Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-07-23
An Address to the Churches in America,
From Green Plain Quarterly Meeting Of
Friends, held in Clark co., o..
BELOVED FRIENDS AND PRoFEssoRs OF THE
CHRISTIAN ZANE -

beloved L RlENDS AND PROFESSORS OF THE
CHRISTIAN NAME -
More than eighteen centuries have passed
away, since the gospel was published n the
world by Jesus Christ. Although it must
be admitted that much has been done through
the influence thereof, towards removing the
evils under which the world has groaned, the
signs of the times indicate that some who
have trusted therein, are in doubt Of its ei-
cheney for the removal of all evil, and are cast
ing about for something better. Would 1t not
be wise in us to inquire why such doubts ex-
ist! Is the deficiency in the gospel itself,
or have we embraced 1t only in part! Have
we not neglected the most important prdcti-
cal portion which was intended to regulate
mankind in their social relations, and Destow-
ed more attention than is profitable in enlur-
cling uniformity of belief in things in which,
as yet, men will differ (which uniformity,
the more it is pressed, the more leads to dis
sension. May we not learn a profitable les
son from the example of the Son Of God, who,
while he said much about individual purity,
and our duties TO each other, evinced no in
terest in theological distractions Has not
the zeal which has been manifested by all par
hzdnS, to establish their peculiar ecclcsiasti-
cal systems, been a great cause of the dis
memberment of Christendom, and of the neg
lect of attention to our individual social du-
ties! Jesus said, IF any man hear these
sayings of mine, and do them not, | will liken
him 10 a certain man, who built his house
upon the sand.' Now, if professors have put
more confidence in belief than doing, and on
that account have neglected TO do, wherein
have they built? A rock, or the sand !
Is the gospel designed to establish peace
on earth ? Judging protesting Christendom
by its league with political partlzanship, it
may be a profitable inquiry, what denomina-
ton offers a guaranty for the entire discontln-
uance of war? How sorrowful is the con-
sideratjon that, while the professors of the
Christian name recognize the Prince of Peace
as Lord and Savior, they are found, in too
many instances, sustaining the deadly con-
flict, and thirsting for the ~etfusion of blood
A lamentable illustration is now before us, in
the a%trocious war being waged by this nation
against the unofIer ding Republic of Mexico.
Wal is a terrible scourge, under any clrcum-
stances; but more glaringly inconsistent when
1t assumes an aggressive attitude, and that,
too, for the purpose Of extending the blight
ing curse of slavery over territory where it
has been cast out as evil!
Was it not an Injunction of the Jewish law,
IF a servant escape from his master, and
come unto thee, thou shalt let him dweil with
thee, in one of thy gates, in the place which
it liketh him best-Ihou shalt not deliver him
up to his master? Has not this professedly
Christian nation bound itself, in a solemn
compact to deliver the escaping slave to his
claimant-thereby binding ourselves to do
that to another, which we, under like clrcum-
Stances, would in no wise have another do
unto US; and instead of suffering such as
have secured their liberty to dweIlln our land.
we have framed iniquity by law TO deprive
them of this natural right.
At the same time, we are sending mission
aries to Africa, and other heather lands, so
called, where it appears they are freely allow
ed TO disseminate the scriptures, aud utter
such truths as may appear TO them suitable
to the condition of the people. Is it not a
humiliating consideration, that, in the South
ern portion of the United States, ministers of
the gospel subject themselves 10 fine, impris-
onment, and even martyrdom, for exercising
the privileges that are freely granted in other
benighted portions of the globe!
Did not Jesus, when tested by the Jew as
to the tendency Of his principles respecting
the execution of criminal laws, say, Let him
that is without sin cast the first stone! And
although none but himself appeared qualified
10 infict the penalty, he withheld his hand,
saying, Neither do | condemn thee go, and
sin no more Do not professors of our day
insist on the execution of such laws. without
regard to the guilt or purity of the execution
ers thereof; and are not those that consider
themselves pure, less scrupulous than he was,
in i~nflcting punishment upon the guilty 3
Was not kindness enjoined by him as the
means to overcome evil Who Of us would,
when guilty, receive it as kindness, TO be in
generated in dungeons, or suspended by the
neckl Are not such things advocated and
practised by church members!
Did not Jesus say, Lay not up for your
selves treasures upon earth'l But where in
the wide world shall we go, to find a more
Misunderstanding people than protesting
Christians! A people spending large sums
in erecting : churches whilst multitudes are
perishing for the means Of subsistence!-
Thereby evincing more regard for temples
made with hands, than for man, the temple
of the living God!
Are not professedly Christian nations dis
singuished above all others for their conquestsl
Aggrandizing themselves at the expense OF
the rights of others? Ministers either sane
tioning the wrong, by blasphemously petit
tioning high Heaven for its aid and blessing
an the waste of human life, or silently con-
niving at these gross outrages upon human
society! Only here and there, like some
twinklinr star amidst the surrounding gloom,
can a parsonage be found of the clerical or
der, speaking out with moral majesty, and
in tones of Christian love, against these here
sizes.
Did not Jesus say, The princes of the
Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
their governors authority; but ii shall not be
so amongst you? Are not ministers, and 9TH
oTs in authority, tenacious In maintaining au-
thority and dominion in the churches, there
by e~vincing more of Gentlleism than Of Chris
GidRity