he may regard it, for his interest as a citizen requires the execution of the laws. We should deal in the same way with the slaves. We should act towards them, in all cases, in that manner which tends most to promote their real good and happiness; in that manner which will most surely elevate them, physically, intellectually, and morally; for so, according to the golden rule, would we have them to act toward us. If the condition of bondage does actually promote their real good and happiness, then this precept sanctions and enjoins it. If, on the contrary, it diminishes their real good, and does not promote their true happiness, it runs counter to this great precept, and should cease to exist. The test then is, does the institution of negro slavery tend to promote the physical, intellectual, and moral growth of the negro race? The very test to which we arrived by our investigation of the unrevealed natural law. It is said, that were the great principles of Christianity perfectly implanted in every heart, so as to control every action, the institution of slavery would end. So far as that institution involves the idea of the control of the inferior by the will of the superior, this is true. And so would it be true of all government. Revelation teaches us, that God gave different gifts to different men. To one five talents, to another two, to another one. To one the gift of tongues. To another, government. It teaches us to repress every feeling of envy, strife, ambition; and whatever may be our situation in life suited to our capacity therewith to be content. every man in the community thoroughly appreciated his own gifts, and was therewith content, then each would, un bidden, assume that position in the scale of life to which his talent fitted him. The rulers would be pointed out of God; the subjects would rejoice to obey. The master would recognize a brother in his servant; while the servant would take pleasure in the service of his lord. Nothing would be of constraint. Everything If would be of free-will. Such is the Apostle's idea of the perfect law of liberty in Christ. To be such is to be Christ's freemen. "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Such a man needs no restraint, whatever may be his situation. If "called, being a servant, he cares not for it." "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Such would be the glorious fruits of the complete triumph of the Gospel of Christ. In the present dispensation, it would seem that we need hardly expect it. For when the prophetic vision of St. John saw the "heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together," there were "bondmen" as well as "freemen," who "hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains."4 From this investigation into the law of nature, the will of God, our conclusion is, that until the nature of the African negro becomes by some means radically changed, there is nothing in his enslavement contrary to the law of his nature. In this, we speak of the limited or qualified slavery, such as exists at present in the United States, and not of absolute or pure slavery, as defined by us. For the latter includes the power over life, the jus vitæ et necis; and as it cannot be said that the physical, intellectual, or moral nature of the slave, can be improved, or his happiness promoted, by the existence or exercise of such a power as this, so we find in the law of nature no justification of or foundation for this power.s 1 James 1:25. See Psalm 119: 45. 22 Cor. 3:17; John 8: 32. 3 Gal. 5: 13. See also 1 Pet. 2: 16. 4 Rev. 6: 14, 15. In replying to the argument to show slavery a sin from the Bible, I have not referred to the authors by express reference. The reader will perceive that I have examined the objections made by Sharp, Barnes, Channing, and Wayland, and repeated in various forms by smaller imitators. This is the conclusion to which Grotius arrives. De Jure Belli et Pacis, Lib. II, c. v. INDEX. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. by East India Company, 55. first agitated in the United States, 169. effects of American Revolution on, 169. in Massachusetts, 171. in New Hampshire, 171. in Connecticut, 171. in New York, 172. in New Jersey, 172. in Hayti, 179. society for, formed in Great Britain, 188. Act providing for, passes Parliament, 189. by Denmark, 192. agitation of, in France, 192. by French Republic, 195. effects of, in West Indies, 196. a failure in the British West Indies, 197. effects of, in Guiana, 200. effects of, in Southern Africa, 200. effects of, in Mauritius, 200. effects of, in Danish colonies, 200. effects of, on negroes in the United States, 201. effects of, in New Grenada, 207. first society for, formed in the United States, 209. ABOLITION OF SLAVE-TRADE. by the United States, 163. ABOLITION OF SLAVE-TRADE, Continued. by Great Britain, 165. by France and other countries, 165. a large slaveholder, blessed by God, 270, AFRICA. are Circassians, 267. number of negroes exported from, 154. AFRICANS. as servants. See NEGROES. not synonymous with negroes, 262. AFRICAN. Royal Company, 143. AMERICA. effects of discovery of, on slave-trade, 135. AMERICAN REVOLUTION. differ with regard to the law of nature, 231. various, define the law of nature, 234. distinguish between the law and the state of nature, 237. favor the enslavement of an inferior race, 240. |