sters, and servants; but, as I shall again and again refer to this
subject, I will now proceed to show reasons why, the holding of slaves
is not necessarily sinful under all circumstances.

A slaveholder is under no obligation to emancipate his slave, provided
the condition of the slave is made worse thereby. And it is obvious,
that there are many cases, in which both master and slave would
sustain injury, by the emancipation of the slave. Under such
circumstances, there are as good reasons, why a slave should be
retained in bondage, as there are, that a minor should be subject to
his parents until he is twenty-one years of age; or that an idiot
should be placed under the supervision and control of some one, during
his natural life. The reason is based on inability and incompetency of
the slave, the minor and the idiot. They are not qualified to reason
and to judge, and are therefore incompetent to act; hence, it devolves
on some one to reason and to judge for them, and to supervise and
control their actions. The welfare of the slave, the minor, and the
idiot, is subserved by subjecting them to the control of competent
persons; and the peace, prosperity, and general good of all are
promoted thereby.

Before I proceed farther with the respective duties of masters and
servants, I beg leave to present some solemn thoughts, for the
consideration of Christian slaveholders. I have endeavored to show,
that the holding of slaves is not sinful, _per se_; but if
slaveholders fail to discharge the duties enjoined on them, the Divine
Being will hold them accountable for their dereliction of duty. Such
is the deceitfulness of our hearts, and such the proneness of our
corrupt natures to wander from the path of duty, that it is necessary
for us at all times to scrutinize well, the motives which prompt us to
act, and to test all our actions by the only standard of truth, the
Holy Scriptures. Our Saviour tells us, that it is easier for a camel
to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of heaven. Not that the possession and enjoyment of riches
is necessarily sinful; but if those who have wealth, fail as good
stewards, to use it according to the requisitions of the Bible, then
are they guilty in the sight of God. So it is with slavery.
Slaveholding is not necessarily sinful, but if slaveholders fail to
discharge the duties enjoined on them in the New Testament; then are
they guilty in the sight o