Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-14

tence, and the killing of designed malig-
nifty or wanton brutality. Iappeal to every
one, if our experience is not in accordance
with the divine statute. The same motive
induces the master to be obscrvant of the
health and morals of his slaves; to care for
them, and provide for them; TO restrain
them from baneful excesses, and employ
them in moderate, though steady labor
That this is the course -the established
habit Of the slaveholding portion of the
country, is plainly g be deducel from an
increase in the numbers 81 our slave popu.
lation beygna the ratio of na tural inq grease
in the poPnlaiEon of any oth9x ei0n;t
which could only arise from tnc z ndant !
supply of the necessaries and comforts of
life, and contented state of mind.
But the intere,t of the owner is not the
only security to the slave for humane treat
ment; there is stronger tie between them.
Often born on the same plantation, aad bred
together, they have perfect knowled re of
each other, and amutual attachment. Pro-
lection and provision are the offices of the
master, and in return the slave yields devo-
ted obedience and fidelity Of service; so that
.hey seldom part but from necessity. The
comfort, cheerfulnesS, and happiness Of the
slave should be, and generally is, the study
of the mas ter and every Christian master
reioices over the soul of his slave saved, as
of a brother, and allows of his attendance on
the ministry Of Gods word and sacraments,
in any church Of his choice in his vicinity.
The condition ola slave denies to him, in.
deed, opportunities ofeducation sufficient for
searching the Scriptures for himself, and
working thereout his own cow ersion but
God forbid that should be necessary to sal
yation 1t is not for TO The poor and the
unlettered the Christian graces are promised
) and given in an especial manner, because
they have less pride of intellect, more sim
plicity of faith, and more singleness of heart;
and among the slaves of this country there
are many exemplary Christians Indeed
slavery in America has not only done more
for the civilization and enjoymerts Of the
), African race than all other causes, but it has
l brought more of them into the Christian
fold than all the missions to that benighte,
S continent from the Advent to this day have
S or, probably, those for ceutu ries to com,
;; would, excepting only the recent Colonies o
q blacks on the western coast of Africa BY
J which one may hope and believe that unde
e divine direction the lights of civilization anc
e the knowledge Of the true God may be ref, {
u ted back on that whole land Such ar
L some Of the beneficial effects on that race Z
their connexion with US. Upon the slave
III holder the impressions are not less dsiinctl
er durable, nor less beneficial. lie is habituaI
9 ly man Of employment As in miIilar
a. life, he must train his troop TO their duties
" lay out their work, and superintend its exc
re cution; and by mild and just, though fri
er discipline, reward and punish according t
es their deserts and he must never fail in syn
70 pathy with them in regard to innocent er
OF joyments at proper times, and their needs
H. sickness and in health. Sometimes ma
n, ters, very trivial in themselves, have exceed
40 ingly great effect in improving the slave an
ca uniting him o his owner. | know ge,
or tleman, one of1he most successful planters
ne who produced a marked change for the be
ell ter among his slaves, by the small boon Of
es' cheap looking glass for each of their qua
les tiers. Another bound his people to him t
as devoted affection, by joining with solen
Us, nifty in their professions at the burial of the
er- Dead in grave yard, which lie had prote
I've ted by plain post and plank enclosure.
ng 1t is a great error in those who do n
ELL know our slavery, TO confound authority
TO the private relations, though it be that OF
'ur slaveowner, with the absolute power Of
ar, prince on throne. A political despot
res separated from his subjects. Heknowsth the
ia, not, nor loves them. He sympathises wi
I've none ofthen, but their positions ard feelin
ais, are in constant hostility. But authority
her domestic life, though not necessarily, is n
ere urally considerate, mild, easy to be eutr
AIN ted, and tends to an elevation in sentimt
me in the superior which generates huma
nat tenderness for those in his power, and re
Vn ders him regar1ful alike of the duty and
am dignity Of his position. It is only when t
Tres authority is disputed and resisted, that &C
ear flict occurs; and the slaves, if kept to the
our selves, unprompted from without, will
lere dom give OCCASION in that way for rigor.