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Show 214 LIBERTY AND SLAVE~Y. and soul-subduing words of the loving apostle, co~mcnded to his master, not as a sla\c merely, but also as a Christian brother. The great fact-the "words of emancipation," which 1\ir. Sumner sees so clearly on "the face of the epistle,"-they cannot see at all. Neither sign nor shadow of any such thing can they perceive. It is a sheer reflection of the abolitionist himself. Thus, the Old Testament is not only merged in the New, but the New itself is merged in Mr. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. We shall notice one passage more of Scripture. The seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Corinthians begins thus: "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me;" and it proceeds to notice, among other things, the relation of master and slave. This passage was designed to correct the disorders among the Christian slaves at Corinth, who, agreeably to the doctrine of the false teacher, claimed their liberty, on pretence that, as brethren in Christ, they were on an equality with their Christian masters." Here, then, St. Paul met abolitionism face to face. And how did he proceed? Did he favor the false teacher? Did he recognise . the claim of the discontented Christian slaves? Did he even once hint that they were entitled ARGUMENT FROM TIIE SCRIPTURES. 215 to their freedom, on the ground that all men arc equal, or on any other ground whatever? llis own words will furnish the best answer to these questions. "Let every man," says he, " abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called, being a servant? care not for it." Thus, were Christian slaves exhorted to continue in that condition of life in which they were when converted to Christianity. This will not be denied. It is too plain for controversy. It is even admitted by Mr. Barnes himself. In the devout contemplation of this passage Chrysostom exclaims: "llast thou been called, being a slave ? Care not for it. Continue to be a siave. llast thou been called, being in uncircumcision? Remain uncircumcised. Being cir~ cnmciscd, didst thou become a believer? Continue circumcised. For these are no hindrances to piety. Thou art called, being a slave; another, with an unbelieving wife; another, being circumcised. Astonishing ! Where has he put slavery? As circumcision profits not, and uncircumcision docs no harm, so neither doth slavery nor yet liberty." "The great argument" against slavery is, according to Dr. Channing and other aboli- |