Squatter sovereign., 1855-07-17


being subjected to the law of grace. might
be disposed to obey reluctantly; hence the
amplitude of the command. But what
purpose was to be answered by this devo-
ton of the slave2 The Apostle answers,
g that the name of God and his doctrine
(of subordination to the law-making pow
er) be not blasphemed,' . as they certainly
would by contrary course on the part eff
the servant, for the most obvious reason in
the world; while the sword would have
been drawn against the Gospel, and war
of determination waged against its propa-
gators, in every province of the Roman
Empire, for there was slavery in all and
so it would be now.
But, says the caviler, these directions
are given to Christian slaves whose masters
did not acknowledge the authority of Christ
to govern them; and are therefore defec-
tive as proof, that he approves of one Chris
tan man holding another in bonda &C.
Very well, we will see. In the next verse,
Il Timothy vi. 2, he says, Z" and they that
have believing masters, let them not de-
spise them, because they are brethren, but
rather do them service, because they are
faithful and beloved partakers of the bene-
fit" Here is great change; instead OF
a command to believing slave to render
to believing master all honor ,and thereby
making that believing master in honor
equal to an unbelieving master, here is
rather an eXhortation to the slave not to
despise him, because he is a believer. Now,
I ask, why the circumstance of master
becoming believer in Christ, should be-
come the cause of his believing slave de-
spising him, while that slave was supposed
to acquiesce in the duty of rendering all
honor to that master before he became a
believer! 1 answer, precisely, and only,
because there were abolition teachers
among them, who taught otherwise, and
consented not to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ. l Tim.
vii. 3: and to the doctrine which is accord
ing to godliness,' taught in the Sth verse,
viz: having food and raiment, servants
should Herewith be content; for the pro-
noun US, in the Sth verse of this connec-
ton, means equally the servants he was in
structing, as well as Christians in general.
These men taught, that godliness abolish.
ed slavery, that it gave the title of freedom
to the slave, and that so soon as man
professed to be the subject Of Christ, and
refused to iberate his slaves, he was a
hypocrite, and deserved not the countenance
of any who bore the Christian name. Such
men, he, the Apostle says, are proud
Gust as they are now,) knowing nothing .
(that is, on this subject,) but " "doating
about questions, and strifes OF words
whereof cometh envy, strife, ratings, evil
surmisings, perverse disputings of men OF
corrupt minds, and destitute of truth, sup
posing that gain is godliness: from such
withdraw thyself." l Tim. vi. 4,5.
Such were the bitter fruits which aboli-
ton sentiments produced in the Apostolic
day, and such precisely are the fruits they
produce now
Now, say, here is the case made out
which certainly would call forth the com.
mand from Christ, to abolish slavery, if he
ever intended to abolish it. Both the
servant and the master were one in Chris
Jesus Both were members of the same
church, both were under unlimited ant
voluntary obedience to the same divine
lawgiver.
No political objection existed at tn,
time against their obedience to him OF
the subject of slavery; and what is the viii
not of Paul, but of the Lord Jesus Christ
Immediately in person upon the case thu
made outz Does he say to the master
having put yourself under my govcrnmen
you must no longer hold your brother il
bondages Does he say to the slave,
your master does not release you, yoI
must 60 and talk to him privately, abou
this trespassupon your rights under the Law
of my kingdom; and if be does not hea
you, you must take two or three with you
and if he does not hear them then yo
must tell it to the church, and have hin
expelled from my flock, as wolfin sheep
clothing say, what does the Lord Jesu
say to this poor believing slave, concernin;
-
a master who held unlimited power over hi
person and life. under the Roman law
He tells him that the very circumstance G
his masters being brother, constitutes th'
reason why he should be more ready to d
him service for, In addition TO the circum
stance of his being brother who woul
be benefited BY his service, he would a
a brother give him what was just an
/ equal in return, and ssforbear threatening,