1 Slave-trade discountenanced. 2 Friends to keep clear of the unright ous of oppression. SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY. It is the sense of this meeting, that the importing of negroes from their native country and relations by friends, is not a commendable nor allowed practice, and is therefore censured by this meeting. 1727. We fervently warn all in profession with us, that they be careful to avoid being any way concerned in reaping the unrighteous profits arising from the iniquitous practice of dealing in negroes, and other slaves; whereby, in the original purchase, one man selleth another, as he doth the beast that perisheth, without any better pretension to a property in him, than that of superior force; in direct violation of the Gospel rule, which teacheth all to do as they would be done by, and to do good to all; being the reverse of that covetous disposition, which furnisheth encouragement to those poor ignorant people to perpetuate their savage wars, in order to supply the demands of this most unnatural traffic, whereby great numbers of mankind, free by nature, are subjected to inextricable bondage; and which hath often been observed to fill their possessors with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury, and barbarity, corrupting the minds and debasing the morals of their children, to the unspeakable prejudice of religion and virtue, and the exclusion of that holy spirit of universal love, meekness, and charity, which is the unchangeable nature, and the glory, of true Christianity. We therefore can do no less, than, with the greatest earnestness, impress it upon friends every where, that they endeavour to keep their hands clear of this unrighteous gain of oppression. 1758. P. E. 3 who persists in trading in negroes to be This meeting having reason to apprehend, that divers under our name are concerned in the unchristian traffic in negroes, doth recom- Any friend mend it earnestly to the care of friends every where, to discourage, as much as in them lies, a practice so repugnant to our Christian profes- disowned. sion; and to deal with all such as shall persevere in a conduct so reproachful to Christianity, and to disown them, if they desist not therefrom. 1761. We think it seasonable at this time to renew our exhortation, that friends every where be especially careful to keep their hands clear of giving encouragement in any shape to the slave-trade, it being evidently destructive of the natural rights of mankind; who are all ransomed by one Saviour, and visited by one divine light, in order to salvation; a traffic calculated to enrich and aggrandize some upon the misery of others, in its nature abhorrent to every just and tender sentiment, and contrary to the whole tenour of the Gospel. 1763. P. E. It appears that the practice of holding negroes in oppressive and unnatural bondage, hath been so successfully discouraged by friends in some of the colonies, as to be considerably lessened. We cannot but approve of these salutary endeavours, and earnestly intreat they may be continued, that, through the favour of Divine Providence, a traffic so unmerciful, and unjust in its nature, to a part of our own species made equally with ourselves for immortality, may come to be considered by all in its proper light, and be utterly abolished, as a reproach to the Christian profession. 1772. P. E. Our testimony against the inhuman practice of slave-keeping gains ground amongst our brethren in the American colonies, and hath had some happy influence on the minds of considerate people of other denominations, in opposition to that flagrant injustice to our fellow-creatures; for whom our Saviour shed his precious blood, as well as for others, and to whom he dispenseth a measure of his grace in common with the rest of mankind. 1774. P. E. 4 Friends urged to be clear of the slave trade in any shape: 5 and to continue their efforts to dis courage slavekeeping: 6 7 and to endea vour to put a stop to the traffic in negroes. 8 9 10 The Christian religion being designed to regulate and refine the natural affections of man, and to exalt benevolence into that charity which promotes peace on earth, and good-will towards all ranks and classes of mankind the world over; under the influence thereof, our minds have been renewedly affected in sympathy with the poor enslaved Africans; whom avarice hath taught some men, laying claim to the character of Christians, to consider as the refuse of the human race, and not entitled to the common privileges of mankind. The contempt in which they are held, and the remoteness of their sufferings from the notice of disinterested observers, have occasioned few advocates to plead their cause. The consideration of their case being brought weightily before the last yearly meeting, friends were engaged to recommend endeavours for putting a stop to a traffic so disgraceful to humanity, and so repugnant to the precepts of the Gospel. 1784. P. E. As the slave-trade, whereby such multitudes of the human race are violently subjected to a state so abject and deplorable, is extensively carried on by persons resident in these kingdoms, we earnestly exhort all in profession with us, not to defile themselves by having any concern whatever in this unrighteous traffic; from which, if persisted in, very distressing consequences to this nation and its dependencies, may be justly apprehended. 1785. P. E. We desire that friends may continue united in a fervent concern, that the reproach of a traffic so iniquitous as the slave-trade may be done away from the Christian name, and the day spoken of by the Lord's prophet be happily hastened: "For from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering." 1790. P. E. As a Christian society we have found it our duty to promote the ' Malachi, i. 11. abolition of the slave-trade; it remains our steady concern to discourage so iniquitous a traffic; and, at the present juncture, we think it particularly incumbent on every individual deeply to ponder his own particular share in the testimony, which we have so long believed it our duty to bear, and to be careful not to stifle the smallest conviction of duty; more especially that the prospect of gain may not lead any to countenance a trade, of which the immediate and unavoidable consequence is the miseries of men. 1791. P. E. We lament the slow progress in this country of the cause of our fellow-men, the oppressed black people, but we do not despair of its success and we desire friends may never suffer the cause to cool on their minds, through the delay which the opposition of interested men hath occasioned, in this work of justice and mercy; but rather be animated to consider, that the longer the opposition remains, the more necessity there is, on the side of righteousness and benevolence, for steadiness, perseverance, and continued breathing of spirit to the God and Father of all, who formed of one blood all the families of the earth. 1793. P. E. A feeling hath been witnessed amongst us at this time, which directs the mind in pity towards the deplorable state of those men, who promote, procure, and execute the tearing away of the Africans from their parent-soil and seeing we believe that a just and dreadful retribution awaits the unrepenting and obdurate oppressor, at that awful tribunal where sophistry will not prevail to exculpate, let us, amidst our sympathy for the sufferers, give place in our minds to a true concern for the traders in negroes-men equally interested with us in the rewards of futurity; and let us seek for and cherish that disposition of mind, which can pray for these enemies of humanity, and fervently breathe for their restoration to soundness of judgment, and purity of principle. It hath been often observed that the desire of acquiring wealth is an incitement to every evil; and having, in this instance, a proof to what great lengths it will carry those who give it place in their hearts, let us guard against the beginnings of so great temptation. 1795. P. E. 11 12 Christian in terest recom- 13 The slave trade a reproach to Christian professors: 14 announce ment of its restriction: 15 and of its abolition. The dismal subject of the slave-trade, the source of accumulating misery to Africa, of accumulating guilt to Britain, and of continued reproach to the holy religion which, in common with our countrymen, we profess, has claimed our sympathy in this meeting: and we desire our friends may be individually prompt to entertain for our fellow-men, the oppressed Africans, the sensations of pity, which on various occasions may arise. Where, friends, shall we find a juster cause of regret, than to see a nation professing Christianity, pouring forth from her harbours numerous equipments, not designed to improve and exalt, but to degrade, enslave, and consign to misery, those very nations, to which, in recompense for ages of injury and insult, she owes the benefits of brotherly kindness and Christian example! 1805. P. E. year we Now, beloved brethren, a subject, a deeply interesting subject, hath intervened among our deliberations on the state of our society; and its long-felt importance induces us to suffer it here also to interrupt the current of our Christian counsel. No longer since than the last excited your attention afresh to the sufferings of the Africans, and spoke of the continuance of the cruel slave-trade as of an accumulation of misery and of guilt. How then do we now rejoice in having to proclaim that this torrent of iniquity is arrested in its progress; that an important restriction of the trade has taken place; that the annual enslaving of thousands is prevented; and that the prospect again opens, with increased brightness, of a termination to the wrongs of Africa. of Africa. 1806. P. E. We are inclined to express our thankfulness for an event which concerns not us only, but incalculable multitudes of our fellowcreatures, our fellow-possessors of the faculty of reason, our fellowobjects of the redemption which comes by Christ. We scarcely need name the abolition of the slave-trade. We view it as one of the most important acts of public, national righteousness, which ever dignified the councils of any government; and our minds have been directed in secret prayer to the Almighty Parent of the universe, that he may be pleased to regard this kingdom for good; and direct its future councils to such further acts of justice and mercy as may promote his glory, in the harmony of his rational creation. 1807. P. E. |