There would be no reason to doubt that Sam Clemens was exposed to the Philemon letter repeatedly throughout his childhood. It was part and parcel of the theology of slavery. It was, as you are surely aware, most often aimed at the slaves themselves and read to them with mind-numbing regularity. More than one slave narrative contains reference as to how sick slaves got of hearing it. However, it was also frequently included in the political speeches and sermons of the day in Hannibal by speakers arguing that both the Old Testament and New Testament supported the U.S. institution of slavery. Bottom line is Sam certainly did not have to wait to meet Northeast abolitionists to be introduced to the theology of slavery -- including Paul's views. Terrell Dempsey