"Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather." 1 Cor. vii, 21.
"Servants, be obedient to them who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eye service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening; knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." Ephesians vi, 5-10.
"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men." Col. iii, 22, 23.
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also hare a Master in heaven." Col. iv, 1.
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." 1 Timothy vi, 1-5.
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Titus ii, 9, 10.
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." 1 Peter ii, 18.
We have proof positive, that the relation of master and servant is not inconsistent with the word of God. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh." "Masters, give unto your servants, that which is just and equal." This is the language of Holy Writ. Among the converts of the apostles were slaveholders. They were converted as slaveholders; admitted into the church as slaveholders; and as such, retained in the church in full fellowship, enjoying all the privileges and immunities of the church. They were not required so far as we know, in any instance, to manumit their slaves. It is highly probable, that the best thing that they could do for them, for the time being, was to retain them as servants, and treat them according to the injunctions of the apostle; "Give unto your servants that which is just and equal."
The case of Philemon and Onesimus, his servant, is fully to the point. Philemon, a convert of St. Paul, appears to have been a devoted Christian; and I infer, from the language of St. Paul, a teacher or preacher of the Gospel. He had a wicked servant, by name Onesimus. Onesimus, (if I may use modern parlance), ran away from his master, Philemon. St. Paul found him at Rome, and converted him. What then became of this fugitive slave? Did St. Paul conceal him, or did he advise him to flee still farther from his master, in order to elude pursuit and apprehension? Did he say to Onesimus, why brother Onesimus, you are now a Christian; Philemon, your master is a Christian; we are all Christians; and one Christian has no right, under any circumstances, to retain another in bondage? No! Thank God, St. Paul promulgated no such doctrine. What then did he say to Onesimus? Go home, and be subject to your master, Philemon. Love him and serve him, in the singleness of your heart. Do it freely and cheerfully; without murmuring or repining; and whatever service them shalt render unto thy master, Philemon, it shall be accounted unto thee, as service rendered unto the God of heaven. Dear brother Onesimus, thy condition is now changed; for, whereas Philemon was formerly thy master; he is now thy master and thy brother, and thou shalt obey him and love him as such. Go home brother; and here is a letter I have written to brother Philemon, your master. Onesimus returns home with this letter in his pocket. Anxious I have no doubt, to see his good old master. His feelings and views had undergone a change. He loved his master then; whereas, he formerly hated him, and fled from his service. No time is lost; he returns home in haste to his master. They meet. He approaches Philemon and extends his hand, while tears trickle down his cheeks. Master, (says he to Philemon), I have been a wicked and unfaithful servant; but thank God, I found St. Paul at Rome and he has converted me to Christianity; and here is a letter from brother Paul. And did you see brother Paul, exclaimed Philemon? Oh! yes, said Onesimus; his countenance lighting up and his eyes dancing in their sockets for joy. And is dear brother Paul well? How does he do? Oh! very well master, very well, indeed. Philemon then proceeds to open the letter, and what does he read therein?