Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-08-01
MtscelIaneous.
The Christian Colony.
By LYDIA MARIA CHILD.

The highes, gifts nay soul has received, during its
world. pilgrimage, have often been bestowed by those
who were poor, both 10 money and intellectual cult.
walton. Among these donors, | particularly remem-
Der q hard. working, uneducated mechanic, from Indi.
ana or Illinois. He told me he was one Of thirty or
forty New EnglanderE, who, twelve years before, had
gone out 10 settle in the western wilderness. They
were mostly neighbors, and had been drawn to unite
together in emigration from a general unity of opiD-
ion on various subjects. For some years previous,
they had been 10 the habi, Of meeting occasionally at
each others houses, to talk over their duties TO God
and man, in all simplicity of heart. The library
was the Gospel, their priesthood the inward light.
There were then no au,i.slavery societies; but thus
taught, and r~everenily willing TO learu, they had no
need of such agency, to discover their duties 10 the
enslavsd. The efforts Of peace societies had reach
ed this secluded band only in broken echoes; and
Eon. resistance societies had no existence. But with
| The volume of the Prince of Peace, and hearts open
to his influence, what need had they Of presmbles
and resolutionsf
Rich in God culture, this little band started for the
far West. Their inward homes we're blooming gar
dens; thew made their outward in a wilderness. They
were Industrious and frugal, and all things ~prospered
! under their hands. But soon wolves came near The
fold, 10 the shape of reckless, unprincipled adven.
%turers; believers in force and cunning, who acted &C.
! ObAuIuS W tlOil " NOtOh ~ BiuNaNo'
Christians spoke of their depredations in terms of
gentlest remonstrance, and repaid them with unvarv.
ing kindness. They went farther--they openly an
nounced, "You may do US what evil you choose; we
will return nothing but good" Lawyers came into
The neighborhood, and offered their services to settle
disputes. They answered, "We have no need Of
you. As neighbors, we receive you in the most
friendly spirit; but for US, your occupation has ceased
to exist" "What will you do, if rascals burn your
baras, and steal your harvestsf' ave will return
good for evil. We believe this is the highest truth,
and therefore the best expediency."
When the rascals heard this, they considered il a
marvellous good Joke, and said and did many provok-
ing things, which to them seemed witty. Bars were
taken down in the night, and cows let into the corn
fields. The Christians repaired the damage as well
as they could, put the cows in the barn, and at twi'
light drove them gently home; saying, "Neighbol,
your cows haye been in nay field. ] have fed Them
we'll during The day, but would not keep them all
night, lest The children should suffer for their milk"
II this was fun, those who planned the joke found
no heart to laugh at it. BY degrees, a visible change
came over these troublesome neighbors. They ceas.
ed to cut off horses tails, and break the legs of poul'
Try. Rude boys would say TO a younger brother,
"Don't throw that stone, Bill! When | killed the
chicken last week, didn't they send it to mother, be-
cause they thought chicken broth would be good for
Mary! l should think you'd be ashamed 10 throw
stones at their chickens" Thus was evil overcome
with good; till not one was found TO do than wil!ul
injury.
Years passed Or, and saw them thriving in worldly
substance, beyond their n~eighbors, yet beloved by all.
From them The lawyer and the constable obtained no
fees. The sheriff stammered and apologized, when
he took their hard -earned goods iD payment for the
war.tax. They mildly replied, ''Tis a bad trade,
friend. Examine it in the light of conscience and sec
if it be not 3d." But while they refused 10 pay such
fees and taxes, they were liberal to a proverb 10 their
contributions for all useful and benevolent purposes.
At The end of ten years, the public lands, which
they had chosen for their farms, were advertised for
sale at auction. According to custom, those who had
settled and cultivated the soil, we're considered TO have
a right to bid it ia at the government price; which al
that time was 81 25 per acre. But the fever Of land
speculation then CHANGED 10 run unusually high. Ad-
v~enturers from all parts Of the country were focking
to the auction; and capitalists in Baltimore, Philadsl-
Phia, New York, and Boston, we're sending agents to
huy N N uuania,n In nda No ona sunnncnd that cuaiom