Fugitive Slave Law The Religious Duty of Obedience to Law : A Sermon by Ichabod S. Spencer Preached In The Second Presbyterian Church In Brooklyn, Nov. 24, 1850
by Ichabod S. (Ichabod Smith) Spencer
"Fugitive Slave Law" by Ichabod S. Spencer is a religious sermon delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn in the mid-19th century. This work, written during a time when the United States was grappling with the moral and legal implications of slavery, highlights the complex relationship between obedience to the law and ethical responsibilities toward both God and fellow humans. Through his sermon, Spencer addresses the issue of the Fugitive Slave Law and the religious duty to comply with human governance. In the sermon, Spencer emphasizes that obedience to government is a divine mandate and that human laws, even those perceived as unjust, must be respected to maintain societal order. He critiques the rising abolitionist sentiments that encourage violent resistance to laws such as the Fugitive Slave Law, arguing that such actions undermine the authority of civil governance ordained by God. Spencer asserts that while laws may be flawed, individuals must seek redress through legal means rather than through insurrection, condemning any notion that justifies violent actions against civil officers. He urges his congregation to focus on their religious duties, uphold the sanctity of law, and advocate for societal change through peaceful and lawful channels rather than through rebellion or violence.
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