Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-10-05
NO. A..
The Conflict Of Truth with St,iurianism.
FisHISo CREEK, Lancaster Co.,
Pa. 9 mo. I. 1850.

Ng BRLovED FRIKND know the intense in
tsrest thee feels in the cause of human freedom
and religious liberty. I am therefore induced
70 withdraw for few minutes from tho social
circle by which we are surrounded and commu.
cate somewhat with thee. We have now
urned our faces westward, and after attending
apublic meeting here tomorrow morning shall
proceed directly on our way.
lsft home more on pecuniary business than
any thing else, but have found demand occa-
sionslly for meeting, and being deeply inter-
ssted in all that pertains to our progress as in
dividuals and a race, have been delighted to
mingle with the people in their assemblies.-
Thee understands my position touching our
rights in all the undivided bodies Of the Friends.
We claim never to have surrendered our claims
upon the Society. The bigots of Indiana Year
ly Meeting outraged our rights, and We grew
into Yearly Meeting with oil the immunities
and sovereign rights Of any annual meeting of
Quakers. This idea is beginning to be under
stood. The opposcrs of reform war against it
with an unmannerly real, but the people who
hear the truth gladly arc easily induced TO be-
lievc the right, and they stand fast in the love
Of liberty.
believe l told thee we attended several
meetings in the limits Of the New York Year.
ly Meeting, among them that of Jericho where
the vcrerated Elias Hicks so often proclaimed
the word with JUNCTION and power. We were
joined here by Rowland Johnson, who also spoke
in tho meeting words of hope and cheer. We
rejoiced to listen to his outspoken testimony
The friends there treated us with marked kind
ness. Although they had heard of US turn
ing Israel upside down with our hcresics, yet
we were welcomed to their hearts and homes.
We visited the grave where the mortal remains
Of the clairvoyant rcformor lay, who in his pro-
found wisdom said, ~ perceive in the light of
truth there will be new and advanced rcvela-
tions beyond what or the people of this gen.
Grafton arc able to bear" Wherefore he rcfus-
ed to write any thing that would prevent these
onward movements. His oldest daughter, now
more than 70 years Of age, presented me with
white linen handkerchief, with the name Of
Elias Hicks written upon it more, perhaps, than
half century ago. We were deeply interested
in learning from his daughter some of the incl
dents of his carly life, especially those relative to
slavery. 1t appears he opposed the agitation of
the subject IN the Society, and when the COM
mittec visited his father, he opposed them earn
estly; but, becoming convinced, he became a
jealous advocate of freedom. We visited his
mansion, which has now passed out of the fa-
mily but is kept in neat repair. The trees he
planted are growing in majesty and beauty, like
the scsd Of truth no scattered with such man
ly zeal. John Ketchum and wife, and Joseph
Post and his Mary, arc among the faithful and
great hearted on this lovely Island.
When commenced writing, however, 1
meant to have alluded particularly to the rcli-
gious movement in Chester Co., Pa. After our
return from Western New York, attended the
Western Quarterly Meeting, which usually seats
1900 pcrsons-the largest Quarterly Meeting in
the United States. 1t so happens that consid-
erable of the gallery influence goes for freedom.
Here il was that the indomitablc S. S. Foster
met with such rough treatment some years ago.
] was invited forward and seated where stran-
gers in the ministry arc usually placed. l felt
impressed to speak, and did so with great free
dom, comparing the ecclesiastical systems Of the
present day to the pyramids of Egypt in which
are found skeletons of dead bodies embalmed for
generations, yet without tho living principle of
life.
The sins Of the age, War, Slavery, Intempcr-
anec, the Wrongs of Woman, &C., were alluded
to, and the divinity of the Love Principle pro-
claimed with an earnest solicitudo that l hope
was not unavailing During the business or
Discipline meeting, objections were made to my
sitting by ono of the Elders. Tho meeting was
found to be greatly divided in opinion.
strong current of sympathy for truth was evil
IDENTIFY felt. OF course made few remarks
by way Of explanation, and remained in the
meeting. Since that time have attended a
considerable number of the regular First day
meetings, all Of which have been large, and in
on the church and church government, without
meeting with amy other opposition than an occa-
sional side shot from some minister who feared
"tho roios Of tho stranger would be moro needed
than that Of the true shepherd"
There is a noble band of uncompromising
lovers of religious liberty here. Among them
are tho Prcstons, Barnards, Coateses, Pennocks,
Lamborns, Pcnnocks, Coxes, Mendcnhalls, IFus-
sels, &C., &c. attended the monthly meeting
at Old Kennett. Those opposed to the Anti
Slavery agitation objected to my presence with
unrelenting hostility, while two-thirds of the
meeting, should think, welcomed mo cordial
ly. Imade concise statement of our position
and staid the meeting through Subsequently
thee may have noticed call in the Pennsylva-
mia Freeman for religious Conference to be
held at Kennett Square. Thismceting occurred
one week ago. Several came from a considcra-
bic distance among them o. Scholfcld, J. Long
shore, Martha Chapman, and William LLOYD