Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-07-06
Preamble and Resolutions,

ed and adopted, by the CHnsrIAN ANrr-l /
SLAVERY CONVENTION, in the city of Gin
cinnati, April the 18th, 18th, 10Th, and
Goth, 1850. q
Whereas, the Gospel was designed to,pro-
note the wcll-bcing of man, both temporarily
and spiritually; and Jesus Christ himself set
Iorth not only the principles, but the mode
Of action by which the human race were to
be benefited, distinctly announcing that he
came TO preach the Gospel to the poor, to
heal the broken hearted, TO preach deliver
auce to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are |
bruised, and TO preach the acceptable year of |
the Lord and also warned the world that |
he would judge oil men by the deeds done
IN the body, with special reference 10 their
treatment of the destitute and the oppressed
and that he fully enforced all this by his
own example, during his stay on earth; and
whereas, these principles of humanity and
christianity hnve been in great measure
lost sight OF in the instructions of the yilDif
and in the example of professed Christians in
these United States, especially in their ap-
plicaton to those of our countrymen who
'nre the descendants of Africans whilst the
Churches themselves have for the most part
treated this unfortunate portion of the hu-
man inmily with great neglect, and often
times with great dsdain and contempt, many
OF their members holding these their breth-
rem IN ahect servitude, and others cultiva-
ting deep prejudice against the oppressed
class, and freely ffaternizing with their op-
pressors; and inasmuch as the consequence
'oi tins departure from the original princi-
pies OF the Gospel tends to yet lower stand
ara OF piety and Christian morality, and
must,'lt persisted in, finally destroy all vital
goodness in the churches, and sink their re-
hgion into mere superstitious forms, and inn
pious rites and ceremonies; Therefore
RESOLVED,
L. Slavery directly coDtravenes the laws of
God, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and
ought everywhere to be abolished.
= American Slavery, as every other form
oil human chattelslIp, is sin in itself, which
can md no shelter either in the Patriarchal,
Mosaic, or Christian dispensations; nor can
any stakeholder be justified, under any pos
sibie circumstances, in retaining his fellow
man IN the condition of a slave, since no
human laws can bind him to erercise owner
ship.
- The professor of Christianity, who de-
ciines to give freedom TO his slaves, gives
evidence thereby, that he loves not the Lord
Jesus Christ with his whole heart, since Je-
sns has himself taught, that inasmuch as we
DO a wrong to the least of those for whom
he shed his blood, we do wrong to him.
q. lie who communes or has fellowship
WIN The STAKEHOLDER communes and has fel-
lowslnp with one who tramples upon the laws
of God, and the principles and doctrines ofthe
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
.. The churches of the various denomi-
nations, and their judicatories, ought to de-
cree such measures, and take such action, as
are best adapted to deliver them from all
participation in the sin and other evils of
slaveholding.
O. We believe tho moral power and gem
eral influence of tho Church are such as, if
rightly directed, would bring slavery to a
speedy and peaceful end; and therefore, un-
Ill tho Church be thus faithful in the use of
The talents entrusted to her, she is feariully
guilty.
2. The slaves in our own country deserve
the especial attention of American Chris
tians and Churches; and, therefore, they
who pass neggently and indifferently by
the 'SIare, TO send the Gospel to the Pagan,
prove thereby their own disqualification for
promulgating that Gospel.
3. Anti-Slavery members of churches |
ought to endcavor to induce their respective
churches to take distinct Anti Slavery po-
sition.
o. The friends of pure Christianity ought
10 separate themselves from all slavcholding
churches, and from all churches, ecclesas-
tlcal bodies, and missionary organizations,
that are not fully divorced from the sin of
slaveholding; and we, who may still be in
connection with such bodies, pledge our
selves, that we will, by the aid of divine
grace, conform our actions in accordance
with tins resolution, and come out from
among them; unless such bodies shall
speedily separate themselves from all sup
port OF, or fellowship with soveholding.
TO- Ministers who neglect TO pray for the
abolition of slavery, and TO preach against
slavery, are recreant TO the high duties of
their commission.
IL. Theological and other seminaries of
learning which avoid the question of slavery, |
or give instruction conservative of slavery,
ought not to have the support of any Chris
tian community.
IL. Ii is the obligation of ministers of the
Gospel TO instruct their congregations in the
duties of citizens of voters, of Legislators,
and of administrative and judicial officers OF
the civil government
ID. Christians have no moral right to help
into Office men who disregard the rights of
any class of their fellow men.
Ia. All human constitutions and laws
which coutravene the laws of God are null
and void; and to all such laws ought TO be
applied the apostolic principle-''We ought
TO obey God rather than men,"
10. Geographical or sectional feelings are
inconsistent with Christian character, and
therefore the terms North and South are not
the proper terms to designate the distinction
between pro-slavery and nnti-elavery com
municants; and pro-snvery churches at the
North are not to be recognized as Christian
churches any more than if located at the
South.
IL. II is the duty of all the churches TO
memorialize Congress to abolish the slave
trade and slavery in the District of Column
hia, and whcresoever ii may exist within the
Jurisdiction of the United States Government
H. Whilst we deeply sympathize with the
colored population Of the Southern States,
we are not unIniudful that the system of sla-
very also extends its oppressive influence
oset .ne MISUNDERSTANDING white population,
aId In their sncinI md ...l..l....,.-I- -o.-,