" The arrangement
was for the highest elevation of the race.
"'Polygamy is in direct conflict with the ordinance of God. Of course
God never ordained it. On the contrary, the appointment in Eden was
equivalent to a prohibitory act, which Jesus Christ revived, forbidding
polygamy, and the Apostles have enjoined upon us that we observe the law
of marriage as given in paradise.
"'So much for polygamy. God never recognized it. The edict requiring
the marriage of a childless widow to the brother of her husband, takes
it for granted that a man would leave but one widow.
"'But how is it with slavery? God never forbade it; he recognized it;
when He framed the Jewish code it was perfectly easy to exclude slavery;
but hardly are the Ten Commandments out of his lips when He ordains
slave-holding, gives particular directions about it, decrees that
certain persons shall be an inheritance forever. Jesus Christ never
uttered one word against slavery, though he did against polygamy; the
Apostles have never written nor preached to us against slavery, but on
the contrary here is the Apostle to the Gentiles sending back a servant
escaped from his master; and in that letter on the pastor's table he
enjoins duties on masters and slaves.
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