Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-04-24
PROSPECTS OF OUR CAUSE.

There are some points Of view, whence the
prospects of a moral reform are ak,Uays bright
and encouraging. From the mount of faith,
The retormer overlooks the clouds and storms
around the path beneath, and gazing far be-
yond the snares, the dangers, and the barri-
ers which opposing influences have placed
across that narrow and rugged way, he sees
Its safe and happy termination. But he does
not always occupy this elevated position, and
sometimes while struggling against the diff
hculties which impede his progress, amid
thick mists which dim his sight and chill his
heart, he half forgets the glorious visions he
has had of the ultimate triumph of the true
and the right, and desires to see a sign .
that his labor is not in vain. At such a time
1t is a source of encouragement and renewed
strength, 10 discover, around him, sensible
tokens of advancement. He will naturally,
and may very properly, look for these, al
though if he finds them not, he should still
hold on his way, relying on the immutable
principles of righteousness, "walking by
faith, not by sight" The present aspect Of
the Anti-Slavery cause, is such as to afford,
to its friends, much Encouragement of this
sort. The evidence that anti-slavery labor
has not been expended in vain, during the
last twelve years, is so plain that /" he who
runs may read" it. The wide diffusion of
anti-slavery truth, and the influence which it
has exerted on the minds of men, revealed
both by individual and organized action against
slavery, forms a striking and delightful con-
trast 10 the apathy, the death-like stupor in
which the nation slumbered at the COM
mencement of our enterprise. The North is
awake, and is even agitated with the con-
seriousness that her own rights are ~endanger-
ed by the continuance, and especially by the
extension of slavery. The recent efforts of
the South, to strengthen her peculiar ~institu-
ton, have excited, in some portions of the
Free States. a healthful reaction, which, if
kept in Exercise, would greatly accelerate the
destruction of slavery. We. have repeated
indications ali around us, that the Northern
church can no longer sleep over the subject,
however she may treat it. The great 4ues-
tons which are now engrossing the attention
OF our national councils are really those of
slavery and freedom. The people are every
where discussing, in one form or other, this
momentous subject, and all that is needed
now, Is to keep alive this interest, and in
crease this awakened sense of responsibility,
by a continual reiteration of the doctrines of
freedom, and the duties of the individual, the
chulch and the state, toward our enslaved
Nv bub W accomplish -tillSs HOU6 IuuSt
leave his or her portion of the work to be
done by another, none must imagine that their
services will be yalueless, or their influence
unfelt. We all have inalienable responsible
tiles, as we'll as &" inalienable rights" Let
each remember this, and come up manfully
to the discharge of them, instead Of idly rest
ing in the hope that another will do the work
which falls to our lot, and the advancement
of our cause will add ANOTHER to the many
proofs that the moral reformer does not labor
in vain, or spend his strength for nought.-
We have need TO measure, frequently, our
labors, our sacrifices, our self-denial, by the
sufferings of the slave. The hope which we
have excited in his agonized bosom, must not
be cruelty trifed with we are pledged to him,
to our country, and TO our God, to lifelong
labor if need be, for his deliverance and most
cheering evidences are afforded us that our
toll has not been ~fruitless. Shall we not be
inexcusable if we falter now.-Pa. Freeman.