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He is also notable for being one of the first to write a [[Rule]] for the community of priests at his cathedral in Hippo. This Rule was later to become the foundation for the [[Augustinian Order]].
He is also notable for being one of the first to write a [[Rule]] for the community of priests at his cathedral in Hippo. This Rule was later to become the foundation for the [[Augustinian Order]].
Augustine wrote against slavery, which was rampant in the ancient world, and on which the Roman Empire was utterly dependent. He boldly wrote a letter urging the emperor to set up a new law against slave traders and was very much concerned about the sale of children. Christian emperors of his time for 25 years had permitted sale of children, not because they approved of it, but as a way of preventing infanticide when parents were unable to care for a child. He noted that the tenant farmers in particular were driven to hire out or to sell their children as a means of survival <ref>The Saints, p. 72</ref> In his famous book, ''The City of God,'' the development of slavery is seen as a product of sin and as contrary to God's divine plan. He wrote that God "did not intend that this rational creature, who was made in His image, should have dominion over anything but the irrational creation--not man over man, but man over the beasts." Thus he wrote that righteous men in primitive times were made shepherds of cattle, not kings over men. "The condition of slavery is the result of sin," he declared. He argued that the first mention of slavery in the Bible is Noah's prophecy concerning his grandson Canaan and his descendants. Therefore, Augustine reasoned, slavery was "introduced by sin and not by nature."<ref>Augustine, ''The City of God'', Chapter 15, p. 411, Vol. II, Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Wm. Eerdman's, Grand Rapids, MI, reprinted 1986</ref>
But Augustine did more than write against slavery. He used his position in the church to lead many clergy under his authority at Hippo to free their slaves "as an act of piety."<ref>Augustine,''Of the Work of Monks'', p. 25, Vol III Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Wm. Eerdman's, Grand Rapids, MI, reprinted 1986</ref>
== Books ==
== Books ==