Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-12-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
Noes from the LCcturing Field.

In compliance with the request of the FIX
Committee, ! take up my pen TO note
some things connected with our labors in the
great work Of emancipation. For some time
past have been deeply impressed with the
thought that could, even, the mass of the
members Of pro-slavery churches be reached
by the truth, they would receive 1t. Espe.
cially if that truth could be presented in the
presence Of their ministers, or shepherds, and
they unable 10 gainsay or refute it. | knew
Of but one course TO reach the parties alluded
to-that was, 10 go to them and TO gain ac-
cess TO them in that way appeared very doubt
full. There was one way of settling the point,
viz. to try them. And as charity begins at
home," | thought it would be well to begin
there. A "protracted meeting" was COM
menced by the Episcopal Methodists the
week before we left home, to the 'Love-feast'
Of which friends Selby, Curtis and myself,
went-that is, we went to the place where
the Love-feast was to be performed. We
were each refused admission. ] inquired up
on what grounds we were refused. The
door-keeper said we were improper charac-
tiers. How so! We had ~slandered the
church, was the reply. | tried to convince
him that their Pastor (sheep-keeper,) had
invited all serious persons, and would they
say that ! was not a serious %personl lie
had invited seekers of religion and | was
seeking religion. But it was no use. The
: Rev. Archibold, trembling with rage, de-
clared if | was let in, he would not enter. /
suppose he thought that if | was allowed in
side, the sheep would be scattered and there
would be an end both of the fleece and mutton.
After a good deal of discussion between the
fold-keeper, the shepherd, Mr.. McAbee, our
&c., they forced to the door, pushing
me out Of the church into the world, in which
my house fortunately stands.
AT eleven o'clock, we returned to what bad
been announced as a public meeting,' and
there was every evidence tina, the meeting
was deemed dn important one. There were
two ministers in tue pulpit, two in the altar,
and others in the house, | am informed. Du-
ring prayer, the minister very f~ervently pray
ed, to which the people f~ervently responded,
that if they were wrong, God would show
it to them | thought | would treat them as
sincere persons, and rose to show them where
in they were deeply in error. But they soon
convinced me that their prayers were mocke-
ry, and their appeals 10 God blasphemy; for
scarcely had | opened my mouth, before all
was confusion and discord. Ministers, class
leaders and members rose on their feet, some
crying one thing, some another, the most pre-
dominant sounds being, put him OUT &c.
One of the leading members seized me with
both hands, declaring if / did not take my
seat, he would drag me out. After a time,
the preacher turned me over 10 Judge Cum
Minis, who commanded Inc 10 take my seat.
| told them they were the assailants, and
should take their seats. They did so, and
wher ] had said what | wanted to say, under
the circumstances, | took my seat also.
After Divine worship | spoke kindly to
the brother who seized me in the church, and
told him his course was not exactly christian
when in the presence of several persons, he
drew back, put himself in a fighting position
clenched his hand, and said, "If it had no
been that | respected the house of the Lord
| would have buried those glasses in you
eyes," Never have | seen more OF the spiTi
of hate and revenge exhibited; never did
see a mob SO fully evangelical, or one tina
seemed so ferocious. You know | have no
heretofore formed a very high estimate G
thai and kindred man-stealing churches, bu
| really did not think they We're so bad.
f Still do not blame the peorh lie, they hav
, been taught thus to act. The time will com
when even they will feel the cheering Iigl
of truth dawning into the dark and gloom
l chambers of the soul. The chief priests tol
I the people to cruelty Christ, and liberate tn
thief, and so the same class have put 10 to
ture the truth from that hour to this, and wi
continue the same course SO long as their elias
and craft remain.
In the afternoon friends Selby, Curtis an
myself held a meeting in the Wesleyan hous
which has always been opened to us witho
1 let or hindranGe, at which the position al
. character Of the prosiavery religion underwe
u examination. The above meeting had son
influence, / trust, in guarding some again
the designs of the clergy in holding the pr
Z tracted meeting. My soul is filled with u
utterable loathing when | contemplate Il
l. character of the men who lead s~Israel's host
II Well, the people always have been duped
le their priests; they seem to love it.; it seeI
almost natural. Perhaps after all, The peoI
IN were made to be befooled, and we are fig
e. ing against destiny; still it looks wrong.
a Yours, w.
~ November eth, 1877.