[124] is escaped from his master unto thee: he shall dwell with thee . .. where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. Deut. XXIII. 15, 16.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Prov. XXXI. 8, 9.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isa. LVIII. 1.
I would especially commend to slave-holders the followinW portions of that volume wherein you say God has revealed the duty of masters:--
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Col. IV. 1.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matt. XXIII. 10.
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. Matt. VII. 12.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isa. LVIII. 6.
They
have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. Joel III. 3.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker. Prov. XIV. 31.
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted. For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those who spoiled them. Prov. XXII. 22, 23.
Woe unto him... that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. Jer. XII. 13.
Let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands. Eph. IV. 28.
