Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-15

-ut stot rau nuH-s-l1-ea --.t
~
ed little respect for the " traditions of the
fathers" but contented himself with preach
ing peace, love, and purity, and with living
them out in practice. His life has command
cd the admiration Of all who are acquainted
with its history his adherents were his int
,alors-ihey were the Cr,sf0ns Ct the first
century. Clristisa, Vhen, eighteen hundred
years age, was an epithet applied to a small,
despised, hated, prescribed class, remarkable
for The obloquy cast upon it, and for the for
tiiude with which it sustained itself under
hitter and bloody prosecutions, inflicted on it
simply bec,dse it was too transcendentally
excellent to be endured by those il rebuked.
What does Christian mean now 1t is
the aPpella'ion of a large, respected, honor
cd, privileged class, remarkable for claim
ing an orthodoxy of right, and for anathema-
thing all who DO not subscribe TO its inter
rretations and submit to its dictation. Was
the term proper in its original application I
Is it proper now Both. For nearly two
thousand years ii has been the cognomen of
a constantly increasing class which has
branched OF into a thousand notifications,
each with lille resemblance to the original.
But with the changes in The trunk and
branches, the meaning Of the word has
changed. IL has been merely a name to de-
signhte the existing thing it represented for
any and every time being through this series
OF ages. Nothing lcss-nothing more. The
word does not now, nor did it ever, express
a quality. 1t is merely a name, not less so
than John. This was his name in infancy ;
so through boyhood, youth, and manhood,
and he remains TO be John in the imbecility
of old age. Whether he was born an idiot,
or with superior organization, whether care
was bestowed on the cultivation Of his intel
lect, or whether he was permitted 10 grow up
in the absence of charging, enlightening in
huences, whether his life has been a bless
ing 10 those around, or a curse 10 them, and
a burden to himself-his name in these, and
all other %supposable cases, is John. No
Ohc l'N wa IL 10 hIIIpIIldtG u OHt pc
Rod Of life, or for one set of circumstances,
or properties, but not for others. Every one
knows il is simply the name of the locomo-
tive biped which exists before our eyes, just
as it exists now, not as it existed in the past,
or ougM to exist in the present.
Give TO the churches, then, what they ask,
the name Christian. They claim it for the
meritorious character Of their Beliefs and
Ordinances. IL they made the demand on
the ground that their Tires are Christ-like-
that they " do as they would be done unto"
give a prompt and earnest refusal. But they
make no such demand. Consent say
they, "that our creeds are or,hodox-our
views scriptural excuse us from the per-
Torrance Of any duty which may interfere
with our interests or standing in The world,
and we will extend TO you the right hand Of
fellowship" The first part of the requisition
may be conceded without loss, or sacrifice of
principle not so with the last: but demand
their cooperation in Reform labors on other
grounds, even The broad basis Of humanity
and universal brotherhood. Let The Sects
discuss modes Of belief, and manner of ordi-
nances, in their character Of sects, but let
not the value positive or relative OF inexpli-
cable dogmas retard or thwart intelligent ac-
ton for the correction Of known error-the
redress of g%rievous wrong. Give them, then,
what they ask, the name, Christian-give it
10 every sect, and let them agree, il they can,
10 which Of them it is most applicable. Let
the clergy manage the discussion, so that the
laity may have no parlicipancy until after
final settlement. Give TO the Reverends
their present livings with the understanding
that laymen are 10 be exonerated from speak
ing or listening until everything is adjusted
that they must do their own work, for which
they shall receive the stipulated compensa
ton. Ii will keep them busy for a few cen
turtles, and in the meantime other duties ant
other cares will have occupied the time an
attention of their employers, who will hav
seen beyond, and outlived The day of dogmas
and hence will have no use for the decisio
or those who made it.
AMOS GILBERT.
Green Plain Yearly Meeling---DlviSiO