But be this as it may, I did not say what else the apostles might have succeeded to enforce; I merely pointed out what it was that they actually taught, and that, _as a fact_, they did _not_ declare slavery to be an immorality and the basest of thefts.

If any one thinks their course was more wise, he may be right or wrong, but his opinion is in itself a concession of my fact.
As to the historical progress of Christian practice and doctrine on this subject, it is, as usual, mixed of good and evil.

The humanity of good Pagan emperors softened the harshness of the laws of bondage, and manumission had always been extremely common amongst the Romans.

Of course, the more humane religion of Christ acted still more powerfully in the same direction, especially in inculcating the propriety of freeing _Christian_ slaves.

This was creditable, but not peculiar, and is not a fact of such a nature as to add to the exclusive claims of Christianity.