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Lecture
VI
: the abstract principle of slavery discussed on
Scripture grounds
, and misrepresentations of the principle examined.
Lecture
VIII
: domestic slavery, as a system of government for the
Africans
in
America
, examined and defended on the ground of its adaptation to the present condition of the race.
[254]
I would not claim entire accuracy for these views of the distant future; but of their general accuracy I have no doubt.
Future history will, doubtless, challenge the gratitude of the Christian world for that wonderful providence by which the residence of the African in this country was made as the sojourn of Joseph in Egypt.
As God sent him before his brethren βto preserve life,β so it will be found that he permitted the introduction of the pagan African into this country, that he might be raised by contact with civilization, redeemed by the genius of the gospel, and returned to bless his kindred and his country.
Thus all Africa shall, sooner or later, share the blessings of civilization and religion.
I am not able to see any thing that can or will embarrass the progress of this great work, but the spirit of a premature abolition.
The doctrines of emancipation and school instruction may keep up an irritated state of the public mind, that must act as a serious check to the civilizing tendencies of the domestic element of the system; for the long-continued agitation of these questions may excite fanatical aspirants to attempt to pass limits which God has declared to be impassable β that is, to procure political freedom for a people who are not prepared for it, and that in the midst of another people with whom they can never generally amalgamate.
All
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