[Sidenote: Anthony Benezet; his influence through books, pamphlets, etc.] While speaking of the life and work of the two above mentioned Quaker reformers, one other person seems to call imperatively for attention. His work was equally widespread and the public was kept open to his influence through several of his books and pamphlets published on the subject of slaves and slaveholding.[1166] A French Hugenot by birth, Anthony Benezet came early to America, where he was a staunch member of Friends, and in whose society he performed a continuous service for the freedom and education of the Negroes, until the time of his death in 1784.[1167] His immediate connection with the Negro School, established by Friends in 1770[1168] will be considered more fully elsewhere. The arguments advanced by him against slavery are based on the grounds of practicality and justice. The system is injurious to the slave and the master, and inconsistent with the ideals of a free community. We, ourselves, must agree with him in his position as set forth in the following selection. [Sidenote: Extract from Benezet] The bondage we have imposed on the Africans is absolutely repugnant to Justice. It is highly inconsistent with civil policy: First, as it tends to suppress all improvements in arts and sciences, without which it is morally impossible that any nation should be happy or powerful. Secondly, as it may deprave the minds of the free men, steeling their hearts against the laudable feelings of virtue and humanity. And _lastly_, as it endangers the community by the destructive effects of civil commotions; need I to add to these what every heart, which is not callous to all tender feelings, will readily suggest—that it is shocking to humanity, violative of generous sentiment, abhorrent utterly from the Christian religion; for as Montesquieu very justly observes, “We must suppose them not to be men, or a suspicion would follow that we ourselves are not Christians.” There can not be a more dangerous maxim than that necessity is a plea for injustice. For who shall fix the degree of this necessity? What villian so atrocious who may not urge this excuse; or, as Milton has happily expressed it,—“and with necessity, the tyrants plea, excuse his devilish deed”?[1169] [Sidenote: George Keith and other antagonists of slavery]