The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-03
TWO CENTS.

probably had learned from the very epise OF the Apostle
Paul which poured tho truth OF Gods Word with con
vertng power into his mind, that that Word spoke
condemnation of slavery. The promises OF the atone
ment had been made, aud the inunctons OF that Word
had been preached for than three and half centu
ries and yet ia the presence OF BOTH the doctor does
not hesitate 70 decide that the continuance OF SIN among
the postorities of Adam consns Che fact of slavery.
Hence Mr. Chairman You perceive that st. Augustine
traces the origins OF slavery TO the very piccncts of Tara
disc derives it from the violation of the frst command
and justiss It's usage as result, go tpd'c1 OF the
Judgment Of God and sanctions its existence, te 0ei
by the law of nations But surely sir neither of these
make slavery sin Like plaques, war, scourges and
death, II he but consequence at worst Tho iofnef
Is an effect, the latter is the To Che destruction
of the latter, therefore, according to the ariom, btra
o1isd toir agec should actuaiies OF the poltco
religious of the world apply their undivided
efforts and their holy zeal For, observe Mr. Chairman
il the commission OF sin the herald of bondage then
must its prevalence be the accompaniment OF slavery in
shape this earth. On this the doctrine OF
the great bishop leaves doubt. Deeply, therefore, do
regret that pieus brethren consumed by the
zeal OF the house OF God assa the Consequences OF
his aw in THEN prosecution Of that zeal regret
that holding the monopoly of godliness in their hands
and peadins against The slavery snfulness of the South
they have not addressed themselves directly TO the abo
ton of slavery. Still do regret, Sir, that they
have not yet consented 10 give the best not the
only, earnest of their abborrence Of slavery by the up
roofing OF sin in their midst Though the question OF It's
overthrow through such condition precedent might
we'll be adjourned TO the " Greek Kalends, which, be-
lieve known to yet firmly as hold TO
the awfulness, human and divine of slavery just as
truly would greet the of its impending
abolition. For then, Mr. Chairman, would cxut in the
conviction that hope had arisen for the sinners of
our Israel The day, sir which would proclaim the alb
clifton of slavery violation of the law of God would
also suggest to the pleasing that north
friends have washed away every taint of niquy and
| every blot of sin from their sanctied souls J.
But, sir recalled to the consideration N chief of
this subject 1t to infer the bearing OF the doc
| fr n,., ,f h,., Vnf hn
does not leave to inference. He has authoativcly
laid down the principle and he fully carries it out in ali
its tendencies He cxpounds the question not only in the
religious ser'se but he does also in the domestic
In his view the slave by the Judgment of Godeo jedi
oaate and by the law Of nations sinre qsAtium owes
obedience to the master but the MASTER by the law of
grace, care, Kindness and charity to his slave
This, Mr.. Chairman, laid down with singular precision,
constitutes the perfect harmony between the law of God
and the law of man in the institution OF slavery. IL abb
solves from all the trumpcy charges of the North and
leaves it, as God has made it, not abnormal element IN
the organization of society You have that accord
ing to all the pastors of the carly church. the master is
required to bear with the owardnes and the angs Of
the slave. That is the law of his Christian duty. But
listen to the law of the church under his proprietary
rights "t ifany SLAVE, sayBthe Saint, 'sha through
disoedience asnil the domestic peace of the household
let him bic corrected bs word by scourge, lay any
other kid of Just and lawful punishment, which human
society grants for the good of him. who is corrected in
order that he may be reduced to the state of peace from
which he had strayed."o Heaven knows, Mr. Chairman
that under this rule and by the discipline of those whom
am compelled, with the conscntent opinion of the
world, to admit expoundeTs of the Christian faith, the
subordnaton OF the slave and the authority of tho
ter amply recognised Bt for fear Of f~r f.ar
misunderstanding doctor immediately adds
Hence it is that it is the duty of the head OF the house
hold to appyMe prccepts ofMe State by which he must
govern his household that it shall harmonic with the
peace of society" Note, Mr.. Chairman, that this is
not said Of the household in the form Of it with which
our northern friends blessed but, in the household
as by the old patrarcha rueby the dispensations of
the lawit exists in southern homes under the
i'preccpts of the State the bishop terms the laws
which justify the masters authority Concluding his
gument the authority of the father, blending with
that of the MASTER and his obligation to rule his
household the doctor subjoins Wherefore, Just
fathers that, sir you will please to observe refers to
the old covenant - our just fathers had slaves they
SO maintained the harmony Of the household that In
far concerned these temporal possessions they made
distinction between the estate of er children and the
condition of their slaves but they provided, with equal
solcitude that all the members Of their family should
worship God, in whom lies all hope Of eternal good !"
Than yourself, Mr.. Chaman, hold none to be bet
ter Judge of the intrinsic differences between and
truth ask you sir, admitting the authority of the
ponent defy its rejection upon tenable ground
to tell me whether, within the range of your knowledge
and experience, you have this subject matter of
Christian aith and Christian Obligation ever met with
any thing more lucid more cogcnt and ncxUlable
than this religious synhesis of slavery, laid down by
the lights OF the primitive Church Ii is the voice
Of centuries primitive truth pcaDg its rentaons in
the of those who would pcrvert both the sanctions
of the Gospel and the teachings Of the whose places
they seem not to have inherited but indeed usurped
But sir, it not yet proven to my satisfaction that
on this point our friends of the North show unques
tionalc tibe TO the monopoly otod is it
proven to my satisfaction that the question of slavery
tho doctors of the Church not eighteen hundred
years ago. better qualified than our friends can be, to de
eide matter of momentou- import 10 the temporal
and spiritual welfare of tho South J, therefore, protest,
Mr. Chairman that uness of The ablest and purest
Of the teachers of the Church has preached false doctrine
and dangerous heresy, yioators OF the law OF
God in the fact and right OF holding slaves protest
that what the great doctor taht fifteen hundred years
ago is precisely what practice. protest that
follow his dogmas in preference to the ntislayery
rawlings of the North and that observing aud tanning
the difference which he marks ont between tho children
and the slaves of households reduce both to the
worshpful duty, which all and pay to God.
Particularly do protest sir that relying the ogi-
nal purity of the original faith, of the South haze
acquired the right to stigmatize do those who
of slavery sn with the brand which belongs to
falschoo,l, pcrverson, and anti Christianity
For this protest, sir, well and safely may rely
the great doctor; for il there one man more
than another competent TO dispense sound doctrine
this subject whether viewed in the legal social, po-
tcal light ST. Austin was that man he who imbodied
in his person the scholar, the philosopher the legist,
the pastor and the saint Evidences of the true teach
ngs of the church in connection with slavery you will
find, sir inscribed in many passage OF his commenta-
rcs Holy Writ Take, for instnce his seventy seventh
question on the Book OF Exodus. He is treating this
very subject of slavery in Jewish society Speaking OF
the scpecnry roversion 10 freedom which Injured TO the
slave Of Hbrcc origin to him purchased from he heata
nations around who IN perpetual inheritance to his
nnstc,s- he MARKS distinction between Jewish sa-