North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-08-05

ton. Think not" saith he, that am
comessto destroy the law or the prophets.
am not come to destroy, but to fulfill
| (Matt. 5: 17.) On that point therefore,
this single passage is perfectly conclusive.
1t is said by some, however, that the great
principle of the Gospel, love to God and love
to man, necessarily involved the condemna-
ton of slavery. Yet how should it have
any such result, when we remember that
this was no new principle, but, on the con-
trary. was laid down by the Deity TO his
own chosen people, and was quoted from the
Old Testament by the Savior himself? And
why should slavery be thought inconsistent
with it2 In the relation of master and slave
we are assured by our Southern brethren
that there is incomparably more mutual love
than can ever be found between the employ
er and the hireling. And | can readily be
live it, for the very reason that it is relation
for lifo, and the parties, when rightly dispos-
ed, must therefore feel far stronger and
deeper interest in each other.
The next evidence which proves that the
Mosaic law was not held to be inconsistent
with the Gospel occurs in the statement of
the apostles to st. Paul, made some twenty
years, at least, after the es ia blishment of the
first Christian church in Jerus alem. "Thou
seest, BROTHER" said they, I" how many
thousands Of Jews there are who believe,
and they are all Jealous of the la1o." Acts
2l: 2O) How could this have been posi-
sibIe, if the law was supposed to be abolish
ed by the new dispensation
But the precepts and the conduct Of Ct.
Paul himself the great apostle of the Cen
tiles, are all sufficient, because he meets the
very point, and settles the whole ques ton.
Thus he saith to the Ephesians :: " Servants
(In the original Greek, bond servants or
slaves) "be obedient to them that are your
masters. according TO the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in singeness Of your hearts, as
unto Christ. Not with eye service, as men,
pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart, with good
will doing service, as to the Lord, and not
unto mon, knowing that Whatsoever good
thing any man doeth, the same shall he re
celve of the Lord, whether he be bond or
free. And We masters, do the same things
unto them, forbearins threatening, knowing
that your Master also is in heaven, neither
is there any respect Of persons with him.
(Eph. 6: $50
Again, to the Colossians, St. Paul repeats |
the same commandments. " Servants" |
(that is. bond servants or slaves) "obey in
all things your ;masters according to the |
flesh, not with eye service, as men pcasers,
but in sngleness of heart, fearing God."-
(Col. 3: 22) "Masters, give unto your
servants that which is just and equal, know
ing that We also have Master in heaven"
(Col. 4 ID
Again the same inspired teacher lays down
The law in very strong terms, to Timothy, the
Hrst Bishop ofEphesus Let as many ser.
wants as are under the yoke, "(that is, the
yoke of bondage) count their own masters
worthy of ali honor, that the name IF God
md his doctrine be not blasphcmed. And
hey that have believing masters, let them
lot despIse them because they are brethren,
put rather do them service because they are
aithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort. I6-my man
each otherriSe, q ...- tft4 1rhole-
'om acords, eren the uords of our Lord Je-
as Christ and to the doctrine uhich as al.-il
'ording to dtttisearerett cometh enry' strye
aiLiuqs, ern surmisings, Perrerse d'sp"',"gS
f men Of corrupt minds and destitute 'j t@e
ruth, supposing that gain IS g0a,,hess.
ro,, sucb withdraw thysef. But godi'ness
NTH contentment isgreat gain. for we orougnt
nothing into this world, and it is certain we
nan carry nothing out. And having ioou anu
-:.,,. tot ms he Herewith content."ll lin
6: 1-8l n,.o
Lastly, St Paul, in his Epistle to ph''ome.
Ion informs him that he had sent oacN "'S
oitive slave, whom the apostle haa cohse''
S 90 tho Christian faith during his inpriSon-
won't asking the master to forgive ana re
ceive his penitent disciple. 81 oeseech '"e1
for nv son Onesimus," saith he, whom
have begotten in my bonds, which IN ''lne
n.st was 10 thee Improbable, but now prof'-
ri. 70 tbee and to me, whom have sent
again: thou therefore receive that Is ns m'ns
oun bowels. whom would have re'a'"ea
with me- that in thy stead he n'go. nave
;.;,torad unto me in the bonds OF the gos
40, Bn, without thy mind would L &c
no,hinr that thy benefit should not De cas- as i
mars of nee, ssity, but willingly. For per
haps he therefore departed tor season. ', wa W..
thou shouldst receive him forever iio' "o'
as a servant, but above servant a o'0'"e
beloved. specially to me, but how mach NOR
to thee, both in the aesh and in the Lore
r. tbou countest me therefore partner n
.e;ve him as myself, If he hath wronge
thee or oweth thee aught, put tina. on n.'
account. I Paul have written II WIN '"''