Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-11-13
COMMUNICATIONS.
Agency.
WORCESTER, Mass, Nov, /, 1916.

'OhNASALh, MASS, ANoNs, Is lCtO.
DEAR FRIENDS:
In a late number of the Bugle, I saw a no.
tice that an appointment had been made for
me and some others TO become lecturers for
an Association for Free Mental Inquiry, &C.,
located in Ohio. The notice in the Bugle
was copied from another paper, the organ
probably Of that Association.
am so unfortunate as not to know any of
the officers OF members of this Association, or
the individuals al pointed with me as lectu-
Ters,nor have ] seen any thing by which | could
fully determine ihe character or objects of
the Society. And it seems to me those from
whom my appointment came must have been
no less ignorant of me. | honor them that
they can have faith in a man "whom they
have not SEEM and wish to thank them for
this mark of their confidence and respect to-
wards me. My great distance from their
seat OF operations, and constant occupancy
with the pressing duties of my mission in
behalf of the slave, would be a sufficient
reason for declining this appointment, were |
ever so well informed as to its objects, ever
so deeply impressed with its importance, and
had been directly informed las | have not)
by any officer or member of the association.
OF my appointment.
OF the importance of mental inouirv. Of The
most uhtrammelled freedom of thought and
speech, OF the most extended discussion of
all questions where the happiness and dignity
OF man are concerned, none are more fully
convinced than myself. Nor shall nv conn
tenance and cooperation in any honest move
ments to secure these objects, ever be want
ing. For me, the term Infdel, has no ter
ror. Long ago. elevated my w standard,
and babe the world defiance.
But ! cannot say it is alike Indifferent to
me, with whom my efforts are united. We
have haters Of the church and the priesthood,
who yet are no lovers of humanity. In their
opposition TO the religious superstitions of the
age, most heartily would l unite, if it arose
from unbending love of man, and of truth and
humanity.
am ashamed of no person, OIL society, for
any extravaganza Of doctrine-either NAV
hold, provided there is evidence of an honest,
human heart within. The extravagancies of
Reform have not begun yet to be developed.
The church and priesthood will ere long EN-
brace all the Doctrines yet advanced by Gar
rison, Emerson, g. Theodore Parker. But be
lore that time comes, the pioneers will have
made more startling advances than any that
have yet been conceived. What are the
"robes of righteousness of the church. but
the cast off garments of those who are lead
ing her onward and upward to eminences be.
yond her sight, We told her slavery was
an epf. She denied it point blank. Her
champion, Prof. Stuart, the Goliah of the
host, wrote a learned book, entitled ''Slavery
not a nahum Sc" IAN evil in itself. Then we
advanced a step and said slavery is a sin.-
The church denied as usual, but clothed her
self in our last years opinion, that it was an
ec'h and carried no more of Prof. Stuart's
books to market. Then we said, a slavehol-
der can't be a christian. The church Storm
ed away again, but arrayed herself in our cast
of robes of last year, and called slavery a sin,
but sought to justify somehow, the sinner.
Thus onward and upward are we leading
the church, and her cropping, bat-blind priest
hood. AS she has espoused so many of our
sentiments, so she will yet, in spite of herself,
espouse them all, and many more to be yet
advanced.
honor then the unfettered soul that in
scribes Excelsior on his banner. If honest
and pure, and baptized into the spirit of good
will to all men, no matter what it costs, | 90
with him, and for him.
1 have no reason 10 doubt the intentions of
the Association who have honored me, UNI
known as | am, with this confidence. 1t is
better, however, so various are men, to be
somewhat acquainted with their objects before
wo identify ourselves too intimately with
their designs.
Yours Truly,
PARKER PILLSBURY,