Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-02-11
FOR THE sPECTAT OR.
Letters to Northern UniOnists OH
the Scripture View of Slavery.
WEST VIRGINIA, January, 1885,
LETTER NO. A.

OuSLS.-Hu. CHIe|'uHHy uHfUufUS NC Eng
Ash ,cord SERVANT dt0idedN3d. yaddi
t,onal light Aro;cn upon tile sl6jecf.@Ha
gar and The angel-Boqz and oilers s1aue
holders.-Homs born slaues.-I'hc inues
legation, easily ineligible.
RESPECTED FRIENDs,-fu preferrfng tc
rest the Bible argument for the lawfulnes,
of slavery directly on the original Scriptures
do not wish to depreciate our English
translation. It's character is established, and
it is Justly regarded, as remarkably faith.
full and accurate version; one of the best
if not the very best, ever made, of any book
in any language. But it is not always pos
sible for translation to give the full force
of the original, with the exact shade of its
meaning, and without ambiguity. On no
subject is there any important diversity Of
Specification, between the original words of
Revelation, and the English Bible. But on
some points, the diction of the latter is less
clear and expressive than that of the former:
It is so in reference to the subject before
us. Several Advantages will be gained by
drawing our information on this topic, i'm
mediately from the Greek aad Hebrew rec
ords.
1st. The argument will rest upoti an ith:
movable foundation. As every translation
is the work of fallible inen, its correctness
is liable to be called in question: and those
will be very likely to resort 10 this expedi-
ent, who are hard pressed by argument, and
see no other way of escape. Now the tes-
t!mony of the Bible is so CLEARLY against the
position that "slavery is SIM" that some of
the leading abolitionists are beginning to re-
nounce its authority altogether. But others,
who are not prepared to take such step;
when worsted in argument at the tribunal
of the English Scriptures, appeal TO the Su-
perior Court of the original tongues; and
the whole case must be hung up until it can
be tried by that authority. But if the ques-
ton be tried at once before this supreme
judicatory, a judgment may be obtained,
which will be final and irreversible. Thus
an advantage will follow, if the decision of
the English verson be simply sustained as
It certainly will be to the letter. But by
taking the case at once to the jurisdiction
of the Greek and Hebrew tribunal, still
more favorable decision will be obtained;
as will appear from the other considerations
to which we now proceed.
I'd. We shall be relieved from all that
seeming uncertainty which results from the
ambiguity of the English word serpant. In
spite of all the proof which can be adduced
to the contrary, there are doubtless many
persons who will persist in maintaining that
in some passages, of great importance In
this controversy, it means hired servant
and this. because the word admits of such
a meaning, and because they have been ac-
customed so to understand it. But the orl-
ginal words, which are translated seruant,
IS capsbfe sbf 9oaq1isd 81 qisd 70 hired servan This
demonstration.
Sd. The argument will derive an acces-
sion of strength from some points, which
are clearly visible in the original Scriptures,
but which are seen indistinctly, or not at
all in our version. We will notice several
of these points. The case Of Hagar and the
angel furnishes important instruction re-
specting the proper manner of treating fu-
gi,ive slaves. Even as exhibited in the
English Bible, it present a striking exam
pie. Hagar had been treated with harsh
ness by her mistress she had fled, and was
now far beyond the reach Of those who
claimed her as property. She had more
reason for running away, than most ofthose
slaves who escape from the Southern to the
Northern States. This was her condition
when the angel met her. Was she slave
or free woman? Had she moral right
to go where she pleased, or was she under
obligation to return to her mistress? I'VE
know very well what advice lie abolition
angels would give in such case, But what
did the angel of the Lord say to her? Gre
turn to thy mistress, and submit thyself un-
der her hands," Gen. 1919 This exam
pie decides what ought to be done in such
case, if the example of an angel is worthy
of mutation. But an abolftionist might de-
ny that it proves that person in such a
situation is properly slave; and he might
say that the direction to return was prompt
ed solely by regard to expedlency. But
look at the angels first address, Y. 8,-"Ha-
gar Sarai's maid" 'This," you may say.
'decides nothing maid is net necessarily
a slave" True, she is not. But the He
brew word translated maid, always MEANS,
when used IN its literal acceptation, a bond
pon,an, and is SO translated in some passa-
ges. This is the, meaning of maid in this
passage, though the word is ambiguous.-
The angel, then, says in substance; cha
gar. Sarai's slave, whence camest, thou ?
and whittier wilt thou go' Thou art wan
dering a. thine own pleasure, as if under
no control. But must rebuke thee, and
must remind thee, that thou art rightfhlly
the property of thy mistress, and under OBJ
legations to obey her in all things, Return
therefore, and submit thyselfto her author
ity." 80; :,
The same word which is here applied to
Hagar, Is used Ruth 2: 13. and is there
hand:n,aiden. 1t is used with ref
erence to the female servants of the excel
lent Boaz, and proves that he was slave
holder. Another Hebrew word of similar
import, occurs Judg. g: 18. 1t is applied to
the maid-servant of Gideon, and shows that
he owned at least one slave, The same is
found 3 Sam. 6: 1922, rendered hand
maid and maid-seruant furnishing an argu-
ment to prove the prevalence Of slavery in
the time of David. It is also used Job 10:
Is, where It is translated maid !; adding to
the proof that Job was slave owner.-
Another proof still, in his case, is furnish
ed by the fact that the Hebrew phrase, rem
dered great household, Job 1:3, is the
same which, in Gen. 26: IA, is more accu-
rately rendered, great store of servants,
that is of slaves.
The Hebrew expression which, in, Gen.
IA: IA, is translated born in his o.cn house,
is more fully given Jer. 2: IA, homs born