Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-05-04

Basis Of Religious Association,
adopted at the Conference held at Far.
mington, in the Stale of New York, on
tie 9Th and 7h Of ION month, 1913.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE MAY COME.
Beloved Brethren and Sisters :-Hav-
ing, pursuant TO adjournment, in The 9Th
month last, again met, to consider what
measures i, will be right 10 adopt, that
the blessings Of Religious Society may
be placed within the reach of all, our
minds have been led into an examina-
ton of religious association in general.
In looking at this subject, melancholy
evidences present on every hand, that
societies or church organizations, osten.
sibly for the promotion Of religion, have
been among the greatest im%pediments to
lis progress, and the most fruitful sour
ces Of tyranny and oppression. But,
while we feel that these facts should lead
TO the utmost care in regard to the prin-
ciples permitted TO enter into their siruc.
ture, we are abundantly assured that
these results are their abuse, not their
necessary attendants-the consequence
Ot the admission into them of clemens
hostile to mans nature, his duties, and
inalienable rights. Religious association
has manifeslly its foundation in the re.
ligious and social clemens of the human
mind-principIes powerful and constant
in our nature, and most benefcent in
their legitimate action. We are made
pre-eminently social beings. From the
exercise Of the social principles of our
nature, flow all the reciprocal benefits,
all the countless offices of love and kind
ness, which strew with blessings the path
Of life. Not only in the physical, but
especially in the higher departments of
mans nature-lhe moral and religious,
we behold the working of this beauti-
full and benefcent economy i'm the
%mingling of sympathies and affections =
in imparting 10 each other the treasures
of the intellect, the conscience, the reli.
gious feelings; in united aspirations TO,
and reverence and alteration of the Su.
preme Being.
10 attain these social religious bene-
fits in the highest degree, assemblies are
needed these require arrangement, time,
manner, as well MS object; in short, or
ganization, or understood modes Of ac-
tion. We need only that these be wise
and righl-not conflicting with mans
prerogatives, nor Gods.
The object of religious association NAV
be defined in brief to be, the promotion
of righteousness-of practical goodness,
love TO God and man-on the part Of
every member composing the association,
and in the world at large. So far as il is
instrumental TO this end, it is Christian,
a blessing TO the community in which it
exists. So far as il is not thus instru-
mental, its non-existence were desirable.
10 promote this objecr there must be a
practical conformity TO the Divine laws,
the principles of the association must
be in harmony with the principles Of The
Divine government. For righteousness
is none other thar the result of these
Iaws-the exemplifcation of these prin.
ciples in the actions of moral agents.
Man is made 10 sustain a relation of an
intelligent accountable agent under the
Supreme Intelligence; has the law of
God written on the conscious powers of
his soul stands in such c~onliguitv TO
Omnipresent God as to have immediate
ly revealed TO him Gods will regarding
him. This is THE FUNDAMENTAL FACT IN
RELIGION that which constitutes a man
a subject of Gods moral governments
the foundation of his hopes, of his &C.
countability. This revelation of Gods
will to him he feels and knows,to be per-
sonal-his accountability personal and
not transferable, lhough connecting him
in obligation, and binding him by kindred
ties with the whole family of man. Yet,
as absolutely personal and individual as
though he and God were alone in the
Universe. Hence his conscience must
be kept sacred in its devotion and allie
glance to God, from whomthe law comes.
No laws nor institutions of men, should
restrict this individual exercise of con-
science, of responsibility. The only re-
s~triction that can be Christian or lawful
in this momentous matter, in the terms
of association, is the admission of The
obvious principle, that no pretext of
conscience can be valid which violates
the equal rights of others, or any of the
Interchangeable principles of moral obi.
gaiion, which are primary to conscience,
and by which, in the Divine order, il is
to be governed.
Liberty of conscience, then-the re.
cognilion of the right of every member
10 act in obedience 10 the evidence of
Divine Light, in its present and progress
sive unloldings of truth and duty TO The
mind, must be a fundamental principle
in every right organization. That this
perfect liberty of conscience, is the right
of every SAN and accountable human
being, appears from several other consi.
derations. Mankind partake of the vari.
ely which every where marks the Crea-