A

SCRIPTURAL, ECCLESIASTICAL, AND HISTORICAL

VIEW OF SLAVERY,

FROM THE

DAYS OF THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM, TO THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY.

ADDRESSED TO THE

RIGHT REV. ALONZO POTTER, D.D.,

BISHOP OF THE PROT, EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN THE DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

BY

JOHN HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., LL.D.,

BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF VERMONT.

New-York:

W. I. POOLEY & CO., HARPER'S BUILDING, FRANKLIN SQUARE.

168

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by

JOHN HENRY HOPKINS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern Dis

M. N. X.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION, narrating the facts which led to the publication of

the Pamphlet. The Letter of Request. The Answer,

BIBLE VIEW OF SLAVERY in full. Definition of Slavery. A phy-

sical but not a moral evil. Slaveholding believed by its adver-

saries to be a sin. This is denied. The Bible must decide. The

prophecy of Noah. The case of Abraham. Hagar. The Ten

Commandments. Direct rules laid down by the Almighty for

temporary slavery of the Israelites during six years, and for

perpetual slavery of the heathen strangers. Corrective disci-

pline authorized, but not to maim or kill. The Jubilee did not

extend to the slaves held in perpetuity, but only to the slaves

for a term of years, who were of the race of Israel,

The coming of Christ made no change in Jewish slavery. No new

principle was set forth. Love not inconsistent with slavery.

St. Paul lays down rules for slavery to the Ephesians, to the

Colossians, to Timothy, to Titus, and sends back the runaway,

Onesimus, to his master. Objections considered. Declaration

of Independence. All men not created equal, but the contrary.

The proposition no part of the Federal Constitution. The negro

is a brother, as descended from Noah, but not an equal,

SLAVERY OF CIRCUMSTANCES. No man absolutely, but only rela-

tively free. Objections resumed. Cruelty. Immorality. Lia-

bility to separation of husband and wife and children. Poly-

gamy. Doctrine of the Church continued as laid down by the

apostles. Benefits of Southern slavery to the negro race.

Author friendly to gradual abolition whenever the Southern

States are willing. Reference to his former writings on the

subject. Conclusion of the "Bible View" with prayer for

peaceful accommodation,

THE PROTEST of the Bishop and Clergy of Pennsylvania,

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