CHAPTER XVI.

IDEAS AND MANNERS OF ANTIQUITY RESPECTING SLAVERY--THE CHURCH BEGINS BY IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF SLAVES.

The Catholic Church not only employs her doctrines, her maxims, and her spirit of charity, but also makes use of practical means in the abolition of slavery--Point of view in which this historical fact ought to be considered--False ideas of the ancients on the subject--Homer, Plato, Aristotle--Christianity began forthwith to combat these errors--Christian doctrines on the connexion between master and slave--The Church employs herself in improving the condition of slaves, 94