Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-10

'A" " H'fVihl SlllIlt lldl we nave l1lIeTlV
sern Indications Of a growing zeal in the
cause of the slave, among some protesting
Christians. We desire TO encourage these
in well-doing, and to this end may be excus-
ed for abiding to the example of our own re-
ligious society, which, for the greater part of
a century, has borne a practical testimony
against this great system of wickedness and
cruelty.
Drawn into the practice Of slave-keepinp
at a time when it was not viewed as wrong
by tire generality Of Christians, the Society
OF Friends early discerned It's i~niquity, and
raised its voice against it. The work began
with individuals, who were first led to see
the great wrong Of the system; aud, 10y a
faithful adherence to the unerring guide, they
were enabled TO labor abundantly for the con-
vehement and reclamation of their fellow
members who were concerned in it. The
service of those who, from a sense Of reli-
gious duty, were, from time to time, engaged
in this great work, consisted often in private
individual labor with those of their brethren
who held slaves. These were visited at
their own houses-were labored with at their
own firesides; and, although these visits Of
love were not always kindly received, and
were sometimes very trying and painful, vet
He, at whose bidding they went forth, often
made a way for them, when there appeared
no way and rs they evinced a spirit Of meek
ness and self-denial therein, seeking for them
selves no earthly reward, a favorable impress
sion was generally made, even on minds in
ured TO the system from habit and education,
and often blinded by self-interest and preiu-
dice. And in our religious assemblies, these
faithful laborers failed not in the same spirit
OF meekness and wisdom, to urge upon their
iellow-members the abandonment of a system
so Taught with woe, until at length it was
made a disownable offence. and the Society
was cleared of all participation in it. SO sue
cesslul had been the labors bestowed, that,
comparatively. but few actual d~isownments
took place. Nearly all who had been con-
cerned In slavery gave freedom to their slaves,
and even, In many cases, made them remu-
neration for their past services.
This sketch is given with no view TO arro-
gate anything to ourselves above others It'll
the labor of a past and honored generation,
under the direction, as we reverently believe,
OF the divine teaching and for ourselves we
only desire to lie enabled to follow them as
they followed Christ. But we are brought
to the serious and very important inquiry,
whether, if all the different religious denomi-
nations in our land would take the same
ground which they took, and faithfully main
tam 1t, the system of slavery, with its host
OF concomitant vices and crimes, could with
stand their united efforts. We verify believe
1t could not. How great, then, almost be-
yond expression, is the responsibility resting
upon them, that they should no longer turn
a deaf ear to the signing of the bondman; but
remembering his deep distress and degrada-
ton as themselves bound with him, that they
should use their great influence for his dis
enthrallment, and the aInelioration and i'm
provement of his condition! May they be
encouraged to enter into this labor, and TO per-
severe faithfully therein; knowing that their
reward shall be sure from Him who has said,
"lnasmuch as ye have ministered unto these
the least of my brethren, We have ministered
unto me-" elf we know these things,'' said
our blessed Savior, "haPpy are ye if We do
them" NO mere profession Of religion, no
acknowledgment Of the doctrines of the Cos
pei, nor yet the practice of a round of religious
observances, will avail anything, so long as
there is an unwillingness to do the divine
will, and the fruits Of righteousness be want
ing; For He hath showed thee, O man
what is good and what doth the Lord re-
quire of thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God %
Far better is it to be in fellowship with those
who, though few in number, are walking by
this rule, than with those who can boast of
numbers, wealth and influence, if the gain of
oppression is in their hands; for the cry oil
the oppressed reaches the ear of him who be-
holds with an equal eye all the children oil
men, and who will be avenged on the oppres-
sor, however high may be his pretensions to
religion.
In feeling ourselves constrained to revive
and give forth this our earnest testimony and
remonstrance against slavery, we are far from
a disposition TO do the STAKEHOLDER any wrong,
but, on the contrary it is with the s%inceresl
desire 10 promote both his temporal and eter.
nal welfare, which we conceive to be mosI
intimately dependant upon his reIinquishmen
of so nnTighteous a system. Oh, that the
conviction might strike deep into his heart
that he is verify guilty concerning his bro
ther," and, under a sense of duty and long
deferred justice, that he might be induced tC
give freedom 10 the injured bondman-tC
%"loose the bands of wickedness, undo the
heavy burdens, break every yoke, ard let the
oppressed 90 free !" If this should happily
be done in a spirit Of true and unfeigned re-
p%entance towards God, then might we no
hope that the now impending judgments o.
the Most High over this land might even We
be turned away.
Signed, by direction and on behalf of the
Meeting for SufTerings of New England Year
ly Meeting Of Friends, held at New Bedford
on the thirty-frSt of Third month, lS47.
GEORGE F. READ,
Clerk.
"HERE BE TRUTHs."-The n. o. Ma