Digest of Biblical Civil Law

The practice of enslaving our fellow men stands equally opposed to the general tenor of the sacred scriptures.  The Bible is the criterion of doctrine and conduct. It represents the European and the Asiatic, the African and the American, as different members of the same great family—the different children of the same benign and universal parent. God has made of one blood all the nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the bounds of their habitation (Acts 17:26).   In relation to one another, they are equally bound to the exercise of benevolence, and are respected as naturally having no inequality of rights.  Every man is bound to respect his fellow man as his neighbor, and is commanded to love him as himself (Mark 12:31).  Our duties to each other the divine Jesus summarizes in the golden rule:  Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 7:12).  This is the sum of the duties inculcated in the law of Moses, and in the writings of the inspired prophets. How opposite the spirit of these precepts and doctrines to the practice of the slave-holder! If he is consistent with himself he will reason thus: "These slaves are not of one blood with me. They are not entitled to the love I give to my neighbor. The conduct which I should pursue, were I enslaved by another, I would not recommend to them. I shall feed and clothe them from the same principle that I feed and stable my cattle. They are my property as much as these; and when they do not serve my purpose agreeably to my wishes, I shall dispose of them for money to another trafficker in human flesh. I acknowledge, if any person was to enslave me, I should endeavor to embrace the first opportunity of making my escape. But if my Negro offers to run away, I shall pursue, and severely chastise him. He has no right to leave his master; the rule, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, notwithstanding."  I need not add that such sentiments are opposite to the principles of the Christian Religion.
- Alexander M’leod, Negro Slavery Unjustifiable, A Discourse (New York, 1802), at http://www.covenanter.org/McLeod/negro.htm.