[6] Accepting this celebrated curse as an inspired prophecy, and we are inclined to receive it as such, it finds an easy fulfillment in the conquests of Joshua over the Canaanites; in the oppression of the Phoenicians, (who were descendants of Canaan,) by the Chaldeans, Persians and Greeks; and finally in the subjugation and destruction of the Carthaginians, by the Romans. This is the opinion of President Edwards, and it is entitled to respect. [7] I avail myself in what follows upon this point, of the investigations of Rev. E. Smith, who has thrown much light upon this subject. See "_Bible Servitude" pp. 91_, for a full discussion of this point. [8] For these criticisms on the Hebrew word the author is indebted to Albert Barnes' 'Inquiry into the scriptural views of slavery.' [9] The passage in Ex. 21: 20, 21, applies, as all admit, mainly, if not exclusively, to _native Hebrew servants_, and as no one finds in the limited voluntary servitude of the native Hebrews a warrant for hereditary slavery, I have not thought it necessary to dwell upon it. It may be observed, however, that the word "_punished_," is rendered in the marginal reading, "avenged;" and the meaning of the law is that the interest the master had in the life of the servant should be taken as _presumptive_ evidence that he did not intend to kill him, unless the case was very clear, and hence that he should not be _avenged summarily_, by a relative of the servant, but be regularly tried and punished by the appointed authorities. [10] See Barnes' Inquiry. [11] See Smith. [12] Tract of the American Reform Book and Tract Society. [13] Bible Servitude. [14] These facts are drawn by Jay from Blair's Inquiry into the state of slavery among the Romans. [15] Note. One little circumstance, which occurred in the General Assembly of 1853, indicates a remarkably conservative spirit in that body. Dr. Judd, in writing the history of the division of the Old and New-Schools, put in _one_ chapter on slavery. This chapter made the book _offensive_ to the south. To reconcile all parties, it was agreed that two editions of the work be printed, one for northern, the other for southern circulation--the latter to be _minus the chapter on slavery_! [16] The "American Missionary Association," which has no fellowship with slaveholding, and the American Reform Book and Tract Society, which is doing much for the dissemination of Christian anti-slavery doctrines, are sustained mainly by Congregationalists. The main body of the Congregationalists, however, adhere to the old Boards. [17] Can any one conceive of any _virtuous_ reason which prompted the passage of such a rule? Is there not a deep and dark iniquity among slaveholders which makes it not only necessary that slaves should be excluded from civil, but also from ecclesiastical tribunals?