Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-04
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, MONDAY, JAN. 4. 1864.

which he hath done unjustly, and there is no re-
spect Of persons with God" T" trt
The Apostle of Sc. Peter quite aware Of the
great temptation to impatience and obstinacy
which the misconduct of the master, not seldom,
threw in the way of the servant, enters at con-
siderable length and urges the most powerful mo-
tiyes TO the Christian slave to induce him by the
example and grace ct the Savior to be patient.
l Peter ii. Is: Servants, be subject 10 your
masters with all fear. not only to the good and
gentle, but also to the froward. 49, For this Is
thankworthy, if for conscience towards God
man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully. 20.
For what bry is il, il SHINING and being buffeted
you suffer il. But ii doing we'll you suffer pa.
tiently, this Is thankworthy before God. 81
For unto this you have been called, because
Christ also suffered for US. leaving you an exam
pie that you should follow His steps. %. Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.
%. Who when He was reviled dId not revle;
when He suffered, He threatened not; but deliv-
cred Himself to him that judged Him unjustly
"a. Who himself bore our sins in His own body
upon the tree: that we being dead to SINS should
live to justice; by whose stripes you were healed.
%. For you were as sheep going astrav; but you
are now converted to the pastor and bishop of
of your souls.". -H
Erasmus says that Cicero never wrote with
greater eloquence than did St. Paul in the Epistle
to Philemon And we may Doth add, that never
was there more touching appeal 70 worried ser
wants than this address Of the Prince of the
Apostles. Thus each Apostle besought one
class, recommending mercy and kindness to the
master: obedience, fidelity and affection to the
slave.
1t will now fully establish what viii be neces-
sary to perfect the view which desire to give.
if | can show that masters who were Christians
were not required 10 emauciplte their slaves, but
had pointed out the duties which they were bound
masters to perform. because this will show
under the Christina dIspensation the legal, moral
and religious existence cf the slave and master
The Apostles, as we have previously seen, Il
Tim, vi. p wrote of slaves who h I'd believing
or Christian masters. The inspired penman did
not address his Instructions and exhortations to
men who we're not Of the household of the faith
/ Cor. v. IL: "For what have to do, TO Judge
them that are withouig l3 For.them that are
without, God will Judge; take away the evil one
from amongst yourselves" Thus when he ad-
dresses masters, they are Christian masters.
Ephes. vi y: "And you. masters. DO the same
things to them (servants), forbearng threaten
ings, knowing that the Lord both of them and
you is in heaven: and there is no respect of per
sons with Him. and again, Coles. iv ]: "Mas-
tiers, do To your servants that which is Just and
equal: knowing that you also have master in
heaven
We have then in the teaching of the Apostles
nothing which contradicts the law of Moses, but
we have much which corrects the cruelty of the
Pagan practice. The exhibition which is pre-
sented to us is one of cheering and of an ele
waited character 1t is true that the state of
slavery is continued under the legal sanction. but
the slave is taught from the most powerful mo
tives to be faithful, patient, obedient and con-
tented. and the master taught that though des-
potsm may pass unpunished on earth. it will be
examined into at the bar. of heaven; and though
the slave owes him bodily service, yet the soul
OF this drudge, having been purchased at the same
price as his own. and sanctifed by the same liver
of regeneration, he who Is slave according to the
flesh, is his brother according to the spirit His
humanity, his charity, bis affection, are enlisted
and interested, and he feels that his own father
is also the father of the slave hence, though the
servant must readily and cheer.dlly pay him
homage and perform his behest on earth, yet they
may be on an equality in heaven.
How striking, sir. is the contrast between the
slave under Pagansm and the slave under
Christianity The one breads only him who car
kill the body aud then has no more power; tht
other fears him who having slain the body, car
cast both body and soul into hell fire.
The fear OF the Lord becomes the safeguard o
society, the shield of the owner, and the support
of the owned. The example of the Saviour i:
the best monition to him who governs to do Sc
with tenderness, affection, and charity, blendit
with wholesome discipline and necessary re-
straint; whilst to the governed il is the most i'm
preSsiye lesson of resignation to the Divine will
the most effectual exhortation to patient obedi
ence. aud the best direction to the attainment o
lasting peace and high happiness
The unfortunate Pagan no prospect be-
yOnd the grave of a recompense for humility, fol
submission and for obedience. Nor did his mas
ter understand the value of soul, the nature o.
beatitude, or the merit of mercy; he saw sterr
despotism, reckless ambition, and proud and un-
feeling oppression deified. and in the treatment o
his slaves he emuates his gods; whilst bis unfor
tunate servant crouched before a tyrant whom h,
hated, aud desired the ruin of one from whom hs
received little kindness.
To the Christian slave was exhibited the hu
initiation OF an incarnaie God. the sufe. ing of al
unofiending victim, the invitation of this mode
OF perfection TO that meekness, hathumlity, tina
peaceful spirit that charity and forgiveness o
injuries which constitute the glorious beatitudes
He was shown the advantage of suffering. the re
ward of patience, and the narrow road alonl
whose rugged ascents he was to bear the cross
walking in the footsteps OF his Saviour. Tb,
curtains which divide both worlds were raised a
he advanced, and he beheld Lazirus in the bosom
of Abraham. whilst the rich man vainly cried Il
have this once miserable beggar allowed to d
the tip of his finger in water. and touch II to hi
tongue, for he was tormenteJ in that fame.
Thus. sir. did the Legislator of Christianity
whilst he admitted the legality OF slavery. rende
master mercifuI. and the slave faithful. obedient
and religious, looking for his freedom in that re
gion where alone true and lasting enjoyment Cal
be found
/ shall proceed, sir. TO select few of tb
many evidences which the intermediate ages fnr
nishes to show the continued legality of domes
tic slavery. and to exhibit its perfect compatible
ity with the sound principles Of the Christian
moral code, adducing the evidence from the rec
ords of that Church over which Pope Gregor
XVI, so happily presides. and thus conclusivel.
showing that IN his apostolic letter he does no
condemn it immoral or illegal; because the Pop
is the divineiy constituted and authorized wtnes
Of the doctrine and morality OF the unchanginl
Church, and not Gespot who can alter tha
teaching at his mere will; either to add to tn
despot offaith to change the principles OF tina
morality for whose PRONUNCIATION she is divinel
commissioned.
j hive the honor to be, Sir
Respectfully, &c,
fJoHS. Bishop 0f Charleston.
Charleston, s. @, Oct 81, iS4O.