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Show 158 LIBERTY AND SLAVERY. versa! and perpetual obligation. If, then, tbe Almighty had undertaken to enlighten tho human race by degrees, with respect to the great sin of slavery, is it not wonderful that, in the very last revelation of his will, he has uttered not a single syllable in disapprobation thereof? Is it not wonderful, that he should have completed the revelation of his will,-that he should have set his seal to the last word be will ever say to man respecting his duties, and yet not one word about the great obligation of the master to emancipate his slaves, nor about the "appalling sin" of slavery? Such silence must, indeed, appear exceedingly peculiar and anomalous to the abolitionist. It would have ueen otherwise had he written the New Testament. Tie would, no doubt, have inserted at least one little precept against tho sin of slavery. As it is, however, the most profound silence reigns through the whole word of God with respect to the sinfulness of slavery. "It must be granted," says Dr. Wayland, "that the New Testament contains no precept prohibitory of slavery." Marvellous as such silence must needs be to the abolitionist, it cannot be more so to him than his attempts to account for it ARGUMENT ·FROM TilE SCRIPTURES. 15() arc to others. Let us briefly examine these attempts: "You may give your child," says Dr. Wayland, "if he were approaching to years of discretion, permission to do a.n act, while you inculcate upon him principles which forbid it, for the sake of teaching him to be governed by principles, rather than by any direct enactment. In such case you would expect him to obey the principle, and not avail himself of the permission." Now we fearlessly ask every reader whose moral sense has not been perverted by false logic, if such a proceeding would not be infinitely unworthy of the Father of mercies? According to Dr. Wayland's view, he beholds his children living and dying in the practice of an abominable sin, and looks on without the slightest note of admonition or warning. Nay, he gives them permission to continue in the practice of this ft·ightfnl enormity, to which they are aheady bound by the triple tie of habit, interest, and feeling! Though he gives them line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order to detach them fi·om other sins, he yet g;ves them permission to live and die in this a vful sin! And why? To teach them, forP otb, not to follow his permission, but to be |
