The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-07-28
For pnE COURIER.
Versus Errors Il.csylsls.

christian and diligent Bible reader through
out the religious world An impartial, and
unprecedented examination of the Sacred Or
acles, cannot fail to impress the same belief
upon the minds mirror of the careful student,
in whatever language he may study the
same; and, in this age Of enlightenment,
when all the light, knowledge, and expert
ence of former ages, as found in sacred and
profane history, are within the reach of all
who would be conversant with the phases of
the world from the time of mankinds great
progenitor to the present, it is difficult for
one to believe that there are numerous ind
viduals who believe and advocate the doctrine
that slavery was instituted by Jehovah, and
that He has given us laws whereby we are
commanded to purchase and enslave his
fellow beings! If the word of God bestow
on man the power to enslave his fellow man,
and make him as subseryient to his imper
Gus will as the horse, the OK, or dog, then it
is more vulnerable to the attacks of Infidelitv
than those who advocate such doctrine, be-
lieving it Divine, may deem i. 1t is hardly
probable that a philosophical nationalist,
after profound contemplation of material
Natures harmonious structures, can credit
the assumption that man has the mate power,
to buy and control as beast, his brother !,
Grand King Reason would revolt at such an
idea, and crush the absurdity, as furious
blast of wind would burst bubble on the
ocean. 1t is not the design Of this article
to say a word in favor Of unbeef, for the
author is an enemy to Infidelity, in whatever
shape it may appear yet he cannot but al
mire the humanitarian doctrines of some who
have no faith in the Bible, and willingly con-
fesses to as much appreciation of their re-
ligious views as to the spiritual belief of those
who ''wrest the scriptures unto their own
destruction )" and, in his humble opinion.
there are many such abroad in the land, who
are 'false teachers" or like the prophet Ba-
laam blessing what the Almighty curses
The readers of the Courier, have been told
in the recent literary pro-slavery efforts of
Mr.. Fowler, that the Old Testament teaches
the doctrine of slavery which is sanctioned
by the New, and that no one but an infidel
would take the position that the New Tesla
ment changes the eternal principle of sla-
very ('etelnal principles of Justice" he saws.
established in the Old Now Mr.. Fowler is
informed that if the Old Testament establish
slavery AS an eternal prinbiple of justice,
some of the most eminent divines that ever
lived, and now live, according to his declara-
ton, were and are infitels. And to prove
the position, the witnesses shall be called.
The Rev. Francis Wayland, ID. d., perhaps
the most illustrious and erudte Baptist min-
lister now living, says "Were the principles
of the Gospel fully adopted, slavery could
not exist" Why DIR. Wayland, how can
y'u say that, when Mr.. Thomas Fowler of
i'lakesburg, Iowa, says that slavery is es-
tahli>hcd in the Old and sanctioned in the
New Testament, an eternal principle of JUS
tice! Surely, good Dr., you must recant, or
confess you are an intidel, for Mr.. F. speaks it,
The Rev. Albert Barnes. the distinguished
Presbyterian commentator of the present age,
speaks thus; ''Thc spirit of the Now Tesla
ment is against slavery, and the principles of
the New Testament, if fairly applied, would
abolish it, 1t is really surprising Mr.. B.
how you dare contradict Thomas Fowler of
Iowa! Why, do you not know that he
teaches slavery to be of Divine origin, and
proves it by Scripture, too? Now, Mr.. b.
yor are very learned divine, and have
searched the Scripture from your youth up,
no doubt, give us more of your opinion OIL
the subject. at is commonly-indeed, it is
almost universally -conceded that the proper
application of the principles of the New Tcs-
lament would abolish slavery everywhere, or
that the state of things which will exist when
the Gospel shall be fairly applied to all the
relations of life, slavery will not be found
among those relations" f. -.s.. ~. .fss
| Indeed why, Thomas Fowler of Blakes-
burg has searched the Scriptures, too, and
arrived at a far different conclusion. 1t is
not known, Mr. Barnes, but that he may
eradicate your doctrine on slavery, and inn
plant one Numerically opposite. But it is
possible he may have to live. to be few
thousand years older before he can accom-
plish his object! The world renowned foun-
der of Methodism says that American Sla-
very is the vilest that ever saw the sun; it
constitutes the sum of all villainies" Now,
it is not self-cvident that if slavery were
doctrine of the Bible, the Rev. John Wesley
would utter such an exposition as the above.
But his followers of the Southern Church, it
seems, think he meant not what he said vet
tits no wonder that they follow not his every
teaching, when they do not obey their spir-
itual Lord in all things. The voices of the
greatest Statesmen, ofwhom the world has
any knowledge, from the earliest times to
the present, have been raised against human
bondage; and yet as vile of the devil, it
is found in the land of the wicked, and will
endure while the word of God is abused |!
The voices Of the greatest commentators,
and divines, are opposed to slavery, and
teach it is not a Divine institution, neither