He became more than ever the friend and patron of his
servants, rendered to them, to the best of his ability that which was
just and equal, felt in buying servants and in having them born in his
household, somewhat as pastors of churches, he supposed, feel in
receiving new members to be trained up for usefulness, here, and for
heaven. He said that he had a hundred and seventy-five servants, and
that he doubted whether there was a happier, or more virtuous, or more
religious community anywhere.
"'But,' said the young Northern lady, who had recently come to be a
teacher in the family where we visited, 'what will become of them when
you die?'
"'Why, Miss,' said he, 'what will become of any household when the
parents die? The truth is,' said he, 'I believe in a covenant-keeping
God. I make a practice of praying for my servants, by name. I keep a
list of them, and I read it, sometimes, when I read my Bible, and on the
Sabbath, and on days set apart for religious services. I have asked God
to be the God of my servants forever. I shall meet them at the bar of
God, and I trust with a good conscience. Many of them have become
Christians.'
"'Do you ever sell them?' said she.
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