An Inquiry into the Scriptural Views of Slavery

This volume was published in 1857.

Excerpt from the Introduction:
The subject of slavery is one in which all men have an
interest, and which all have a right to discuss. It pertains
to a great wrong done to our common nature, and affects great
questions relating to the final triumph of the principles of
justice and humanity. Wherever wrong is done to any
human being, there is no improper interference if the con-
viction is expressed by any other one. Wherever principles
are held which have a tendency to produce or perpetuate
wrong, it is a right which all men have, to examine those
principles freely. The race is one great brotherhood, and
every man is under obligation, as far as he has the ability, to
defend those principles which will permanently promote the
welfare of the human family.

These obvious principles have a peculiar applicability to our
own land. Our country is one. What promotes the honour
of one portion of the nation, promotes the honour of the whole ;
what is dishonourable, in like manner pertains to all.
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Book Excerpt:
Reasons why the appeal on this subject should be made to the Bible.

There are perhaps no questions of more importance to our
country than those which pertain to the subject of slavery.
The fact that after the existence of more than half a century
of freedom in this land, there should be in the midst of us now
a number nearly equal in the aggregate to the white popula-
tion at the time of the Declaration of Independence, is of itself
most remarkable in history ; and is so anomalous, and so at
variance with all our principles, that posterity will inquire for
the reasons of such an occurrence. This number, already so
large, is increasing in certain parts of our country in a ratio
fearfully alarming, and the effects of the system are felt, and
must be felt, in every portion of the Republic. There is no-
thing connected with our national interests which is not
affected more or less by slavery. It enters into the represen-
tation in our national legislature ; it is connected with great
questions of industry, literature, agriculture, commerce, and
morals ; it is intimately allied with religion. The entire South
is identified with it ; and by the ramifications of business, of
education, of commerce, and of manufactures, there is not a
town, a school-district, or a parish in the North, which is not
directly or remotely affected by it. As a part of a great na-
tion — one great confederated people — we of the North have
the deepest interest in all the questions that pertain to the
weal or wo, the perils or the faults of any part of our country
— for we share the common honour or the dishonour of the
Republic. Belonging to the same race with those who are held
in bondage, we have a right, nay, we are bound to express the
sympathies of brotherhood, and to " remember those who are
in bonds, as bound with them." But there is a deeper inter-
est still which we have in this subject ; a more perfect right
which we have to express our views in regard to it. The
questions of morals and religion — of right and wrong, know
no geographical limits; are bounded by no conventional lines ;
are circumscribed by the windings of no river or stream, and are
not designated by climate or by the course of the sun.