The Hillsborough recorder., 1851-06-25

.iA< dHfs n eifiseas Of fhe Nerfksrs SIsfe, =
rfgand 70 fAs iasaufioa n fiSlz<ry.
DELIVERED 10 Chiss ehurrh. Hartford. coan~rs;.
rut, Derrsni<r =. 1850.
EyN. I. WHEATON, D. n
Among The hooks Of the New Testa-
mens there is slInrt ieller. written EN-
lirely On private subject. and having no
rrferenre 20 the proof or calculation n
any docirinal trHsh; which vel has held
iis place in The Sarred Canon nnaucs,ianed
lsoin any quarter and been aIa ayppnder-
stood a. dessgHrd by The Hniy Ghost ior
ihe general fdiiiraiian of ihe Church.
From the nature Of the subject of which
II treats. il attracts little attention from
the general reader. Yet, since Il exhibits
an example how Christian Apostle be-
haved under eefiain peculiar circum-
stances. which circumstances have be-
come our own in every essential par,iru-
lar. We naturally recur 10 Il Tor insiuc-
lion. There is This advantage in an ex-
ample over precepi; The example, or
instance. inierpreis The precepi. and solves
whatever there may be doubtful in il, if
there be reasonable ground lor doubt.
When we see The rule actually applied in
particular case; when we see a man
like ~. Paul. acting nnder The inspiration
Of The Holy Ghost, dning in his own per-
son precisely that which is in accordance
with his public teaching. we have prae-
teal illustration af his meaning; and we
know and feel thai we are doing right
when. under parallel circumstances, we
act as he did. tine might almost sup
pose thai The Providence of God had an
iicipaled The very crisis in which this
country Is now placfd. and had caused
this comparatively unheedrd letter 10 Be
written as guide 10 Christian consciences
now.
Philemon WAS citizen OF CoIosse, in
Asia Minor. and evidently a man Of wealth
and consideration in his own city. But
that Of which il principally concerns Us
now To speak, is the esteem in which he
was held hy such a man as ST. Paul.
He had been converted by that Apostle
10 The Christian faith he is commended
for his "love and faith towards The T.a.d
Jesus, and towards all saints" 81. Paul
calls him "onr dearly beloved and fellow
iaborer,' whom he .slways mentioned
IN his prayers" aud in whose s.love Ne,
had Rrea. ioy and consolation" becauss.
says he, !" The bowels OF tne saiurs are re-
freshed BY thee. brother" We may
look in vain through all The Episiles
for i similar instance Of tender friend
ship and personal esteem for man IN
The private walks Of lie. Many such
are indeed mentioned with distinguished
honor; bu. 10 one Of them has been
handed down 10 US so richly emhamed-
So consecra,ed by the dear affection. oi
.,he chielesl Of The Apo.tIes," as Phile-
mon oi Colosse.
Philemon was STAKEHOLDER.
One of his slaves. Onesinus, escaped
from his bonds, and found his way q
Rome. where 81. Paul then was. al
honorable prisoner within limits, but al
lowed 10 exercise the ministry. There
Onesimns hears The Apostle preach, am
i converted 10 the faith Of Christ. HI
seeks an in,erview will, The Apostle
whom lie had probably known at ~
house or his master in former days con
fesses IL him that he is fugitive, an
solicits his counsel.
A case is now presented, in which .
the circumstances concur 10 bring 70 "
cis,on, and before competent trlbnna
the rights and duties OF all concerne'
This decision we have in the lollowlI
passage, in the letter Of ST. Paul 70 Phll'
mon
II beseech thee fpr my son Oneslm,l
whom | have beg6t,en in my bonds
which in time past was 10 thee unproht
ble. bul now profitable TO thee and 10 m
achom Ihaue senf again: Thou. thel
fore, receive him, that mine own bnwe
Whom would have retained with
that. in Thy stead, he might have MN
tered un,o me in the bonds Of the iosi
Rul ,ciihom thy mind would DO
ahing."
lie esSeulial idCto UiUusut - '.'
iice in This episle, so far as they 9
cern our present purpose, are these:
Tine ol The best and most exempt
Of Christian men, and The bosom lrlen'
an Apostle, is stakeholder:
The slave escaped from his master
finds his way 10 far distant city, wi
lie is safe from all pursuit:
lie is there met BY an Apostle, ant
him converted 10 Chrsliani,y-shown
wrong he has done his master, and
back 10 him. with a letter Of commer
tion and friendly enlreaty, which
eve, been considered a mas piece Q
kind.
On ,he transactions thus briefly
rated We may remark, that nowfer
the epislle is there word OF censn1e
pressed or implied. Of Philemon 70
ing Tie owner Of slaves. There IS ~
peal TO his conscience as Y ni's'
none mha,ever 10 any higher law ina
law Of The country winch gave y