The reasons I have given, why the Apostles did not directly attack slavery, do not apply to the abolitionists.  The arm of civil power does not restrain us from attacking it.  To open our lips against the policy and institutions of civil government is not certain death.  A despotic government restricted the efforts of the Apostles to do good.  But we live under governments which afford the widest scope for exertions to bless our fellow men and honor God.  Now, if we may not avail ourselves of this advantage, simply because the Apostles did not have it to avail themselves of, then whatever other interests may prosper under a republican government, certain it is, that the cause of truth and righteousness is not to be benefited by it.  Far better never to have had our boasted form of government, if, whilst it extends the freedom and multiplies the facilities of the wicked, it relieves the righteous of none of the restrictions of a despotic government.  Again, there is a religious conscience all over this land, and an enlightened and gospel sense of right and wrong; on which we can and do (as in your Introduction you concede is the fact) bring our arguments against slavery to bear with mighty power.  But, on the other hand, the creating of such a conscience and such a sense, in the heathen and semi-heathen amongst whom they lived and labored, was the first, and appropriate, and principal work of the Apostles.  To employ, therefore, no other methods for the moral and religious improvement of the people of the United States, than were employed by the Apostles for that of the people of the Roman empire, is as absurd as it would be to put the highest and lowest classes in a school to the same lessons; or a raw apprentice to those higher branches of his trade which demand the skill of an experienced workman.

I am here reminded of what Professor Hodge says were the means relied on by the Saviour and Apostles for abolishing slavery.  “It was,” says he, “by teaching the true nature, dignity, equality, and destiny of men; by inculcating the principles of justice and love; and by leaving these principles to produce their legitimate effects in ameliorating the condition of all classes of society.”  I would not speak disparagingly of such a course of instruction; so far from it, I am ready to admit that it is indispensable for the removal of evils, in every age and among every people.  When general instructions of this character shall have ceased to be given, then will all wholesome reforms have ceased also.  But, I cannot approve of the Professor’s object in this remark.  This object is to induce his readers to believe, that these abstract and general instructions are all that is needed to effect the termination of slavery.  Now, I maintain that one thing more is wanting; and that is, the application of these instructions—­of the principles contained in them—­to the evil in hand.  As well may it be supposed, that the mechanic can accomplish his work without the application, and by the mere