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Show -- I{(~, .~ ... _, ·\~ .... 100 they possess may be used to their own rum. Liberty is not a necessity of happmess. It IS only a means of good. It is a trust which may be abused. Are all such trusts to be cast away ? Are they not the greatest gifts of Heaven ? But the slave, we are told, often manifests affection to his master, grieves at his departure, and welcomes his return. I will not endeavour to explain this, by saying that the master's absence places the slave under the overseer. Nor will I object, that the slave's propensity to steal from his master, his need of the whip to urge him to toil, and the dread of insu_rrection which he inspires, are signs of any thmg but love. There is, undoubtedly, much more affection in this relation than could be expected. Of all races of men, the African is the mildest and most susceptible of attachment. He loves, where the European would hate. He watches the life of a master, whom the North-American Indian, in like circumstances, would stab to the heart. The African is affectionate. Is this a reason for holding him in chains? We cannot, however, think of this most interesting feature of slavery with unmixed pleasure. It is the curse of slavery, that it can touch nothing which it does not debase. Even love, that sentiment given us by God to be the germ of a divine virtue, becomes in the slave a weakness, almost a degradation. His 101 affections lose much of their beauty and dignity. He ought, indeed, to feel benevolence towards his master ; but to attach himself to a man who keeps him in the dust and denies him the rights of a man ; to be grateful and devoted to one who extorts his toil and debases him into a chattel; this has a taint of servility, which makes us grieve whilst we admire. However, we would not diminish the attachment of the slave. He is the happier for his generosity. L et him love his master, and let the master win love by kindness. We only say, let not this manifestation of a generous nature in the slave be turned against -him . Let it not be made an answer to an exposition of his wrongs. Let it not be used as a we a pan for his perpetual degradation. But the slave, we are told, is taught Religion. This is the most cheering sound which comes to us from the land of bondage. We are rejoiced to learn that any portion of the slaves are instructed in that truth., which gives inward freedom. They hear at least one voice of deep, genuine love, the voice of Christ ; and read in his cross what all other things hide from them, the unutterable worth of their spiritual nature. This portion, however, is small. The greater part are still buried in heathen ignorance. Besides, Religion, though a great good, can hardly exert |