Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-02-04
yoR THE sPEcTAroR
Letters to Northern UniOntsts on
the Scripture View Of Slavery.
LETTER NO. 3.

! Slavery IN me f'me of Christ ana iAe .1PoS-
hes.- They did moi condemn ii.-Om Sd
piour favored 1.-THE APOSTLES admitted
Shareholders into The Church. They re-
cognized lis la;cfulness BY prescribing the
duties of masters and Observation-Disclosures
Benefit of The slare not The sole reason for
permission Of fslarery.-Emancipattoh prac-
ticable in the apostolic age.
RESPECTED FRIENDs, Having glanced
at the view of slavery presented by the Old
Testament, we now proceed to notice that
contained in the New. 1t is well kno"n,
that IN the age of Christ and the Apostles,
slavery in its worst forms prevailed through
out the known world. OF The 120 millions
who composed the Roman Empire, at least
one-half were in state of bondage. In
these circumstances, what course was pursu-
ed by our SAVIOUR & his inspired followers!
A most significant fact, conceded on all hands
is that they neither denounced slaveholding
as crime, nor enjoined emancipation as a
duty. Their very silence on these points
is most instructive. 1t teaches, in the first
place, that slavery is not one ofthose things
which, like poygamy, were permitted by
the Mosaic Law, but prohibited by the Cos
pel. and therefore that the instructions of
the former, in reference to the subject, stand
in full force. In the second place, that ST.
lence, without regard to the Old Testament
is itself proof that slaveholding is not the
sin which it has been represented to be; for
to suppose it SUCH would be to accuse the
sacred teachers Of acting part In relation
to this subject inconsistent, not only with
moral honesty, but with their own conduct
in all similar cases. 1t is known that they
did not fail to denounce any other widely
spread wlckedness, either from fear OF con-
seduences, Or from any other motive.
But although Christ and the Apostles
were silent on the points above men
toned, they were far from being silent
on the whole subject. Jesus himselftouch-
es upon it either directly or indirectly, much
oftener than is supposed by superficial rea-
ders of the Bible. The centurion mention
ed in Mat. 8, 5-13 and Luke 7: 2-10, was
stakeholder; and yet our Lord says of him,
II have not found so great faith, no, not in
Israel" The nobleman of Capernium whose
son was healed, received that blessing in
Consequence of his faith; he was at the
same time an owner of slaves, John a: 46-
81. In the parable of the tares, the good
man of the house, STAKEHOLDER, represents
the Son of man himself, Mat 13: 24-30, 81.
Christ again compares himself to a slave
holder, Mat. "a: 42-5l; and still again in
the parable of the talents, Mat. 25: 1870.
He also makes a like comparison Luke
10: 36-48, and Mark 13: 81. In the para
BILE of the great supper, the master of the
house Is stakeholder; and he represents
God himself, Luke IA: 1924. The kind
father of the prodigal son, whose Compass
sion is an image of the divine mercy, is
possessor of slaves, Luke Is: 11-32. The
householder in the parable Of the vineyard,
has many servants; and He represents God,
Mat. 21; 33-41, Mark 10: 10, Luke 20:
Gle. Finally, Our Saviour speaks of the
obedient servant as having simply done his
duty and as deserving no thanks, Luke II
ITO. These instructions of Christ plainly
show that he looked upon slaveholding as
innocent. The force of this argument can
not be evaded, even in appearance, except
by taking the untenable position, that SER
ranis in Scripture mean hirelings. More on
this point hereafter.
In the conduct of the Apostles, we have
the clearest positive testimony on the sub
iect of slavery. They were placed in cir
cums:ances in which neutrality would have
been impossible, even had they desired to
maintain it. The precise question which
has convulsed SO many of our ecclesiastical
bodies, was presented for their decision;
namely, whether Shareholders should be ad-
mitted as members of the Christian Church.
They were admitted, and that, so far as we
are informed, without the least controversy
or scruple. Cornelius the centurion, though
a slave owner, was baptized by the direc-
ton of Peter, Acts 10: 7-48. The Apostle
was indeed censured for his conduct on this
occasion but it was only because Cornell
us and his friends were uncircumcised.-
Paul speaks of slaves who had believing
masters" Tim. 6: Q. Philemon the owner
of Onesimus, was not only Church mem
!. ber, but probably minister. Paul styles
him '.our dearly beloved, and fellow-labor-
err" Philem. l.
The teachings of the Apostles ON this sub
ject, correspond with their acts. TLey gave
instructions with regard TO the reciprocal
duties of masters and slaves; thus presup-
posing the continuance of the relation
Servants are exhorted to obedience, in moi
less than five different epistles, Eph. 6: 5-8
Col. 8: 1925, Tim. 6: is, Tit. 2:9,
Pet. 2: 1920. In these exhortations, they
are urged 10 serve their masters with fidel-
lty and good will, so as to promote their IN
terests in the highest possible degree. How
different these exhortations from those ol
the men who encourage and aid slaves to
run away Masters are exhorted, in turn
to treat their servants with kindness and
Justice. This is conclusive proof that the
relation is not saful. What would be tho't
of directions teaching us how to steal and
murder in the most pious manner9 There
seems to have been the germ of an aboli
ton party IN existence at the time when the
first epistle 10 Timothy was written. Il
was met by arebuke which doubtless crush.
ed it in the bud. Those who taught thai
slaves were not under obligations to honor
and serve their masters, were declared te
be ''proud, knowing nothing, but d5iing a.
|, bout questions" &c., and from such, limo.
thy was directed to withdraw HIMSELF
Servants were directed to be obedient te
their masters, not as mere matter OF ex-
pediency, bit Gas to the LORD" !" and from
. conscience toward Cod" If the aboll'
= tionists of the present day would teach fu'
= gitive slaves the "higher law inthls form
their instructions would accord with scrip
ture much better than they now do. 1t j!
e worthy of notice that the precepts of the