And it hath likewise been the continual care
of many weighty friends to press those who bear our name, to
guard, as much as possible, against being in any respect
concerned in promoting the bondage of such unhappy people. Yet,
as we have with sorrow to observe, that their number is of late
increased among us, we have thought it proper to make our advice
and judgment more public, that none may plead ignorance of our
principles therein; and also again earnestly to exhort all to
avoid, in any manner, encouraging that practice of making slaves
of our fellow-creatures.
Now, dear friends, if we continually bear in mind the royal law
of doing to others as we would be done by, we should never think
of bereaving our fellow-creatures of that valuable
blessing--liberty, nor endure to grow rich by their bondage. To
live in ease and plenty by the toil of those whom violence and
cruelty have put in our power, is neither consistent with
Christianity nor common justice; and, we have good reason to
believe, draws down the displeasure of Heaven; it being a
melancholy but true reflection, that, where slave-keeping
prevails, pure religion and sobriety decline, as it evidently
tends to harden the heart, and render the soul less susceptible
of that holy spirit of love, meekness and charity, which is the
peculiar characteristic of a true Christian.
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