Chap. I.]

THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS.

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frauding their servants of their wages ; and, when this is not done,the smaller abuse is too frequently committed, of delaying thepayment of them, much to their inconvenience, annoyance, andinjury. The allotment of servants of every description issufficiently humiliating in itself; and the wages, which their con-tract entitles them to expect, is that “ hope of reward whichsweetens their labor.” This small reward ought to be promptlyand cheerfully paid. The Hebrew law enjoined immediate pay-ment of servants’ wages. It says, “ The wages of him that ishired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.” *Few sins are noticed by the sacred writers in more severeterms, than the defrauding servants of their wages, f

Bishop Jeremy Taylor, has, among the numerous subjects ofhis writings, treated of the duty of masters of families in respectto their servants, and I should do wrong, not to avail myself ofhis valuable directions. The quaintness of his style seems togive point to his sentiments. “ The same care,” says he, “ isto extend to all of our family, in their proportions, as to ourchildren ; for as, by St. Paul’s economy, the heir differs nothingfrom a servant while he is in minority, so a servant should differnothing from a child in the substantial part of the case ; and thedifference is only in the degrees. Servants and masters are ofthe same kindred, of the same nature, and heirs of the samepromises; and therefore, (1.) Must be provided of necessariesfor their support and maintenance. (2.) They must be usedwith mercy. (3.) Their work must be tolerable and merciful.(4.) Their restraints must be reasonable. (5.) Their recrea-tions fitting and healthful. (6.) Their religion and the interestof their souls taken care of. (7.) Masters must correct theirservants with gentleness, prudence, and mercy ; not for everyslight fault, not always, not with upbraiding and disgracefullanguage, but with such only as may express and reprove thefault, and amend the person. But, in all these things,” con-tinues he, “measures are to be taken by the contract made, bythe laws and customs of the place, by the sentence of prudentand merciful men, and by the cautions and remembrances given

* Leviticus xix. 13. t Genesis xxxi. 7. 41; Jeremiah xxii. 13; Malachi iii. 5.

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