The elements of moral science by Wayland Francis 1796-1865

Author:Wayland, Francis, 1796-1865. [from old catalog]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ethics, Christian ethics
Publisher: Boston, Gould and Lincoln; [etc., etc.]
Published: 1865-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

authorized by the holy Scriptures. This authority is supposed to be conferred by the Word of God, and from that we have a right to reduce our fellow-men to this condition.

1. It is said that the African race was, immediately after the flood, condemned to slavery by Noah; that this malediction was a prophecy; and that we are authorized, nay, it is sometimes said, commanded, to accomplish its fulfilment.

Now, with regard to this reason for slavery, we remark, in the first place, that it proceeds upon a total misconception of the object of prophecy. A prophecy informs us of some event which shall occur in the future, for the purpose of teaching us the omniscience of God. By the propliet Isaiah, God appeals to prophecy in various cases for this very purpose. The foretelling of a future event confers upon no man the authority to take its fulfilment into his own hands; nor is the prophecy that a deed will be done, any authority for the doing of it. No event was ever so distinctly foretold as the crucifixion of Christ, and yet the guilt of his murderers has always been considered as without parallel. The Apostle Peter declares, " Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and with wicked hands have crucified and slain." The part which Judas should take in this transaction is a matter of prophecy ; and yet we are told, " Good had it been for that man if he had never been born."

But let us inquire, Was the utterance of Noah a prophecy? Was it anything more than the wish of an angry man ? I do not remember that Noah is ever in the Scriptures referred to as a prophet. Let us, however, turn to the passage. It is contained in Genesis ix. 20-25 : " And Noah planted a vineyard ; and he drank of the wine, and was drunken ; and he was uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon their shoulders, and went back*

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