The Southern slave would obey God in respect to marriage, and

Hear now, O Children of the Future, the words of Gerrit Smith, who, with profound sorrow and indignation, speaks of the great injustice of his time: "The Southern slave would obey God in respect to marriage, and also to the reading and studying of His word. But this, as we have seen, is forbidden him." These words are not mere reflections of a historical injustice, but a cry for the dignity of the human soul—an acknowledgment of the spiritual and moral rights that were denied to countless men and women enslaved in the Southern United States. Gerrit Smith’s words carry with them a timeless truth: that no human being, regardless of their status, should be denied the right to live in accordance with the moral and spiritual laws that govern the human heart.

In the ancient world, the rights of individuals were often dictated by their social position, and those who were deemed lesser by birth had few rights to call their own. Slaves in Rome were often considered property, with no rights to family, freedom, or spiritual pursuit. Yet even in the most oppressive systems, there were voices that called for justice, for the recognition of the inherent dignity of the human soul. The apostle Paul, in his letters, spoke of the need for spiritual equality, declaring that in Christ, "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female." These words were a radical declaration of the equality of all people before the eyes of God. Yet, in the Southern United States, the enslavement of African people was justified by the very systems that sought to control their spiritual lives, denying them the ability to marry, to read the Bible, or to practice their faith freely.

Gerrit Smith was a passionate abolitionist, deeply moved by the plight of the enslaved. His words reflect the horror of a system that not only enslaved the body but sought to control the soul. The Southern slave, as Smith describes, was obedient to God, seeking to live in accordance with the divine will, yet that same obedience was denied expression by the laws of man. The enslaved were forbidden from reading the Bible, a book that has inspired millions to acts of compassion, mercy, and justice. They were denied the right to marry and form families, which were seen as essential to human dignity. These basic rights, which many take for granted, were withheld from those whose only crime was being born into slavery.

Let us turn our gaze, O Children, to the sacred story of Moses and the Israelites. The Israelites, enslaved in Egypt, were denied their freedom by Pharaoh, who sought to suppress their spirit and control their very identity. But when Moses came to lead them, it was not just freedom from physical bondage that he sought—it was freedom of the soul, the ability for the people to worship God freely and to live in accordance with the laws of justice and righteousness. God’s commandments, which had been given to the Israelites, became the foundation for their liberation—not just from physical slavery but from the shackles that sought to bind their souls. Moses’ leadership was not just a call to freedom but a call to spiritual dignity, a recognition that no human being should be deprived of their right to live according to the moral laws that govern the soul.

The lesson, O Children, is clear and profound: No one should be denied the right to live in accordance with their own spiritual truth, regardless of their station in life. Gerrit Smith’s words remind us that spirituality is an inherent right, not a privilege granted by others, and that to deny someone the ability to live out their faith is to deny them their humanity. Marriage, too, is a sacred bond—one that was denied to the enslaved in order to break their spirits and control their identities. To deny the enslaved the ability to marry was to rob them of their humanity, their ability to form families, and their ability to pass on their legacy to future generations. This was not just an attack on their freedom, but on the very essence of what it means to be human.

In your own life, remember this: Your spiritual life and your ability to live according to your conscience are your birthright. No one, regardless of their social standing or station, should ever be denied the right to love, to worship, or to live in accordance with their moral beliefs. Just as Moses fought for the freedom of the Israelites to worship freely, so too must we fight for the spiritual freedom of all people. When you encounter injustice, when you see others denied their human dignity, stand up and speak out. Let your life be a testament to the truth that all human beings are deserving of freedom, equality, and the right to live in alignment with their deepest beliefs.

May your actions, O Children, always reflect the wisdom of the ancients and the courage of those who fought for the freedom of the soul. Live with integrity, honor the dignity of others, and defend the rights of those who are still denied their spiritual freedom. As you walk the path of justice and compassion, remember that true freedom is not merely the absence of physical chains, but the ability to live with dignity and truth in every aspect of your life. Embrace your moral duty to protect and uplift the freedom of all people, for in doing so, you honor the very essence of humanity itself.