Appeal to the Christian women of the south: Summary

Introduction 

This is a summary of an extract from this book whichaddresses the issue of slavery in America, what it is, what the Bible says about slavery and appeals to the Christian women of the south to help in abolishing slavery altogether. It points out that the slave laws of the south and the west accorded slave masters much advantage over their slaves to the point of reducing laves to ‘chattel personal’ robbing them of their dignity and basic human rights. They are reduced to objects and oppressed by laws which denies them the right to own properties, earn wages, and raise families as their masters could decide at any time the fate of their families. In comparison between the Jews servitude and American slavery, the authors found no similarities between the two as the laws of Moses regarding the Jews servants was put in place to protect the servants’ right and provide guidelines for proper servant-master relationship, the Jews servants were paid fair wages for their work and treated with humane consideration unlike the American slaves whose rights were ignored and their masters favored by the powers and authorities given to them by the slave laws to exercise unjust and inhumane acts which put the slaves lives in bondage. As to whether slavery is right or not, the authors use the Bible as the authoritative voice to ascertain whether slavery is morally right or wrong. Drawing various example from the Bible, the authors argue that Jesus himself did not approve of slavery, quoting a verse from Colossians which encourages masters giving unto their servants what is fair and just, this point out the sheer contradiction of Christian teachings to the slave laws which allows for slaves to work for as long as their masters please without any wages or rights. Christian participate in further slavery either by owning slaves or by selling to or buying slaves from the slaves dealer, there were no demands for slaves by the wealthy then slavery would have been a bye gone practice by now cites the authors. 

The author appeals to all women in the south to help stop slavery and even though they acknowledge that women may feel incapable of this great duty as they do not have the legislative power to slavery, they are reminded that itis within their reach to make a noticeable change in this matter as they have direct contact with the men involved who may be their husbands, sons, brothers, nephews, uncles or even business partners. The authors urge women to research widely on the subject of slavery, search the scriptures and find out the truth concerning slavery, secondly to pray earnestly over this issue. Pray that slaves may find strength and patients to endure the cruelty and hardship upon them until that appointed time that they shall be delivered from their oppressors. Third, it’s important to speak on the issue of slavery either through writing or the press or verbally to friends and families. Speak against slavery of how it is unjust and against God’s laws, how it lowers human standards and reduce their dignity. Lastly women are urged to act on their knowledge about slavery, to set the slaves in their captives free, clothe them well, and educate them even if it’s basic knowledge and skills. Some of these recommendations may be against the slave laws however they are the right and just things to do to alleviate this problem, it’s not about being fair and just to all regardless. Women are reminded of their perseverance and enduring spirit able to overcome all the hardships as a result of speaking against slavery, various historical examples of women who have undergone persecution in the hands of authorities while seeking justice and fighting for the right are given to encouraged them to remain steadfast in their pursuit and duty to abolish slavery and not succumb to ridicule and intimidation by the authorities and the enemies of abolitionists who will employ all tactics to belittle them and discourage them in their efforts to overthrow the slavery system of oppression.