to some extent, at least, reform their masters, and secure to themselves kind treatment.  It is their only hope; it is all they can do, that will be likely to ameliorate their conditions as slaves.  If servants would obey the injunctions of Holy Writ, they would seldom be treated cruelly or unkindly.  It is their own disobedience and perverseness that subjects them, for the most part, to cruel treatment.  I know, from personal observation, that the unkind, the harsh, the cruel treatment of slaves, in a large majority of cases, originates in their failure to observe the injunctions of the inspired writers.

I have shown that it is the duty of servants to “love” and “obey” their “masters,” to “count them worthy of all honor,” and “to please them well in all things;” and it now devolves on those who have taught a contrary doctrine, to either admit their error, or otherwise to throw away their Bibles.  It is folly for persons to persist in a course so contrary to the word of God, and notwithstanding, to call themselves Christians.  I know that there are many who will plead ignorance, when they are arraigned for their unscriptural views, and their unwarrantable interference with slavery.  It is too true—­poor souls, they are ignorant—­deplorably ignorant; but in all seriousness I would ask, how is it in this land of Bibles, that a majority of those professing Christianity, should know but little more about the Sacred Scriptures, than the heathen who never saw a Bible?  But they have no time to read the Bible, and what is worse, they have no taste for it.  All their leisure moment are devoted to the reading abolition papers, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and other contemptible low, filthy novels!

But how is it, that there are ministers of the gospel of all denominations of Christians, who are guilty of inculcating doctrines on the subject of slavery, that are directly opposed to teachings of Divine inspiration?  Are they ignorant of the fact, “that slavery pervaded the whole Eastern world, at the introduction of Christianity;” and yet not one word was uttered by our Saviour and his apostles, in condemnation of it as a civil institution?  Are they ignorant of the fact, that both masters and servants were admitted into the church of Christ, and that masters were required in no instance, so far as we know, to manumit their slaves?  Are they ignorant of the fact, that Christ and his apostles taught masters and servants their relative duties, and otherwise left the institution of slavery as they found it?  Have they ever read Paul’s letter to Timothy?  “Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren? but rather do them service, &c.  These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth.  From such withdraw thyself.”