Year: 1860

NJ
the Apostle speaks elsewhere?


We have now, i think, arrived at the
true reasons on which a Christian man,
who honestly desires to do his duty, is
expected, as q matter Of conscience, TO ac-
quiesce in the law which demands that
the fugitive from service shall on legal
requisition, be returned. That he should
be so returned, need not say is the law
of the land, and has been ever since the
adoption of the Constitution under
WEIGH we live. That it is not contrary to
the law of God, is too evident to need
further proof. If then, these facts be in.
controvertible, the most scrupulous con
science need not be disturbed by the de.
mand of cheerful acquiescence in the
law which reclaims the fugitive slave; a
law which demands no more than st.
Panl thought it his duty to do in par
allel case. When call the cases paral-
lei, must, however. make an exception
IN regard to single point; but that ex-
ception places our duty, if possible, in a
still clearer light. When he restored the
fugitive Onesmus, he acted, so far as we
are informed, under no constraint of civ
il law; the contrary is implied by the ex-
preston, "whom l would have retained
with me-" he was not obliged to do it, as
is the case with us, by any positive en-
actment of the powers that were. He
only obeyed what he understood to be
the law of Christ, and the law of Justice
towards Christian brother. Let those
who, in their erratc cruise on the ocean
of humanity, think they have made new
and important discoveries, impeach him
if they please of derelction Of high NOR
al duties. The task shall not be mine
1t is enough for me that, in obeying a
particular law under which | live, | am
not only subiecting myself to power
ordained of God" but doing precisely
what l have an example of in the action
of the great Apostle to the Gentiles,
while under no such constraint as that i'm
posed on me as citizen of these United
States.


Let me now briefly retrace the course
of argument by which we have arrived at
this conclusion; for it is one in regard to
which it is desirable. at this particular
time, that every one should be satisfied.


The consideration which met us in the
outset,* was the universal requirement of
Christ's law to submit ourselves, with
out reserve, 20 the law under which we
live, "for wrath's sake, for conscience's s
sake, FOR the Lords sake"


The next consideration was, that in
thus submitting ourselves in this partcu-
lar instance of restoring fugitive, not in
battling the officer of the law and aiding
in the escape of the slave, but in honest
ly sending him back to his legal owner,
we just do what no less man than ST.
Paul, chosen messenger of the Lord,
and the interpreter of the mind of Christ,
did in similar case, only that he has
not constrained, as we are, by any posi-
tive law of man.


Then referring to the teaching of this
Apostle and his adutors, we find them
recognizing, without reserve, qualification
or censure, the relation of master and
slave, and giving variety of instructions
to the latter in regard to the duties Of
his peculiar situation.


On oil these accounts, and bearing in
mind the conduct of St. Paul in the case
OF Onesimus, SO perfectly in conformity
with his precepts, and those OF his fellow
Apostles, we are obliged to conclude that
when, under similar circumstances, we
act as he did, and allow ourselves to be
governed by the same law of duty which
ruled him, we may be sure that we are
acting right. In this conclusion am
content to rest, till / have the light of
new revelation to show me what ought
to do.


If any objection be urged on the score
of humanity, and the supposed hardship
of a return to state of bondage; if our
sympathies are engaged in behalf of any
who, having escaped from their bonds,
have been long DIV ellng amongst us, how
very simple and obvious is the remedy
We have, in that case, only to purchase
the liberty Of the slave, and leave him in
the quiet enjoyment Of his home. A few
thousand dollars would redeem all who
are likely ever to be reclaimed in New
England, and probably no master at
the South would hesitate to accept the ar
rangement. But let the law first have
its course, without hindrance or obstruc-
tion from any quarter; and when the fu-
gitive shall have been found and identi-
fed, he will soon learn whether the real
friends of his race are not to be found
among the strenuous supporters Of the
law. To this coulse | do not see what
possible objection can be urged by the
most scrupuous mind, however unsatis-
factory it may be to the factious and tur-
bulent.t


In what have said thus far, have
simply endeavored to present You the
law of Christianity in regard to slavery,
as it appears to my own mind. | have
spoken to you as Christians, solicitous to
know your duty, or what may be your
duty, at a very important crisis; and
trust that every ground of reasonable
doubt has been removed


But there are other considerations. be-
sides the mere obligations of law, which |
wish to submit before leave the subject,
and to these | now ask your attention.


Ifany amongst us have been taught to
think hardly of our brethren of the South
for retaining the institution of slavery, it
is proper to remind such that it was not
of their procuring in the first instance
/ cannot but remember that it was forced
upon them, in their then condition of
colonies, by the mother country in the
dave of haY N, oral do y l. nocc whan nait her