The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 90

depopulated. We are here face to face with one of the most glgantio evils of the human race. II. Tm: &LAVE-TRADE IS DIABOLICALLY CRUEL, There is cruelty in the very seizing of innocent human beings, depriving them of their liberty, tearing them from their families, driving them from their native villages, and exporting them to foreign countr_ies, there to live in perpetual bondage. But the manner in which this process is earned out aggravates the cruelty of it immensely, No proper provision is made for the. transport of great companies of men, women, and children through vast regions of Afncan_ forest to the co3:5t,_ and t~ence by sea to their destination. By far the larger portion of the stolen v1ct1ms pensh on the way, after suffering piteously. III. THE SLAVE-TRADE IS AN OUTRAGE ON HUMANITY. All slaves are our fellow- men. The Greek slaves of antiquity were higher in race than their captors. But we have no reason to believe that they were treated so cruelly as the African slaves are treatP,d by the Arabs. The !llodern slaves are lower in civilization than their captors -they cannot be lower in morals. But it is the more shameful that a powerful people should oppress these children of nature. They are human, and God "bath made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts xvii. 26). Mankind is insulted in the person of the slaves and degraded to the level of devilry in that of their hunters. IV. THE SLAVE-TRADE IS A WRONG IN THE BIGHT OF HEAVEN. The notion that the Arabs are civilizing Africa, and even preparing for Christianity by leading the native people out of their heathen darkness to the belief in one God and the higher life of Mohammedanism, is not encouraged by the reports of those who have witnessed what is happening on the spot. On the contrary, the enforced conversion of whole tribes who are terrorized by the slave-hunters cannot mean any real advance in religion, while the awful wickedness of the trade carried on by these Mohammedan missionaries is one of the greatest sins in the sight of God. V. THE SLAVE-TRADE MUST BE STOPPED. No crusade could be more needed or more blessed in its result than one that was wisely directed for the suppression of this curse of Africa. Christianity is the inspiration of philanthropy. Christ infuses a.n enthusiasm of humanity in his true followers. Christians should not rest till they have done all that in them lies to suppress the vile, cruel slave-trade. Ver. 26.-Great waters of a.ffl,iction. The troubles that are to overtake Tyre in the Chaldean invasion are compared by the prophet to a sea of great waters into which the rowers have brought the ship-an image that would come home to a maritime people. I. SOULS MAY HAVE TO ENCOUNTER ·oREAT WATERS OF AFFLICTION. 1. Their troubles a.re multitudinous. People talk of "a sea of troubles," referring to the number of distresses that they have met with. 2. Their troubles are restless. They come with changes, and they make disturbance like the ceaseless tossing and moaning of the sea.. 3. Their troubles a.re aggressive. The great waters roll in waves, beat against the ship, sweep her deck, and threaten to dash her to pieces. Troubles are not merely negative evils like cold and darkness; they are positive in their activity, and they threaten to dash the soul to destruction. 4. '!'heir troubles are overwhelming. The waves pour over the ship, the great waters threaten to drown the sailor. 5. '!'heir troubles are deep. Fathoms deep the sinking ship goes down in the black, engulfing waters. So souls siuk in sorrow and despair. JL THESE GREAT WATERS OF AFFLICTION MAY BE FOUND WHERE ONLY PROSPERITY 1s EXPECTED. The Phamicians were not helpless landsmen. Familiar with the sea from their childhood, they regarded it a.s the highway of their commerce. '!'heir wealth was got by trading over its waters. Yet the treacherous sea can turn against its most trusting children. None dread it so much ns sailors who have learnt its power and their own helplessness when it rises in its fury. It often happens t~a.t calamity meets a. man in his most familiar haunts. Where he looks for a blessmg he meets with a curse. Thie is possible with all earthly things. 'fherefore the most confident is not secure against trouble. IlL Too OFTEN MEN BRING THEMSELVES INTO THEIR GREATEST TROUBLES. "Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters." Instead of keeping to tbe sheltered course in the lea of the cliffs, the heedless rowers have pulled out into a. reach of water im. xxvn. 1-36.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 93