Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-04-14
COMMUNICATIONS.
LEEsvILLE, April LIST, 1918.
SeCtarian Developments.

There are local matters with Which the
public hive little 10 do, and can have no pos
sible interest in such matters | think should
never occupy the columns Of ii general paper,
especially if there is anything of general in
terest 10 record. Bat the Developments of
a universal principle in any given locality
ought to be watched aud presented that hui
manity may have data by which TO determine
its progress. This village for the past year
has presented nearly every phase of opposi-
ton to freedom Of speech and the right of
discussion. With SOME forms Of that oppo-
sition you are well acquainted. But had !
time to write at length the procedure of in
dividuals and associations fer the past few
weeks or months, | could eli several numbers
of the Bugle. | design in this communion
ton to give a very brief outline of the course
pursued by the churches here towards the
advocates Of freedom as well as the cause IL
cell.
And by the way, l would premise that
there are three churches in this place, viz
cps. DIClH', ITOL' bitiH', be' Ahef"'-
This trinity has apparently formed a unity
for some time past, as the sequel will show,
for the overthrow OF mans dearest right
LIBERTY. Ever since the Spirit CT Liberty
has assumed an organized capacity in this
village, the utmost efforts have been used tC
break up that organization, especially by
shutting up every avenue 10 those who were
in the habit of speaking in public. The NJ
f. Church first used lis efforts by preaching
against US as infdcls, &c.-thcn incarcera-
ting one of our number, and lastly by making
a vile attack upon the personal character O
one of our esteemed friends, which was mt
on the spot, and tdumphantly refuted.
Since that time the din Of war has been in
another direction. Quite d number Of The
members of the Wesleyan Church, botf
male and female, had Joined the Sons and
Daughters of Freedom, while two or three
of the SAINT church were violently opposed
10 the Society. A majority of the Trustees
closed the house. An appeal was made tc
the members o. The church, who almost unan
imously reversed the decision of The Trustee;
and opened the house, which was used io
the above named purpose. This, of course
gave deep umbrage to the would'be rulers 0
the synagogue. Something must be done o
spiritual despotism is at an end. Durini
this time the preacher seemed to take but lii
tie part in The matter, evincing a friendly spi
=. -~I -. tIa n tipln nrpanhinn som
tolerably liberal sentiments. After a FEY
weeks Of tits policy, seeing the member
becoming more and more lnhued with tn
love of investigation, and in proportion OF
of love with unreasonable, unchristian an
unmeaning forms and observances, he foun
it necessary to change tactics-a p~ro,racte
meeting was held which failed to work OF
salvation for The members Of the church,
The state of things remained about the sam
for some we, ks. N. n. Selby and j. W
Walker preaching and l%ecturing in the churc
occasionally wheH not used by the Wesley
ans.
During my absence, a few weeks since, r'
course was had again TO the potent means
a protracted meeting. A Mr.. Porter, an e'
Congregational Minister, who unders'au
is knocking for admitIance al the Wesleya
door. was On hand to do the preaching. Il
was faithful on the all absorbing points
theology at these times, viz; lnfdeliiy' Ga
risonianism, Comeoutism, French Revol
tionism, &C., &C., &c. Every attempt WI
made to induce the members to withdra
from the .Freedom Society" Secret or Pl
yate meetings were held, our views held I
as dangerous and unchristian' and all that
i was declared that the members mu