gave him no servants.  “And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them unto Abimelech.”  Gen. xxi. 27.  It may be objected that Laban “GAVE” handmaids to his daughters, Jacob’s wives.  Without enlarging on the nature of the polygamy then prevalent, suffice it to say that the handmaids of wives were regarded as wives, though of inferior dignity and authority.  That Jacob so regarded his handmaids, is proved by his curse upon Reuben, Gen. xlix. 4, and 1 Chron. v. 1; also by the equality of their children with those of Rachel and Leah.  But had it been otherwise—­had Laban given them as articles of property, then, indeed, the example of this “good old slaveholder and patriarch,” Saint Laban, would have been a forecloser to all argument.  Ah! we remember his jealousy for religion—­his holy indignation when he found that his “GODS” were stolen!  How he mustered his clan, and plunged over the desert in hot pursuit seven days by forced marches; how he ransacked a whole caravan, sifting the contents of every tent, little heeding such small matters as domestic privacy, or female seclusion, for lo! the zeal of his “IMAGES” had eaten him up!  No wonder that slavery, in its Bible-navigation, drifting dismantled before the free gusts, should scud under the lee of such a pious worthy to haul up and refit; invoking his protection, and the benediction, of his “GODS!” Again, it may be objected that, servants were enumerated in inventories of property.  If that proves servants property, it proves wives property.  “Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s WIFE, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”  Ex. xx. 17.  In inventories of mere property, if servants are included, it is in such a way as to show that they are not regarded as property.  Eccl. ii. 7, 8.  But when the design is to show, not merely the wealth, but the greatness and power of any one, servants are spoken of, as well as property.  In a word, if riches alone are spoken of, no mention is made of servants; if greatness, servants and property.  Gen. xiii. 2, 5.  “And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”  Yet we are told, in the verse preceding, that he came up out of Egypt “with all that he had.”  “And Lot also had flocks, and herds, and tents.”  In the seventh verse servants are mentioned, “And there was a strife between the HERDMEN of Abraham’s cattle and the HERDMEN of Lot’s cattle.”  It is said of Isaac.  “And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great.  For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants.”  In immediate connection with this we find Abimelech the king of the Philistines saying to him.  “Thou art much mightier than we.”  Shortly after this avowal, Isaac is waited upon by a deputation consisting of Abimelech, Phicol the chief captain of