ey went out free in the
seventh, or in the jubilee year, must go out alone, leaving their wives
which their masters had given them, and their children by these wives,
(if any,) behind them, as their masters' possession. If, however, they
chose to remain with their wives and children, the ear of the servant
was bored with an awl to the door-post, and his servitude became
perpetual.

"4. Hebrew servants might also, from love to their masters, in like
manner and by the same ceremony, become servants forever.

"5. Strangers and sojourners among the Hebrews, 'waxing rich,' were
allowed to buy Hebrews who were 'waxen poor,' and who were at liberty to
sell themselves to these sojourners or to the family of these strangers.
The jubilee year, however, terminated this servitude. The price of sale
was graduated according to the number of years previous to the jubilee
year. The kindred of the servant had the right of redeeming him, the
price being regulated in the same way.

"6. In all these cases in which Hebrews were bought and sold, there were
special injunctions that they should not be treated 'with rigor,' the
reason assigned by the Most High being substantially the same in all
cases, namely, 'For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they
are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the
Lord your God.'

"7. Liberal provision was to be made for the Hebrew servant at the
termination of his servitude. During his term of service, he was to be
regarded and treated 'as an hired servant and a sojourner.'

"8. Bondmen and bondmaids, as property, without limitation of time, and
transmissible as inheritance to children, might be bought of surrounding
nations. The children of sojourners also could be thus acquired. To
these the seventh year's and the fiftieth year's release did not apply.

"Now, Mr. North," said I, "let me proceed to try your faith somewhat. I
will see whether your confidence in divine revelation is sound, for
nothing at the present day has overthrown the faith of many like the
manifest teachings of the Bible with regard to slavery. You have felt
that the Hebrew code is better than ours, so far as it relates to slaves
who were Hebrews. As to the slaves from the heathen, we infer that they
met 'with rigor,' or at least were liable to it; for God continually
enjoins it upon the Hebrews that they shall not use rigor with their
brethren.

"Now let me mention some things which will try y