" Notwithstanding this advice, he sends back this
man-servant.
"'Paul might have manumitted Onesimus by his authority as an apostle;
this, however, would have been rebellion against government, for our
laws recognize slavery.
"'My brother says that the Hebrew law forbade the surrender of a
fugitive slave. Yes, if the slave fled into Israel from a heathen
master, he must not be sent back to heathenism; but'--
"'But,' said the brother from Laodicea, 'there is no limitation of that
kind. I insist that it was of universal application to slaves of all
kinds.'
"'Find the passage, if you please (in Deut. xxiii.),' said the Colossian
speaker.
"The passage was found by the pastor, and was read, as already quoted:
'Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant that is escaped from
his master unto thee. He shall dwell with thee even among you, in that
place which he shall choose in one of thy gates where it liketh him
best; thou shalt not oppress him.' Deut. xxiii. 10, 15.
"'Now,' said Theodotus, 'it is absurd to say that God proclaimed to all
the servants throughout Israel, If any of you are dissatisfied, for any
cause, and wish to run away, you may do so; and wherever you wish to
live, the people-of that place shall provide a residence for you.
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