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"The spirit of the Gospel 'proclaims liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:' but these men rivet the chains of slavery; 'the iron enters into the Negro's soul,' while while his mind is left in all the darkness of ignorance, without one ray of those comforts which Christianity affords, to strengthen with patience, and to animate with hope, them that endure affliction, suffering wrongfully."

— Agutter, William (1758-835)

Author

Agutter, William (1758-835)

Work Title

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Considered in a Religious Point of View: A Sermon

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for J. F. and C. Rivington

Date

February 3, 1788

Metaphor

"The spirit of the Gospel 'proclaims liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:' but these men rivet the chains of slavery; 'the iron enters into the Negro's soul,' while while his mind is left in all the darkness of ignorance, without one ray of those comforts which Christianity affords, to strengthen with patience, and to animate with hope, them that endure affliction, suffering wrongfully."

Metaphor in Context

But this unrighteous traffick in human blood is not more destructive to those concerned, in it, than disgraceful to the religion they profess, and so the nation which tolerates their crimes. By their means the holy name of Jesus is blasphemed, and an invincible obstacle thrown in the way, to hinder the glorious Gospel of Christ from being received by these Heathens. Darkness is not more opposite to light than the principles of this traffick to the spirit of Christianity. That commands us "to preach good tidings unto the meek;" but these men deliberately withhold from their Slaves all rational instruction, and all religious improvement. The Prince of Peace sends us "to bind up the broken-hearted;" but these men bow down their fellow-creatures by oppression, and "regard not the cry of the poor destitute." The spirit of the Gospel "proclaims liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:" but these men rivet the chains of slavery; "the iron enters into the Negro's soul," while while his mind is left in all the darkness of ignorance, without one ray of those comforts which Christianity affords, to strengthen with patience, and to animate with hope, them that endure affliction, suffering wrongfully.
(pp. 22-4)