Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
Adam Clarke
XXII.—MASTERS AND SERVANTS. [10]
JUSTICE and equity require that servants should have proper food,
proper raiment, due rest, and no more than moderate work. This is a
lesson that all masters throughout the universe should carefully learn. Do
not treat your servants as if God had made them of an inferior blood to
yours.
Mr. S. Wesley, jun., had not only the friendship of Lord Oxford, but
his intimacy also; and frequently dined at his house. But this was an
honour for which he was obliged to pay a grievous tax, ill suited to the
narrowness of his circumstances. Vales to servants, that sovereign
disgrace to their masters, were in those days quite common, and, in some
instances, seem to have stood in the place of wages. A whole range of
liverymen generally stood in the lobby with eager expectation and
rapacity when any gentleman came out from dining at a nobleman's table;
so that no person who was not affluent could afford to enjoy that
privilege. One day on returning from his lordship's table, and seeing the
usual range of greedy expectants, Mr. Wesley addressed them thus: "My
friends, I must make an agreement with you suited to my purse; and shall
distribute so much (naming the sum) once in the month, and no more."
This becoming generally known, was not only the means of checking that
troublesome importunity, but also of redressing the evil; for their master,
whose honour was concerned, commanded them to "stand back in their
ranks when a gentleman retired;" and prohibited their begging! Many
eminent men have endeavoured to bring this vile custom into deserved
disgrace; Dryden, Addison, Swift, &c.; but it still continues, though under
another form: leaving taverns out of the question, (where the lowest
menial expects to be paid if he condescends to answer a civil question,)
cooks, chambermaids, waiters, errand boys, &c., &c.: all expect money,
if you lodge in their master's house but a single night! And they expect to
be paid, too, in proportion to the treatment you have received from their