The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-15
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times called bond-maid or bond women
in Galatians. But in every other iu-
stance the same CIR word paidiskee is
rendered damsel or maid
t. The labor Of A6rahams s,rpants
leas all volamtary.
He was himself but soiourner--
There was no local law to protect his
rights as master, or bind his servants
to him q moment. His authority was
evidently that ola father, prince, or
chief over his numerous household; and
was regulated by the general consent Of
his dependents, and could not have been
oppressive or degrading. The Lord says,
- I know him, that he viii command his
children and his household after him,
and they shall keep the way of the Lord,
and do justice and judgments" There
fore we find Abraham's servants receiT-
ing the seal Of the covenant, ana enjoy
ing all religious privileges jeremiah
quotes his example, saying, did not
thy father eat snd drink, and DO judg-
mcnt and justice, and then it was well with
him? lie judged the cause of the poor
and needy; then it was well with him;
was not this to know NE saith the Lord"
JOB alse, considered his servants as his
equals before the law, and Untitled to im-
partial justice; for he declares, "If I did
despisc the cause of my man-servant or
my maid-scrvant, when they contend
With me; what then shall I do when
God riseth up? And when he visiteth,
what shall answer him? Did not he
that made me in the womb make him 2"
fear shareholders do not question then
selves in this way. a-
s. Some Of 4braAana's servants seers
"5ouyat ayiA money"
The probability is that they sold them
selves for term Of years or for life, just
as the English do now. There is no evi-
dence that tee patriarchs or Jews eyar
gave away or sold their servants, or pur.
chased them Of third persons. Bash
and others read Gen. II, y, He that
is born in the house OR bought with MOI
ey, including every stranger which is
not of thy seed" We have seen that
God has conveyed to US dominion over
fish, fowl, boast, and the earth itself; bnt
no ownership Or property in man.
The word " bought" does not necessa-
rily imply chatt' ehood Notice q few
examples, "And Joseph bought all the
land Of Egypt for Pharaoh. Then Joseph
said unto the people, Behold, I have
bought you this day and your land for
Pharaoh: 10, here Is seed for you, and
ye shall SOW the land And it shall come
to pass in the increase, that ye shall give
the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four
parts shall be your own" Does any
Bible reader understand from this langu-
age that all the Egyptians were slaves?
Hosea says concerning his wife, "I
bought her to me for fifteen piece. of
silver, and for homer of barley, and an
half homer Of barley Can any but a
Mohammodau suppose that she became
his chattel? Boaz declares, " Moreover,
Ruth the Moabitess the wife Of Mahlon,
have purchased to be nv wife" j.
cob also, after the manner Of the times,
bought his wives; for he says to Labaa,
" served thee fourteen years for tly
two daughters, and six years for thy cat
tie" None but mla man would in-
agine that Jacob considered his wives
properly, the same as his cattle; anl
that he had as good right to sell or eat
them! No no, Abraham bought the SER
vice, the time and labor Of his servants.
None can buy more than the use Of his
fellow creature man.
6. Abrahan, had other servants that
.cere " born in his house"
Thee enjoyed more intimate coa6-
lenee, and greater privilege. At one
tine Abraham earned his trained (cate-
,hized, or religiously instlucted,) ser
wants, born in his owa house, 318,' and
marched them through hostile region
10 Dan. In default of issue, one Of his
rome born servants named Eliezer, (Gr.
lazarus would have administered his
'8tate. Well might our Savior say that
lazarus has gone to Abrahasns bosom, as
most intimate friend The Scriptures