Page:Slavery consistent with Christianity (third edition, 1853).pdf/9



From time immemorial, the origin of the negro, with the cause of his complexion and features, has been involedinvolved [sic] in mystery as dark as his hue—and to reveal which, seems almost as hopeless as his destiny. And were we able to arrive with absolute certainty at the former, it would go but a little way to alleviate the adverse circumstances of the latter. He appears to be an anomaly in the human family—the child of sorrow, and the recipient of wrong. And, like his fairer brethren, seemingly suffering the consequences of some act of transgression committed by his progenitor—the cup not yet being drained.

Before we enter upon the question before us, it may neither be irrelevant, nor unprofitable to devote part of our time to an inquiry respecting the origin of this part of the human race. And turning aside from all the theories on the subject, we will go to the Bible, and see whether it sheds any light on this dark, and inexplicable question.

I therefore call your attention to certain transactions recorded in the Chapter of Genesis, from the 18th verse to the end, as follows:

The first thing that claims our attention in this narrative, is the names of the three sons of Noah. In simple and primitive times, names were not as now, arbitrary and unmeaning terms, but were descriptive of the moral and physical qualities of the persons and