The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-19
FoR TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A SERMON ABOUT SERVANTS.

Masters, give unto your servants that which !
just and equal"
The apostle uses these words in his lette
to the Colossians, adding as motive to tn,
performance of the duty enjoined, "knowiDl
that ye also have Master in heaven" A
first, we might wonder why it should be ne
cessary to give this special command. Is il
not required in the Bible that everybody
shall always do justly to all classes? ? Why
then this particular command to masters
requiring them to deal justly, especially with
their servants ? Perhaps the explanation
lies in the fact that, under the influence of a
depraved nature, man has a tendency to be
tyrannical towards those who happen to be
under his authority, and to take advantage
of those who are weak because of their lowly
and dependent station. To guard against
this tendency of our sinful nature, masters
are specially warned to deal Justly with their
servants. Besides, greater injury is likely
to result if the poor man is treated urjustly,
than if the same wrong were perpetrated
against the rich man. The latter may be
robbed of hundreds Of dollars, and yet suffer
no discomfort from it; while the poor man,
if defrauded out of few cents, may be
pinched by hunger or cold, or have his sick
wife die for want of medicine. So God has
special regard for the Suferings which in
justice might inaict upon the poor, and par
ticularly warns masters to give unto their
servants that which is just and equal.
1. This Bible rule requires strict justice in
all our pecuniary transactions with our SER
wants. Goods are not to be sold at an ex-
travagant price, and because the buyer hap
pens not to be an influential man of wealth
whose patronage is worth hundreds of dol
lars, but is only an Insignificant and ignorant
servant, who will be we'll pleased with his
bargain any how, and never the wiser for
the little fraud perpetrated.
Wages also must be fixed at fair and
Just rate, and not at pitiful sum which
must be oppressive. No fixed rate of wages
is given, but the matter is turned over to the
enlightened conscience of every individual,
only he is solemnly warned to observe the
rule, to give unto his servants that which is
Just and equal. Not only must fair wages
be given, but according to this principle they
must be paid with as little delay as possible.
"Thou shalt not oppress hired servant that
is poor and needy, whether he be of thy
brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy
land within thy gates. At his day thou
shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun
go down upon it; for he is poor, and Setteth
his heart upon it; lest he cry against thee
unto the Lord, and it be Gin unto thee. -
Deut. xiv: IA, Is. "Behold the hire of
the laborers who have resped down your
fields, which is of you kept back by fraud,
crieth; and the cries of them which have
reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord
of Sabaoth. james v: 4.
2. This command requires Justice in our
manner and bearing towards our servants,
and in our opinions of them. 1t would for
bid petulant, fault.fnding manner towards
them, and an exacting disposition, calling on
them to perform many little services not con-
templated in the contract made with them.
1t implies patience with their short, ,comings,
remembering that they have not had such
enlightenment about duty as we have been
favored with.
The first reason which occurs to enforce
this precept is, that violation of this princi-
pie works oppression upon the poor, and this
is especially hateful in the sight of God. 1t
cuts off all opportunity for this class to i'm
prove their temporal condition, and accumu-
late such of the comforts of life, and means
of moral improvement as they might other
wise have, if dealt Justly with. And often a
failure to do Justly by this class infIcts act
ual suffering and hardship. God denounces
it as crime in his people that they were
disposed to "grind the faces of the poor.
The Egyptians were severely punished be-
cause of their oppression of their servants,
the Israelites. God says: "Woe unto him
that useth bis neighbors service
without wages, and giveth him not for his
work. ."-Jer. xxi: Is. 81 will be a swift
witness against those that oppress the hire
ling in his wages NAL. iii: 5. He that
oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker. u
Prov. xiv: 81. But on the other hand,
" Blessed is he that considereth the poor. u
Ps. xii 1.
A second reason is, that the deprivine
servants of their just wages is tempting them
to steal, or to give way to exaSperated feel
ings. Poverty is strong temptation to leaC
to dishonesty, or other crime. Therefore
says God, "Give unto your servants tina
which is just and equal" By SO doing VT
will not place temptation before them, and b.
partakers of their sins.
A third reason is, that by dealing unjustl!
with our servants, we loose that influence
! over them for good which by just and gen
GUS conduct towards them we might possess
So instead Of leading them into the kingdom
of heaven, we nay, by our bad example, an
harshness, prove stumbling-bloCkS to kee
: them out.
BE KIND TO SERVANTS.
But is our duty ended when we hav
r simply dealt Justly with our servants P