The learned Dr. Adam Clarke, author of a voluminous commentary on the Scriptures, says:—
“Slave-dealers, whether those who carry on the traffic in human flesh and blood; or those who steal a person in order to sell him into bondage; or those who buy such stolen men or women, no matter of what color, or what country; or the nations who legalize or connive at such traffic; all these are men-stealers, and God classes them with the most flagitious of mortals.”
One of the rules laid down in the Methodist Discipline as amended in 1784, was as follows:—
“Every member of our Society who has slaves in his possession, shall, within twelve months after notice given to him by the assistant, legally execute and record an instrument, whereby he emancipates and sets free every slave in his possession.”
Another rule was in these words:—
“No person holding slaves shall in future be admitted into Society, or to the Lord’s Supper, till he previously complies with these rules concerning slavery.”
The answer to the question—“What shall be done with those who buy or sell slaves, or give them away”—is couched in the following language:—
“They are immediately to be expelled, unless they buy them on purpose to free them.”
In 1785, the voice of this church was heard as follows:—
“We do hold in the deepest abhorrence the practice of slavery, and shall not cease to seek its destruction, by all wise and prudent means.”