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Show 152 LIBERTY AND SLAVERL regard to polygamy and divorce, exactly what it proYcS in regard to slavcry,-:-nam:ly, that neither is in itself sinful, that ne~thcr lS always and eve>ywhere sinful. In other words, it pr.oves that neither polygamy nor divorce, ~s pe~ltt.cd in the Old Testanlent, is "malum tn. se, IS Inconsistent with the eternal and unchangeable pru. 1m.p 1c s o f ri<o 'ht · They are forbidde.n in the N cw Testament, not because they are m them-selves absolutely and immutably wrong, but because they are inconsistent with the best interests of society; especially in civilized and Christian communities. If they had been wrong in themselves, they never could have been permitted by a holy God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, except with infinite abhorrence. Again, it is contended by Dr. Wayland that "Moses intended to abolish slavery," because he forbade the Jews "to deliver up a fugitive slave." The words are these: "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant that is escaped from his master unto thee: Tie shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of the gates where it Jiketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him."* * Dcut. n:iii. 15,1G. .ARGUMENT FROM TilE SCRIPTURES. 153 "This precept, I think," says Dr. Wayland, "clearly shows that Moses intended to abolish slavery. IIow could slavery long continue in a country where every one was forbidden to deliver up a fugitive slave? llow different would be the condition of slaves, and how soon would slavery itself cease, were this the law of compulsory bondage among us!" The above passage of Scripture is a precious morsel with those who arc opposed to a fugitive slave law. A petition fi·om Albany, New York, from the enlightened seat of empire of the Empire State itself, signed, if we recollect right, by one hundred and fifty persons, was presented to the United States Senate by Mr. Seward, praying that no bill in relation to fugitive slaves might be passed, which should not contain that passage. Whether Mr. Seward was enlightened by his constituents, or whether he made tho discovery for himself, it is certain that he holds an act for the reclamation of fugitive slaves to be "contrary to the divine law." It is certain that he agrees with his constituents, who, in the petition referred to, pronounced every such act "immoral," and contrary to the law of God. But let us look at this passage a little, a'nd see if these abolitionists, who thus plant themselves |