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

The following Testimony against slavery
is from the (so-called) Wilbu:ite Society of
Friends iu New England, issued by the re-
representatives. Of their late Yearly Meeting.
1t is an opportune publication, and we COM
mend it to the Friends of all parties, in this
State.
We have felt it a duty incumbent upon us,
al this time, TO revive our religious testimo-
ny against the iniquitous system of slavery.
The present peculiar and alarming condition
Of our country, in its relation TO this ~feariully
important subject, has awakened in our minds
feelings Of deep sOlicitude and we desire TO
give forth a faithful and honest expression Of
our concern and travail therein, with no other
than a tervent hope that we may be found la
boring, according to our ability, for the pro-
motion of that peace on earth, and good sill
TO men, which characleriZes tue gospel Of our
blessed Redeemer.
The considerations growing out Of this mo-
mentous subject are such as overwhelm MS
with sorrow, and fill us with the liveliest APP
prehensions for our country's welfare. The
enormous wrong of slavery not only still con-
tinues in this highly protesting land but,
Notwithstanding the many noble examples
and testimonies against it, and the indelati-
gable labors Of christians and philanthropis;s
thoAN yeas tl no JllAAt IL 10 sun AllNlNi-
plying It's victims, and even now is seeking
by violence and blood, to enlarge its borders.
The desolating scourge of war. with its host
of revolving crimes and horrors, has been car
ried by this nation, into the heart Of a neigh
boring Republic, with the uRdisguised pur.
pose of despoiling it Of a large portion Of its
territory, and, as seems evident from the cir
cumstances by which it is marked, with a
view to re-establish slavery where it has all
ready been abolished by a less enlightened
people. The slave-trade, the adherence OF
all good men, is carried on in the midst of
our country. From the border slave States
TO the far South and Southwest, the vessels
of the slave-trader regularly ply, laden with
youthful victims reared like cattle for the
market. All the tender ties of kindred and
home are unfeelingly sundered, and they are
bound, and tasked, and tortured, under the
oppressor's lash, in a distant clime-and this
with the sanction and under the protection of
the laws.
Such is the sorrowful spectacle which this
professedly christian land now exhibits be-
fore the world. How great a reproach to the
Christian name, and how widely opposite, in
all its features, TO the Christian character!
Instead of love to our n~eighbor, a system of
robbery and outrage upon him. Instead OF
eudeavoring to raise the colored man up from
his degradation and woe, the foot is ruthless
ly placed upon his neck, preventing even his
own efforts for improvement. Throughout
the whole land, whether bond or free, he is
subjected TO an invetetate prejudice against
his color and his race, which lies as an incu-
bus upon him scarcely less cruel than slavery
itseIf. Shall there De no end to oppression
like this! How long shall the crushed bond
man in vain appeal to a professedly christian
people for relief! How long shall he be rank
ed with the brute that perisheth by his broth
er man! Shall this devoted country contin-
ue always forging chains for the bondman's
limbs, and putting shackles on his mind !
Will not the Lord in righteousness visit for
these things twill he not be avenged on
such a nation as this? Oh that we may Law
these things to heart, and be wise before the
Judgments of the Most High come heavily
upon us!
But how shall this deep-rooted evil be over
come? What power is potent enough 10
Withstand its encroachments, and to turn back
its overwhelming tide?
The Christians panoply alone is sufficient
for these things. BY the prevalence of Chris
tianity in its purity, by the power of the Cos
pei which shall soften the hard hearts and
overcome the stern resolves of wicked men,
this monstrous evil must be met, if at all, and
turned hack in its course. The weapons of
the Christians warfare are not carnal, hut
spiritual and mighty through God TO the pull
ing down of the strongholds of sin and Sa-
tan. In proportion as the pure and undefiled
religion of Christ prevails, slavery as well as
every other crime and species Of ~iniquity will
be overcome.
We desire, then, to encourage all those
who feel constrained to exert themselves for
A. -or,hsou of .hi. 90 6 z..-.z:z-
and for the bringing in Of a better day, that
they should labor in the ability that Christ
gixeth them remembering that all things,
even the hearts of the slave-masters, are in
The hands of Him who can accomplish His
purposes in a manner marvellous TO the sons
of men, and who will yet, we verify believe,
make bare His arm for the deliverance of the
captive, and the opening Of the prison-doors
10 them that are bound.
And especially would we call win earnest.
ness upon those who are making profession
of the name of Christ, in the different reli.
gious denominations in this land, to enter in.
to a serious consideration of their RESPONSE.
bilities and their duty in regard to this evil.
We are constrained to say that far too much
apathy to the sufferings and claims of the
down-trodden slave, has hitherto prevailed
among these bodies; nay more, most of them
are still implicated in the oppressor's guilt
by participating, either directly or indirectly
in his deeds. Some seem to have been re-
strainedifrom the performance of their duty
herein, by the apprehension that the agitation
of this question would mar that harmony so
desirable among brethren of the same reli-
gious faith. But it must be remembered,
that, if slavery is seen to be repugnant to the
spirit and plecepts of Christianity, no society
which ~tolerates it can Justly claim to be call
ed the church of Christ; for that church is
declared to be without spot or wrinkle, or
any such thing" That is but a mere out
ward harmony, worse than valueless, false
and delusive in its character, which is gained
BY the sacrifice OF principle. But it has been