"
"Now," said Mrs. North, "all this is a relief to me; for I have always
been sorely tried by remarks seemingly impugning the divine wisdom and
goodness, whenever slavery in the Bible has been under discussion."
"Please give us an outline," said Mr. North, "of the Hebrew legislation
on this subject." He handed me a Bible.
"I will try and not be tedious," said I, "and will repeat to you in few
words the principal points of the Hebrew Code, with regard to
involuntary servitude.
* * * * *
"Slavery is the first thing named in the law given at Sinai, after the
moral law and a few simple directions as to altars. This is noticeable.
In the twenty-first chapter of Exodus, and in the twenty-fifth chapter
of Leviticus, we find the Hebrew slave-code. The following is a summary
of it:--
"1. Hebrews themselves might be bought and sold by Hebrews; but for six
years only, at farthest. If the jubilee year occurred at any time during
these six years, it cut short the term of service.
"2. Hebrew paupers were an exception to this rule. They could be
retained till the year of jubilee next ensuing.
"3. Hebrew servants, married in servitude, if they went out free in the
seventh, or in the jubilee year, must go out alone, leaving their wives
which their masters had given them, and their children by these wives,
(if any,) behind them, as their masters' possession.
Pages:
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217