mediate disciples, (John xv. 15.) we may fairly conclude, that what are called servants in scripture, mean, (and really were) slaves; and from which, he came not only to deliver, but for ever to abolish. But it is said, that the condition of servants was extremely different in former ages (in those places of the world-among the jews, and other nations) from what it is now among us. I will admit it, in a few instances: and truly, the ill qualities of many who served, (and many who now serve,) have rendered the condition itself not very creditable. It is too true, 66 a servant is less free in his mind than in condition at least, many they are whose very will seems to be in bonds and shackles ; as tho' it desired to be under a kind of durance and captivity. Such a one is at any rate a slave to the world, and can be of the day, and from the practices and conduct of those who run after them, those whose religion appears to consist in hearing only what they call "gospel ministers !" I seriously do look for a Divine revelation, or must go back to earlier ages of gospel purity, and to the gospel itself. For I must confess, 1 cannot discern in the multitude of professors, what those principles are, which are now budding in the minds of men, especially in the disciples of Christ! which, when the fruit is brought to maturity, will change the face of the world!" Vide Essay, sec. 8, p. 81. 1 must leave it with the Christian Observer to determine the "affinity" this language has "to the jargon of the new philoso`phy, and to the sentiments of the Goodwinian school, respecting the perfectability of man!" But I must assure him I am one of those who are looking for that æra or epoch in which not only the face of theworld will be changed, but "a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness,"-righteous laws, righteous ministers, in church and state, and righteous people. 2 Pet. iii. 13. Rev. xxi, 1. only and wholly intent upon his emoluments or gains. How much different the condition of servants-or one half of the world, are now, from what they were in those ages of the world, "at the time our Savour was on earth, and conversed with men ;" save and except that of being bought and sold for money!* let the reader determine from the following remarks, and indeed from the whole of this work. I will pass over, for the present, the many instances of poor children, partly from the depravity, and more from the indigency of the parents, being sold, as it were, for the sake of their littles earnings; and poor boys of parishes and charity schools, sold as it were put apprentices to a trade they do not like, and to a worthless master, and frequently against the inclination of their poor parents, and often times without consulting them. Are there not many servants like situated as in the parable, "who knows not what his lord doeth?" (John xv. 15.) "Seldom does any man of sense," it is said, "make his servant his counsellor, for fear of making him his governor too:" but if masters, now-a-days, do not, for the most part, keep their choicest goods locked up from their servants, are not their minds locked I recollect a certain writer observing somewhere, that, from the cruel necessity in some families (in manufacturing towns in particular,) of bringing up their children when very young, to work, "the word sold might be used for the gain they are to make by their labour!" My soul would be exceedingly grieved and I should think the lot of my children very hard, if they were not only obliged to go out into the world at so tender an age as many of our poor fellow-creatures are, but also at the indifferent ill treatment, and neglect of moral and religious duties. is this all you have done?" "I would have done it in half the time!" and such like is slave driving with a witness to it; and must inflict as deep a wound on the mind of a conscientious, honest, and industrious person, as the damnable slave whip, by an infernal slave holder, or driver, on the back of a poor african! Not a dog nor a horse of mine should be treated in this manner. Such conduct as above, disgrace a civilized,* much more an enlightened age! Whatever may be the distinction between men, and the gradation of a servant, it certainly would matter little who was either if mankind acted upon that broad basis of christian brotherhood, laid down by our divine Lord, and only Master, Jesus Christ. And if there is a reciprocal obligation between master and servant, whence the exclusive and limited • Insolvency is a species of slavery, if not man-selling! Here the poor debtor (if he is not able to pay "twenty shillings in the pound") is sold up, even his common necessary furniture, and his bed from under him, to satisfy an over-grown rich, and in some instances, merciless creditor! And although the distress may come upon him in an unforeseen, yet real loss in trade, if there is not enough to pay the utmost farthing, he must then struggle for his life and starve, and deprive himself of every necessary pleasure and comfort of life, till the whole is paid, or be branded with the ill names of reguery and dishonesty ! The advice of the apostle Paul to Philemon, in the case and situation or condition of the servant, or rather slave, Onesimus, is a noble example of generosity, and worthy the imitation of all creditors, as well as professing christians! Reader, I beseech thee, see the epistle. But here I am constrained to remark, that for want of due attention and compliance to the example of this "guardian saint," many professors have caused the truth to be " evil spoken of," if not blasphemed ! authority of the master, and the degradation of the servant.t I am aware of the difficulty and perplexity which may arise at times on the disuse and laying aside the epithets Mr. and Mrs.-Master and Mistress, &c. I often find myself somewhat embarrassed; as also hath many among your society. Your worthy convinced member, the late Margaret Lucas, of Leek, in Staffordshire, on being interrogated of being a Quaker, and acknowledging the same "not only a Quaker, Lord, but grant to me to be an Israelite indeed;" further remarks:-"how like a fool I appear in my own eyes; for there seemed as great an alteration in me as could possibly happen from such a change. I could not now be fluent in compliments, and saw it better to keep out of extravagancy of words, and such a latitude in discourse, as I formerly indulged myself in. So many cross words and knotty queries lay in the way of all I seemed to have to do, that nature was abashed, almost beyond the hope of recovery!" V. Account of her convincement, &c. p. 91, 92. The same distinctions, I find, "are not maintained in some other nations as in England." To say nothing of some of the united states in America, Holland, for instance; "the wealthy traders converse pretty much on a level; neither is it easy to know the man from his master, nor the maiden from her mistress," &c. Vide Goldsmith's Geography. But alas! for Old England! it is too lamentably well known, that " pride," "tyrant custom," and what is called refinement, Destroys life's intercourse, the social plan, BLOOMFIELD. I am aware also of the novelty, as well as the perplexity (and perhaps consequent sufferings !) of the laque calling the steward John, and the maiden calling the heiress and countess Charlotte; or the keeper of the wardrobe calling his highness George, Augustus, Frederick, or whatever the first name may be. But that such a will be, I hesitate not to "when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ," when "the great ones," and "the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it." For no unclean person will be admitted,―none that war and fight, "worketh abomination or maketh a lie!" See Rev. say, XX. But how it has happened in this "enlightened age," these boasted days of gospel light and truth, that certain professing christian masters and mistresses should feel themselves offended at their believing religious servants calling them by their first name, or brother or sister, is what I never should expect to hear! Yes, some, I have been told, have considered this christian freedom of the servant as taking unwarrantable liberties!" This is "a crying sin," and I believe is the complaint of almost all 56 ominations (at least, of many that I have conversed with) of professing christians! To such, the condemnation of the apostle James may be applied; at least, I may query, "are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are becoming judges of evil thoughts?" "If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors!" Chap. ii. 4-9.* * I think I never can forget how I was once perplexed and |