Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-06-09


course of his many trials while a member Of
Indiana Yearly Meeting, his convictions on
this subject deepened and strengthened, and
were expressed in a letter to his friend, John
Mott, of Michigan, only a few months previ-
Gus to his death, in the following language:
"Thp mischievous continuance of Ordina-
ton, the early Friends bore a faithful tesii-
muny against, but that testimony was let fall
when they began TO recommend Ministers,
and appoint Elders. This mode of Ordina-
ton differs only in form from that of other
sects. The results are the same. The Office
in all is 10 establish a privileged class, out of
which will eventually grow a mercenary
Priesthood, and a sycophantlc people. Mo-
new is not the only item of a Priests wages.
Flattery is the most delicious food to a weak
and aspiring mind. And what, | ask, can
pratify an inordinate selt-esteem more than
TO be thus raised to the pinnacle OF the temple
by those whose ear is in turn pleased by hear
ing from the gallery or sacred DESK the
beautiful sounds Of eloquent oraiory! What
a temptation is here presented for weak, vain
mortals, to steal the livery OF heaven, and
make it pander to their own low ambition.
But let us, my dear friend, spend our little
remaining energies in striving to demolish
those Images, set up by our modern Nebuc-
habnezzars, and rear in their place a standard
with this inscription, Salvation is OF God our
Creator who seeth not as man seeth. He
has promised to be the teacher of his people
himself-requiring that all shodld use the
talents committed TO their care to promote his
glory, and bring about a state of peace on
earth and good will to mankind, by doing
good to each other. Commanding us to
let our light so shine before men that they
seeing our good works, may glorify Him our
Father in Heaven. Therefore, let our watch
word be, no secresy, no prescription, light
and love will redeem the world"
His removal to Indiana was in 1882. In
'34 the Declaration of sentiments Of the Amer
lean Anti-Slavery Society appeared; and it
cheered our spirits to see the stand they had
taken, and the labor they prolessed to engage
in. 1t revived our hopes. lie assisted in
organizing societies, and made way for lee
turers; also encouraged young men who in
the freshness Of feeling on first awakening TO
the subject seemed prepared to speak profta'
bly, thereon. His house was open to all the
friends of the cause, as many can testify who
partook of his hospitality; and our meeting
house at Goshen was never refused, though
at Richmond, where the Monthly Meeting
was held, they did not allow theirs TO be thus
occupied. He continued to attend the Month
ly Meetings, where a disposition to dlsown
their members being very prevalent, he was
often led to expostulate with them, desiring
the Discipline administered in the spirit of
rather than scatter. But a rumor had been
raised that he wished to destroy order, and
the word "Order" seemed 10 have become
an Idol among them. They were Jealous of
his proposition TO dispense with select meet
ings and they kept up the cry of "Order,"
and sighted all labor of love 10 prevent dis.
ownments, till at length he became impress
ed with "A belief that all accommodation
was wrong, being an emanation of the spirit
of Anti Christ, and for prosecuting purposes
He'would plead, that we ought TO labor al
ways, and not cast any off; that we should
be willing to bear som burdens often citing
the parable of "the lost sheep which the
shepherd would bear on his shoulders %rejoic'
ing.
While these were his thoughts and feel
ings towards all, even the criminal in prison
preparations were making to disown him.
Committees were appointed to visit and re
visit our Preparative Meeting, and they pro
, duced a Minute from a called Meeting TO
! SufTerings," requiring us TO forbid the use o
, our meeting house 10 anti-slavery lecturers
r warning us against mixing with the world,
while they were all the while actively engag
v ed in political maneuvers, and every schem'
promising the requirement of wealth and pow
2 er. They also required that none of our mem
beers should lecture on what they termed III
S popular reforms of the day. These command
U he deemed grievous infringements of hi
rights, and the cry of mixing with the world
had notbeen able to deter him from attendin
d to his apprehensions OF duty. They proceed
d ed to lay down our Preparative, and attach
n to their own, without which they could ne
If take up a complaint against him. Then hay
d ing Gone all in their power, they made up
complaint, and having gone through the form
issued a testimony Of disownment agains
4, him. He appealed TO the Quarterly Meetin!
t, no, TO contend for privileges which were II
longer desirable, but to exhibit their bigolr
J. and intolerance, and was looking towart
n moving it 10 the Yearly Meeting, believin
it to be his duty to arouse the minds of Il
;. people 10 the inloads and aggressions of SCI
d tarianism. But at this period he was attacI
ed with a fever which prevailed in the coul