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Show 172 LIBERTY AND SLAVERY. really contains, but only a reflection of themselves! The precept in question is not an isolated injunction of the New Testament. It d~e~ not stand alone. It is surrounded by other 111Jnnctions equally authoritative, equally explicit, oqua{ly unequivocal. Thus, in Eph. vi. 5: "Servants, be obedient to them that are your mastera according to the flesh." Precisely the same doctrine was preached to the Colossians: (iii. 22 :) "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleascrs, but in singleness of heart, fearing God." Again, in St. Paul's Epistle to Timothy, be writes: "Let as many servants as arc under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." Likewise, in Tit. ii. 9, 10, we read: "Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." And in 1 Pet. ii. 18, it is written: "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to tbe good and gentle, but ARGUME:\'T FRO:\! THE SCRTPTUHES. 173 also to the fl"Dward." Yet, in the face of these passages, Mr. Sumner declares that it is the duty of slaves to fly from bondage, and thereby place themselves among " the heroes of the age." lie does not attempt to interpret or e>:plain these precepts; be merely sets them aside, or passes them by with silent contempt, as "imperfect." Indeed, if his doctrines be true, they arc not only imperfect-they arc radically wrong and infamously vicious. Thus, the issue which Mr. Sumner has made up is not with the slaveholders of the South; it is with the word of God itself. The contradiction is direct, plain, palpable, and without even the decency of a pretended disguise. We shall leave Mr. Sumner to settle this issue and controversy with the Divine Author of revelation. In the mean time, we shall barely remind the reader of what that Divine Author has said in regard to those who counsel and advise slaves to disobey their masters, or Jly ft·om bondage. "They that have believing masters," says the great Apostle to the Gentiles, "Jet them not despise them because they arc brctht·en; but rather do them service, because they arc faithful and beloved, p,a.r takers of the benefit. |