The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-03


issds. the privilege Of renswing the awful moo b,
cry. The farce IL too tragic to be off rsesatsd
Bat, says "Moses," ''the slave trade has beer
the means by which God has fitted a great mul.
titude OF the negroes for mansions in the akies;'
!. g. by bringing them into christian lands.--.
Very well, admit II to be so, what then9 Does
1t follow that the slave trade is approved by
Jehovah, and that slavery enjoys his sanction
by no means; the fact only shows that gra-
clous Providence often overrules evil for good.
he caused the captivity of Joseph to prove a
means OF good, but We have yet to learn that
he commended the brothers of Joseph for SELL
ing him, or the Midianiies for buying him.
And, in passing, we would ask our friend,
since he thinks that the slave trade has proved
means Of inestimable spiritual good to the
blacks, ought We not all as christians at once 10
engage in that traffic, and bring as many as
possible of the benighted Africans from their
native region Of heathenism into this favored
iand, where they may enjoy gospel privieges7
We will not, however, dwell upon these con-
siderations. Wega6ly acknowledge that many
slaves, through the care of affeetiontte and
devoted masters, enjoy religious privileges by
which they are far advanced in the christian
life and to use our friends expression, care
htted for mansions in the skies" docs
"Moses' as a christian think THAI persons, who
are fitted for mansions In Heaven, should he
retained in bondage en- esrthl III really iii fer
honor above, are they otprepared for freedom
below7)
But this fact does not reach the point d issue,
does not answer the all-important quss,tion.-
And what is that question: Simply this: has
the existence Of --l~ys1y in lA,nsriss ,ss,.,.x-
ed the condition Of the negroes in Afrses. Nc
one can hesitate as to the reply to this ,,sstion
All authorities concur in the statement tl,ss the
condition of the African i'm his native land ha,
been rendered far more deplorable since IN.
commenesment OF American slavery Than be
fore. In consequence of the demand far slave.
to be carried across the Atlantic, the petty king,
Of Africa have been stimulated to new and un.
heard Of atrocities. Avarice and all 6endisL
passions have been fed to the almost utter ex.
tinction Of the kindly feelings of humanity
IL Is sad TO think that the influence of profes.
sediy Christian nations should have been exer
eised, not te improve and elevate the African
but to sink him into deeper and deeper degrade
ton. But such has been, and such is the fact
Slavery in the United States, at this very hour
is indirectly adding horrors to the condition o.
the African in bis native land We denounct
the slave-trade, il is true but we cherish the in
stitution Of slavery, and, by cherishing it, make
IL, as far as in US lies, reputable, and thus pro.
long its existence in Brazil and other portion.
of the world which directly support the slave
trade. This is a consideration which may well
make the defender of slavery pause and serious
ly reflect upon his position.
We have admitted that in some instances God
has overruled the evil of slavery for good. But
there is another view 10 be taken Of the matter
which has peculiar interest for every christian
mind and heart. Suppose that, instead of hav-
ing supported an Institution and traffic, whic h
have been attended with such fearful woes, and
which have required to be overruled and coun-
teracted, the christian nations Of the world had
united in efforts for the improvement and re-
demPtion of Africa. Efforts on which the choicest
blessings Of Divine Love would have descen-
ded; how different would be the condition Of
Africa, at the present day. Let the results
which have followed the exertions of the self
denying Moravians testify what would have
been the result, had all christians been animated
by similar spirit and been equally faithful 10
their duties as followers Of Jesus. Then Africa
would have had reason IN rasard uitia srential
affection the christian nations of the world, in
stead OF regarding them as her worst enemies.