the Christian Church were directed to the ! i mitigation of the cruel treatment of slaves and 1 the Improvement of their condition. The I canons, decrees and other documents which show the solicitude of the Church on this sub ■ ject would of themselves fill a volume. A pe rusal of them will refute the prevalent M«* ' I that the extinction of serfdom in K-irope was i accomplished by the force ot interests,