to treat
, their masters whether worthy or unworthy, with
respect, to abstain from all acts of theft and
deeds of violence, and to yield willing obedi-
ence, in all things not inconsistent with the re-
vealed will of God; and so doing to wait quiet
ly on him for deliverance.
, But do they urge these duties on the ground
that the master has right to exact them ON
the ground that they were dvinely authorized to
enslave their fellow men, to hold them as prop
erty, and ext0rt their services without recon.
pense? By no means, The apostle knew that
if the slaves, even under the most unjust and
cruel treatment, were encouraged TO rise against
their masters and attempt, by violence to secure
their rights, the consequences would be most
terrible to all concerned; and fatal to the prog
ress of religion. Hence paul speaks with great
severity of those teachers who should advise to
p any such violent course of conduct. See l. Tim.
: g. 3-5. The arguments used by the apostles to
induce servants, or slaves, to yield obedience to
| their masters are remarkable. They studiously
avoid either an admission or denial of the mas
= tiers right to exact such obedience; and incul-
3 cate the duty on the general ground of public
, peace and particularly the honor of religion;
lust as they enjoined it on their converts to sub
. nit patiently to all other powers of oppression
, and persecution which they have no power to
avoid or resist That this is the right view Of
the matter must be evident to every impartial ex-
: aminer They are exhorted to render such
e service as to the Lord, and not to men knowing
that whatsoever good thing any man doeth the
same shall be received of the Lord, whether he
v be bond or free. Whatsoever ye do, do it heart
$ lily as to the Lord and not to men," Men might
have no good right to demand such service,
e but inasmuch as asubmssve, obedient course
t of life, would be for the honor Of religion and
|. of God, that should be with them sufficient
s Involvement; and God would not fail to reward
d their praisworthy conduct; "knowing of the
It Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inher-
itance for We serve the Lord Christ" This
0 course they were to pursue that they nigh
n "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all
o things" They must treat their masters with
1t honor, in order that the name of God and his
= doctrine be not blasphemed;" as they certainly
l. would be, if on their becoming religious they at
k tho same time become obstinate and rebellious.