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_."

A more graphic description of the abolition clergymen of the present
day could not be drawn. It is a picture of modern abolition drawn by
the Omniscient God; and every word of it was originally applied to the
subject of slavery and abolitionism. We have had strife, we have had
railings, evil surmisings and perverse disputings; and we are indebted
to corrupt fanatical clergymen for all these evils--for all this
contention and slavery agitation--for all this envy, jealousy, hatred
and sectional feeling--for all that endangers our peace and
prosperity--our liberty, our happiness--and the perpetuity of this
glorious Union. Yes, my fellow citizens, we are indebted to the
emissaries of England, and native born American citizens, who from
sinister motives have cloaked themselves with ministerial garb, for
all the contention, all the evils, all the crime that has accrued or
grown out of African slavery in the United States! St. Paul says, that
they are "men of corrupt minds," and that they are "destitute of the
truth;" and he moreover commands Timothy to "withdraw from such"
characters. And in the name of God, I command every Christian, every
patriot, every friend of republicanism, every gentlema