Preface.
A writer on Slavery has no difficulty in tracing back its origin. There is also the advantage of finding it, with its con-
tinued history, and the laws given by God to govern his own in-
stitution, in the Holy Bible. Neither profane history, tradition, nor philosophical research are required to prove its origin or existence; though they, as all things must, come forward to sub-
stantiate the truth of the Scriptures. God, who created the human race, willed they should be holy like himself. Sin was com-
mitted, and the curse of sin, death, was induced: other punish-
ments were denounced for the perpetration of particular crimes—the shedding of man's blood for murder, and the curse of slavery. The mysterious reasons that here influenced the mind of the Creator it is not ours to declare. Yet may we learn enough from his revealed word on this and every other subject to confirm his power, truth, and justice. There is no Christian duty more insisted upon in Scripture than reverence and obe-
dience to parents. "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." The relation of child to parent resembles closely that of man to his Creator. He who loves and honors his God will assuredly love and honor his parents. Though it is evidently the duty of every parent so to live as to secure the respect and affection of his child, yet there is nothing in the Scriptures to
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