Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-04-06

as a 1901 or a mdoHldD' lne lew seeuS VI
an,i.slavery truth that were here and there
scattered, yielded but a scanty harvest, and
it was not until 1927 that a religious society
was bold enough and pure enough TO cay
aught in opposition to the accursed traffic on
the African coast; and then the subject was
discussed in the London Yearly Meeting Of
Friends, and the disapprobation of the Socie-
ty to it was recorded upon the minutes. So
little was known Of the true character Of the
trade, and so carefully were its crimes and
enormities concealed from a knowledge Of all
who were suspected of being unfavorable to
it, that it was not until 1858 that the subject
was brought more prominently before its
members by means of its annual epistle, in
which we find the following language:
We ~fervently warn all in profession with
us that they carefully avoid being any way
concerned in reaping the unrighteous profits
arising from the Ubiquitous practice OF dealing
in negro or other slaves whereby, in the
original purchase one nan selleih another, as
he doth the beasts that perish, without any
better pretensions 10 a property in him than
that of superior force in direct violation Of
the gospel rule, which teacheth all TO do as
they would be done by, and TO do good to
all being the reverse Of that c~ovetous dispo-
sition which furnisheth encouragement 10
those poor ignorant people TO perpetuate their
savage wars, in order to supply the demands
of this most unnatural ira fic, by which great
numbers of mankind, free by nature, are sub
iect to nextricable bondage and which hath
often been observed to fill their possessors
with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury and bar
barity corrup,ing the minds and debasing
the morals Of their children, 10 the unspeaka-
BILE prejudice Of religion and virtue, and to
the exclusion Of that holy spirit Of universal
love, meeknass and charity, which is the un-
changeable nature and glory of true Christi
anity. We therefore can do no less than,
with the greatest earneslness impress it upon
Friends every where, that they endeavor to
keep their hands clean of this unrighteous
gain of oppression"
Three years afterward, the Friends took a
yet more decided stand, being willing to
move forward as the light of Truth shone
moro clearly upon their pathway. From
warning, they proceed to rebuke and ex-com-
munication, as illness the following extract
from Tue minutes Of the London Yearly
Meeting.
This meeting having reason to appre-
bend that divers under our name are con.
cerned in the unchristian traffic in negroes.
doth recommend it earnestly to the care of
Friends every where to discourage, as much
as in them lies, a practice SO repugnant 10
our christian profession. and to deal with all
such as shall persevere in a conduct SO re-
proachful to Christians and to disown them
if they desist not therefrom."
In l763-two years afterward-they ex-
tended this rule of Discipline to all who
should aid or abet the trade in any manner.
The first petition presented TO Parliament
f asking for the abolition of the African slave
trade, emanated from The London Yearly
Meeting. That body also printed and circu-
f lated various publications upon The subject,
and took especial pains to introduce them to
the Legislators of the land, and into the
schools and academies. The agitation thus
commenced continued 10 spread-the fires Of
r liberty then lighted burned brighter and
brighter; and the labors of early Friends for
p the abolition Of the slavetrade, laid a broad
= platform upon which their successors stood
=. and m~anfuliy bailled Tor the destruction Of
British colonial slavery, and triumphed, as
n their fathers had %Hiumphed over the traffic in
negroes.
AIthou Oh the society was thus active ip
a lis official capacity, Friends, as individuals,
were not content 10 remain idle. They felt
that the work was one that called upon them
. TO put forth every energy, to exert themselves
, in every possible way for its furtherance; and
o accordingly so early as 1888 they formed an
g association-the first ever organized in Eng
land-for the promotion of this cause. Their
first meeting was held in July of that year,
+ when--as the record states--"t they assem-
d bled 10 consider what steps they should take
!, for the relief and Liberation of the negro
e slaves in the West Indies, and for the dis
o couragemeni of the slavetrade upon the coast
Of Africa"
e This society made the press an efficient
g agent; they scattered their publications far
s and wide; gained access 10 many of tho
It public papers, and appointed their members
in turn TO write for them. Their example
e stimulated others to good deeds, and four
0 years afterward another association was or.
ganlzed composed of both Churchmen and
: Dissenters, ''who," says Clarkson, " forgo,
their difference of religious opinions, and
! Joined their hands all over the kingdom in