Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-02-23
Sunday Reflections.


foot and in wagons, to the house of Cod
Yesterday they seemed active and vigorous and |
full Of life. Smiles lit up their countcnanccs
and energy marked their movements, To-day |
they move, like automatons, without energy or
soul no smile dsturbs their placidity Of visagc,
dark and sombrc are their looks. Awful
thoughts must occupy their breasts, to produce
such ropulsive outward manifestations.
1t is a long time since ] have sat and watch
cd the people as they woro assembling for 'wor-
ship had almost forgotten how the religion
of the nation manifested itself in this particular
direction,
II Is very unpleasant for me to sec day pro-
ducing such change in the appearance Of the
people. What is thorc in God or truth to be-
get such manifestations 1t is true the popular
Idea of God and religion is any thing but just
and rational, The people are going into the
presence of God to-day in the meeting houses
would that they were impressed with his ever
presence that they saw God in man,
and sclf-rcspect for his image there. But alas
man has but little thought or interest in the
| woll-belng Of his brother. Pity thousand con-
gregations of men and women arc at this hour
assembling to do homage at the footstool of
God. Three millions of the same race are out
ragged and plundercd, peeled and destroyed,
their hearts broken, and their hopes crushed
They cry for help and succor, they bcseech with
seolding tears the sympathy of those who pro-
foss the Christian namc how many will even
think Of them, Who of them will turn aside
to listen to their complaints What glorious
opportunity have the forty-fvc thousand minis
ters of this land to strike an effective blow at
despotsm, and what fearful responsibility
they incur in neglecting to do so
Tho people look up to them as Gods mcsscn-
gers, sent to instruct and bless they listen to
their teachings with an attention amounting to
religious awe. Their sayings are received as
authority, and their views are seldom question
cd. Would they this day but use the unlimi-
ted power they possess over mems minds in be-
half of the slaves redemption, who can justly
do it. Thousands will spend the precious hours
of the day in arraigning the Bible and God ON
the side Of the opprcssor against the oppressed.
Others, who would on no account take the
above position are railing against the unjust in
reference with Slavery ON the part of abolition
lists. While not few will use their golden op-
portunity to show that Aboltionism is only a
cloak worn by infdcls, that thcy may the more
easily stab religion and all its necessary appcn-
dages to tho vitals thus more cffcctually aid
ing tho tyrant than though open ground was ta-
ken in favor of oppression. But the majority
will occupy very different position. They
will dwell with zeal on the doctrines of the
ular moral bearing, if any such there be. From
this class none will ever get the impression that
a slave or stakeholder ever had an existence. A
few will speak, and that with carnestness too,
on this most vital of questions; their hearers
will be aroused and strengthened for the mighty
conflict now and in future to be waged between
liberty and slavery, while the blessing of those
ready to perish will be upon them. As 1 sit
here within hearing of the preachers voice in
the church near by, / am wishing that the sub
jcct Of this days discourse in all the American
rulpits could be brought before our vision
What lesson it would teach:
1 know the burden Of pulpit discourscs in
general, and grove that they are ofthcir pres
ent character. Trinities, Atonements, Baptisms,
Inspirations, Creeds, Confessions, Sacraments,
Heavens, Hells, Singings, Prayers, Faiths, may
all be good in their place, but never, never
ought they to usurp the claims of humanity.-
This day, did the people and the priesthood un-
derstand the obligations they are under, would
the decree go forth, "No slave shall breathe our
air or tread our soil" But they do not thus
understand, they will not thus Decree To the
ADoLIrroNIsT this work belongs. He secs the
recrcancy OF the priesthood,-th blindness of
the church he knows what God requires, he
he does it not, it will not be done. 1 soms-
times feel but little like blaming the church
when / SEQ the Indifference of those who de-
nounce her for her apostacy and want of love.
If we have more light, understand the law of
God moro perfectly than the church, our c5li-
cations keep pace Herewith. Yet how little
devotion, how little sacrifice, how little faith do
we manifest 1 ask the question, if judg-
ment begin with the church, where will
the abolitionists appear
1t has become nearly as popular to profess
abolitionism as religion, and many live on their
professions. pray that some test like that of
the American Society may alwayS exist, to
keep the indifferent from profession of faith"
This place is full of abolitionists of tho Freesoil
order, but with it all could hold no meeting
until night, all having meetings for divine wor-
ship to attend. Many know that am here,
yet have sat all day in the sitting-room of
hotel writing and worshipping, without seeing
soul Of them. do not think that pro-sla-