Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-22
COMMUNICATIONS.
Orthodox Yearly Meeting.

meeting has progressed thus far, and have
done no,hing-at least nothing that will tend
to benefit or enlighieu the matchmaking
shat will cause humanity TO rejoice, or the
slave in his chains TO breathe one sigh, or
drop one tear the less. II the world is over
redeemed from lis darkness. and slavery, and
Freedoms triumph hour shall come, it must
be in spite Of any thing that the Friends are
now doing to hasten SO auspicicus a day.
They are wasting risir strength for noughi-
spending time and money. for that which is
Of no utiIily--no Importance, and which can
never avail in directing them into wis
dom's pleasant ways" Not ''for the meat
which endurelh unto everlasting life, but for
that which perishelh," are they laboring and
wasting their breath. AT this %eventful crisis
in the history Of nations, when thrones and
kingdoms are ,o%ltering, and the rdmparts and
bat,lemsnts Of slavery, aud despo;ism are be-
ing so vigorously assniled 10 the old and new
world, and when the friends Of Freedom and
Righteousness, are so urgently needed to ar
ray themselves in this mighty conflict against
the legions of ~despots, AMI their allies-st
such a moment how strange that the Society
Of Fdends, which "sets itself up as the light
Of the world" Gods peculiar people,"
should be quarreling about Gurneyism and
WilbeTisn. Like children, they are play
ing on the sea-shore amid the sand and dirt,
and disputing about their tiny play-things,
instead of looking abroad upon oceans wide
expanse, and admiring The glory and magni-
t%cence, spreading GU above and around them
in illimitable beauty, and preparing tleir bark
to set sail upon the Sea OF Reform, to be waf-
ted by the breezes Of Progression to the
Haven Of Peace.
1t was thought by several that there would
be a division this year, bat the indications
are, thus far that they will still hang together
a while longer; though there has been a
great deal Of wrAngling and contention about
very small matters. The elements Of dis
cord, ignorance, superstition and s~ectarian
p~artyism are at work and will ultimately rehd
them a~sunder, for they cannot harmonize nor
co-alece.
The meeting is very large this year,
What they can see to interest them is a mat
ter Of wonder to me. Their meetings. SO far
as | have attended them, have been exceed
ingly dry and undressing : though | have
only attended their public meetings, not be-
ing allowed to sit during any other, they
having thrown me overheard some years ago.
Their preaching has been abstract mystical
and uninstructive, advising TO keep in the
good old way" and TO be very cautious in
this day Of commotiou, not to follow after the
" Lo, heres and the Lo, there's" Their bu-
siness meetings Of course have had the va
riety of w%rangling and disscnsion.
Some are bound together in this society,
as in all others perhaps, by social influence,
some by pecuniary influence, and others by
religious influences, Of which the last are
the fewest number. The love Of power and
distinction however hasits influence. know
many who have no faith in these organiZa-
tons for promoting Christianity, but who
only belong to Them foF popularity and social
and pecuniary advantage. Some have been
honest enough to tell me so.
Fyfh dag afternoon, Sept. 6.-IIave just
returned from another sitting. Several spoke,
gave uttelance to words which meant little
though one or two new speakers made their
appearance, Sina Ann Mcclure. Of New
Brighton, and a young man whose name l
have forgotten. Sina Ann, told them that
their dissension, arose not from the love
Of Christianity or truth, but from party spirit
and love Of power" The last sermon was
very brief and peremptory; that Of the young
man alluded to above; he arose and said
Z" behold, I command you in The name IF AZ
mighty God 10 stand stiY, and look 10 me a.
ione.'
1t is very obvious that the sectarian amino
sity is becoming more virulent, and the party
: lines more distinctly drawn. Were there no
property involved, | think they would dis
solve at once, though the loosing Of numbers
2 doubtless causes some to hesitate. This af-
t%ernoon will probably determine the result.
/; II was thought that the matter Of contention
for the present, was disposed of, but yester-
day they could do nothing, and one person
) moved that they adjourn Till The usual time
2 next year. | will add mOre after the adj
journment.
5 Sirth day afternoon, Sept. Swell, thu
meeting passed yesterday in a frui,less eff
fort to proceed with their regular business
y and having adjourned till ten o'clock to-day
II they met and have been iaUing and wrang
d ling ever since thus having spent nearly
;; five days without doing any business or al
g. least very little. Five days have been spent
4 by a large BODY Of men in dispniing about
:" matters Of no importance, chiefly upon the