which we sustain to each other, a better practiced understanding of that great principle of the law "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." But alas, notwithstanding all the kind indulgence of heaven, and all the culture divinely bestowed, the world appears to be yet in a state of moral infancy and very much in the condition of those to whom the Apostle addresses the following language: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God." (Heb. v. 12.) What do we see ? One, who judges himself authorized by scripture to be a slave owner. Another, who thinks himself authorized by scripture to judge that one, to denounce him, to anathematize him, because he is a slave owner.Alas! That the sweet charity of heaven should be so forgotten.

1. In conclusion permit me first to call your attention to what from this discussion appears to be the fact in reference to this subject: that is that the only warrant for slavery, is the enactment of human laws. A warrant for it certainly cannot be found in the moral law. Nor can it be found in any

of those scriptures that are sometimes relied on as furnishing a sanction for the institution.

No

o man is authorized by the Noetic prophecy to hold another under bond-service unless he is perfectly certain that, that other is a descendant of Canaan, and that he himself has an express commission from God to enslave him. No man is authorized from the allowance of slavery under the old dispensation, to hold his fellow men under bond service unless he is himself a Jew, and actually living under that dispensation, long since abrogated by the oblation of Christ. And because christian slaves under the new dispensation were commanded to exemplify their christian spirit by calmly and quietly submitting to their condition, though an undesirable one, certainly furnishes no warrant from God for the institution of slavery. If a warrant for this institution is not found in the moral law, nor yet in any of those scriptures usually quoted for that purpose, where is it to be found? The answer is, you must go to man for your warrant, if any you have. But will the authority of human laws justify the practice in the court of enlightened conscience, and at the bar of omnipotent justice?

2. I remark secondly that God often endures things, which he cannot and does not approve. Thus slavery among the ancient Jews and early christians was suffered but not approved. The evidence that it was not approved in either instance, is the public and authorative announcement of that great principle of law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," which covers all the relations and obligations of man to man. This law rightly understood and practically obeyed, signs the death warrant of slavery in all the multiplied shades of its manifestation. It is an element of eternal antagonism to all the wrongs with which sin has overflooded the race of men. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." The publication of this law vindicates God from all suspicion of ever bestowing his approval or sanction upon the institution of slavery. As God suffered slavery among the Jews, and early christians, but did not approve it, so he may suffer it at the present day, but he does not, and cannot approve it.

3. I remark thirdly that the best course for those to pursue, who think that they have authority from the word of God to hold their

fellow men under bond-service, is to give themselves candidly and prayerfully to the study of the moral law, especially that precept of it, which covers the relations that men sustain to each other under the government of God. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" is a rule eternally obligatory upon all men. Upon a broad principle of equity which all are capable of appreciating and understanding, it constitutes each one the judge of what is due to his fellow men.

Does self love revolt at the idea of your becoming a bond-servant? Then should you revolt at the idea of holding a fellow man under bond-service. Let the moral law be studied until its import is fully understood, its beauty and glory seen, its value appreciated, and its benign influence deeply felt by every bosom and slavery would only be known, as what had once been, but now is not. All would then be free from the slavery of sin and Satan, all would be liberated from every species of civil bondage; there would be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, and nothing would offend in all God's holy mountain.

LECTURE VII.

IF THE SCRIPTURES RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD DO NOT AUTHORIZE THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY, HOW ARE WE TO TREAT CHRISTIANS WHO STAND CONNECTED WITH THE INSTITUTION?

ROM. xiv. 1.

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

"Lord wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did"? said two of the disciples on a particular occasion, when certain Samaritans had declined to extend the rights of hospitality to them, and their Master. "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9. 54-6.) Those disciples, though themselves as yet in the dark on many important doctrin