To the Public.
The following is the substance of a Lecture delivered some time ago, before my congregation in McConnellsburg. At that time I was delivering a course of lectures on the nature of the Redeemer’s kingdom, and the gospel dispensation. The question of slavery would necessarily come in my way; and its consistency or inconsistency with Christianity claim serious attention. And in this lecture, which is devoted exclusively to the examination of the question of slavery, I solemnly declare to my Lord and Master, that I have uttered nothing but the honest convictions of my heart in reference to this subject—convictions too, the result of long and patient investigation. Yet I may be wrong, for who in all things can say: “I am right?”
As I have been frequently solicited by many persons to give this lecture to the public, I have yielded—and now send it forth for what itis worth. I am well aware that the designation of this lecture will horrify the anti-slavery party; but I would just inform them that the time was when I was as much opposed to slavery as the most violent of them now are, but my hostility was the result of ignorance, prejudice and education.
And it is extremely unfortunate that the locale of this agitated question is where slavery is not; and that for two reasons. The first is, that the anti-slavery party, as a body, are ignorant of the character of slavery, and the condition of the slaves at this time, in our country; and, therefore, they are incompetent to sit in judgment on such a question. “Their zeal is not according to knowledge.”
