|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 41
"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.
CHAPTER X.
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?
"I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ--unto Philemon, our dearly
beloved brother--Grace to you and peace from God--Hearing of thy love
and faith--Which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus Christ; I beseech
thee for my son, Onesimus, That thou shouldst receive him forever."
Receive him, said St. Paul, not only as a good and faithful servant,
now profitable to thee; but receive him as a brother beloved--an heir
of salvation. Here is clearly set forth the duty of ministers,
masters, and servants; but, as I shall again and again refer to this
subject, I will now proceed to show reasons why, the holding of slaves
is not necessarily sinful under all circumstances.
A slaveholder is under no obligation to emancipate his slave, provided
the condition of the slave is made worse thereby. And it is obvious,
that there are many cases, in which both master and slave would
sustain injury, by the emancipation of the slave. Under such
circumstances, there are as good reasons, why a slave should be
retained in bondage, as there are, that a minor should be subject to
his parents until he is twenty-one years of age; or that an idiot
should be placed under the supervision and control of some one, during
his natural life. The reason is based on inability and incompetency of
the slave, the minor and the idiot. They are not qualified to reason
and to judge, and are therefore incompetent to act; hence, it devolves
on some one to reason and to judge for them, and to supervise and
control their actions. The welfare of the slave, the minor, and the
idiot, is subserved by subjecting them to the control of competent
persons; and the peace, prosperity, and general good of all are
promoted thereby.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|