The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-17
THE UNION.

present day. is fully recognised and approved Of by the
New Testament as well as by the Old
As an evidence OF the estimation ia which the Ceniu-
ron who owned the doaos slave referred 10 Was held
read The oniums passed upon him in Luke vii and
what Saviour himscf said OF him II have moi
found great fabno not in all Israel" See also Acts
T. where another Centurion called Cornelius who was
also master. is called "a man, and one that
feared God with all hts house."
In the following texts will be found exhortalons TO
show who members of the early Christian Church
Cor, vii, 81: "Art thou called being do,os care moi
for it,"
Eph, VII s. 8 Eye slaves (douoD be obedisnt 10 your
according to the flesh. not with eyesevice, but
servants of Christ doing the W i'll OF God"
Coloss iii, ~: " Slaves Mouo,l obey in all things
your masters"
Tlm vi. 5, g. Let many slaves (douloO are ur-
der The yoke (what expression could orcby indi-
cate the condition OF those whom Timothy is addressing
their worthy of all honor. that the name of
God and his doctrine be not blasphemed"
Titus H. 0, 10; Exho slaves (douloD TO be obedieni
to their own masters" sc.
Peter. ii, ls Slaves. (aouloi or oiketes be sabac,
to your masters with all fear, only The good
and gentle, but also TO the froward Could such Ian
gaage be dressed to hired servant who had right 10
leave a disag Ieeabe master or employer when he
pleased y
Masters are also recognised as members OF the early
or slaves kindly.
Cooss iv. Il Masters, give to your servants or
slaves that bch is just and equal knowing that also
have master in Heaven" Here the relation of master
and slave is compared TO that OF member of the Chris
an Church and his Divine Master, indicating that the
power OF the first was Tor the time unllmed
Timothy, vi, 2 "And they that have believing mas
ers let them despise them because they BRETHREN
but rather do them service because they faithful and
beloved, and partakers of the benefit" The expression
" lei them despse them evidently means let them
presume to neglect their duty and treat their masters
with dsrespect because they members OF the same
church. The STAKEHOLDER is in this denomina ell
fahf betored, and pGraksr of the benefits promises,
and because he is his servant is exhorted to renewed
diligence With what proprey could such language as
the above be addressed to hired servant! What hiel
servant would be tempted 10 neglect the work OF his en-
ployer treat him with incvility because he was a
member OF the church' This whole passage is in
tended warning 10 pous slaves not to feel that they
have acquired any rights because they profess the
same religion with their masters, while at the time
it prove. most concusvey that the introduction OF the
Gospel dspensa,ion made alteration in the relation OF
master and slave and that existed to the fullest extent
in the Christian Church.
Pauls epis.le to Philemon sustans this position, and
eluciales the subject still further "Onesmus Philemons
fugitive slave, had escaped 10 Rome while there be had
attended the ministry of Paul, and was converted The
earnestly Philemon TO forgive him who had be-
come beloved brother. The epislle is model of eo
quent and aclionate ntecesslon yet il acknowledges
Phenons cla,m to the services Of Onesimus Though
Paul. in chains greatly needed servant, and found One
SINUS peculiarly well qualified fer the pnrpose, he would
not interfere with the legal rights OF the detau
his lave without his consent. The eps,le in the name
OF Paul and Timothy, is inscribed TO Philemon. our
dearly beloved and fellow laborer."
The passages from the Gospels, the Epslles and the
Acts of The Apostles, which have quoted, cannot be
misunderstood; they have but meaning They prove,
says Mr.. Grahaqmkaod We s'ncerey believe every ont
who examines Min will agiee with tim) "that the
apostles did regard the relation OF master and slave
inconsistent with credi,able profession Of Christianity
nor did they forbid its continuance where existed among
the Gentes They treated il they did the relations OF
husband and wife, and parent and child. The par
agraph that prescbes the duties Of husbands and wives
and parents and children, prsscrIbes also the duties
masters and slaves; the code that authorizes tn,
one relation recognises the other Is there then,
more reason TO doubt whether this relation be authorized
in the Christian Church than whether it authorized
in theJewish Church y
Having concluded the argumeniave portion OF his dis
course Mr. Graham favors with sound practica
| remarks which we think well calculated 10 dc
good that we propose TO recur to them some fuur,
| Sabbath. II.