Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-21
NO. XXIIL

because The bowels Of the saints are refresh
ed by thee, brother" He speaks OF his
own love to Philemon. V. 8, of his conf
dence IN. his. obedience, v. 81, and ofhis in.
tention to share. his hospitality v. 22.-
With regard TO this latter point, abolition
lists must say, that he was going 'to be
guest with man which was "a sinner. =
I In all the sentiments Of the epistle. limo
thy unites, V. l and MaIk, Luke and other
distinguished ministers send their Christian
salutations, VS.. %, "a. Nothing Of all this
will appear strange, when we consider that
Philemon himself was doubtless a minister
in regular standing. A degree OF obscure
ty attends some points, which are present.
ed by this epistle, and they have been the
cause of much controversy. But there are
some things in it of great, importance, which
are sufficiently clear In the first place, 1t
shows that STAKEHOLDER could be most
excellent man: and could enjoy the highest
esteem. and the most ardent affection OF
Paul and his associates. This we have seen.
1t shows, secondly, that Paul sent back
fugitive slave, without any injunction what
ever, as to his treatment; leaving that whole
matter to the discretion, and the good feel
inc of the master with simple request,
VS.. S-12. Thirdly, Paul recognized Phile-
mons right of property in Onesimus; rep
resenting himself as under obligation to the
former for the services of the latter, VS.. IL,
IA. Fourthly the only fugitive slave men,
toned in the New Testament had one OF
the best of masters, and was himself, at the
time of his flight, one of the worst Of ser
wants, VS.. II, 1S. Such cases are not un-
common at the present day. Filthy, the
substance of Paul's request s,that in con-
siteration of the. genuine conversion OF U
nesimus, Philemon would receive HIM. wth
kindness, and would remit the punishment
which was Justly due him, VS.. 17-20.-
These points are PLAN, but some others are
doubtful. f.. It is doubtful whether Oneslmps
was emancipated. and also whether Paul
expected that he would be. Abolitionlsts
assume both these points, but without good
proof for either. The expression, v. 16,
ftNot now as a servant, but above SER
want a brother beloved, "-foims nopart OF
Pauis request but it simply states sconse-
quence Of the conversion of Oncsimus as
is evident from the context 1t shows, not
that the old relation is dissolved TO sup
pose this would be contrary to the whole
teaching of the New Testament on the SUBJ
iect but that new and higher relation
is formed Doddridge explains il, mot mere
ly as common servant, but as above SER
want" &c. But this is not the point on
which abolitionists chiefly dwell. They
contend, that when Paul says, v. 21,T
"Knowing that thou wilt do more than
intimates his expectation that o.
nesimus will be liberated, But this is al
together illogical; unless it be denied THAT
master can do anything more for peni-
tent slave without giving him his liberty.
than to remit his punishment, and to re-
ceive him into favor. What that "nore"
was, which was expected to be done, it is
to say; there is not one particle
of proof that i. was emancipation. II the
aboltionists had never hinted at the liberia
ton ofslaves any more plainly than Paul here
does, you may be assured they never would
have endangered the Union. But after all.
il is question of little consequence to our
argument, whether Onesimus received, his
freedom or not If he did receive it, It was
not as a matter Of Justice. but as free GIFT
from the generosity Of his master And the
conduct Of Philemon in conferrlng that gift,
could no'more be an example to slayeowners
in general, than the conduct of Zaccheus
in giving half his goods to the poor, could
be an example to PROPERTY holders in gen-
eral.
Yours respectfully,
NOTANGLUS.