Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-07-06
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, SALEM, O.

T" " spun VI UIOlneIly CO-opeidion lh oNelJ
work of practical righteousness and benevo-
%lence. Retaining The essential principles of
Quakerlsm, it proposed 10 abolish what is
known as the "Select Meeting" or the
meeting of Ministers and Elders, and 10
render the organization more democratic by
placing all its members upon one level Of
rights and %prerogatives, leaving each indi-
vidual to exert the influence which character
alone can confer. The practice of recon-
mending (ordaining) ministers and seating
Them above their brethren, it also proposed
10 abolish, leaving each individual free 10
speak or be silent, according 10 his highest
perceptions Of duty. Proposing no theologi-
cal test, it was designed to form a union Of
all those, Of whatever sect, who desired 10
cooperate in works Of charity and benevo-
lence, on a basis which should allow the
widest freedom of speech in respect to all
subjects on which there might be an honest
difference OF opinion.
The call was responded TO by a large num-
Der Of persons, mostly members of the Cen
esee Yearly Meeting, but including a few
from other parts Of The country, and some
who were net Quakers. Among those in at
tendance from abroad were LucRETlA MORT
Of Philadelphia, (the most eloquent Quaker
minister in the United States, if not in the
worldO NICHOLAS HALLocK Of Milton, and
JOSEPH A.. DUGDALE and RuTH DuoDALE of
Ohio. Contrary to the usual practice Of
Friends, the sessions were not private, but
open 10 anybody who chose TO attend; and
men and women, instead of meeting sepa-
rately, came together in the same room on
terms of perfect equality. The meeting was
organized, according 10 the usual Quaker
practice, by the appointment of no other Of
fcers than Clerks. No question was put 10
vote, but everything was done by general
consent, the CLERKS, after listening to all that
was said by the members, recording what ap-
peafed to them TO be the prevailing wish Of
the meeting. The Clerks were Thomas
McCLINTocK of Waterloo, a well-known
minister and long regarded as one of the
ablest writers in the Society of Friends, and
RHoDA De GARMo of Rochester. Epistles
of sympathy were received from various
meetings and individuals in different parts of
the country, which afforded proof that the
movement is confined to no locality, but has
sprung from a common want among those
who desire to make their religious ofganiza.
tons more truly subservient 10 the progress
Of practical piely and philanthropy. The
name assumed by the meeting, after consid-
cradle discussion, is that of Congregational
Friends.
The discussions were conducted wirT2seot
kindness of spirit, earnestness Of manner,
and, on the part of some, with much ability
and eloquence. LucRETIA Mort delighted
everybody by her simplicity of manner, her
clear perception and fearless u"tlerance of
truth. and her devotedness to the Right.
We have never attended a meeting in
which there was a greater degree of harmony
and brolherly love, or a more earnest devotion
10 Truth and Duty.
The subjects introduced were mostly Of a
practical nature. Intemperance, Slavery, War,
Licentiousness, Land Monopoly, the Rights g.
Wrongs of Women, Priestcraft, Sectarian.
ism, Capital Punishment, &C., all received
some share of attention. A general Address
%(writIen by THOMAS M~cCLINrocK,) setting
forth the views Of the meeting in relation TO
these subjects, and defining the position OF
tOnUrpu9tIOpa Friends in rorroo, 10 ,,,, |
lions of Theology, was unanimously adopted.
Congress was memorialized for the abolition
of Slavery in the District Of Columbia and
the Territories, and the Interstate Slave
Trade, and against The Extension of Slavery
TO California and New Mexico. The Legis-
lature of New-York was memorializcd in op-
position to Capital Punishment.
The spirit of the meeting and the position
it assumed toward Reforms and Reformers |
are best illustrated in an Address, which will
be found in our columns to-day, and to which
we ask the careful attention of every reader.
1t is the frs. time we believe that any Relig-
ious Society has ever spoken a word of
kindness and sympathy TO Reformers, recog-
nizing them as fellow-laborers in The work
Of redeeming the world from error and SIM
The formation of such a Society we renard
as an encouraging omen, and hope the move
ment may be responded 10 by multitudes in
every part of the country. Those who feel
the need of a distinctive religious organiza-
lion, and one which will rot invade the free.
dom of the soul, will do well to study care.
fully the basis of the Congregational Friends.
The proceedings of the Waterloo meeting
will soon be published in pamphlet form,
when all who desire TO do so can obtain