Jacob became the servant of Laban, it was evidently from poverty, yet Laban said to him, Tell me “what shall thy wages be?” After Jacob had been his servant for ten years, he proposed to set up for himself, but Laban said “Appoint me thy wages and I will give it,” and he paid him his price.  During the twenty years that Jacob was a servant, he always worked for wages and at his own price.  Gen. xxix. 15, 18; xxx. 28-33.  The case of the Gibeonites, who, after becoming servants, still occupied their cities, and remained in many respects, a distinct people for centuries;[C] and that of the 150,000 Canaanites, the servants of Solomon, who worked out their “tribute of bond-service” in levies, periodically relieving each other, are additional illustrations of independence in the acquisition and ownership of property.

[Footnote A:  Though we have not sufficient data to decide upon the relative value of that sum, then and now, yet we have enough to warrant us in saying that two talents of silver, had far more value then than three thousand dollars have now.]

[Footnote B:  Whoever heard of the slaves in our southern states stealing a large amount of money?  They "know how to take care of themselves" quite too well for that.  When they steal, they are careful to do it on such a small scale, or in the taking of such things as will make detection difficult.  No doubt they steal now and then, and a gaping marvel would it be if they did not.  Why should they not follow in the footsteps of their masters and mistresses?  Dull scholars indeed! if, after so many lessons from proficients in the art, who drive the business by wholesale, they should not occasionally copy their betters, fall into the fashion, and try their hand in a small way, at a practice which is the only permanent and universal business carried on around them!  Ignoble truly! never to feel the stirrings of high impulse, prompting to imitate the eminent pattern set before them in the daily vocation of “Honorables” and “Excellencies,” and to emulate the illustrious examples of Doctors of Divinity, and Right and Very Reverends! Hear President Jefferson’s testimony.  In his Notes on Virginia, pp. 207-8, speaking of slaves, he says, “That disposition to theft with which they have been branded, must be ascribed to their situation, and not to any special depravity of the moral sense.  It is a problem which I give the master to solve, whether the religious precepts against the violation of property were not framed for HIM as well as for his slave—­and whether the slave may not as justifiably take a little from one who has taken ALL from him, as he may slay one who would slay him?”]

[Footnote C:  The Nethinims, which name was afterwards given to the Gibeonites on account of their being set apart for the service of the tabernacle, had their own houses and cities and “dwelt every one in his own possession.”  Neh. xi. 3. 21; Ezra ii. 70; 1 Chron. ix. 2.]