Civil Slavery, By Francis Wayland Essay - 1180 Words

In â€Å"Domestic Slavery,† Francis Wayland makes the case for the theological prohibition, and so general abolition, of racial slavery. His particular thesis is most apparent in his conclusion, where he claims that â€Å"the Christian religion not only forbids slavery, but that it also provides the only method in which, after it has been established, it may be abolished, and that with the entire safety and benefit to both parties† (197). Wayland’s argument therefore has two burdens: first, to show how Christianity establishes a prohibition against slavery; and second, to show how Christianity provides the peaceful means of abolishing the already existing and entrenched system of racial slavery. The innovation of Wayland’s argument is how the first claim is linked to the second. Interpreting in terms of its principles, slavery gives the master right to direct the enslaved person’s actions toward the end of the master’s happiness. Wayland reco gnizes this as a violation of God’s created order. All aspects of the labor of the enslaved are subject to the benefit of the master. Moreover, in this arrangement, the master is responsible for the intellectual development, and—what is primarily Wayland’s concern—the moral development of the enslaved person. By possessing agency over the enslaved’s moral development, which is properly the role of God, the master renders â€Å"the eternal happiness of the one part subservient to the temporal happiness of the other† (188). If such principles weren’tShow MoreRelatedSummary Of Hobomok : A Tale Of Early Times1136 Words   |  5 PagesLydia Maria Child was born to David Francis and Susannah Rand Francis on February 11, 1802, in Medford, Massachusetts. Child was the youngest of seven children and because her upbringing was lacking due to her gender. Her father was as successful baker in town and because of this was respected by many. His respect allowed Lydia to grow up with little to no disrespect. Her access to public education was slim so her own drive and interest was how she gained her education. Her brother Convers, a UnitarianRead MoreOne Nation Under God: The Lasting Effects of the Second Great Awakening1803 Words   |  8 PagesGod would bring His plans for humanity to fulfillment,† ministers felt compelled to encourage a transformation in society. According to Francis Wayland, such a social transformation could only come from Christianity, since â€Å"man has never correctly understood nor successfully asserted his rights, until he has learned them from the Bible....† Accordingly, Francis concluded that because the American people, a Christian model to the world, possessed the rightful knowledge of these truths, it thus becameRead MoreThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: a Portrait of Slavery in America2175 Words   |  9 PagesOF HUCKLEBERRY FINN: A PORTRAIT OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA by John Femia At the surface, Mark Twain s famed novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a thrilling narrative told by a 13-year-old boy who embarks on a perilous journey down the formidable Mississippi River aboard a tiny wooden raft. The story s sensationalism sometimes makes Huck s journey seem unbelievable. Underneath, however, lies an authentic portrait of the institution of slavery in America during the 1850s. AlthoughRead More The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Portrait of Slavery in America2155 Words   |  9 PagesADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN: A PORTRAIT OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA by John Femia At the surface, Mark Twain’s famed novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a thrilling narrative told by a 13-year-old boy who embarks on a perilous journey down the formidable Mississippi River aboard a tiny wooden raft. The story’s sensationalism sometimes makes Huck’s journey seem unbelievable. Underneath, however, lies an authentic portrait of the institution of slavery in America during the 1850s. Although born