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Page 42
Before I proceed farther with the respective duties of masters and
servants, I beg leave to present some solemn thoughts, for the
consideration of Christian slaveholders. I have endeavored to show,
that the holding of slaves is not sinful, _per se_; but if
slaveholders fail to discharge the duties enjoined on them, the Divine
Being will hold them accountable for their dereliction of duty. Such
is the deceitfulness of our hearts, and such the proneness of our
corrupt natures to wander from the path of duty, that it is necessary
for us at all times to scrutinize well, the motives which prompt us to
act, and to test all our actions by the only standard of truth, the
Holy Scriptures. Our Saviour tells us, that it is easier for a camel
to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of heaven. Not that the possession and enjoyment of riches
is necessarily sinful; but if those who have wealth, fail as good
stewards, to use it according to the requisitions of the Bible, then
are they guilty in the sight of God. So it is with slavery.
Slaveholding is not necessarily sinful, but if slaveholders fail to
discharge the duties enjoined on them in the New Testament; then are
they guilty in the sight of God. And here lies the difficulty; when we
point out to a rich man his duty, his corrupt and avaricious heart
interposes and says, no; you would rob me of my goods, you would
damage my pecuniary interests; I cannot, I will not yield to your
requisitions. We sometimes encounter the same difficulty with
slaveholders. They sometimes imagine that duty and interest, are
antagonistic principles. They imagine, that if they discharge their
duty to the slaves, their pecuniary interests will suffer thereby; and
for this reason, I have sometimes thought, that it might be as
difficult for a slaveholder to enter the kingdom of heaven, as for a
rich man. "The love of money, the root of all evil," stands in the way
in both cases. If duty and our worldly interest could always run in
the same channel, then should we find it no difficult task to be
Christians; but as they are sometimes opposing forces, antagonistic
principles, the contest is difficult, and the result sometimes
doubtful.[3] Duty, commands the rich man to feed the hungry and clothe
the naked; but the rich man says, nay, Lord, my goods are my own; I
procured them by honest labor, and must I now appropriate them to
feeding the hungry and clothing the naked? What right have they to
enjoy the fruits of my labor? Your requisition Lord, is unreasonable.
I cannot, I will not comply. Duty, says to the slaveholder, "Give unto
your servants that which is just and equal, forbearing threatening;"
but the slaveholder says, nay Lord, my slave is my own property, I
purchased him with my own money, and what right have you to dictate to
me, how I shall treat my slave? Is he not my own, have I not the right
to feed, clothe, work, and otherwise treat him, as seemeth good in
mine own eyes; and who has the right to interfere? A compliance with
your unreasonable demands will materially affect my pecuniary
interests. My object is to amass wealth, to hoard up silver and gold;
and I shall therefore so manage my affairs as to accomplish this
object.
[3] By _worldly interest_, I wish to be understood, the accumulation
of wealth by any and every means, and the hoarding it up, regardless
of the wants and sufferings of those around us.
He that sets up for himself, regardless of the peace, happiness, and
comfort of his fellow creatures--he that hath a will of his own, and
will not yield to the requisitions of God's word--he that will take
his own way, regardless of the dictates of his better informed
judgment--he that will go his own course, it matters not on whose
rights he infringes--he that will consult his own interests, and at
the same time trample under foot the dearest interests of others, has
no right, or title, to the name of a Christian. If the Bible says do
this, or abstain from that, the Christian has no right to demur; it
matters not how repugnant it may be to the feelings and inclinations
of his heart. He must cheerfully and heartily at all times, and under
all circumstances, acquiesce in the will of a superior intelligence.
He must be willing to sacrifice all; not only his earthly goods, but
life itself, if God requires it at his hands. This is the doctrine of
the Bible, and well did the Saviour say, "Strait is the gate and
narrow is the way, that leadeth to life; and few there are that find
it." "Many are called, but few are chosen." The Christian is not at
liberty to consult his own personal interests and inclinations, when
they are in opposition to the will of God. "Ye are not your own, (says
the apostle), ye are bought with a price."
It was impressed on my mind in early life, that there was much error
and misconception among Christian slaveholders in general, in
reference to their obligations to their slaves, and a long residence
among them has but strengthened and confirmed those convictions. I
have no reference here to those who view slave property in the same
light, that they do every other species of property; but to
conscientious and humane men. I allude to you, who profess to be the
followers of the meek and lowly Jesus--you, who take the Bible for the
man of your council--you, who profess to be the servants of that God
who is no respector of persons--you, who profess to be under the
influence of that religion which recognizes every man as a brother
beloved, for whom Christ shed his precious blood.
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