The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-07-03
PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY g. 1862.

him go free.
Under these laws. preserved by God
himself. the Hebrew nation com menced
their career. In war with the indian
ties. mentioned in the 3lst chapter Of
Numbers. they put to death all their pris.
oners except $4,000 virgins who were re-
duced 10 slavery.
Henceforward. during the history Of the
Hebrew patton. the kings. princes and
rich men acquired and held slaves under
the authority Of God's law given through
Moses. Even during their captivity in
Babylon many Of the Jews held slaves,
for, according to Nehemiah, chapter 2.
verse 67, there were 1887 men servants
and maid servants in the company which
returned to Jerusalem under his charge
The christian era found the institution
Of slavery peryading no: only Judes. but
Christ. in single, dsnounce it as a sin?
No not once. On the contrary he recog
ni1es the relation and duty Of servants to
promote the interests of their masters. In
the parable Of the FIVE talents. in the 26ll
chspler Of Mathew. he who had received
one talent is represented as being punish
ed for not emplviug it for the benefit o.
his master.
But the christian view Of slavery ii
more clearly developed in the teachings OF
the Apostles. Says Paul in First Corinth
ians. 7. 60. FL, 22:
Let every man abide iu the same call
ing in which he was called. Art thou
called. being servsOs? Care not for it
but if thou msyest be made free use i
rather, for he that is called In the Lord
being a servant. is called, being free, i,
Chrs.'s servant"
In the lst. 81, Sd, 4th verses Of the 6tl
chapter OF Erhesians. Paul inculcstes the
Christian du,ies Of children and parents
aud then proceeds in the 5h. 9Th. 7th
9Th and 9th 10 teach servants and the;,
masters their Christian dutics SAYS
he:
Servants, be obedcn, to them that are
your masters. according to the flesh. with
fear and trembling. in singlcness Of your
heart as unto Christ.
No, with eye service. as men pleasers
but as servants Of Christ doing the will o
God from the heart.
with good will doing service as TO the
Lord. and not men.
Knowing that whatsoever good thing
any man doeth the same shall he re
ce,e Of the Lord. whether he be boud ol
/ Tree.
Aud We masters do the same thing,
unto hem forb-sring threstenings know.
ins hat your Master also is in Heaven
nei her is there respect Of persons with
! him"
The plain meaning Of this passage is
that 1t is the christian duty Of The servant
to obey and serve his master with the
same fidelity and devotion as he would
serve God and Christ: or rather. thai
cheerful obedience and faithful service &c
his master 1871 portion Of his duty to hi,
God and Savior. And masters are in
structed TO treat their servants kindly. re.
ciprocating their good will. snd are al
monished tha, In the sight Of God sll men
are equal, whatever may be their earthly
relations.
Similsr injunction are imposed on ser.
wants and masters in the third and fourth
chapters Of Paul's Bpistle 10 the Colosi-
ans.
In tho sixth chapter O. PAul's First Epis
tie to Timothy. verses one and two. the
Apostle says:
Let as many servants as are under the
yoke count their own masters as worthy OF
all honor. that the name Of God and His
doctrine be no: blasphemed.
Aud they that Lave believing masters.
let them not despise them because they
are brethren. but rather do them service.
because they are faithful and bel we'd. par
takers Of the benefit. These thiggs teach
and exhoit."
ln oiher words. "all honor" to his mas
ter By slave is in accordance with the
"docuine" OF God, and he is not to bring
that doctrine into diSrepute by disobedi
ence or misconduct. Nor is he 10 think
ess Of his master because he finds himself
on n level with him in the church, but is
rather to serve him with more zeal than
ever. Ia his Epislls to Titus. chapter -.
ver'es and 10. Paul says:
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto