Much has been said and written about slavery as an evil—a curse—a misfortune, &c. It is admitted on all hands that slavery is an evil; but it would be well for those who undertake to propose remedies for it, first to ascertain wherein the evil consists; or in other words, what are the circumstances which give rise to it. It is essential to the success in medical practice, that the physician correctly understands the disease which he proposes to treat. I have shown in the preceding Chapter that slavery originated in sin; or otherwise, that Ham entailed it on his posterity by violating the laws of God. The evils of slavery, to the present day, originate in the same cause, viz, a violation of God's commands; a failure on the part of masters and servants to comply with the requisitions of the Holy Bible. It is disobedience to God's commands, that makes slavery an evil and a curse. The curse of slavery originates in the disobedience of slaves, and the cruelty of masters. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters—masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal." Here, in a sentence of twenty words, the Apostle Paul prescribes a remedy for the evils of slavery, a remedy too, that has never failed—a remedy that will remove the curse of slavery; and under some circumstances, make it a blessing to both masters and servants. A compliance on the part of masters and servants with the requisitions of God's word, will disarm slavery of all its evils and terrors. It will bring peace and consolation to masters and servants. Herein is manifest, the wisdom and goodness of God. When the gospel was first promulgated slavery existed in the world, in a form, no doubt, which made it a sore evil—a grievous curse. The cries of the oppressed had come up before the throne of God. He was moved with compassion for masters and servants. Go, said He, to his beloved son, to yonder world, and remove the curse of slavery. Instruct servants to love and obey their masters, to serve them freely and cheerfully—without murmuring or repining—and to be content with their lot. Instruct masters to give unto their servants that which is just and equal. To never loose sight, in the treatment of their slaves, of the great principles of love, justice and humanity.
Jesus Christ and his apostles went forth to preach the gospel of peace and glad tidings. Their object was to confer the largest possible amount of happiness on the bond and free, that they were capable of enjoying under the circumstances. The gospel contemplated the present happiness of the human race, as well as their future interests. It had no design of detracting anything from the happiness of masters or servants; on the contrary, it contemplated the augmentation of the happiness of all who should be brought under its influence. Slavery existed. Masters were cruel and oppressive, and slaves were disobedient. This condition of slavery made it a sore evil—a grievous calamity, to both masters and servants. The duty of the apostles was clear. It was to remove those evils as far as practicable. It was to instruct masters and servants in their relative duties; well knowing, that obedience on their part, would remove the evils of slavery, and make both masters and servants better and happier. Having done this, they could do no more. Any other course would have entailed misery on masters and servants; or otherwise would have deprived them of all access to both servants and masters. The apostles adopted and carried out the only practicable and effective means within their reach, of ameliorating the condition of servants. Go, ye ministers of Jesus Christ, and follow in their footsteps. And ye apostles of modern reform, from whence did ye derive your authority to speak evil of rulers? To oppose the execution of the laws of your country? to foment strife? to sow the seeds of discontent and rebellion among the slaves, and thereby incite masters to acts of cruelty and oppression? "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites."
We may speculate, wrangle, and contend about slavery in the United States for centuries to come, without bringing relief to the slave; for after all, there is but one course which can ensure relief to the servant, the master, and the nation—but one course by which we can bring about universal emancipation, and secure at the same time the peace, happiness and prosperity of the Union; and that is obedience on the part of ministers of the gospel, masters and servants, to the requisitions of God's word. Let ministers of the gospel imitate the example of Jesus Christ and his apostles; let masters and servants strictly observe what is enjoined on them in the New Testament; and let those not immediately interested, look around, and see if they cannot find objects of charity nearer home; and then will slavery soon cease to exist as an institution in this nation. This is the only safe and practicable means of accomplishing an object so desirable; and those who attempt to extirpate slavery in any other way, are openly, knowingly, wilfully and deliberately violating God's laws; and can expect nothing but the curse of Almighty God on their devoted heads. If they sow the whirlwind, they may expect to reap the storm. They will learn, when it is too late, that no good can result from fraud, falsehood and force.
Hence, we see, why it is that the interference of abolitionists with slavery in the United States, has resulted in injury to masters and servants. They have refused to act in accordance with God's revealed will; consequently, they have augmented the evils, hardships and calamities of slavery. Thus it has been; thus it is; and thus it ever will be. God is immutable; his laws are unchangeable; and he that expects to accomplish good, must do it by His appointed means. "Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein." Follow the example of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and then may ye expect to accomplish good for your fellow creatures, and enjoy the approving smiles of heaven.
I shall close the present chapter with some quotations from the Bible.
"Thus Saith The Lord."
"And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him. And he said, cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." Genesis ix, 24, 25.
"But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence comest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress, Sarai. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands." Genesis xvi, 6-10.
"But in it (the Sabbath,) thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." Exodus xx, 10.
"Both thy bond-men, and thy bond-maids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them ye shall buy bond-men and bond-maids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land; and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-men forever." Leviticus xxv. 44-47.