North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-08-12

mands distinctly. And the Saviour disclaims the
intention to repeal the laws of his heavenly Father,
while he asserts the original design of marriage and
and his inspired Apostle gives express sanction to
slavery and speaks of the WIFE in direct acord-
ance with the word of his divine Master Here,
therefore, it is plain that the cases are altogether
like and present contrast rather than compar-
son.
We know that the doctrine of the primitive church
was in harmony with this for polygamy never
permitted, divorces for triaing causes, while
slavery was allowed, being perfectly lawful, so
long the slave treated with justice and kind :
ness. The ancient canons sometimes advert to the
mode in whioh slaves migh be corrected Bishops
and clergy held slaves In later times bondmen and
bondmaids were in the service of converts and m,n
asteries. And no scruple entertained upon the
subject until the close of the last century when the
new light burst forth which dazzes the eyes of
so many worthy people, and blinds them not only to
the plain statements of Scriptures but 10 the inter
ests of national unity and peace,
Thus, then have examined the various topics
embraced in your inquiry, and the conclusion which
have been compelled to adopt must be sufficiently
manifest. The slavery of the negro race, as main
taned in the Southern States, appears to me fllly
authorized both in the Old and the New Testament
which as the written Word OF God, aft ,rd the only
infallibe standard of moral rights and obligations
That very slavery, in my humble judgment, has
raised the negro inoomparably higher the scale of
humanity, and seems in fact, to be the only instru
mentality through which the heather posterity Of
Ham have been raised at all Out Of that slavery
has arisen the interesting colony of Liberia, planted
nv slayehodeTs he a Dlape of rafI1pe fort cir
emancpited bondmen, and destined, as hope, to be
rich ene6t in is future growth and influence, to
Africa and to the world do not forget, and T
trust that do not undervalue, the missiona work
Of England and own land, in tnat benighed con-
tinent. But believe that the number Of negroes
Christanized and civilized at the South, through the
system of slavery exceeds the product of those miss
iauary labors, in proportion of thousands to one.
And thus the wisdom and goodness of God vindi
Gated in the sanction which his word has given. nd
the sentence originally pronoun ced on Canaan
curse has been conver ted into blesting.
have gone ger the whole ground covered by
your kind application, and would only here repeat
that the question of slavery which lies at the root
of all our present difficulties have obeyed the rule
of conscience and of duty, in oppostiont my habits
my prejudces and my sympa'hies, all of which
would tend strongly to the other lie. need hardly
say that am no politician. More than forty years
have elapsed since ceased to attend the polls.
But Christian, am bound to accept the doctrine
Of the apostles for my guide. And a citizen, am
bound sustain the Constitutional the United States
and defend those principles of law and order and
friendly comfy, which every State should faithfully
regard in its relations TO the rest Nor is this the
first time that have expressed my opinions. In
lecture at Buffalo published in 1880 and again in
volume entitled The An erican Citizen, printed by
Pudney Russell in 1857 set forth the same views
the subject of slavery; adding however plan for
its gradual abolition whenever the South should con-
sent, and the whole strength Of the Government could
aid IN its accomplishment Sooner or later believe
that measure of that character must be adopted
But it belongs to the slave States themselves to take
the lead in such movement. And meanwhile
their legal rights aHd their natural feelings must be
respected if we would hope for unity ami peace.
In conclusion, I would only say, that am per-
fectIy aware how distastsfuI my sentiments must be
this very serious question, to the great majority
my respected fellow-citizcns in the region wheref
divine Providence has cast my lot. It would assue
conform to the opinions of my friends to whose abili
ty, sincerity, and zeal ready to gige all ;ust
commendation. But it would be mere moral coward
ice in to suppress what believe to be the truth
for the sake of popularity 1t not be long before
l shall stand at the tribanal of that Almighty and
unerripg Ju lge, who has iven the inspired Scrip
lures to be our supreme directory in every moral and
religious duty. Ny gray hairs sdmonish me that
may soon be called to give cunt of my steward
ship And have no fear Of the sentence which He
will pronounce upon honest though humble effort
to sustain the authority of HIS WORD in just alliance
with the Constitution. the peace, and the public
welfare Of mT country
" tn the fervent prayer hat the Spirit of Wisdom
unity rnd fraternal kinines may guide National
Congress the Legslatn of tho several States and
the sovereign will of whole people, to happy
accommodation of every existing difficulty,
l remain, with great regard.
Your faithful servant in Christ,
JOHN H. HOPKINS,
Bishop of the Diocese of Vermont.