The Bible Argument: For The Signal Of Liberty

ímrssrs. .Lditors: - I perceive by the disoassions in the Presbyterian General Assembly, and. in other places, that the lovers of slavery have not yet ceased to try to get Bible argument for their wickedness. It seems tome that the Bible argument has never yet been presented in its true and clearest aspect? at least I have never seen if so presented. What is the question? It is not the innocence or guilt of tbe slave,m being or not being a slave. He is not the person on trial, but the moster is the individual whose rights and wrongs are to be determined by the Sacred Scriptures. Thcn what law of God should we look for directionT Surely not tothe instruction to slavee, (servants,) but to the1 instruction to masters. Suppose a question should nriee in a civil court about the rights, privileges or jimsdiction ofa' Justice of the Peace. The question is to be settled by lawr but to what law will you refer? To the law defining the duties of jurors, or sheriffs, or militia captains! Certainly not, but the law defining the duties of Juslices. In the same manner, the law of God, defining the duties of masters and not of servants is the law to settlethis question. Now whatever the law of God may be m regard to servants, or any other class of persons who are suffering wrongfully. I am prepared to answer the oft repeaiedf question, "where does the New Testament forbid slavery V It does absolutely and expressly forbid slavery! Let us see, Eph. 6: 9: "And ye maslers, do the same things unto them (servanls or slaves forbearing threatening." Thk same things - what ihings?The prcvious verses show what thrngs: "not with eye service, but as unto Christ, doing the will of God from the hcart with good will," This is the rule of the master' s treatment to his servant. Th3 law of God not only for_ bids punishment}but iorbids threateuing. Now f ask, would a slave stiïl be a elave if the master were prohibiied even to thrcaten him? It is plain he would ouly then yield a volun-tary, and not an involuntary servitude. Againr Col. 4: I: "masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equaL" Now what is juet and equal? The laborer is worthy of his hire." Just and equal, thenr would be to give him just what he earns: give him him- seJf, his wife, anti his chiláren, not a mi:e lesa than this would either be just or equal. Equal implies a comparison. What is the comparison? Cerlainly che paid to the servant, and the service rendered are the things compared, and are by the divine law directed to be eqtial. This is a clear prohibí tion oF involuntary and unrewarded servitude. To make it more clear, if necessary, let us suppose the Legislature of Virginia to enact a law to enforce this divine law and use the' very words of the Bible in their elatute. How. would it road? De it cnacted, Sec. That every master owner, or employer, of laborers, servants or slave shall, and he is hereby requircd, to give to every servant, slave, or laborer, in his ownersbipor employ, that which is just and equal for such service, and be it further enacted, that no such master, owner, or employer may in any case, threalen any of his servants, labor- ers, or slaves, but shall treat them kindly in good will, as unto the Lord: and as a penalty for the breach of this law, let them use the words of James, Chapter 5: "If any man shall keep back by fraud, contrary to the provisión? of the foregoing article, the hire of any laborer who has labored for him, miseryshall be inflicted upon him till he shall "weep 3ndhow!." His richc3 shall bc reduced to corruption, and his garmenta shall be given t the moihs, and all tlie gold and siïrer found in bis possession ehall be reduced to a canker, and the canker shall be bound to his naked flesh until t slmll eat it up.' Novv let such a law go into oporation, and see if it does not abolisli slavery - what! a slave aud yet he must be payed just what he eans! a slave, and hc must noteven bethreatened! no! it is plain Ihat under the law of God, es given by the inspired Aposlles. every owner of slaves was required to put them at once in the condition of volunta ry iaborers, and to treat them as he would the Lord, but to Fbibear threatening. lf the slavehoiders wili do that, 1 wil) not complain about slavery any more, but as I leave this subject, I cannot reTrain from referring your reiders to the further word of God, that the cry of the iujured lias entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth, (Lord of Balt les, origina!,) and that tlieday of Sabbaoth, (baúles,) dravveth nigh. "Neither be thus partaker of other men'a sins.-'