Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. They
were not allowed to be Bold out of the coun-
try, nor was a fugitive permitted to be re-
turned. The family, marriage and other re-
lations were all sacredly preserved. Every
seventh year freedom was proclaimed to all
the natives, and every fiftieth year to the
whole land. It is estimated that out of the
fifty years, at least twenty-three years was
at the absolute disposal of the servant.
Mr. CHAMBERS. Do I understand the gen-
tleman to assert that all the Jewish slaves
went out under the Jewish system ?
Mr. DANIEL. I say that every fiftieth year
there was a year of jubilee, when liberty
was proclaimed throughout all the land unto
all the inhabitants thereof.
Mr. CHAMBERS. I say, on the contrary,
that the express language of the Bible is that
servants remained forever.
Mr. DANIEL. I think, if my recollection is
right, that Mr. Barnes and other commenta-
tors substantiate the position from texts of the
Bible that the Jews went out free the seventh
year, and that in the year of jubilee, the
fiftieth year, the heathen and all went free.
I think that was the distinction.
Under such a system, American slavery
would soon die out.
Such features as peculiarly distinguish
American slavery were loudly denounced by
the prophet Jeremiah and others.
Slavery in the Roman Empire was perhaps
equally oppressive, and, in some respects,
mure than that that exists amongst us. The
Apostles found slavery already in existence,
and so deeply rooted and entwined in all the
features of society that they did not attempt
to interfere with it. It would have been
folly for them to have done so, and would
have very much retarded the very object
they had so much at heart.
They contented themselves, therefore, by
laying down rules for the government of both
master and slave, strict obedience to which
would soon destroy all slavery, and under the
effect of the very Christianity which they were
instrumental in establishing, slavery did al-
most cease to exist in this great empire
There is no proof that Christ himself ever
came in contact with slavery. But if he did
his object, like that of his Apostles, more
especially, was to save not to conquer by the
sword, and to save, too, by the establishment
of great principles which would go to the
very root of the evil.
Nor can it be argued because they did not
at once destroy, that they thereby meant to
sanction any more than they, because they
did not subvert the reign of the cruel Nero
or put an end to the wicked games and other
vices then prevalent, they therefore approved
Polygamy, concubinage and arbitrary force
might be justified for the same reasons.
Now, I learn from the Bible the great broth
erhood of man. it teaches me that God |
"made of one blood all nations to dwell upon
the face of the earth !" It teaches me also
He is no respecter of persons; that He died to
redeem all. It also enjoins upon me to love
my .neighbor as myself; and that whatsoever
I would have men to do unto me that I should
do unto them.
I ask gentlemen now to compare slavery as
it exists even in its best forms, here or in the
South, with the condition of society, such
precepts must soon bring about if carried out
fully in their spirit and letter. Surely slavery
could not stand a day. It would be found to
be wholly inconsistent therewith.
What is slavery? It is, sir, that institu-
tion that ignores the marriage relation, the
relation of parent and child, as in neither
case does it admit or allow the rights or con-
trol of husband or father. It forbids the
slave to be taught to read and write. It does
not allow him to enjoy any religious privi-
leges, not even that of the Holy Sabbath, ex-
cept by the will of his inaster. He may be
sold away from all those nearest and dearest
to him without a moment's warning, and
without a single fault. He is regarded as a
mere chattel in the eye of the law, the master
exercising supreme control over body and
mind. He is not allowed to give testimony
where any white man is concerned, though
that white man may inflict the most cruel tor-
ture upon him, or even murder another in his
presence. In the latter case the murderer goes
scott free, though the proof be ever so posi-
tive and conclusive. I say that such laws are
a disgrace to our statute books, and a crying
shame upon the fair fame of the State. These
colored people cannot assemble together for a
religious meeting even, by the laws of the
State, unless attended by a white person or
persons. They are not allowed to keep a dog
or gun, or to go from plantation to plantation
by night, unless subjecting themselves to the
lash of the patroller. In the words of Chief
Justice Taney '• they have no rights under
such laws that the white man is bound to re-
spect." And these cruel enactments have
been multiplying until the patience of the
people will tolerate them no longer.
Look now upon this picture, and tell me if
this accords with the spirit and teachings of
Christ and his Apostles as illustrated through-
out his word?
Such a construction was not, moreover,
given to Bible teachings by the churches in
days gone bye. The Methodist church, for
instance, of which I am an humble inember,
bus been asking through its discipline ever
since I could recollect and long before, ' ' what
shall we do to extirpate the great evil of
slavery ?" And I can very well recollect when
men were turned out of the church for buying
and selling human beings for gain, but it has
not been so in these latter days. The Pres-
byterian church from a remote period has
uttered her strong and uncompromising con- |
