circumstances, make it a blessing to both masters and servants. A
compliance on the part of masters and servants with the requisitions of
God's word, will disarm slavery of all its evils and terrors. It will
bring peace and consolation to masters and servants. Herein is
manifest, the wisdom and goodness of God. When the gospel was first
promulgated slavery existed in the world, in a form, no doubt, which
made it a sore evil--a grievous curse. The cries of the oppressed had
come up before the throne of God. He was moved with compassion for
masters and servants. Go, said He, to his beloved son, to yonder world,
and remove the curse of slavery. Instruct servants to love and obey
their masters, to serve them freely and cheerfully--without murmuring
or repining--and to be content with their lot. Instruct masters to give
unto their servants that which is just and equal. To never loose sight,
in the treatment of their slaves, of the great principles of love,
justice and humanity.

Jesus Christ and his apostles went forth to preach the gospel of peace
and glad tidings. Their object was to confer the largest possible
amount of happiness on the bond and free, that they were capable of
enjoying under the circumstances. The gospel contemplated the present
happiness of the human race, as well as their future interests. It had
no design of detracting anything from the happiness of masters or
servants; on the contrary, it contemplated the augmentation of the
happiness of all who should be brought under its influence. Slavery
existed. Masters were cruel and oppressive, and slaves were
disobedient. This condition of slavery made it a sore evil--a grievous
calamity, to both masters and servants. 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 aut