ers, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
knowing that ye also hare a Master in heaven." _Col._ iv, 1.

"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own 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,
because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise and
consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, He is
proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." 1
_Timothy_ vi, 1-5.

"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please
them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but
showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God
our Saviour in all things." _Titus_ ii, 9, 10.

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the
good and gentle, but also to the froward." 1 _Peter_ ii, 18.

CHAPTER X.

We have proof positive, that the relation of master and servant is not
inconsistent with the word of God. "Servants, be obedient to them that
are your masters according to the flesh." "Masters, give unto your
servants, that which is just and equal." This is the language of Holy
Writ. Among the converts of the apostles were slaveholders. They were
converted as slaveholders; admitted into the church as slaveholders;
and as such, retained in the church in full fellowship, enjoying all
the privileges and immunities of the church. They were not required so
far as we know, in any instance, to manumit their slaves. It is highly
probable, that the best thing that they could do for them, for the
time being, was to retain them as servants, and treat them according
to the injunctions of the apostle; "Give unto your servants that which
is just and equal."

The case of Philemon and Onesimus, his servant, is fully to the point.
Philemon, a convert of St. Paul, appears to have been a devoted
Christian; and I infer, from the language of St. Paul, a teacher or
preacher of the Gospel. He had a wicked servant, by name Onesimus.
Onesimus, (if I may use modern parlance), ran away from his master,
Philemon. St. Paul found him