The duty of the apostles was clear.  It was to remove those evils as far as practicable.  It was to instruct masters and servants in their relative duties; well knowing, that obedience on their part, would remove the evils of slavery, and make both masters and servants better and happier.  Having done this, they could do no more.  Any other course would have entailed misery on masters and servants; or otherwise would have deprived them of all access to both servants and masters.  The apostles adopted and carried out the only practicable and effective means within their reach, of ameliorating the condition of servants.  Go, ye ministers of Jesus Christ, and follow in their footsteps.  And ye apostles of modern reform, from whence did ye derive your authority to speak evil of rulers?  To oppose the execution of the laws of your country? to foment strife? to sow the seeds of discontent and rebellion among the slaves, and thereby incite masters to acts of cruelty and oppression?  “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.”

We may speculate, wrangle, and contend about slavery in the United States for centuries to come, without bringing relief to the slave; for after all, there is but one course which can ensure relief to the servant, the master, and the nation—­but one course by which we can bring about universal emancipation, and secure at the same time the peace, happiness and prosperity of the Union; and that is obedience on the part of ministers of the gospel, masters and servants, to the requisitions of God’s word.  Let ministers of the gospel imitate the example of Jesus Christ and his apostles; let masters and servants strictly observe what is enjoined on them in the New Testament; and let those not immediately interested, look around, and see if they cannot find objects of charity nearer home; and then will slavery soon cease to exist as an institution in this nation.  This is the only safe and practicable means of accomplishing an object so desirable; and those who attempt to extirpate slavery in any other way, are openly, knowingly, wilfully and deliberately violating God’s laws; and can expect nothing but the curse of Almighty God on their devoted heads.  If they sow the whirlwind, they may expect to reap the storm.  They will learn, when it is too late, that no good can result from fraud, falsehood and force.

Hence, we see, why it is that the interference of abolitionists with slavery in the United States, has resulted in injury to masters and servants.  They have refused to act in accordance with God’s revealed will; consequently, they have augmented the evils, hardships and calamities of slavery.  Thus it has been; thus it is; and thus it ever will be.  God is immutable; his laws are unchangeable; and he that expects to accomplish good, must do it by His appointed means.  “Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.”  Follow the example of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and then may ye expect to accomplish good for your fellow creatures, and enjoy the approving smiles of heaven.