[Footnote A:  So far from the Strangers not being released by the proclamation of liberty on the morning of the jubilee, they were the only persons who were, as a body, released by it.  The rule regulating the service of Hebrew servants was, “Six years shall he serve, and in the seventh year he shall go out free.”  The free holders who had “fallen into decay,” and had in consequence mortgaged their inheritances to their more prosperous neighbors, and become in some sort their servants, were released by the jubilee, and again resumed their inheritances.  This was the only class of Jewish servants (and it could not have been numerous,) which was released by the jubilee; all others went out at the close of their six years’ term.]

3.  “INHERITANCE AND POSSESSION.”  “Ye shall take them as an INHERITANCE for your children after you to inherit them for a POSSESSION.  This, as has been already remarked refers to the nations, and not to the individual servants procured from the senations.  The holding of servants as a possession is discussed at large pp. 47-64.  To what is there advanced we here subjoin a few brief considerations.  We have already shown, that servants could not he held as a property possession, and inheritance; that they became such of their own accord, were paid wages, released from their regular labor nearly half the days in each year, thoroughly instructed and protected in all their personal, social, and religious rights, equally with their masters.  All remaining, after these ample reservations, would be small temptation, either to the lust of power or of lucre; a profitable “possession” and “inheritance,” truly!  What if our American slaves were all placed in just such a condition!  Alas, for that soft, melodious circumlocution, “OUR PECULIAR species of property!” Verily, emphasis would be cadence, and euphony and irony meet together!  What eager snatches at mere words, and bald technics, irrespective of connection, principles of construction, Bible usages, or limitations of meaning by other passages—­and all to eke out such a sense as sanctifies existing usages, thus making God pander for lust.  The words nahal and nahala, inherit and inheritance, by no means necessarily signify articles of property.  “The people answered the king and said, “we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse.” 2 Chron. x. 16.  Did they mean gravely to disclaim the holding of their king as an article of property?  “Children are an heritage (inheritance) of the Lord.”  Ps. cxxvii. 3.  “Pardon our iniquity, and take us for thine inheritance.”  Ex. xxxiv. 9.  When God pardons his enemies, and adopts them as children, does he make them articles of property?  Are forgiveness, and chattel-making, synonymes? “I am their inheritance.”  Ezek. xliv. 28.  “I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.”  Ps. ii. 18.  See also Deut. iv. 20; Josh. xiii. 33; Ps. lxxxii. 8; lxxviii. 62, 71; Prov. xiv. 18.