17 MAY 1913, Page 15

[To THE EDITOR OP THY "SPECTATOR. "] SrR, — With reference to "

Selim's " letter in the Spectator of May 10th : the law of slavery had made Onesimus Philemon's slave. He had defrauded Philemon by theft, and had run away. St. Paul converted him to Christianity, and returned him to his master with a letter asking him to forgive him his theft and so receive him back as a friend. Did St. Paul by this act either approve of or condemn slavery? Would he, being a follower of Christ, who never taught social reform but reform of each individual heart, have interfered in the social law of slavery am, Sir, &e., H. M. C.